Advent & Mission Sunday 11/30/25

Awake, O Soul – Week One: Hope

Mission Sunday at UCC Southbury

Welcome to the First Sunday of Advent at UCC Southbury.
Today’s service is titled “Mary, Mother of Hope.” Mary becomes our guide into the season as we learn how to turn toward God’s call with courage, trust, and willingness.

This Advent we begin a new journey called “Awake, O Soul,” exploring Hope, Peace, Joy, Love, and Christ through the movements of spiritual practices found in The Tools. Many of us have been walking with The Tools this fall and have seen real change and healing. This season we are sharing that gift with the whole church.

Today’s Theme: Hope – Turning Toward the Call

Scripture: Luke 1:26–38 (The Annunciation)
Tool: Reversal of Desire
Focus: Mary’s willingness to move toward God’s invitation.

Mary becomes the first disciple of hope. She shows us that Hope is not a feeling. Hope is a movement toward God, even when fear and uncertainty rise within us. When Mary says, “Let it be with me according to your word,” she becomes the Mother of Hope itself.

Mission Sunday: Hope in Action

This service centers on compassion in motion. Instead of a traditional sermon-centric format, our congregation will assemble soup bags for families in need this holiday season. It is our way of turning toward hunger, loneliness, and struggle with the same courage Mary showed in her yes.

This is Hope made visible.

In This Service You Will Experience:
• The lighting of the Candle of Hope
• A brief Advent message, “Mary, Mother of Hope,” from Rev. Shawn Garan
• Scripture from the Annunciation (Luke 1:26–38)
• The Tool of the week: Reversal of Desire
• Mission work as worship — soup bag assembly
• Music, prayer, community, and the beginning of the Christmas journey

If you are joining us online, we are grateful for your presence.
May this Advent awaken your soul to Christ’s presence within you.

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Blessings to you this season of Hope.
—Rev. Shawn Garan & the UCC Southbury community