We’re creating an Advent Devotional!
This Advent, here at Emmanuel, we are going to create our own Advent Devotional. The devotional will give those who participate an opportunity to reflect on scripture and the Advent season, to see how it touches our hearts and then to write something that we can share with others at Emmanuel. It will give all of us, those who write and those who read the Advent Devotional, an opportunity to engage with each other about scripture and to have a spiritual resource that will help us to focus on the meaning of this season. The theme of our Advent Devotional will be “Waiting” since waiting is a pillar of the Advent season. There will be a binder on the table next to Pastor Amanda’s office (and in the Narthex after the 11:15 service) that you can look through to choose a scripture passage that speaks to you. You take the form with the scripture passage that you have chosen and sign up on the sheet next to the binder for the day that you have chosen. You write your devotion and return it to the church office on or by November 24th. You can also sign up to participate in the Advent Devotional via this link to our Sign Up Genius: www.signupgenius.com/go/5080D4BAAA82FA2FE3-advent.
View the attached pages of daily readings to select the one you’d like to use.
The devotions will be assembled into a booklet that will be distributed at Emmanuel on December 1st, shared via email, and with permission from the authors, on our social media. If you have any questions please see the FAQs below or ask Pastor Amanda.
How old to you have to be to participate?
Any age! Children are welcome to participate and we are also eager to hear the wisdom that the oldest among us can share. Families could also write a devotion together.
How long does my devotion have to be? (A related question…) How long can it be?
There is no assigned length for the devotions, but 200-500 words is a good target length. If you can say everything that you want to say in fewer words that’s fine. If you need more words to say what you need to say, that’s fine too! 200-500 is kind of a broad average.
I’m shy. What if I want to participate but I really don’t want to sign what I write?
You can submit a devotion anonymously. (However, sharing your name is encouraged, as that helps us build community with one another.)
Are there any sample devotions I can look at?
You can take a look at the Christ in our Home booklets (in the Narthex and the Hallway) to get an idea. There are also some sample devotions in the Narthex and in the Hallway outside of Pastor’s office, which were written by people at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church a few years ago. (Those devotions were for Lent, but even though it’s a different season, the concept is the same.) You may also read the sample devotions here.
Exactly what do I have to do if I want to participate?
Chose a form for a day/scripture reading that speaks to you from the binder on the table outside of Pastor Amanda’s office (it will be in the Narthex after the second service). Sign up for the day you have chosen. Spend some time thinking about/praying about the scripture reading you have chosen. Write a reflection on that scripture reading. Give it a title. Write a brief prayer that goes along with it. If there was a particular part of your scripture reading that inspired your devotion, list it on the form as well. You can also sign up using the “sign up genius” through this link: www.signupgenius.com/go/5080D4BAAA82FA2FE3-advent. Return your devotion to Pastor Amanda in person, by mail, or by email on or by November 24th.
How will these devotions be distributed?
A devotional booklet with our writings will be distributed at church on December 1st, the first Sunday of Advent. They will also be emailed out to anyone in our congregation who is interested in receiving them by email. There will also be a place on the form where you can indicate if you are okay with having your devotion included on our church’s website/social media.
Can I make more than one devotional?
Yes if you are moved to write more than one devotional you may certainly do that. Just follow the process to select and submit your additional devotional(s)
This didn’t answer all of my questions!
Talk to Pastor Amanda