Advent Sunday Worship, 10:00 am

During the Advent season, we will be sharing the worship order on our screens for participants

both in the sanctuary and online, therefore no bulletin link will be shared here. 

We have resumed the option of in-person worship! Masks required. We will continue to meet via Zoom and Facebook Live. We HIGHLY RECOMMEND that only vaccinated people attend indoor worship at this time. 

Sunday Worship Gathering by Zoom (Computer & Phone)

Time: 10:00 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

To Join Zoom Meeting using your Telephone: 

Dial 312-626-6799 

If that number is busy, you can try one of these other access numbers:

301-715-8592; 253-215-8782; 646-558-8656

Meeting ID: 966 390 616

Join Zoom Meeting By Computer:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/966390616?pwd=eXBlRC9Kc0V6S3BxM3NBQzlDaHRTdz09 

Meeting ID: 966 390 616; Password: 773088

Sunday Worship on Facebook Live

You DO NOT need a facebook account to watch our worship on Facebook Live

Click on this link: https://www.facebook.com/LovelandUCC 

Instructions for In-Person Gathering

Re-Entry Team Update 7/27/21

The CDC issued new recommendations today for fully vaccinated people given new evidence on the Delta variant currently circulating in the United States. Included was the recommendation for fully vaccinated people to wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission. “Substantial” means 50-99 cases per 100,000 people, “high” is 100 or greater. According to the CDC website, Larimer county is an area where there is a substantial level of community transmission of COVID-19. The county’s website indicated today (July 27th) that we were at 70 cases per 100,000.

As such, the Re-Entry Team will require all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, to resume wearing face masks during indoor worship, starting this Sunday, August 1st. (Remember, this is no different than how we first resumed worship on June 6th.) Masking will also be required for any memorial services or other church functions held indoors.

Please wear an appropriate face mask over your nose and mouth while you are in the building. Leave neck gators, face shields, and masks with exhalation valves at home. The church will provide you and/or your child with an appropriate, disposable mask if you do not have one. Per the CDC, the masking recommendations now include children 2 years old or older.

Advent 2021: Close to Home

Worship Theme Created by Sanctified Art

When something hits close to home, it affects us deeply. During the Advent and Christmas season, we journey through scriptures and rituals that are tender, heavy with emotion, and vulnerable. We carry the memories and truths of this season close to our hearts -- memories of the past, the realities of the present and our hopes for the future. The Close to Home theme acknowledges the “already but not yet” tension of our faith: Emmanuel is with us, and yet, God’s promised day—our everlasting home—is not fully realized. It names our deep longing for God to come close to us.

The Advent and Christmas scriptures are rich with home metaphors and imagery.  John the Baptist prophesies about the One who is to come, but reminds us that we are still wandering far from God’s promised day; his message hits close to home, especially for those experiencing inequity and oppression. After receiving the angel’s news, Mary retreats to Elizabeth’s home, seeking refuge and safety. Christ is born in the midst of a journey home, in a crowded dwelling amidst livestock and shepherds alike. The Magi travel far from home to pay homage to Christ, and, having been warned in a dream, they avoid Herod by traveling home another way. In these scriptures, home is both physical and metaphorical, something we seek and something we are called to build. Ultimately, In many ways, these scriptures are like blueprints—detailing the dreams of a God who makes a home with us. Ultimately, God is our home and resting place. God draws near and makes a home on earth; sacred ground is all around us.

This Advent, may we be comforted by the One who dwells intimately with us. May we expand safety and sanctuary for everyone wandering far from home. May we come home—wherever home is found—to live fully with joy, hope, and courage.

We hope you will join us as we tell the stories again, as we celebrate this season, and as we hold our longings for the home that can only be found in God’s peace that passes all understanding.

Description written by: Rev. Sarah Speed | sanctifiedart.org