Advent

What is Advent?

“Advent” means “coming” or “arrival.” During the season of Advent, we celebrate Christ’s coming into the world and watch with expectant hope for his coming again. The four weeks of Advent present an opportunity for communal discernment and personal examination, as the church prepares to celebrate the Nativity of the Lord and looks with hope for Christ’s return.

*Taken from Presbyterian Church (USA) Presbyterian Mission

Sundays in Advent

First Sunday in Advent - Hope

Second Sunday in Advent - Peace

Third Sunday in Advent - Joy

fourth Sunday in Advent - Love

Advent Services

Christmas Eve
December 24th

We are having several in person children friendly Christmas Eve Services including 4:30 pm in the Sanctuary and Nativity in a Bag with live music and live animals in the outside in the Courtyard at 6:00 pm. For more information please email Susan Frost at [email protected] or call Palma Ceia at 813-253-6047.

Longest Night Candlelight Service
December 21st

This is the 21st year PCPC (in a pattern shared by other churches and synagogues across the nation) to honor those who also are a part of our community, frequently eating at the Faith Café, visiting this church, and some have lost their lives while living on the streets this year.

The service includes candle lighting and prayers for the
homeless. It lasts about 30 minutes. If they are able participants are welcomed to bring a warm piece of clothing, canned good, warm socks, or a sleeping bag which PCPC will see are distributed in care for the homeless.

Longest Night Candlelight Service in the Courtyard at the Nativity Manger: A Short Service Remembering The Lives and Needs of The Homeless

Wednesday, December 21, 6 - 6:30 pm at the stable in PCPC’s courtyard

The longest night of darkness each year tends to last around 14 hours. It occurs close to the Winter Solstice in December.

Imagine yourself on the streets with nowhere to sleep but under a bridge, by a railroad track, in a cemetery. You are homeless, cold, lonely and have trouble sleeping for fear someone may try to steal your meager possessions and/or try to hurt you just because you are homeless.

What's Happening in Advent?

Jolley Trolley

Join us on Wed., Dec. 17 for dinner and singing carols as we ride around the neighborhood looking at Christmas lights on the Jolley Trolley! Open to anyone for hop-on, hop-off 20-minute rides from 5-7pm.

Living Nativity

For more information and photos, please visit the Living Nativity page by clicking the button below.

Living Nativity

Advent Little Lending Library

Children’s Advent Lending Library available in the Fellowship Hall so come and check out and take a book home to read.

Check out at book anytime from 8:30am-5:00 pm Monday-Fridays and from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Sundays during Advent.

Once you have finished reading the book(s), return to the shelf and sign it back in so we can keep track of where the books are.

Cedarkirk Christmas Retreat Weekend

You don’t have to wait a whole year to see your counselors and friends or do all of your favorite summer camp activities! The Christmas Retreat brings you a little bit of summer camp in the winter! Join us for a weekend of fun, faith-building, fellowship, and fantastic food as we learn about – and prepare for – the birth of Christ and what that means for our lives today.

Christmas cookies, 12 days of Cedarkirk, Cedarkirk activities, and plenty of joy to go around! Join us for this awesome weekend.

Advent Articles

Article by Sarah Bessey