Advent across the Dakotas: Alexandria UMC brews up sunshine, Arthur UMC serves up waffles, 97th Candle and Carol Service at Fargo First UMC, Christmas program at Iroquois Trinity UMC.
The second Sunday of Advent we light two candles. We light these candles as signs of God’s shocking hope and just peace. May they be beacons calling us to repent and to live the good news of Jesus Christ as we wait and watch and labor for the day when all people can gather together to worship and glorify God. Here are ways that congregations celebrated the journey to the manger this week.
Just a few of the bake sale items at Alexandria UMC. Photo by Amber Laffey.
Alexandria United Methodist Church spent the first week of Advent serving coffee and treats to more than 50 people in their South Dakota community of 600. Morning Brew is a monthly activity of a group of women where coffee and treats are served to members of the community. December was filled with extra-special treats. The congregation also hosted Sonshine Club for 20 elementary students and had a bake sale throughout the week that raised $1,200 for Hanson County Protective Services. “It was an amazing week to kick off our Advent journey,” said Rev. Amber Laffey.
The waffle crew in action at Arthur UMC. Photo from Facebook.
Arthur United Methodist Church treated people in the community to waffles. Every year, men at Arthur UMC in North Dakota put their culinary skills to work and serve a waffle meal to the community. Fresh waffles, made from a secret family recipe, are served with bacon and sausage. Then they top it off with ice cream and cookies for dessert. This is the 70th year for the spirit-filled evening. Several of the 325 members of the community enjoyed reconnecting with neighbors, delicious food, laughter, football on TV, and viewing a Christmas village and train display in the sanctuary.
Rev. Ryan Mutzenberger, left, and Andrea Pluedemann, right, show their Christmas wear for Ugly Sweater worship at First UMC in Fargo. Photo from Facebook.
First United Methodist Church in Fargo, North Dakota, started the second Sunday of Advent by wearing ugly sweaters to worship. Rev. Ryan Mutzenberger, lead pastor, dressed in a green Christmas gala suit and Andrea Pluedemann, director of youth ministry, appeared in a Christmas romper. The 97th Annual Candle and Carol Concert provided amazing music to members of the Fargo community. Watch the Candle and Carol Concert. The concert was followed by coffee and cookies. The second Sunday of Advent marked a Christmas worship for Restoration Church, a recovery ministry of Fargo First UMC, and it was the was the largest turnout ever for the event. Watch the service.
Angels from the Sunday School program at Trinity UMC in Iroquois. Photo from Facebook.
Trinity United Methodist Church in Iroquois, South Dakota, lit the second candle of Advent, the peace candle. This candle reminds us of Mary and Joseph's journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem before Mary gave birth to Jesus. We recall that after the division, destruction, and dispersion of the kingdom in the Old Testament, God promises that there will one day be peace on Earth.
The Sunday School students presented “Piece by piece, building the Christmas story.” Dinner was enjoyed by all.
Do you have a special Christmas tradition at your church? Please share it with us! Advent is here, and that means the sights and sounds of holiday decorations, cherubs, and nativities are all around us. Share Advent stories, photos, and videos with the rest of the Dakotas Conference via email at dakumcom@dakotasumc.org or text 605-770-8540.
Sights and Sounds of the season from across the Dakotas Conference.
