Southminster Presbyterian Church
An open and affirming community, seeking a caring and just society.
Southminster Bells is eager to wish you a Joyful Christmas! Please join us in the sanctuary and online at 2pm Sunday, December 10th for our Christmas Program, during which we’ll ponder together a ghost story, a green-sleeved dress, proper damping techniques, ships of the desert, lullabies, and the questionable merits of figgy pudding.
A livestream of the concert will be available by clicking here.
For many of us, Christmas can be a bittersweet time of year. It’s a time of great joy! Yet, it can also be a time for remembering persons and events that have been a part of our lives in the past, but that are now changed or gone. In this season with the longest nights, we’ll gather during December’s Sabbath service for a quiet, meditative worship service that makes time for remembering, sharing our hurting places with God, and preparing our hearts for the coming of Christ. Join us on December 9 at 5:00pm in the sanctuary or online for a candlelit time of music, scripture, silent reflection, communion, and prayer. (Note for our online worshipers: if you’re able to do so, in addition to communion elements please gather a candle and something with which to light it.)
The Season of Advent marks a season of new beginnings, as we await with anticipation the birth of the Christ Child in our hearts and lives. This means that Advent and Christmas services are a GREAT time to experience worship services – especially if you’re looking for something new, or looking to connect with a faith community for the first time.
You are warmly invited to join us — in person and online — for any or all of our Christmas services.
1st Week of Advent – Sunday December 3, 2023 at 9:30am
We will begin the season of Advent with a study of Isaiah 64, and a special proclamation from our intergenerational Puppet Team.
2nd Week of Advent – Saturday December 9, 2023 at 5:00pm
On the second Saturday of each month, we worship on Saturday night at 5:00pm, taking the following Sunday morning as a day of intentional Sabbath rest. In December, this service will be a Light in the Midst of Darkness service. We recognize that Christmas can be joyful, yet also bring bittersweet emotions of pain and loss! Join us as we offer our hurting places to God in a quiet, meditative service.
3rd Week of Advent – Sunday December 17, 2023 at 9:30am
We love music at Southminster! On the third Sunday of Advent, our Chancel Choir and Handbell Choir will offer a musical service that will enrich our worship and lives.
4th Week of Advent – Sunday December 24, 2023 at 9:30am
Christmas Eve – Sunday December 24, 2023 at 7:00pm
There’s nothing like a traditional Christmas Eve service to warm the soul. Join us at 7:00pm in the sanctuary on Christmas Eve. As we do each year, we will hear the reading of the Christmas story alongside beloved Christmas carols. The service will conclude with a traditional service of candlelight. Join us and experience the joy and peace of this special night.
During worship on Sunday, November 19, we will be joined by Matthew Fast, the executive director of the Idaho Community Reinvestment Corporation. We will hear about exciting opportunities to partner with this local nonprofit organization that is doing interesting work with regards to the underhoused in Idaho.
This is also an excellent opportunity to meet Matt Fast, who has joined us in a significant project we called “Carpenter’s Gift” earlier in the year.
Who is the Idaho Community Reinvestment Corporation?
ICRC is a consortium of lenders and housing experts dedicated to maximizing the number of affordable housing projects in our communities. Through joint efforts and technical expertise, ICRC is able to work with traditional developers, smaller developers, and innovative new proposals.
About Matthew Fast, Executive Director
Matt has worked in affordable housing and economic development for more than 10 years. He holds an MBA in Sustainable Business from Pinchot University.
Do you enjoy joining your voice with a vocal choir? Have you wondered what it would be like to ring handbells? Does the thought of spreading joy with a puppet bring a smile to your face? New members are welcome to join the Chancel Choir, Handbell Choir, or Puppet Team at any time of the year, but there may be no better time than the start of a new program year! The Chancel and Handbell Choirs will be having their first rehearsals of the season on Wednesday, September 6th, while the Puppet Team continues to meet throughout the summer.
Contact Claudia Sutherland, Choir Director, for more info.
Contact Angie Lynne, Handbell Choir Director, for more info.
Contact Drew Harenberg, Puppet Team Coordinator, for more info.
If you have experience playing a musical instrument and would like to share your gift s by accompanying the choir or playing a solo during worship, please contact Claudia Sutherland, Susan Pohl, or Pastor TJ for more information.
Southminster Bells is eager to wish you a Joyful Christmas! Please join us in the sanctuary and online at 2pm Sunday, December 10th for our Christmas Program, during which we'll ponder together a … [Read More...]
For many of us, Christmas can be a bittersweet time of year. It's a time of great joy! Yet, it can also be a time for remembering persons and events that have been a part of our lives in the past, but … [Read More...]
The Season of Advent marks a season of new beginnings, as we await with anticipation the birth of the Christ Child in our hearts and lives. This means that Advent and Christmas services are a GREAT … [Read More...]
