Advent 2023
Join us this Advent as we explore Love in Action: Preparing and Nurturing the Garden of the Soul
We are again creating Advent & Christmas Resources to help congregations, families, and the community show Love in Action during Advent. The resource will include themes and ideas for worship, community and congregational reflections, and ideas for early learning and playgroups to celebrate the season with their communities.
Using the metaphor of growing a garden to prepare our hearts, souls, and minds for the birth of Jesus, over five weeks, we will use the lectionary readings to delve into God’s story of love and faithfulness. We will explore how God had been planning and preparing His people for the gift of Jesus, and how Jesus makes a difference in our lives today and into the future. Weekly readings and themes are listed below.
There are four parts to the resource:
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Worship Resource (for worship services):
Including Lectionary Readings, Bible Themes and Suggestions for Creative Theming and Decoration, Advent Liturgy and Prayers, and Conversation Starters and Activities that can be used in worship. This resource is intentionally designed to help churches prepare worship services during the season to engage people of all ages and will be suitable for all congregations regardless of size, demographic, or location.
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Bible Reflections (for Church members and families)
Connected to the weekly worship resource with discussion questions, activities, and links to additional resources for use by individuals, groups, and families of all ages and sizes during the season.
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Community Reflections (for families of playgroups, childcare centres, and other ministries)
With thought prompts, activities, and links to additional resources for use by families and children during the season.
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Early Learning Resources (for childcare, playgroup, and other children’s ministries)
Including suggested stories, talking points, art, prayers, and other activities that can be used in early learning centres, playgroups, and other children’s ministries. These are intentionally designed to help these groups and programs connect with the theme, and link activities in church, home, and the community.
Materials will be available in November; please add your name to the distribution list by completing the form or contact Jess Pinkerton at jessica.pinkerton@ucaqld.com.au or Paul Wetzig at paul.wetzig@ucaqld.com.au.
Weekly Themes, Readings and Additional materials
Previous years’ seasonal resources:
Lent Reflections and Worship Materials
This Lent we are inviting you to “Journey with Jesus” in an exploration of some of the practices of lifelong disciples.
Following the Journey to Joy Advent and Christmas materials and to continue our support of congregations in growing their discipleship and intergenerational capacities.
Using the Year A, Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) scriptures, the material explores parts of Jesus’ recorded ministry and discover some of the template that he set for his disciples when he invited them to “follow me”. These discipleship practices are connected to the Here2Stay framework which has been created to help communities, beginning with families, form habits that help make faith real in all of life.
The Journey to Jesus Easter Worship planning resource is now complete and available here.
More Free Great Easter resources are available here.
Downloads
Weekly reflection, discussion questions, and challenges to help individuals, groups and families explore Jesus’ ministry and consider practices that form people who become lifelong followers of Jesus’ way.
Bible readings, themes and suggestions for prayers, videos, and activities to do in worship, to assist with weekly worship preparation for the five Sundays of Lent.
A printable journal for Individuals to help process the content and what next steps to take their own walk with Jesus.
Additional Resources
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Paul Wetzig at paul.wetzig@ucaqld.com.au or Jess Pinkerton at jessica.pinkerton@ucaqld.com.au.
Additional Holy Week and Easter materials will be released later.
The Journey to Joy Advent and Christmas resources are available for download now.
Journey to Joy Map and Ornaments – Simple countdown calendar for Advent & Christmas with daily challenges and Nativity Character Ornaments to colour. This is best printed on an A4 card single-sided. Print and include with either the Countdown to Christmas or Advent and Christmas reflections for any and all families in your community.
Journey to Joy: Countdown to Christmas – Designed for families from our playgroups, childcare centres, and other community groups. Five weeks of materials with discussion questions on the weekly themes, simple reflections on Characters of the nativity, challenges and links to additional resources, including videos, songs and activities. This is best printed on A4 paper, double-sided. Print and include with the Map and Ornaments for these families in your community.
Journey to Joy: Advent and Christmas Reflections – Designed for Families, singles, couples, and groups within congregations. Five weeks of materials with discussion questions on the weekly themes, Reflections on Characters of the nativity, challenges and links to additional resources, including videos and songs, to help young and old to engage and go further in their discipleship journey this advent. This is best printed on A4 paper, double-sided. Print and include with the Map and Ornaments for all members of your congregation.
Journey to Joy Worship Planning resource – These resources have been created by a collaborative team from across the Qld Synod of the Uniting Church to help congregations, communities, and families celebrate Advent together intergenerationally. It contains bible readings, themes and suggestions for prayers, videos, and activities to do in worship to assist with weekly worship preparation for the four Sundays of Advent and Christmas Day or Christmas Eve. There is also an Advent Candle Litany and suggestions for a Blue Christmas/ Solace/ Thanksgiving and Remembering Service. These resources are connected thematically with the Journey to Joy Countdown to Christmas and Advent and Christmas Reflections to enable ongoing engagement for congregation members, families, and people in your community over this Advent and Christmas season.
Journey to Joy Advent Litany PowerPoint (for worship) – 5 PowerPoint presentations, one for each Sunday, containing the text and responses for the weekly Advent Candle Litany. Please amend the text references to sand and cardboard if not completing the artwork during this time.
Journey to Joy Postcards: 5 postcards, one for each Sunday, to use for personal art and reflection during worship. These are best printed on A4 cards and cut to size. Make enough for one per person in worship. These could also be printed and included in advent packs for all families in your community.
Journey to Joy Posters: 5 posters, one for each Sunday, to use for communal art and prayers for others with the Advent Litany during worship. These are best printed or hand traced/drawn onto the largest-sized card possible. The poster card works well. Further instructions and examples are in the Journey to Joy Worship Planning resource.
Journey to Joy Nativity Characters: Large files of the Characters from the Advent and Christmas reflections that can be used any way you like. It could be printed large onto a corflute to set up a nativity set out the front of the church or small onto a card for DIY nativity sets at home or in the church.
Journey to Joy Poem and Painting (for worship): A PowerPoint slide containing Estelle’s Journey to Joy Poem and Painting. Further instructions are in the Journey to Joy Worship Planning resource.
Joy Christmas Card: A Joy card template to print and use for homemade Christmas Cards.
Stories from Uniting Church Partners
Additional Resources for weekly reflections
- Week 1 – Prepared with Love
- Week 2 – Focus on Peace
- Week 3 – Sharing in Hope
- Week 4 – Unexpected Joy
- Week 5 – Unwrap Joy, Embrace Jesus
If you have questions about how to use these materials, please get in touch with Jess Pinkerton at jessica.pinkerton@ucaqld.com.au.
Lenten materials – 2022
Thanks to the Plenty Discipleship working group who brought these resources together to inspire and encourage.
- Week 1- Playing a new game with Jesus
- Week 2- Where do you play?
- Week 3- Who do you play with?
- Week 4- What are the rules?
- Week 5- Who gets to play?
- Week 6- Taking it to the streets?