All through the year, the diverse congregation at the Chicago Temple is composed of lifelong Christians and churchgoers, "dropouts" who are taking a new look at the Christian faith, and spiritual seekers who are searching for something that will fill their lives with grace and truth, meaning and direction.
During this year's Advent/Christmas season, the Temple will provide many opportunities for everyone to find or renew his or her faith through worship, study, reflection and prayer.

"Come, thou long-expected Jesus...
Joy of every longing heart"

ADVENT WORSHIP SERVICES
November 27 - December 25

• Sundays at 8:30 and 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary.
• Saturdays at 5 p.m. in Dixon Chapel (2nd Floor)
• Wednesdays in the Sanctuary:
  • Holy Communion - 7:30-9 a.m.
  • Noontime Preaching Service - 12:10 p.m.
• Thursdays at 5:15 p.m. in the Chapel in the Sky.
• Christmas Eve Festival Services - 7 p.m. and 11 p.m.
  in the Sanctuary. Thirty minutes of Christmas music before each service.
• Christmas Day Service: 9:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary.

(At the 11 a.m. service on Sunday, December 11, the Nativity story will be sung and told by the church's children and youth. Parents are encouraged to arrange for their children and youth to participate in a rehearsal at 12:15 p.m. Sunday, December 4, in the Sanctuary).

"There's a song in the air..."
SPECIAL MUSIC OF THE SEASON

• Sunday, November 27 First Sunday in Advent
  At the 8:30 and 11 a.m. worship services, the Temple Choir and Temple String Ensemble will perform Cantata No. 140 - ("Sleepers Awake") by Johann Sebastian Bach.
• Sunday, December 4 Second Sunday in Advent
  Annual Music Ministries Concert, featuring all the church's choirs and ensembles, at 2 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
• Saturday, December 10
  Concert by the Lakeside Singers with 24 voices singing classical, folk, gospel, jazz, R & B, pop and Broadway music. At 8 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Admission: $25 adults, $15 for seniors and students
• Sunday, December 11 Third Sunday in Advent
  Carols and cocoa at the German Christkindmarket in Daley Plaza. Choir and church families will gather at 12:15 in the Choir Room in preparation for plaza event at 2 p.m.
• Saturday, December 17
  Concert by the Millennium Chamber Players performing Bach's Mass in B-Minor. At 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Admission: $10.
• Sunday, December 18 Fourth Sunday in Advent
  Music that prepares our hearts to make room for the Christ-child.
• Saturday, December 24 Christmas Eve
  Christmas Festival services at 7 and 11 p.m. in the Sanctuary. At 6:30 and 10:30 p.m., 30 minutes of Christmas music featuring the Celebration Strings and Kara Bershad at the harp.

ADVENT STUDIES/LEARNING EXPERIENCES
1. Several discussion groups will be offered interpreting the major themes of Advent through the study of Advent hymns, using as a text the book "Child of the Light: Walking through Advent & Christmas." These sessions will meet at:

• Noon on four consecutive Mondays starting November 28 in the 3d Floor Choir Room, except December 12 in James Parlor.
• Noon on four consecutive Thursdays starting December 1 in the Heritage Room.
• 9:30 a.m. on four consecutive Sundays starting November 27 in Deep T.A.L.K., Mabuhay and CAFÉ Classes.

2. "Creating Advent Traditions with Young Children," a class led by Dr. Cheryl Magrini, will meet at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, December 4 in the Crib Room (4th Floor).

3. The Women's Book Group will discuss John Grisham's novel "Skipping Christmas" at 12:15 p.m. Sunday, December 18, in Room 420A. Festive refreshments.

4. "Journey to Bethlehem," a craft-making and food festival for children with their parents or guardians at 12:15 p.m. Sunday, December 11. Sponsored by Mabuhay Fellowship and United Methodist Women. "Journey" will start on the 4th Floor and will end up in the 3d Floor Choir Room, our "Bethlehem" for the day.

"Come, thou long-expected Jesus...
Joy of every longing heart"