Advent Sundays

On the second Sunday in Advent, the emphasis was the young people of the church. Two young women had requested that on this Sunday they be confirmed. The young people around the altar are the witnesses to this event. Later in the service these young adults sang some praise songs, which were appreciated by all in attendance.

Unfortunately, Gary was in the hospital, so he missed the young people Sunday. He also missed some beautiful snow. I took pictures for him to appreciate in his hospital room. (Laptop computers are a wonderful source to have.





Each Sunday the church is decorated a little more. The third Sunday in Advent was the day of the church’s choir’s Koncert. It began at 4:30 in the afternoon. The music was beautiful. Three of the five Americans at the Community for Christian Education (CCE) were in the choir. Jeannine came down with a very bad case of bronchitis and was in the audience with Gary.




The church’s youth choir sang with the adult choir for several songs.













By this time Gary is home from the hospital and is enjoying the sight of the snow in Žilina, where he teaches two classes of Conversational English.














The fourth Sunday in Advent is a very special celebration. The children come in with the Advent lanterns as they have each Advent Sunday. I noticed more “toddlers” with their mothers this time. The same young lady reads about this Advent Sunday as the candles are lit. The painting above the altar has been changed with a picture of the Baby Jesus in a manger.





All of the children go to the altar railing and are blessed by the pastor.
A young girl recites a poem. Then the CCE musical staff member,
Tomás, leads the young people in a couple of songs, complete with hand motions.




After the sermon, Eucharist was served to everyone in the church. This is mentioned because the Eucharist is not part of most services here. If one wants to share the Lord’s Supper, it is done after most people leave the church. Last Sunday, it had been announced that Eucharist would be part of this service.

Usually, the Eucharist is served at the altar railing. This Sunday, there were two stations on the steps below the altar railing. First, the pastor distributing the bread, puts a hand on the one being served the Eucharist and blesses that person with the assurance that their sins are forgiven in the name of Christ Jesus. The bread is served. Next the person moves to another ordained pastor who serves the wine.

The celebration of Advent was so joyous, now we anxiously wait the celebration of birth of Jesus.