Schoeneck Moravian Church

To follow the example of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to love and serve all.

A Holy Holiday Season

Doesn’t it seem as if the Christmas rush starts earlier and earlier each year? At a local big-box hardware store, Christmas decorations were out on display before the end of September! Planning large family meals, shopping for gifts, wrapping presents, decorating the house, attending holiday events at school, hosting holiday parties, wrapping presents, writing out Christmas cards, traveling to visit relatives, going out to holiday parties, wrapping presents… Wow, it’s exhausting just to think about! It makes you wonder, where is Christ amidst all of these Xmas preparations?

All of those items in the list above are important — spending time with family and friends, celebrating long-time family traditions, giving and receiving thoughtful gifts chosen with care. But they can also be distractions if you let them. At Schoeneck Moravian Church, we believe it’s equally important to “Keep Christ in Christmas”. After all, “Jesus is the Reason for the Season”.

But what exactly does that really mean? How do we keep Christ in Christmas during the hustle and bustle of the secular holiday season?

We do this by thanking God for all of the blessings he has given us. We do this by preparing for the greatest gift in human history. We do this by gazing in wonder at the face of God in a tiny infant. We do this by looking towards the uncertain future with hope based in our faith in God.

At Schoeneck, our Holy Holiday Season begins with our Thanksgiving Eve Lovefeast and ends with our New Year’s Eve Lovefeast. We invite you to join us for a Holy Holiday Season. Join us for worship, just as you are, to one service or come to them all.

Somehow those presents get wrapped every year. This year, we encourage you to wrap yourself in the love and grace of God, to fill yourself with the Holy Spirit, and to prepare yourself for the coming of his Son.

Thanksgiving

Most people only think of a large meal featuring turkey, stuffing, cranberries, and pies when they hear the word Thanksgiving. But the actual definition of the word “thanksgiving” is the expression of gratitude, especially to God. In the Moravian Church, thanksgiving means emphasizing appreciation and adoration for God. When we give thanks in the truest sense of the word, we offer God our praises and acknowledge to Him that He is the Giver of every good and perfect gift.

A heart-shaped wreath made of fall leaves in colors of red, orange, and yellow sits upon a rustic wooden background. Inside the heart are the words "Thank You, God."

Thanksgiving Eve Lovefeast — Wed. Nov. 26 at 7:00 pm

During our Thanksgiving Eve Lovefeast we remember the Lord’s goodness and give thanks to God for all the many blessings he has bestowed upon us. The service includes many familiar harvest songs and features special music from our Senior Choir. The lovefeast consists of Moravian sugar cake with a choice of chocolate milk or lightened coffee. Bring the whole family and invite a friend to worship with you — all are welcome! Come with a grateful heart.

The Season of Advent

Advent is actually the beginning of the church liturgical year and is composed of the four Sundays immediately preceding Christmas Eve. The name was adopted from the Latin adventus meaning “coming; arrival”, translated from the Greek parousia from the New Testament, which originally referred to the Second Coming.

The season of Advent is when we prepare our hearts and minds for the arrival of Christ in three different ways: the unexpected nature of Jesus’ humble birth in Bethlehem, the reception of Christ in the heart of all believers, and the anticipation of the Second Coming, when Jesus will come again to reunite Heaven and Earth once and for all. It is a time of soul-searching, but also a time of joyful anticipation of that great day on which we celebrate Emmanuel – which means “God with us.”

At Schoeneck, Advent is a contemplative season of expectation, of candlelight, and of reflections on hope, peace, love, and joy. We celebrate by placing an Advent wreath of evergreen branches in the sanctuary. The circular Advent wreath symbolizes life without end, and there are four candles surrounding a central Christ candle. One candle is lit each Sunday and the flame of each new candle reminds us that something is happening. . . And something more is still to come!

A photo of Schoeneck's Advent Wreath. In the background on the left is the sanctuary Christmas tree decorated with white lights and multi-colored paper Moravian stars. The wreath has 5 beeswax candles, lit for Christmas Eve. The candles are surrounded by a few different types of evergreen branches, with pine cones and red berries mixed about. The wreath sits on top of a white stand, which has a fabric bow - with red, green, and sheer white stripes - tied around it.

The First Sunday of Advent — Sun. Nov. 30 at 8:00 & 10:30 am

The readings for the first Sunday in Advent relate to the Old Testament patriarchs who were Christ’s ancestors and assures us that God will fulfill all his promises through the birth of Jesus. For this reason the first Advent candle is called the “Prophecy candle” and represents HOPE.

4:30 pm — Advent Candlelight Holy Communion

The photo is of part of the sanctuary decorated for the Advent Candlelight Holy Communion Service. There is a dark brown table which has the small white pulpit lectern on it. The lectern holds the Holy Bible, with blue Advent paraments. The paraments have a lit candle wrapped with red and green frills on them. On the left side of the Bible is the Angel Gabriel from Schoeneck's putz with two lit candles behind it. On the right of the Bible is the figure of Mary from the Annunciation, also from our putz, with two lit candles behind her. Behind the table is Schoeneck's Advent wreath, with one lit beeswax candle.

On the First Sunday of Advent, we celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion at a special worship service in the late afternoon. Many people find this special service to be one of the best ways to prepare spiritually for the season. This candlelight service is one of contemplation, prayer, and song. We also invite you to stay after the worship service for a Fellowship Dinner in our Fellowship Hall.

Schoeneck Moravian Church practices open communion – if you have been baptized, regardless of denomination, you are welcome to partake in the sacrament of Holy Communion with us. For more information about the Sacrament of Holy Communion, please click here.

A Quiet Christmas — Wed. Dec. 3 at 7:00 pm

As we begin this joy-filled celebration of Advent, we know that there are those for whom this season might not be a time of joy or anticipation. Whether you’re grieving, feeling weary, or just need a moment of peace, we come together as a community to love and support one another. This service makes space during this busy, holiday time to reflect, find comfort, encouragement, and hope. Individuals attending will be invited to light candles as we remember loved ones no longer with us. All are welcome.

Against a backdrop of blue Christmas lights are the words to John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled."

The Second Sunday of Advent — Sun. Dec. 7 at 8:00 & 10:30 am

The readings for the second Sunday concern Christ’s birth in Bethlehem and other prophecies, so the candle is often called the “Bethlehem candle” and represents PEACE.

The Third Sunday of Advent — Sun. Dec. 14 at 10:30 am only

The third Sunday of Advent is often called Gaudete Sunday after the first word of the introit (Philippians 4:4). The readings relate to John the Baptist, and the candle may be called the “shepherds candle” and represents JOY.

The image is in different shades of blue for the sky and the ground. There is a black tree with a person sitting under it. One bright star shines in the sky. The text reads: Morning Star Rises with this scripture from 2 Peter 1:19 - As a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day breaks and the morning star rises.

Schoeneck’s Music Ministry will be presenting a Christmas Cantata on Sunday, December 14th — Morning Star Rises, featuring the Senior Choir, our Junior and Senior Handbell Choirs as well as brass, organ, and piano. This beloved service of lessons and carols will feature many of the great songs of the Christmas season. Please join us for this festive service — you won’t want to miss it!

The Fourth Sunday of Advent — Sun. Dec. 21 at 8:00 & 10:30 am

The readings for the fourth Sunday relate to the annunciation of Christ’s birth, for which the Magnificat or “Song of Mary” may be featured. The candle is known as the “Angel’s candle” and represents LOVE.

Schoeneck’s Sunday School will present their annual Christmas Program at the 10:30 am worship service. Our Sunday School students will share the story of the birth of Christ through a traditional Christmas Pageant of Scripture and Song. Enjoy music from our talented youth, join in singing beloved hymns, and find comfort in the familiar words as we journey through the Advent Season. All are welcome!

A picture of Schoeneck's sanctuary decorated for Christmas Eve services. The Christmas tree glows with white lights, with multicolored Moravian stars scattered among its branches, and a Moravian star on top. The Advent Wreath stands in front of the tree, toward the pews. At the top of the pulpit area is Schoeneck's Moravian Star, with white and yellow points. The pulpit itself features Schoeneck's putz of hand-carved wooden figures. Below the putz are a bank of poinsettias. Over the front sanctuary doors are a garland of winter greens with golden bows, pine cones, and red berries.

Christmas Eve — Wed. Dec. 24th

Christmas Eve, also known as the Nativity of Christ, is not so much the first day of Christmas as it is the last day of Advent. The Christ Candle in the middle of the Advent wreath is lit during the Christmas Eve worship service and signifies the arrival of God’s son as the Light of the World. Just as Jesus was born long ago in Bethlehem, Christ can still be born in our hearts today.

The Christmas Eve Lovefeast and Candlelight Service, ending in the breathtaking glow of lighted beeswax candles, is one of the most beautiful and inspirational services of the Moravian Church. Originating on the European Continent in 1747 and rapidly spreading to Moravian congregations around the world, the Christmas Eve Candlelight Lovefeast now draws Christians of all denominations. “It just isn’t Christmas until we attend a Moravian Lovefeast and Candlelight Service” is a familiar comment heard from our guests.

A woman's hand holds a lit red-wrapped beeswax candle in front of one of Schoeneck's Christmas Eve Lovefeast odes.

4:00 pm — Children’s Christmas Eve Lovefeast &
Candlelight Service

Our Children’s Christmas Eve Lovefeast is family-friendly service about one hour in length. The Christmas story from the Bible is read, and the service features many familiar hymns of the season. The beloved antiphonal hymn “Morning Star, O Cheering Sight” is led by a young soloist, and special music is presented from our Cherub Choir, our Junior Choir, and our Junior Handbell Choir. The lovefeast consists of Moravian sugar cake with chocolate milk for the youngsters and lightened coffee for the adults. Traditional beeswax candles wrapped in red are distributed to everyone present for the Candlelight portion of the service. You may request an unlit candle or a battery–powered candle for children.

6:30 & 8:30 pm — Traditional Christmas Eve Lovefeast & Candlelight Services

Both of our Traditional Christmas Eve Lovefeast & Candlelight Worship Services feature the Christmas story from the Bible and many familiar hymns of the season. “Silent Night” is sung in both German and English, and a traditional German version of “Morning Star” is sung by the choir. The beloved antiphonal hymn “Morning Star, O Cheering Sight” is led by a young soloist, and special music is presented from our Brass Choir, our Senior Handbell Choir, and our Senior Choir. The lovefeast consists of Moravian sugar cake with a choice of chocolate milk or lightened coffee. Traditional beeswax candles wrapped in red are distributed to everyone present for the Candlelight portion of the service. You may request an unlit candle for children.

For more on Moravian Stars and Beeswax Candles, please click here.

First Sunday After Christmas — Sun. Dec. 28 at 8:00 & 10:30 am

The Sunday between Christmas and New Year’s is known as the First Sunday after Christmas. (Some years this Sunday falls on Christmas Day. When either occurs, there is just one morning worship service at 9:30 am.)

New Year’s Eve — Wed. Dec. 31st

Celebrating the beginning of a new year is a tradition that goes back centuries. Many of the customs of New Year’s festivals note the passing of time with both regret and anticipation. The traditional Moravian Watchnight service for New Year’s Eve dates to 1733. In the past, the Moravian Church timed their Watchnight Services to end at midnight, and some Moravian churches around the world still do. At Schoeneck, we share a Lovefeast together earlier in the evening.

7:00 pm — New Year’s Eve Lovefeast

Our New Year’s Eve Lovefeast is a wonderful way to ring in the New Year. It is a family–friendly worship service filled with songs and prayers thanking God for the blessings of the past year and looking with Christian hope towards the incoming year. The lovefeast features Moravian sugar cake with a choice of chocolate milk or lightened coffee.

A basket sits on top of a large open Bible. Inside the basket are a pile of cards with the words "2025 Watchword" on them.

The selection of a Congregational Watchword for the coming year, traditionally chosen by youngest congregation member present, and the distribution of personal watchwords are a favorite highlight of this service.

For more about the Moravian tradition of Watchwords, please click here.