Advent: Awakening Awareness

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 the Advent season, we will focus on how the worship texts are presenting a different reality that God is making known to us. Through this awareness practice in our worship, we will grow more aware to God’s presence among us and how we can participate in bringing about God’s vision.

In a time of when distraction and misinformation fill our lives, the season of Advent is a time to recommit to awakening our senses, minds, and hearts to garner more awareness for God’s presence and vision. Throughout the season we’ll participate in our annual Advent Project, Hosting the Holy Family, Bible Study, Lesson & Carols, and the slow decoration of our worship space for the Christmas season.

What We’re Doing

Advent Project: Bringing Awareness to Our Neighbor’s Needs

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. 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

ELCA World Hunger (domestic and global) – Working with and through our congregations in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands Lutheran churches overseas and other partners, ELCA World Hunger is uniquely positioned to reach communities in need. From health clinics to microloans, water wells to animal husbandry, community meals to advocacy, your gifts to ELCA World Hunger make it possible for the ELCA to respond, supporting sustainable solutions that get at the root causes of hunger and poverty. Learn more here.
Trinidad Lutheran Church feeding program – Once a month Trinidad provides a free, hot meal for the many homeless and low-income families who speak Spanish in the Humboldt Park community. We’re here to help make the church a continued place for migrants living in Humboldt Park to receive spiritual care, food, and personal items.
Lighthouse Foundation – Lighthouse Foundation of Chicagoland is a Black Queer-led, multiracial social justice organization that advances justice for Black LGBTQ+ people across Chicagoland through empowerment, education, and entertainment. We envision a Chicagoland in which Black LGBTQ+ people are safe, resourced, empowered, liberated, and flourishing. Lighthouse Foundation is in cooperation and partnership with Lighthouse Church of Chicago an associated with the United Church of Christ. Learn more here.

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Advent Spiritual Formation

The Advent Wreath’s Origin and Other Advent Spiritual Traditions – Nov 17, after worship

As we focus on being aware of God’s presence this Advent season, we wonder: “how does the Advent wreath awaken our awareness?” Join us on Sunday, November 17 after the service to explore this question. We will also discuss the origin of different traditions and how we can use them to be more spiritually aware during the Advent season. This “Third Sunday Teaching” will be held in the Fellowship Hall following a brief time of fellowship. If you have any questions, please contact Vicar Kornelius at vicar@wickerparklutheran.org.

Exploring a Land Acknowledgement – December 15, after worship

Join the Anti-racism Committee for Transformation (ACT) for December’s Third Sunday Teaching to explore the efforts WPLC has undertaken to work toward a Land Acknowledgement statement. As a part of our involvement in the Land Acknowledgement movement, ACT chairperson, Eric Dollard, will present some facts about the land on which our church building now sits–how it passed from ownership from Native Americans to us today. Then, Pastor Jason will facilitate a discussion about the “ELCA’s Land Acknowledgement Guide” and “A Declaration of the ELCA to American Indian and Alaska Native People.” Please contact Eric Dollard (jedollard1219@gmail.com) with any questions or to learn more.

Lessons & Carols Service – Saturday, December 7 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 Chelsea (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

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.

Hosts:

Give refuge to the Holy Family for 3-7 days
Use the Advent Study Guide 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)

The Holy Family has already begun their journey, and unfortunately, sign up for hosting the family has closed. Join in their journey next year!