Online Advent Celebration

KITCHENER, Ont. – Bethel Lutheran Church, unable to hold their traditional Adventsfeier (Advent program), which usually includes music, children’s presentations, readings, skits, and singing, is instead offering a recorded Advent program available to everyone. 

Since none of the usual program is possible face to face this year, the congregation still wanted to provide some celebration given the loneliness many are experiencing, as well as the crass commercialization of Christmas, and the pandemic that prevents families and friends from being together this season. Also, the music makers in the congregation have not met for months and have not been singing or playing. 

Thus an online bilingual German and English Advent program was recorded piece by piece, always with less than five people and always socially distanced. Some recording was done in homes and some in various locations within the church building. The texts of the congregational songs will scroll across the video so that people can sing along heartily if they choose to.

All portions of the program were skillfully recorded and assembled by Sandi Bromberg, who taught herself the ins and outs of video recording at the beginning of the pandemic and faithfully records the weekly online services. 

The congregation hopes that the viewing of this program will be a blessed time for all, helping them to focus on Advent, the time of preparing hearts and minds for the coming of our Saviour. It is their hope that viewers will also share this program with family and friends, and especially with the elderly or those who may not have access to the internet.

To access this online Advent celebration program, go to www.bethelkitchener.ca and click on Video Services. 

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Nellie Scholtes, Director of Music at Bethel Lutheran Church

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