Called to love and serve
Opportunities to serve exist within worship, community outreach, and Christian formation.
Weekly Meal
Every week, we host the city’s longest-running free meal for the needy. Everyone is a welcome guest in our parish hall every Tuesday night. In obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ’s commandment to feed and clothe anyone in need, we offer hospitality to all who stand in need.
To serve our guests at the Tuesday night community supper, contact Fei Cao.
Giving
Stewardship of our time, talents, and resources is an obligation upon all followers of Christ, who summons us to generosity and sacrifice. Anyone can give of whatever they have to offer, and all should do what they can to support the parish’s common spiritual life and outreach. Formal membership at The Advent entails making an annual financial pledge.
To make an annual pledge, contact Xander Mojarrab.
Altar Service
Serving at the altar is a vital ministry that is at the heart of the liturgy. Thurifers, crucifers, torchbearers, acolytes, subdeacons and more have the privilege of supporting the clergy and guiding the congregation through the Mass. Training is required for these rewarding and spiritually enriching roles.
To volunteer to serve at the altar at the 9 am sung mass, contact Paul Roberts.
To volunteer to serve at the altar at the 11 am solemn mass, contact Julianne Turé.
Coffee Hour
Coffee hour at The Advent is more than a get-together. It is our best opportunity to strengthen our community of faith, to build up and sustain relationships of mutual care and concern, and to welcome newcomers into our midst. This cherished act of hospitality is one that parishioners exercise in one another’s service, and we welcome your involvement.
To serve at one of our weekly coffee hours, contact Karen Harrington.
Ushers
Psalm 84 proclaims: “I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of ungodliness.” Ushers have the privilege of attending to the sacred space of The Advent and welcoming newcomers to this holy place. These ministers ensure that worship here is reverent but accessible and friendly.
To serve as an usher at the 9 am sung mass, contact John Boyd.
To serve as an usher at the 11 am high solemn mass, contact Kyriell Paleologue.
Readers
Proclaiming the word of God as found in Holy Scripture is essential to the Mass. Readers are blessed with the opportunity to open the Bible to the congregation, readying their hearts and minds to hear the sermon. The Advent has no amplification, so some practice is required.
To volunteer as a reader at the 9 am sung mass, contact Paul Roberts.
Spiritual Reflection as you discern your role(s) as a parishioner at the Church of the Advent
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Roman’s 12 1-13 KJV
Spiritual Reflection on Service to Others
“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
Hebrews 13:2 KJV
“And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
1 Peter 4:8-11 KJV
“Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers”
3 John 1:5
Offering our time, talents, and resources for God’s kingdom
Christian Stewardship is an opportunity to share God’s work in our lives with our community. We seek to be faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to us, to use our time, talents, and resources to support our parish and where there is need. Giving in any measure is evidence of our gratitude for God who loves us.