Advent 2023
This year, Bay Shore is trying something new (to us).
Since 2009, the North American Academy of Liturgy has strongly suggested that churches go back to the roots of the church Advent season. Advent used to be longer. In the earliest centuries of church history, the length varied, but it was often
40 days – like Lent. It was a time of fasting, preparation, and more. As the church grew, so did the practice of keeping Advent. The longer Advent season was often called St. Martin’s Lent – because it would begin with November 11th’s Feast of St. Martin, which is 45 days before Christmas.
This year, we are extending our Advent Season. We will have
7 Sundays of Advent, beginning November 12th through December 24th (morning).
Our Theme is "Out Of Time."
Over the seven weeks before Christmas, we will explore our time, the world’s time, and God’s time. We will wonder about the mystery of the birth of our Savior, something that gets lost often in our busyness of the holidays.
We will roll out our usual decorations of blue, and our trees will go up in the sanctuary when they always have – in December following the first Tuesday. But we will start Advent on November 12th with a workshop for all ages: creating a craft to help mark “time” this Advent Season.
And don’t throw out your Advent Wreath! Just add three more candles to it, and use our weekly Sunday bulletins for your candle lighting prayers at home.
We also have a Devotional that you can download, or pick up a printed copy at the church.
We welcome all to join us this Advent Season as we slowly dwell in this space of intention and preparation for the gift of our Savior!
