Joy? Joy. Joy! The Advent Season begins Sunday.

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.” ~Luke 2:10

Beloved Epworth Community,

The Book of Joy by the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu opens with these words, “What is this thing called joy and how is it possible that it can evoke such a wide range of feelings? How can the experience of joy span from those tears of joy at a birth to an irrepressible belly laugh at a joke to a serenely contented smile during meditation?” And further, what is the relationship between joy and suffering? Between joy and movement? Between joy and interconnectedness?

This Advent season we’ll explore the many dimensions of joy. Our Advent series is “Joy? Joy. Joy!” You are invited through music, message, scripture, play and movement, art, small groups, and worship to engage where we are now with joy as we continue to deal with the effects of the pandemic. Our companion text is The Book of Joy and we will have a screening of the film Mission: Joy (Finding Happiness in Troubled Times.) These opportunities and more are detailed in the Advent Brochure [Download PDF] and on the church website at https://epworthberkeley.org/advent.

Our journey includes multiple opportunities to engage joy through giving. This year, our Advent offering will support Epworth’s Sanctuary Action Team that offers accompaniment and other advocacy for persons who have fled violence in their home country, and Youth Alive, an organization in Oakland that works to break through cycles of violence through intervention, prevention and healing. Also, you are invited to give a gift to a family in need through the Christmas Giving Tree. Donate online at https://epworthberkeley.churchcenter.com/giving/to/christmas-offering

I look forward to the Advent journey of joy with you. Joy has come into the world incarnationally, and comes to us again this Advent.

Advent blessings,

Pastor Kristin Stoneking

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Advent & Christmas Worship at Epworth

Worship in the sanctuary and via livestream every Sunday at 10 AM on Facebook, YouTube & our website.

First Sunday of Advent - The Joy of Hope

Sun. Nov. 27 at 10 am

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-42

Second Sunday of Advent - The Joy of Faith

Sun. Dec. 4 at 10 am

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10

Holy Communion

Third Sunday of Advent - The Joy of Justice

Sun. Dec. 11 at 10 am

Scripture: Luke 1:46b-55

Fourth Sunday of Advent - The Joy of Peace

Sun. Dec. 18 at 10 am

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Theme: The Joy of Peace

Advent Children’s Choir performs

Christmas Eve - Sat. Dec 24

5 pm - Family Nativity Worship

11 pm - Carols & Candlelight Worship

Christmas Day - The Joy of Christmas

Sun. Dec. 25 at 10 am

Kids of all ages are welcome to attend in pajamas to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

First Sunday after Christmas

Sun. Jan 1 at 10 am

Guest Preacher: David Ourisman

Holy Communion