At WPLC, we engage in a seven-week Advent. This more historical length of the season helps us to immerse ourselves in the themes of this time–hope, waiting, and yearning. (Learn more about a seven-week Advent here.)
Throughout our Advent season, we will explore how the season reveals a God who draws near not only in comfort but in courage — a God who stands with the questioning, the persecuted, the condemned, the poor, and the hopeful.
As we await Christ’s fully revealed presence, we practice solidarity with Palestinians seeking peace, immigrants under attack, refugees searching for safety, and neighbors longing for dignity.
In a time of when militarization and misinformation fill our lives, the season of Advent is a time to recommit to standing in solidarity with those on the margins, just like the Christ child. Throughout the season we’ll participate in our annual Advent Project, Hosting the Holy Family “among us,” Justice First Sundays, Lesson & Carols, and the slow decoration of our worship space for the Christmas season.
What We’re Doing
- Advent Project
- Advent Justice First Sundays
- Lessons and Carols – Saturday, December 13 at 7 p.m.
- Hosting the Holy Family
Advent Project: standing in solidarity with our neighbors
Throughout Advent, we are focusing on how our Ministry Partners help us to be more aware of the local, domestic, and global needs of our neighbors, in whose faces we can see Christ. Whether the needs are of hunger, safety, social/spiritual connection, or affirmation of God’s belovedness, we affirm God’s vision. While we are highlighting a few key ministry partners, gifts to any ministry partners on WPLC’s website throughout the Advent/Christmas season will be included toward the progress.
OUR FEATURED PARTNERS
We are called to stand in solidarity with those in our neighborhood, our city, and around the world.
- OUR NEIGHBORHOOD: Latino/a Congregations – In light of ICE’s presence and the increase in immigration raids in Chicago, we want to support our local ELCA Latino/a congregations, especially our partners at La Trinidad Lutheran Church in Humboldt Park, who are doing the vital work of providing material, emotional, and spiritual support to Latino/a families in our neighborhood.
- OUR CITY: RefugeeOne – Every year, RefugeeOne serves more than 2,500 refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants of all ages, ethnic groups, faiths, and backgrounds. They provide no-cost holistic services (housing support, English language training, mental health care, dental care, employment coaching, youth programs, and more) with the goal of helping newcomers build flourishing lives in Chicago. Learn more here.
- OUR WORLD: Opportunity Palestine – By supporting four K-12 Lutheran schools in Bethlehem, Beit Sahour, Ramallah, and Beit Jala, Opportunity Palestine works to sustain the educational institutions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL). They currently educate over 2,100 students regardless of gender, race, religion, or ability to pay, with interfaith dialogue and peace education embedded into the curriculum. Within a reality of ever-present violence, Opportunity Palestine provides a consistent, healthy, and nurturing environment for young Palestinians. Learn more here.
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Advent Justice first sundays
Join us on the first Sunday of each month in November, December, and January to learn more about how we can partner with local organizations to better stand in solidarity with our neighbors. Each “Justice First Sunday” will be held in the Fellowship Hall directly after service, following a brief time of fellowship.
The working group on the middle east – Nov 2, after worship
Join us on Sunday, November 2 after the service to learn more about the ELCA Metropolitan Chicago Synod’s Working Group on the Middle East (WGME), which is working toward an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine and a vision of equity, justice, and peace for Palestinians and Israelis alike. The WGME seeks to accomplish this through educating congregations and individuals, accompanying our siblings in the Holy Land, and motivating the ELCA to actively advocate for justice in Palestine and Israel. If you have any questions, please contact workinggroupmiddleeast@gmail.com.
Lessons & Carols Service – Saturday, December 13 at 7 p.m.
This annual event is a community and congregation favorite! Lessons and Carols is a service of Scripture and song. In this service, we listen to Scripture lessons which recall the promise of God’s presence in the world. Each lesson is followed by a carol or other song that reflects the lesson’s message. This is a perfect event to invite friends and family to enjoy. Following the service, we’ll gather for some refreshments and conversation as we give thanks for God’s presence. If you’re interested in participating in singing or playing an instrument, please contact Dr. Jordan (churchmusician@wickerparklutheran.org). Readers will be scheduled for this service during our monthly volunteer survey. Contact Maeve (office@wickerparklutheran.org) to ensure you’re on the email list to sign up.
Cannot make it in person? Join us online and partake in this musical celebration via our livestream!
Host The “Holy Family among us”
Join us this year as we watch the Holy Family journey from home to home across Chicagoland, ending up at Wicker Park just in time for Christmas Eve Worship. As the Holy Family dwells among us in our homes, we are invited to reflect on the fact that their faces are reflected in our neighbors, both nearby and around the globe, and how, when we stand in solidarity with our neighbors, we are caring for Christ (Matthew 25:40).
Hosts will:
- Give refuge to the Holy Family for 3-7 days
- Use an Advent Devotional to reflect (optional)
- Share a picture of the Holy Family at your home (optional)
- Physically transport the Holy Family to the next host (we will work to accommodate transportation limitations)