Advent by Candlelight is a special way to prepare the mind and spirit for the Christmas season by remembering the birth of Jesus.
Performing artists from the Wickenburg area will be putting on the program Thursday, Dec.7 at Mount Hope Assembly of God Church, 550 Penn Lane.
Professional pianists Florence McInturff and Jennel Downing will begin the event with a duet at 6:00 as guests arrive and view the advent tables decorated by hosts and hostesses.
The Advent by Candlelight program will begin at 6:30 pm, featuring guest concert harpist Jocelyn Obermeyer of Phoenix.
Obermeyer will describe each candle of the advent wreath of love, hope, joy, peace and the center Christmas candle, with carols of the Christmas season.
Guests will be invited to sing to familiar melodies.
The sanctuary will be decorated with Christmas trees and lights to add to the beauty of the evening.
This is a free event by invitation from volunteer hosts and hostesses who register in advance for a table.
Those interested may create a team to plan a table as an expression of gratitude to church groups, social clubs, friendship circles, neighbors or business staff.
Table hosts decorate a Christmas table with candles, and serve dessert to six to ten honored guests following the advent program.
The committee will provide a choice of coffee, tea and punch.
A free-will collection is taken for the area food shelves and needy of the community.
More than 200 guests and volunteers attended last year’s event.
A helpful guideline sheet is available. For table decorating ideas go to www.adventbycandlelight.com for photos and how over 125,000 other churches throughout the US, Canada and Europe are celebrating this event during the four weeks before Christmas.
Advance advent tables reservations will be limited to the first twenty tables before December 1.
Contact Joani Mangold, event coordinator at (928) 684-1111, or Lola Marquez, table register chair at (928) 231-2300, Debbie Rinker, registration-assignment chair at (928) 232-9958 or Pastor Duane Middleton, host at (928) 684-7767 for information.
