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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
*Taken from Presbyterian Church (USA) Presbyterian Mission
Sundays in Advent
Advent Services
Christmas Eve
December 24th
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 17th
December 17th
Longest Night Candlelight Service in the Courtyard at the Nativity Manger: A Short Service Remembering The Lives and Needs of The Homeless
Wednesday, December 17, 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.
This is the 19th 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.
Wednesday, December 17, 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.
This is the 19th 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.
What's Happening in Advent?
Jolley Trolley
Join us on Wed., Dec. 14 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.
Advent Little Lending Library
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Children’s Advent Lending Library available in the Fellowship Hall beginning on Sun. December 3rd 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.
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Check out at book anytime from 8:30am-5:00 pm Monday-Fridays and from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Sundays during Advent.
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Cedarkirk Christmas Retreat Weekend
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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
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Why Everything You Know About the Nativity is Probably Wrong
Or, The Joy of Being Wrong at Christmas Article by Sarah Bessey "Oh, it's fun to be wrong! It means we get to learn!" |
Advent Prayer by Rev John Debevoise
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Giving
Boxes of Hope (Dec. 1 – Dec. 21) — Build a box of hope for Metropolitan Ministries. Please pick up empty boxes around the church campus to help provide a nutritious holiday meal for a family who may otherwise be without food.
Christmas in Africa— Give the gift of hope with our Christmas in Africa program. CIA offers a wide selection of meaningful gifts for your friends and family while helping the people of Papoli, Uganda gain self-sufficiency. Shop Online Here
Giving Trees — Please support this year’s Giving Tree by selecting a tag from one of the Christmas trees in the Fellowship Hall, the Narthex, or the gym. Guardian ad Litem, FED, Created, Beth-El, and the McClain home residents will be the recipients of your generosity this year. Please return gifts unwrapped to the church office by Sunday, December 11th.
Joy Gift Offering — We will be receiving our annual Joy Gift offering from November 27-December 31. This is a denomination- wide offering that, this year, is directed to Beth-El Farmworker Ministry.
Christmas in Africa— Give the gift of hope with our Christmas in Africa program. CIA offers a wide selection of meaningful gifts for your friends and family while helping the people of Papoli, Uganda gain self-sufficiency. Shop Online Here
Giving Trees — Please support this year’s Giving Tree by selecting a tag from one of the Christmas trees in the Fellowship Hall, the Narthex, or the gym. Guardian ad Litem, FED, Created, Beth-El, and the McClain home residents will be the recipients of your generosity this year. Please return gifts unwrapped to the church office by Sunday, December 11th.
Joy Gift Offering — We will be receiving our annual Joy Gift offering from November 27-December 31. This is a denomination- wide offering that, this year, is directed to Beth-El Farmworker Ministry.
Advent Photos and Videos
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PCPC Children's Ministry
3501 W San Jose St
Tampa, Florida 33629
3501 W San Jose St
Tampa, Florida 33629