Updated on December 20, 2024
December 22, Fourth Sunday of Advent
The season of Advent draws near to its end, and we will soon celebrate the joyful news of Christ’s birth. But before we arrive at the stable in Bethlehem, we will share in one last Advent Sunday. This Fourth Sunday of Advent will be full of festivity as we welcome a brass ensemble to worship. We will hear Luke’s account of the meeting of Mary and Elizabeth, and consider what Mary’s Magnificat might mean for us today.
At 9:30 a.m., all are invited to take part in our joyful Advent Potluck Breakfast. This will be a joyful time of reconnecting with folks who are retuning home for Christmas as well as getting to know new Highland family and friends. Bring a favorite breakfast dish to share fresh fruit, bagels, breakfast casserole, coffee cake, quiche, muffins, or more, and we will celebrate the joy of the Advent and Christmas season around tables in the Fellowship Hall.We’ll gather in the Fellowship Hall, and look forward to this time to gather and celebrate the good news of this season. (Please remember that we will not have regular church school this Sunday.)
Please see below for information about Christmas Eve services, Stewardship commitments and year-end giving, and more! And be sure to see our December issue of Highlights, as well for more about ways that we are being the church together through this season.
Scripture Readings: Micah 5:2-5a; Luke 1:39-55
Sermon: From Generation to Generation: The Judgement and Redemption of the World, Randy Harris
Click here for the bulletin and video link for the livestream service, which will be available Sunday beginning at 10:45 a.m.
Sunday Schedule:
- 9:30 a.m. Advent Potluck Breakfast, Fellowship Hall
- 11:00 a.m. Worship, Sanctuary and Livestream
- 4:00 p.m. Dolorosa Gathering, Chapel
- See the News & Events page for the current week’s schedule
✨Advent
Advent Devotion Book: The season of Advent is here and we have a new Advent Study Guide and book available for everyone. You can pick up a paper copy from either the Narthex or the Gallery Hall or you can click here to read it online. (Please note that we will not be sending daily emails this year, so be sure to bookmark this link on your computer or phone to access it through the season!)
💌Stewardship
Year-End Giving: Please make all offerings for 2024 by Tuesday, December 31. The IRS stipulates that any donations not received or postmarked by December 31 must be credited to 2025. Also, please submit any requests for reimbursement of funds spent on behalf of the church by this date. If you have any questions please contact Joy Hohmann, 336-724-6303.
Stewardship for 2025: From Generation to Generation is our theme, and we look forward to making our commitments as we anticipate another year in ministry together. Stewardship information has been mailed, and forms are also available online. Clink the links below to access them.
Stewardship Brochure
Pledge Card
Time & Talent Form
⛪ Churchwide
All Church Advent Breakfast, December 22, 9:30 a.m., Fellowship Hall: All are invited to bring your favorite breakfast dish to share with others as we gather together for our fourth Advent Sunday. Please note that we will not have regular church school classes on this day.
Christmas Eve Services: Our 4:00 p.m. Family-Friendly Service (livestreamed beginning at 3:45 p.m. here) taking place in the Sanctuary, will feature our children leading a presentation of An Unexpected Christmas. We’ll have joyful music, bells, and more. Children who are not in the production will have an opportunity to dress as shepherds, sheep, and more, so come early to find a costume! See the bulletin here.
Our 7:00 p.m. Candlelight Service (livestreamed beginning at 6:45 p.m. here), featuring awe-inspiring music from our Chancel Choir, organ, and harp. We will sing carols, read the timeless story of our Messiah’s birth, and light candles together as we celebrate Christ’s light coming into the world. (Please note that the prelude will begin at 6:55 p.m. for this service). See the bulletin here.
Pre-Worship Leadership Volunteers: We hope Highland members of ALL ages will sign up to help prepare the Sanctuary on Sunday mornings for Worship. We have space and opportunities for four volunteers each Sunday morning. We would love to see Highlanders fill these positions of lighting the candle, placing the Bible on the lectern, filling the Baptismal Font, and/or placing the Communion Chalice and Plate on the Communion Table. Volunteer Here!
🌎 Service
Alternative Giving: The focus for our Alternative Giving this year is on caring for God’s earth and for those impacted by the devastating effects of climate change. Our Global Service Committee and Earth Care Team are providing gifts of mangrove trees in Madagascar, as well as support for Black Mountain Counseling, and Beloved Asheville in Western North Carolina. Click here for details.
Gifts Under the Tree: Gifts Under the Tree: The Community Service Committee is collecting gifts to share with the children and community of El Buen Pastor. Please bring unwrapped gifts to place under the Christmas tree in the Sanctuary. They may be brought between now and Christmas Eve. Items requested for their children’s art classes include: paper towels, Kleenex, metallic markers, small canvases, letter foam stickers, markers, and acrylic paint.
St. Timothy’s Overflow Shelter: St. Timothy’s Women’s Overflow will open nightly this season, starting December 1, and will once again serve the most vulnerable among us. Recruit your friends, Meet & Eat group, committee or neighbors to help the guests by signing up for a dinner, to-go bags, or hospitality. Shelter Volunteers Click Here
😎 Youth
Youth Fellowship resumes January 5. Meanwhile, signups are underway for the Senior High Mystery Trip, January 17-20. Contact Courtney Stevens if you have any questions.
📖 Adults
A new round of adult church school classes will begin on January 5. Watch for email updates about our upcoming offerings!
Music Ministry Opportunities are available, and are open to members and friends of the congregation with some experience making music in these ways. Email Chris Gilliam, Director of Music, to express interest in the Chancel Choir, or Haley Chapman, to express interest in the handbell choir.
💗Giving to HPC is Easy!
Give Online: To give from your computer or smartphone, Click Here.
Text-to-Give: Text the word highland to 73256 and follow the instructions.
Mail a Check: Address to Highland Presbyterian Church, Attn. Joy Hohmann, 2380 Cloverdale Avenue, Winston Salem, NC 27103.
For Education, Youth, Children, and Family Updates, please see the News & Events page.