PRINCETON — St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Princeton invites all to attend Advent and Christmas Eve services. All services will progressively light the Advent wreath.
Wednesday Midweek Advent services will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 4, 11 and 18. The half-hour service uses Holden Evening Prayer with a brief devotional message.
Sunday Advent services will be at 9 a.m. Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22, with Holy Communion.
Dec. 1 will be a contemporary service. Dec. 8 will be a traditional service with organ accompaniment. It also will feature Monarch Brass. Dec. 15 will incorporate a Christmas program. Dec. 22 will be a traditional organ service that includes the Bureau County Chorus and St. Matthews Hand Bell Choir.
On Tuesday, Dec. 24, Christmas Eve services will be at 7 and 10 p.m. Each service is distinctively different.
The 7 p.m. Christmas Eve service is a traditional candlelight worship using Christmas carols throughout the service with the St. Matthews Choir and pipe organ used to leadworship. Communion is by intinction (dipping the wafer into the cup). The sermon (based on Luke 2:1-20) is titled “Away in the Manger, legend and Gospel truth behind this Cradle Hymn.” A children’s sermon is also part of this service.
The 10 p.m. informal service is a half hour in length, and the sanctuary will be lit entirely by candlelight and Christmas tree lights. The sermon (based on John 1:1-14) is titled “The Light of All People.” The service includes more favorite carols (accompanied by piano) not included at 7 p.m. Holy Communion is at the communion rail (with individual cups).
Both the 7 and 10 p.m. Christmas Eve services conclude with singing “Silent Night” by candlelight.
An additional opportunity for worship will be at 9 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 29, with lessons and carols offering a selection of scripture readings and more Christmas carols not included on Christmas Eve.
St. Matthews Lutheran Church is located at 416 E. Dover Road in Princeton. For more information, visit www.StMatthewsPrinceton.org, email StMatthewsPrinceton@gmail.com or call at 815-879-6491.
