Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany at St. John in the Wilderness
- St. John in the Wilderness
- Nov 19
- 5 min read
Updated: Nov 24
COME, THOU LONG EXPECTED JESUS
First Sunday of Advent | November 30
Holy Eucharist, Rite I
8:45 and 11:00am in the Church
Formation: Advent Wreath Making
10:00-10:55am in the Parish Hall
Make an Advent wreath for your family! This intergenerational activity is open to all.
Please sign up using the button below so that we can ensure we have enough materials.
If you can't make it, you can use the same button to request a kit to pick up and make an Advent wreath at your convenience!
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
(Collect for the First Sunday of Advent)
DON'T FORGET!
Angel Tree gifts are due by Friday, December 5.
Please include the angel tag and a roll of wrapping paper with your unwrapped gifts when you bring them to the Parish Hall. Gift cards and scholarship checks should be brought to the Parish Office instead of the Parish Hall. Contact Diane Skelton (see phone number in parish directory) if you have any questions.
Second Sunday of Advent | December 7
Holy Eucharist, Rite I
8:45 and 11:15am in the Church
Parish Breakfast and Annual Meeting
10:00am in the Parish Hall
Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
(Collect for the Second Sunday of Advent)
Third Sunday of Advent | December 14
Advent Lessons & Carols
8:45 and 11:00am in the Church
Preparing to Green the Graves
10:05-10:55am in the Parish Hall
Join us as we create sprays of greenery to honor the people who were enslaved who are buried in our churchyard. We will provide supplies such as ribbons and twist ties, and we ask that you bring ample greenery to make these sprays as beautiful as possible.
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
(Collect for the Third Sunday of Advent)
Fourth Sunday of Advent | December 21
Holy Eucharist, Rite I
8:45 and 11:00am in the Church
Formation: Greening the Graves
10:05-10:55am in the Churchyard
Join us for this special service during which we place the sprays we have made on the graves of those who were enslaved who are buried in our churchyard.
Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
(Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Advent)
DON'T FORGET!
Christmas flower memorials are due to the Parish Office by Sunday, December 21 for inclusion in the Christmas Eve and Day bulletins.
The suggested donation for Christmas flower memorials is $85. Please place donations in the Christmas flower envelopes (available on the tables at the church entrances and in the Parish Office) and deliver them to the office or send them to PO Box 185, Flat Rock, NC 28731. Please print clearly the name(s) of the person(s) you wish to remember or honor.
O COME LET US ADORE HIM
Christmas Eve | Wednesday, December 24
Festival Eucharist, Rite II
5:00 and 10:30pm in the Church
No nursery care available. Children are always welcome in worship!
O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
(Collect for Christmas Eve)
The Parish Office will be closed
Wednesday, December 24 through Friday, January 2.
We will open again on Monday, January 5!
Christmas Day | Thursday, December 25
Holy Eucharist, Rite II
11:00am in the Church
No nursery care available. Children are always welcome in worship!
O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
(Collect for Christmas Day)
First Sunday after Christmas | December 28
Holy Eucharist, Rite II
10:00am in the Church
Christmas Potluck Feast
5:00-7:00pm in the Wilderness Room
Please join us for good food and great company as we continue to celebrate the spirit of the season with a potluck feast Whether the holidays have been busy, quiet, or somewhere in between, we’d love for you to join us in celebrating the love of Christ that continues to shine brightly this season and always. Bring a dish to share if you can, but most importantly, bring yourself. There’s always a seat at the table for you.
Please RSVP using the button below.
Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
(Collect for the First Sunday after Christmas)
DON'T FORGET!
All end-of-year giving must be received by the Parish Office no later than December 31. Thank you for giving so generously to God's work at St. John in the Wilderness in 2025!
Twelfth Night | Monday, January 5
Burning of the Greens and Other Revelry
4:00-6:00pm at Camp Kanuga
120 Camp Kanuga Circle, Hendersonville, NC 28739
Bring Christmas trees and other greens to burn! St. John will provide food and beverages as we gather around the fire to sing songs and share in the last night of Christmastide.
STAR OF WONDER, START OF NIGHT
The Epiphany of Our Lord | Tuesday, January 6
Eucharist and Potluck Feast
5:30-7:30pm at the Church of the Transfiguration
20 Episcopal Church Drive, Saluda, NC 28773
Join us in celebrating the ancient feast of Epiphany with the arrival of the Magi to venerate the Christ child, the wedding feast at Cana of Galilee, and the Baptism of our Lord. This will be a wonderful gathering of Episcopalians, Lutherans, and friends from Saluda, Tryon, Bat Cave, Hendersonville, Brevard, Mills River, Fletcher, Edneyville, and Flat Rock.
O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
(Collect for the Epiphany of our Lord)