Just as God spoke to people in their own language during Pentecost, Jesus spoke to many different cultures in many different ways.
Our Advent program celebrates the birth of this international Jesus who still speaks to us in many voices.
(For this schedule in PDF format, click here  )
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Sunday, December 2—First Sunday of Advent
- Worship Celebrations | 9:00 am and 11:15 am
"The People of the City Are Looking for the Light"
An original play—a modern East Village view of the Nativity
Middle Church Choir
Jerriese Johnson East Village Gospel Choir
- Living the Word | 10:00 am
"Christmas: What Is Fact, Fiction, or Christmas Carol"
Study what the Gospel writers wanted their readers to know about the
Christmas story before Christmas even existed.
- Intergenerational Event | 12:45 pm
"Bring the Light Home: An Advent Family Brunch"
Wreath-making and Advent study for all generations
Tuesday, December 4
- Advent congregational community event | 6:00 pm
"Middle ADVENTures"
Group suppers with advent study held in various locations throughout the city
Wednesday, December 5
- Advent congregational community event | 6:00 pm
"Middle ADVENTures"
Group suppers with advent study held in various locations throughout the city
Sunday, December 9—Second Sunday of Advent
- Worship Celebrations | 9:00 am and 11:15 am
"Amahl and the Night Visitors"
A classic musical tale of how the birth of one child changes the life of another
Middle Church Choir
- Living the Word | 10:00 am
"Mary and Elizabeth"
- A Mission Christmas Celebration | 1:30 pm
Gulf Coast Task Force Party
A reunion celebration for all those who have taken part in our Gulf Coast mission
Monday, December 10
- Volunteer for Christmas Cheer | 5:00 pm
Celebrate Life Christmas Meal
Our annual Christmas meal for our HIV/AIDS mission
Wednesday, December 12
- SoulCare Event | 7:00 pm
"A Blue Christmas"
An interactive worship gathering for those who need comfort at Christmas
Sunday, December 16—Third Sunday of Advent
- Worship Celebrations | 9:00 am and 11:15 am
"Highway on Second Avenue" Brad Motta, preaching
"Dancing in the Greens"
An original, inter-generational advent dance choreographed by Teresa Duhon
Middle Church Choir
- Living the Word | 10:00 am
"Shepherds, Angels, and Magi"
- Christmas in the Neighborhood Event | 1:00 pm
"A Second Avenue Christmas"
A Christmas brunch followed by caroling around the neighborhood
- Advent Concert | 1:00 pm
"A Funky Christmas"
An original performance by Manhattan Brass and the Middle Church Choir
Sunday, December 23rd — Fourth Sunday of Advent
- Worship Celebrations | 9:00 am and 11:15 am
Jacqui Lewis preaching
Our worship celebration will begin with an original Frog and Toad puppet drama, “Mary Did You Know,” written by one of Middle's actors, Denis Gawley. The Middle Church Choir, the Jerriese Johnson East Village Gospel Choir and the congregation will lift their voices in joyous renditions of traditional carols and Christmas music on this Sunday before Christmas. Our senior minister, Jacqui Lewis, will preach "Daring to Say, Yes..." as she focuses on the annunciation to Mary. When told by the angel Gabriel that she would bear the Christ-child in the world, Mary said, "Let it be as you say..." Can we all say yes, like that, to what God might do in our lives?
(For this worship bulletin, click here )
Monday, December 24th — Christmas Eve
- An "East Village" classical Christmas Eve celebration | 6:00 pm
"A Merry Middle Christmas Eve"
The Middle Church Choir will perform with Manhattan Brass, Damien Bassman and David Ralph in this multicultural Christmas celebration. From more traditionally known songs to African, Spanish and Mexican Christmas songs, this should truly be a Christmas Eve celebration worthy of New York City.
(For this worship bulletin, click here )
- A rollicking Christmas Eve celebration | 10:00 pm
"A Time for Celebration "
The concert will be an eclectic mix of songs celebrating Christmas in the many expressions of Gospel music including, acapella, contemporary gospel, the blues, caribbean and traditional gospel. This concert will also include collaboration with dancers to accompany the choir on two of our songs "My Soul Doth Magnify" and "Now Behold the Lamb." The choir will also be performing the gospel rendition of "Joy to the World" that they did on The Weekend Today Show earlier this month. There is no doubt that you will come away from the concert singing and dancing yourself into the New Year!
(For this worship bulletin, click here )
Sunday, December 30
- Worship Celebrations | 9:00 am and 11:15 am
"Readings and Carols" Brad Motta, worship leader
A celebration on the way to Epiphany using music as text
Middle Church Choir
Monday, December 31—New Year's Eve
- A Musical Tribute to Ring in the Year | 6:00 pm
"A Jazzy New Year's Eve" Jacqui Lewis, worship leader
Jazz musician Andrew Bemkey delivers a musical New Year's Eve celebration
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