Advent - 2007
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Week 1 Week 2
Week 3 Week 4
Week 1
In preparation for Advent 2007, the committee followed a process patterned after the preceding two Advent seasons. We removed the two potted palms from the chancel and changed the pulpit parament to Advent blue. The Table was covered by a white table cloth, with a dark blue runner draped over the center. As the season progresses, the runner will gradually lighten, symbolizing the approach of the birth of Christ, the light of world. The narthex entrance to the sanctuary was outlined with garlands of greenery. For the service, the first two O-Antiphon banners were processed into the sanctuary on standards and positioned in the back of the chancel for the service duration. Later in the week, these banners will be raised on invisible nylon line and elevated in the rear of the chancel. For the evening Blessing of the Greens prayer service, the garlands at the sanctuary entrance were accented with red and gold bows and ribbons. The seasonal evergreen tree in the sanctuary was decorated with Chrismons during this service.

week one scenes

week one scenes

Week 2

As the the season progresses, our decoration efforts seek to underscore the anticipation. At the Blessing of the Greens service last Sunday evening, the sanctuary tree was decorated with Chrismons (seasonal symbols). For this second week of Advent we replaced the darker runner of week by (two) lighter blue ones on the Table - as we have done for several years, now. Unadorned wreaths appearing on either side of the chancel constitute a further addition to our sanctuary decorations. The O-Antiphon banners from the first week of Advent were suspended above the chancel, while two new banners were processed into the sanctuary on standards and positioned to the sides of the Table. During the coming week, these banners will also be elevated in preparation for Advent week three.

Week 3

Seasonal anticipation continues to build! As is recent years, this third week of Advent finds the light blue runners of week two joined by an even lighter blue one on the Table. Both red and white poinsettias are added to the other sanctuary decorations. As in week two, the O-Antiphon banners from the previous week are suspended above the chancel, while two new banners are processed into the sanctuary and positioned to the rear of the Table. New this year are the standard poles and stands, which were created by our master craftsman, Bill McLeod for this purpose (Bill and son Malcom also crafted our font stand, processional cross, and various other sanctuary pieces). After the service, these banners will be elevated to join the previous four in preparation for Advent week four.

Week 4

For the fourth Sunday in Advent, the drape on the Table is a single pale blue runner. This completes the transition from dark blue to light blue, with the gradual lightening representing the journey along the path toward the birth of Christ - the light of the world. The final O-antiphon banner is processed into the sanctuary and placed by the pulpit. Following the services, we removed the Advent decorations and prepared the sanctuary for Christmas.

Photos by Martin Taylor