This Advent season, we journey together toward Christmas with the theme of Life—celebrating the One who brings us new life, hope, peace, joy, and love. Throughout these four weeks, we’ll explore powerful biblical stories of God’s life-giving presence, from the fiery furnace to Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones, from living water to the Word made flesh. As we light our Advent candles each Sunday, we acknowledge that this season can hold both light and darkness. There is space here to not be okay, to sit with hard things, and to ask: Where do we hope for God to bring about new life? We invite you to journey with us.
This year’s Advent Program Guide offers ways to experience Advent at Sardis and at home. Download the Advent Program Guide here. Limited printed copies are available at the welcome tables in the Narthex & Gathering Place and at the church office.
Ways to Experience Advent
- Read & Reflect – Daily Devotional: “Draw Near”
Engage with scripture and reflection through The Presbyterian Outlook’s 26 Days of Prayer Devotional, “Draw Near – Lighting the Advent Path with Hope, Peace, Joy & Love”. Click here to download the devotional. Limited printed copies are available in the church office. - Listen – Advent Playlist
Let music draw you deeper into the season with our curated Advent playlist, featuring songs of hope, peace, joy, love, and life. Click here to listen. - Give – Angel Tree & Christmas Joy Offering
Help provide Christmas gifts for children in need of some extra joy. Pick an angel from our virtual angel tree to purchase gifts for and drop off unwrapped gifts in the Mission Corner of the Gathering Place by December 7. Click here to pick an angel.
PCUSA Christmas Joy Offering
Collected during both worship services on December 7. This offering provides support for Presbyterian church workers and their families in their time of need. - Serve – Roof Above Soup Kitchen
Volunteer with us at Roof Above on Saturday, December 28, from 9:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. We will be serving our neighbors experiencing homelessness. Click here to sign up to volunteer.
Special Services & Events
- Matthews Glenn Carols & Extended Communion
Sunday, December 7 at 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the MG Card Room
Children with their parents and others in the Sardis family are invited to join us as we gather with Sardis members at Matthews Glen Retirement Community for Extended Communion, Christmas carol singing led by Beth Williams, and a mission project for a Sardis mission partner designed for all ages and abilities. - Congregational Christmas Dinner
Wednesday, December 10 at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall
Let’s gather together for a festive meal with intergenerational activities and crafts for children. Photo backdrop available for family selfies. The cost is $10 for adults, $6 for children ages 6-8, and free for children 5 and under. Register Here - WAM Christmas Celebration
Sunday, December 14 at 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Elementary children, get ready for an evening of holiday fun! We’ll be decorating delicious Christmas cookies, singing our favorite carols together, and playing exciting games. Come celebrate the season with friends, laughter, and Christmas cheer! - Service of Hope & Remembrance
Wednesday, December 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary
We invite you to a gentle service in the Sanctuary designed for those carrying grief, loss, or heavy burdens during the holiday season. All are welcome. - One Worship Service – No Sunday School
Sunday, December 28 at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary
Take a breath between Christmas and the New Year. We’ll gather for one combined service at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary to rest, reflect, and give thanks for the gift of Christ’s birth. No Sunday School. - Sardis Serves Together Sunday
Sunday, January 4 at 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Start the new year by serving together! We’ll have one worship service in the Sanctuary at 11:00 a.m. Then, in the Fellowship Hall, we’ll enjoy lunch and education about Room In the Inn, as well as hands-on mission projects for all ages supporting RITI, Roof Above, and the Salvation Army Women and Children’s shelter. Register to participate at sardis.org/events. All Sunday School classes will meet at 10:00 a.m. Register Here
Christmas Eve Worship Services
Join us as we celebrate the birth of Christ with services for all ages and styles of worship. Whether you come with young children, prefer a contemplative candlelight service, or want to gather later on Christmas Eve, there’s a place for you at the table.
- 4:00 p.m. Contemporary Family Service in the Fellowship Hall
A joyful, interactive service designed for families with young children (or the young-at-heart) in the Fellowship Hall, featuring: interactive Nativity story, special “light” handout & crafts, book giveaway, refreshments. The Nursery will be open for children ages 5 and under - 7:00 p.m. & 9:00 p.m. Traditional Candlelight Worship with Communion in the Sanctuary
Traditional candlelight services with the celebration of the sacrament of Holy Communion in the Sanctuary.