Advent Schedule

  • Worship is every Sunday at 9:30 am in Aldersgate Chapel located at 1400 University Blvd N, Jacksonville, Florida.

  • Read & Reflect with Grace continues with a particular focus on our ELCA Advent study throughout the Advent Season. Grab your copy in our reception room, or as you walk into Aldersgate Chapel.

    Read & Reflect with Grace takes place every Thursday morning at 9 am in the Aldersgate reception room.

  • We have many seasonal events to keep you inspired this season.

    December 11th, join us in the Upper Room at Aldersgate Chapel for Craft Night as we create scripture ornaments to remind us of God's Promise or to gift to those we love this season. This is a free event open to the community.

    December 18th, join us for Carols, Candlelight & Cookies at 7pm inside Aldersgate Chapel. We will sing treasured hymns and holiday favorites followed by special mocktails and cookies in the Aldersgate reception room.

    December 24th at 7:30 pm we invite you to join us for a special Christmas Eve service inside Aldersgate Chapel.

    See the St. Matthew's calendar for all event details.

Advent is the liturgical season that precedes Christmas. It is a time of reflection, anticipation, and preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ. The word "advent" comes from the Latin word "adventus," which means "coming." Mary's journey of pregnancy provides a powerful parallel to the Advent season. Just as Mary carried the child of God within her for nine months, the Church anticipates the coming of Christ during the Advent season.

Expectation and Hope

Both Mary and the Church experienced a time of expectation and hope, waiting for the fulfillment of God's promise.

Preparation

Mary prepared herself for the birth of her child by following God's will. Similarly, the Church prepares itself for the coming of Christ through prayer, reflection, and good works.

Faith and Trust

Mary's faith and trust in God allowed her to accept the incredible task of bearing the Son of God. The Church also must trust in God's promises and believe in the coming of Christ.

Lutheran theology emphasizes the importance of remembering God's promise of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. This promise is central to the Advent and Christmas seasons.

Here are some ways we can remember God's promise:

Scripture

Martin Luther had a profound understanding of God's promise and its significance for the Christian life. He emphasized the importance of faith in Christ as the only way to receive salvation. Luther also highlighted the role of the Gospel in revealing God's promise and bringing us into a relationship with him. He forever changed the course of Christianity when he wrote “The Bible is the cradle of God’s Word.” Regular reading and study of Scripture helps us to remember and understand God's promises.

Join us at Read & Reflect with Grace, our weekly bible study to deepen your understanding of The Word this advent season.

Hymns and Songs

Many hymns and songs are specifically written to celebrate God's promises and to remind us of the hope and joy that they bring.

Come listen to Christmas hymns and songs while you support St. Matthew’s congregants, Mark Keister, Hali Hagist, and beloved Pastor, Rev Grace Gravelle at The Many Moods of Christmas.

Advent is also a time to focus on acts of charity and service. It is a time to remember the coming of Jesus Christ, who came to Earth as a servant to save humanity. By serving others, we follow in the footsteps of Jesus and demonstrate our love for God and neighbor.

The story of the shepherds and the three wise kings provides powerful examples of how Advent can be a season of charity and service. The shepherds, who were humble and lowly, were the first to receive the good news of Jesus' birth. They visited the manger and worshipped the newborn king. The three wise kings, representing people from all walks of life, traveled great distances to find Jesus and offer him gifts. Both groups of people demonstrated their love for God and their willingness to serve others.

At St. Matthew's, there are many ministries that you can dedicate yourself to year-round. These ministries provide opportunities to serve others in a variety of ways, such as feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, and providing support to those in need. By participating in these ministries, you can make a difference in the lives of others and deepen your own faith.

One of the Advent Ministry's initiatives at St. Matthew's is to share the works of and support the ELCA World Hunger efforts through Good Gifts. Good Gifts is a program that allows individuals to make a difference in the lives of people around the world by providing them with essential items like food, clean water, and healthcare. By supporting Good Gifts, you can help to alleviate hunger and poverty and demonstrate your commitment to serving others.

So, this Advent season, let us remember the importance of charity and service. By following the example of the shepherds and the wise kings, we can make a positive impact on our communities and deepen our relationship with God.

Beginning December 1st, St. Matthew’s is dedicating our Advent Ministry to fundraising and supporting ELCA World Hunger. As they celebrate their 50th year of empowering communities in need worldwide, we invite you to join us in making a difference.

Support ELCA World Hunger by gifting livestock, gardens, resources for safe drinking water and healthcare, or healthcare itself. These gifts will directly impact the lives of people in developing countries. Honor a loved one or friend by making a contribution in their name.

Explore the full catalog below or make a quick purchase by clicking on the icons above. Your generosity will help ELCA World Hunger continue their important work of providing hope and opportunity to those in need.