Our Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church & School
13667 W. Highland Rd. (M-59)Hartland, MI 48353
(248) 887-4300
Our Savior Announces Special Advent & Christmas Services
Our Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hartland Township will hold several special worship services in celebration of Advent and Christmas.
On Sunday, December 8 at 8:30 a.m. and again at 11:00 a.m. the O’ Antiphons of Advent will be highlighted. This ancient tradition of the O’ Antiphons was originally penned to be sung and prayed once a day during the seven days preceding Christmas Eve. The texts communicate how seven different Old Testament names for Christ communicate who He is and what He has come to do. Many people are familiar with the O’ Antiphons from the hymn, O Come, O Come Emmanuel, where each verse corresponds to one of the antiphons. For these services, the O’ Antiphons will be sung by a cantor and special music will be provided by the flute and organ.
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“Even though the stores are saying it’s Christmas, the Christian Church is actually in the season of Advent where we prepare for the birth of Jesus,” said Rev. Christopher Thoma, pastor at Our Savior. “The actual Christmas Season begins on the Eve of the Nativity of our Lord, or Christmas Eve, where Christians worldwide will be lighting candles, singing hymns, and joining together to worship the one true God who made the night so special.”
On Wednesday, December 18 at 7:00 p.m. there will be a Children’s Christmas Service combined with the setting of Evening Prayer. Children from preschool age through eighth grade will take part in presenting Christmas music through instruments, voices, reading of the lessons, and through the presentation of a living nativity during the singing of Silent Night at the close of the service. The service includes seven Christmas lessons – brief Bible narratives accompanied by their corresponding songs or hymns – with the children and congregation participating together.
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Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services on Tuesday, December 24 at 4:30, 7:00 and 11:00 p.m. and Wednesday, December 25 at 10:00 a.m. provide four distinct ways to celebrate Christmas. At 4:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve the Children’s Choristers and the Middle School Handbell Choir will provide special music to the traditional service. At 11:00 p.m. the Christmas Eve service includes special music by the Cantate, Adult Handbell Ensemble, and several instrumentalists to welcome in the Christmas festival. At 10:00 a.m. Christmas Day the Cantate and Brass Ensemble will provide special music to accompany the traditional Christmas Service. At all the services, Christmas anthems and hymns will be sung by the ensembles and congregation alike.
“During the Advent and Christmas season we rejoice in the knowledge that the holy child born in Bethlehem was born for each of us,” said Pastor Thoma. “It’s by His work that we have peace with God and we cling to the wonderful gospel message of deliverance. We welcome everyone in the community to come be a part of this festival season.”
Our Savior is part of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod and is located at 13667 West Highland Road (on M-59 just 3 miles east of US-23) in Hartland Township.
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