4th Sunday of Advent: LOVE + Musical Celebration … Dec. 21, 2025 @ 10am
Come as you are! Everyone welcome … In-person or on Zoom.
Advent 2025 is here!
Come join us for the lighting of Advent candles for Hope, Peace, Joy, Love, and Light. Advent wreaths traditionally feature four candles, with three typically being purple and one pink. These candles symbolize Jesus’ arrival as a beacon in the darkness. One candle is lit each Sunday, progressively increasing the light until all four are illuminated. This gradual lighting signifies the approaching Christmas, with each additional candle bringing more light into the darkness. A white candle (sometimes referred to as the “Christ candle) is lit on Christmas Eve, or Christmas Day, to symbolize Jesus’ presence. Each of the candles lit during the Advent season represents a specific aspect of preparation for Christmas.
November 30 … 1st Sunday of Advent: H O P E
December 7 … 2nd Sunday of Advent: P E A C E
December 14 … 3rd Sunday of Advent: J O Y
December 21 … 4th Sunday of Advent: L O V E
Featuring + A Musical Celebration of the Season, 10am
During the reign of King Louis XIV, while the king’s superintendent of music, Jean-Baptiste Lully, was terrorizing French musicians who wished to perform ballets and operas, Marc-Antoine Charpentier was quietly writing motets, oratorios, sacred cantatas, hymns, anthems, and mass settings for the Church. Charpentier had trained in Rome under the great Giacomo Carissimi. Upon returning to Paris, he became employed by Marie de Lorraine, the rich and pious Duchesse de Guise. During his career he also wrote for the theater of Molière. Near the end of his life the king appointed him to direct music at Sainte-Chapelle, a position second only to the chapel at Versailles.
In the Messe de Minuit pour Noël (Midnight Mass for Christmas), Charpentier used ten well-known French Christmas carols of the time as the melodic material for the mass. The result was a charming piece that remains timeless to this day. Join us for worship at 10am, to hear St. John’s choir and orchestra offer this delightful music as a celebration of the birth of Christ.
December 24 … Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, 5:30pm
Please join us for St. John’s amazing Candlelight service, featuring Carols and Lessons at 5:30pm. This beloved annual event is a cherished tradition, offering a wonderful opportunity to reflect and celebrate the spirit of the season. Through timeless carols and beautiful readings, we come together as a community for an evening of peace and joyous anticipation. We look forward to welcoming you there to this memorable occasion.
December 28 – SJ Carols & Potluck Brunch, 10am
Join us for a simple and sweet morning of breakfast, worship, and song in the Fireside Room. This gathering will take place on Sunday, December 28 at 10am. We will sit by the fire, sing carols, and take requests for songs. If you are able, bring a food or drink item to share – no worries if you don’t bring anything … There will plenty to share! – Elizabeth Conway
R E A D I N G S
🔆Lamentations 3:22-23 🔆Psalm 146:5-10 🔆Luke 1:46b-55
M U S I C
PRELUDE … Picardy Alec Rowley (1892-1958)
INTROIT …. À la venue de Noël (With the arrival of Christmas), harmonization by Laure Casenave (living)
ANTHEM … O Salutaris Hostia, (O Saving Sacrifice) David Conte (b. 1955)
HYMN … ‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime
Messe de Minuit pour Noël, Marc-Antoine Charpentier (1643-1704)
I. Kyrie, II. Gloria, III. Credo
OFFERTORY … Messe de Minuit pour Noël, IV. Offertory, V. Santus
HYMN … People, Look East
POSTLUDE … Messe de Minuit pour Noël, VI. Agnus Dei
Join us for Coffee Hour immediately after the service.
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