UPDATE (Thursday, December 6, 2018): This post has been updated to reflect the correct start time of the second Christmas Eve service planned at Newtown Congregational Church. 

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Newtown Congregational Church (NCC) has announced plans for its Advent series — four Sunday services leading up to Christmas Eve as well as three Thursday night Alternative Worship Experiences (AWE).

The Rev Kristen Provost Switzer explained that NCC’s theme of “A Messy Advent” is “an intentional reminder that we can alleviate ourselves of the pressure to have a perfect Christmas.

“We can experience perfection in the love of community, the beauty of the season, and relax into God’s promise of new life in the form of the Christ child, on whom we wait during this Holy season,” added Rev Provost Switzer, the church’s associate pastor of youth and mission.

The church’s Messy Advent services are each Sunday in December at 10 am, while the three AWE programs will take place on Thursdays, December 6, 13, and 20. Prior to each AWE program, a free potluck dinner begins at 6 pm — guests from the community are invited and need not bring a dish to share. The AWE program begins at 7 and ends promptly at 8.

“The AWE programs provide the perfect respite from the busyness of our hectic lives, particularly during the Christmas season,” said Dianna Pategas, a member of the church’s Worship Team. “We hope that our friends and neighbors will come as they are, enjoy a stress-free dinner, and experience church in a whole new way.”

The entire Messy Advent series culminates on Monday, December 24, with three Christmas Eve services. At 5 pm, the Family Service will feature a children’s Christmas pageant. The Service of Scripture and Song at 8 pm will include the full NCC choir, a brass quintet, and a scriptural retelling of the Christmas story. The evening will conclude with an 11 pm Service of Light and Communion, when harpist Marg Davis will provide music as Christmas approaches.

“Our services — Sundays at 10 am and Thursday nights in December — won’t be perfect and may very well be messy,” added Rev Provost Switzer, “but they will also be hopeful, peaceful, joyful, and full of God’s love for each of us.”

Newtown Congregational Church is at 14 West Street, For more information about any of the services, call 203-426-9024 or visit newtownctchurch.org.