Advent event calendar 2025
Advent Daily Devotionals
This Advent, punctuate your days with stories, prayers, and reflections that tell of looking for God. Each morning, wake up to a devotion in your inbox or sit down in the stillness of the dark evenings with words of hope. We will explore the theme “A Thrill Of Hope: Discerning God’s Presence.” The lyric “a thrill of hope” comes from the beloved hymn “O Holy Night” which marks the beginning of each Christmas service at Covenant, and names the tension between what is not yet and what is to come. We will consider how we can discern God’s presence amid a season full of busyness and obligation. Devotional books will be available in the Sanctuary beginning November 23, while supplies last. Daily emails are available by subscribing online: CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
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Sunday, November 23
Young Adults “Friendsgiving”
3:30 p.m. at NoDa Brewing on W. 32nd and Tryon St.
Celebrate Thanksgiving while packing and preparing meals for our friends at McCreesh Place. Covenant will provide the turkey and stuffing, but we need YOU to provide all the sides and sweets! Email Mary Kate Sykes
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November 30 - December 8: Mezzanine Christmas Present Drive
Thursday, December 11: Christmas Party
We need volunteers to spend time with the children and families at the Mezzanine as they take photos with Santa and “shop” for presents for their loved ones. We need donations of small presents in the tubs located in the Welcome Center by 11:00 a.m. on December 8.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wednesday, December 3
TLC Bingo Party
10:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall
Please Join TLC (Travel, Learn, Connect) as we celebrate the season with our annual
Christmas Bingo Party. We will begin at 10:30 with refreshments and photos, followed by Bingo, Christmas Trivia, and music from the Grace Notes bell ringers. Once again, TLC will be providing a Christmas Snack Cart for the staff of our partner school, Highland Renaissance Academy. We will also have a table to assemble gifts for the staff at Highland. Enjoy good food, music, and friends. RSVP by November 28. Click here to RSVP to Aisha
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Wednesday, December 3
Christmas Crafts & Photographs with Santa
Starting at 5:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall
Bring the family for a fun-filled evening of card making, cookie decorating, and ornament making. Santa will be there!
Click here to sign up for photos with Santa.
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Wednesdays, December 3, 10, 17
Centering Prayer
12:30 - 1:00 p.m. In the Parlor (Enter from the Welcome Center)
Centering Prayer is a silent, receptive form of Christian prayer that deepens our
relationship with God. Give yourself a peaceful respite from the busy holiday season.
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Sunday, December 7
Handbells on the Green
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in the Circle
Enjoy the sounds of Christmas provided by Covenant Ringers.
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The Giving Tree in the Welcome Center
Gifts Due Sunday, December 7
A Covenant tradition to support Highland students. Choose a paper “ornament” hanging on the tree, describing a requested gift. Purchase, wrap, and bring this gift to the Welcome Center by Sunday, December 7, for delivery to students on Thursday, December 11.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tuesday, December 9
Prime Timers Holiday Luncheon
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall
Enjoy this lovely holiday music and program for those 80 years old and older in the
Fellowship Hall. Click here to RSVP to Aisha
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wednesday, December 11
Wholeness and Healing Service
6:30 p.m. in the Chapel
Candlelight service in the Chapel featuring music, prayer, scripture, and meditation offering hope in the midst of the challenges of the season.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sunday, December 14
Alternative Gift Market
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. in the Welcome Center
Support artisans and communities close to us and around the world! We have olive oil and tapenades from the Holy Land, handmade items from Kenya, and unique goods from the Yucatán in Mexico. Find pottery from Avery County, along with food products and candles from The Liar’s Table. Our Honor Gift Cards allow you to give back to all of our community and global partners. Join us for a day of shopping that makes a difference to those in need!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sunday, December 14
Service of Lessons and Carols
5:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary, followed by cookies and fellowship
Covenant Choir, Youth Singers, Chorister Choir, Jubilate, Covenant Ringers, Youth Handbell Ensemble, strings, flutes, brass, timpani, and organ lead the congregation in songs as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Offering supports Crisis Assistance Ministry.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Outdoor Ministry: Solstice Hike
Sunday, December 21 at 4:25 p.m.
Pavilion Shelter, James Boyce Park, 300 Boyce Rd.
Gathering in the park pavilion, sojourners will embark on a moderate, loop hike punctuated by scripture readings and wintry woodland views—all shrouded in the year’s shortest light. Dress for outdoor conditions. Flashlights recommend. Click here to sign up
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S.O.S. (Surviving Our Spouses)
Memory Tree Decoration
Tuesday, December 23 at 12:30 p.m.
Join us for the dedication of our Christmas tree with ribbons in memory of loved ones gone before us. Katherine Kerr leads us in a brief service, then into the Welcome Center for wonderful goodies. The congregation will add their ribbons after the Christmas Eve services.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
This Advent, punctuate your days with stories, prayers, and reflections that tell of looking for God. Each morning, wake up to a devotion in your inbox or sit down in the stillness of the dark evenings with words of hope. We will explore the theme “A Thrill Of Hope: Discerning God’s Presence.” The lyric “a thrill of hope” comes from the beloved hymn “O Holy Night” which marks the beginning of each Christmas service at Covenant, and names the tension between what is not yet and what is to come. We will consider how we can discern God’s presence amid a season full of busyness and obligation. Devotional books will be available in the Sanctuary beginning November 23, while supplies last. Daily emails are available by subscribing online: CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sunday, November 23
Young Adults “Friendsgiving”
3:30 p.m. at NoDa Brewing on W. 32nd and Tryon St.
Celebrate Thanksgiving while packing and preparing meals for our friends at McCreesh Place. Covenant will provide the turkey and stuffing, but we need YOU to provide all the sides and sweets! Email Mary Kate Sykes
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
November 30 - December 8: Mezzanine Christmas Present Drive
Thursday, December 11: Christmas Party
We need volunteers to spend time with the children and families at the Mezzanine as they take photos with Santa and “shop” for presents for their loved ones. We need donations of small presents in the tubs located in the Welcome Center by 11:00 a.m. on December 8.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wednesday, December 3
TLC Bingo Party
10:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall
Please Join TLC (Travel, Learn, Connect) as we celebrate the season with our annual
Christmas Bingo Party. We will begin at 10:30 with refreshments and photos, followed by Bingo, Christmas Trivia, and music from the Grace Notes bell ringers. Once again, TLC will be providing a Christmas Snack Cart for the staff of our partner school, Highland Renaissance Academy. We will also have a table to assemble gifts for the staff at Highland. Enjoy good food, music, and friends. RSVP by November 28. Click here to RSVP to Aisha
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wednesday, December 3
Christmas Crafts & Photographs with Santa
Starting at 5:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall
Bring the family for a fun-filled evening of card making, cookie decorating, and ornament making. Santa will be there!
Click here to sign up for photos with Santa.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wednesdays, December 3, 10, 17
Centering Prayer
12:30 - 1:00 p.m. In the Parlor (Enter from the Welcome Center)
Centering Prayer is a silent, receptive form of Christian prayer that deepens our
relationship with God. Give yourself a peaceful respite from the busy holiday season.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sunday, December 7
Handbells on the Green
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in the Circle
Enjoy the sounds of Christmas provided by Covenant Ringers.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Giving Tree in the Welcome Center
Gifts Due Sunday, December 7
A Covenant tradition to support Highland students. Choose a paper “ornament” hanging on the tree, describing a requested gift. Purchase, wrap, and bring this gift to the Welcome Center by Sunday, December 7, for delivery to students on Thursday, December 11.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tuesday, December 9
Prime Timers Holiday Luncheon
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall
Enjoy this lovely holiday music and program for those 80 years old and older in the
Fellowship Hall. Click here to RSVP to Aisha
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wednesday, December 11
Wholeness and Healing Service
6:30 p.m. in the Chapel
Candlelight service in the Chapel featuring music, prayer, scripture, and meditation offering hope in the midst of the challenges of the season.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sunday, December 14
Alternative Gift Market
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. in the Welcome Center
Support artisans and communities close to us and around the world! We have olive oil and tapenades from the Holy Land, handmade items from Kenya, and unique goods from the Yucatán in Mexico. Find pottery from Avery County, along with food products and candles from The Liar’s Table. Our Honor Gift Cards allow you to give back to all of our community and global partners. Join us for a day of shopping that makes a difference to those in need!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sunday, December 14
Service of Lessons and Carols
5:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary, followed by cookies and fellowship
Covenant Choir, Youth Singers, Chorister Choir, Jubilate, Covenant Ringers, Youth Handbell Ensemble, strings, flutes, brass, timpani, and organ lead the congregation in songs as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Offering supports Crisis Assistance Ministry.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Outdoor Ministry: Solstice Hike
Sunday, December 21 at 4:25 p.m.
Pavilion Shelter, James Boyce Park, 300 Boyce Rd.
Gathering in the park pavilion, sojourners will embark on a moderate, loop hike punctuated by scripture readings and wintry woodland views—all shrouded in the year’s shortest light. Dress for outdoor conditions. Flashlights recommend. Click here to sign up
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
S.O.S. (Surviving Our Spouses)
Memory Tree Decoration
Tuesday, December 23 at 12:30 p.m.
Join us for the dedication of our Christmas tree with ribbons in memory of loved ones gone before us. Katherine Kerr leads us in a brief service, then into the Welcome Center for wonderful goodies. The congregation will add their ribbons after the Christmas Eve services.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Christmas Eve Schedule
Wednesday, December 24
10:00 a.m. Children’s Service in the Sanctuary
This brief, bustling, and joyful (occasionally exuberant!) service is inclusive and
multi-generational. Following the service there will be petting zoo animals, birthday cake for Jesus, and photo opportunities.
Candlelight and Communion in the Sanctuary
3:00 p.m. with Contemporary Music and Angel Ornaments.
5:00 p.m. with Traditional Music and Angel Ornaments.
Candlelight and Communion in the Chapel
5:00 p.m. with Traditional Music and Angel Ornaments
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sunday, December 28 (One service)
Contemporary Music in the Sanctuary
11:00 a.m.
This brief, bustling, and joyful (occasionally exuberant!) service is inclusive and
multi-generational. Following the service there will be petting zoo animals, birthday cake for Jesus, and photo opportunities.
Candlelight and Communion in the Sanctuary
3:00 p.m. with Contemporary Music and Angel Ornaments.
5:00 p.m. with Traditional Music and Angel Ornaments.
Candlelight and Communion in the Chapel
5:00 p.m. with Traditional Music and Angel Ornaments
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sunday, December 28 (One service)
Contemporary Music in the Sanctuary
11:00 a.m.
