New Tradition, Ancient Practice

Nate Crary, Director of Worship

Since joining the team at CtK in August 2015, I have looked for new ways to build on the partnerships within the different ministries at church. Tapping into the rich traditions of the Christmas Concert, Sunday School Pageant, Las Posadas, Youth Musical, and the Lenten Cantata has provided me the opportunity to bring my gifts to support the vision of my colleagues while cultivating meaningful relationships with CtK members of all ages.

One of the top priorities in all of my work at Christ the King (which is likely a shared priority across the work of our church staffing) is to invite, encourage and equip members to participate fully in the programming we offer. Last year, mostly due to when dates fell on the calendar, we found that we were asking families to choose between participating in one program over another during Advent. Specifically, we were inviting musicians who were also Sunday School families to join us for the Christmas Concert, asking them to choose between our festival concert and the pageant. Many could not do both. And it was not fair of us to even ask this of them.

As we walk with young families, with new and long-time members, and with folks in our community, we want to continue to build on the rich CtK traditions of the past while leaving space open for the Spirit to do her creative work and inspire something new. And, as I have been engaged in ongoing, careful conversation with other staff members and with the pastors at Christ the King over the past several months, something new has been sparked!

I am so excited to invite you to Advent Rejoice! on Sunday, December 15 during the 10:30 am worship service, with a potluck lunch to follow. This festival worship combines what has been the Sunday School Pageant and the Christmas Concert, offering everyone an amazing, intergenerational opportunity to tell the story of Jesus’ birth. Happening on the third Sunday of Advent, also known as “Gaudete Sunday” (Gaudete means “Rejoice” in Latin), we will suspend the expectant liturgical spirit of the season of Advent in order to celebrate God coming to us through the birth of Christ, right now!

In the days and weeks to come, look for ways we are inviting you to participate in this new all-congregation celebration, because we really need YOU to help share this good news. We will have ways for singers and instrumentalists, artists and actors, and children and youth and adults to all join in the celebration. Join us on the journey to Bethlehem, and gather with us around the manger to see how God comes to us once again.