From the Manger
Welcome to Advent 2024 at Sampson’s Mills!
This Advent, we will engage with a curriculum called From the Manger. Hunger is a universal human experience, reminding us of our need for nourishment—both physically and spiritually. Jesus, the one who came to feed the hungry, offers hope, peace, joy, and love that sustains us. His story begins, ends, and revolves around food, making it a powerful symbol for our journey through Advent.
In From the Manger, we reflect on the playful symbolism of Jesus being laid in a feeding trough in Bethlehem, the “House of Bread.” While starting Advent with Jesus’ birth may feel unconventional, we hope this liturgical dissonance invites deeper reflection on how Jesus’ life nourishes our souls and how he continues to feed a hungry world today.
As we begin the journey through Advent, here is a list of events, as well as service and mission opportunities, to carry you through this Advent season!
Advent Devotional: This year, our devotional will be a weekly email on Mondays with a reminder email on Thursdays. If you would like to receive the email devotional and have not yet subscribed, please email office@sampsonsmills.org and state that you want to receive the devotional.
Advent Workshop: Be sure to join us for worship on December 1st and for our Advent Workshop immediately following. We will have lunch together, decorate the sanctuary, prepare an Advent at Home activity, and work on a local mission project!
Festival of Trees, December 5th-9th: The McKeesport Festival of Trees features a tree decorated by the SMPC E.P.I.C. participants! This year, they made a variety of angel ornaments out of unusual materials. View their tree and many others from noon until 9pm December 7th-11th.
Music Sunday, December 15th: While our entire Advent season will be filled with special music, our musicians will all come together on the third Sunday of Advent to tell the Christmas story through song.
White Christmas Offering: Our annual White Christmas Offering helps us provide for families in need of Christmas presents here in our community. Our fundraising goal for this project is $1200. Help us reach our goal! “White Christmas” designated envelopes are in the pews and in the narthex. Or, simply indicate “White Christmas” in the notes of your online contribution.
Sponsor a Francis-McClure Gift Bag: We are once again teaming up with Francis McClure Elementary School for this special local mission project. Help brighten a child’s Christmas by choosing a bag at the Advent Workshop. Fill with stocking stuffers based on the age, gender and interests provided on the tag. Bags must be filled and returned by Sunday, December 15th.
Reverse Advent Calendar: Set aside an item a day for our food bank from this suggested list. Every Sunday, bring a bag or box of your contributions to the Narthex so they can be shared at our distributions on December 20th and January 17th. Available to volunteer on a distribution day? Email Jolene Keefer (jpkeefer@comcast.net)
Christmas Eve Service: This year, our traditional candlelight service will be at 7pm. The service will feature brass, the choir, and communion.