The following liturgy video and podcast episode are part of FIRST UNITED’s Spiritual Care ministry’s Advent Awakening series.
Advent Series – Merry Christmas!
Listen to the last episode from An Uncomfortable Advent podcast series by Lauren Sanders, Indigenous Spiritual Care Chaplain, and Pastor Peter Sanders, Ordained Clergy with Presbyterian Church USA:

Watch the Christmas video by Rev. Jennifer Goddard-Sheppard, Interim Spiritual Care Director.
Rev. Jennifer Goddard-Sheppard has evolved a “WTF!? Where’s the Faith” ministry since 2009. Exploring the intersections of faith and other “F”’ words! What started as a youth group of Where’s the Faith, Where’s the Food and Where’s the Fun, has evolved into a philosophy and way of life.
May you have full confidence, belief and trust in the heavenly promises given to you…
FAITH
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. ( Hebrews 11: 1)
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through who we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. ( Romans 5:1-2)
Faith is a belief that is not based on visible proof. It is a trust you can build upon.
Receive the gift of faith.
Rev Jen’s WTF!? Rant. Where’s the faith!? Words that flow.
With this faith, Willing to follow, Willing to fail, Willing to fall
Willing to feel, Wading through Fear,
With this faith, wandering thoughts flow, Watching time fly
Where’s truth found
Why truth first
Why trust faith
wondering thoughts fly
Welcome these Friends
Welcome those feelings
Wondrous things follow
When these fall
Western Theological Frameworks
White things first
Wanting things fast
Waging the fear
Words that frighten
When truth’s first
What’s the future Way to follow
With this faith
Willing to follow
Willing to forgive
Willing to forget
With truth first
Willingly Talk Faith
Words thoughtfully flow
Ways tenderly flourish
Wounds that fester
Welcome truth flowing
Welcome the fellowship
Welcome the feasting
Welcome the force
I AM, The Way, The Truth, and the life!
Wearing the faith
Welcome the fellow traveler
Welcome the way maker
Welcome the friend we find in Jesus.
Welcome the Folx we meet here at First United.
Welcome the feelings of Hope, peace, joy, love, which live here.
Where’s the Faith!?
Amidst and amongst the people.
Where’s the faith!? With and for the people. All the people
Where’s the faith!? Incarnation! God with us. The breath of life.
Wow! That’s fantastic.
Why truth first!? Because TRUTH Matters!
Here at First United and around the world.
Where’s the faith!? In you, with you, for you!
Born in us this day!
Amen and Merry Christmas. With love from Rev Jen!
Lighting the Advent Wreath: The Way Maker
Leader: Advent is the season of preparation and waiting.
(Light the candles of hope, peace, joy, and love)
All: We have prayerful work to do.
Leader: The Advent season has ended.
All: With hope, peace, joy and love, the Christmas Season has arrived.
(Light the Christ Candle)
The light of Christ shines for all. A light of hope, peace, joy, and love for all. We will go and shine our Christ light in and for the world.