Advent Special Offering: Cornerstone Community Outreach

Each year Immanuel partners with a local Chicago organization for our special offering during Lessons & Carols. This Advent we will partner with Cornerstone Community Outreach to give gifts and our time toward their mission of serving people experiencing homelessness.

• Give a Gift: This December, we have a chance to be part of Cornerstone’s mission by buying Christmas gifts so that every resident can receive Christmas gifts!! There are several ways you can buy a gift: (1) use this SHOPPING LIST to purchase a requested item for a specific child and bring the item to church or to Cornerstone on December 8th, or (2) use Cornerstone’s AMAZON GIFT LIST to purchase requested items that will be shipped directly to Cornerstone. Be sure to mark off your item when purchased!
• Give Your Time: We also have the opportunity to come and wrap these gifts together! Whether you are able to purchase a gift or not, you can give your time to help wrap gifts purchased by Immanuel or others as we volunteer together this December.
  • WHEN: December 15th from 1:00PM – 3:00PM
  • WHERE: Wilson Abbey (935 W. Wilson)
  • WHO: All are welcome, including children!
  • Sign up here!

About Cornerstone: Cornerstone is an Uptown-based shelter that serves women, men, children, and families experiencing homelessness, with a focus on caring for families that other Chicago shelters aren’t equipped to serve. Each year, they provided hundreds of Chicagoans with shelter, case management, medical care, meals, a food pantry, and a “free store” with donated clothes, toiletries, and baby care items.

The Season of Advent

The season of Advent marks the beginning of a new church calendar year. During Advent (the four weeks before Christmas) we look forward to celebrating the birth of Jesus and remember His promise to return. Advent is not only a time to celebrate the birth of Christ, but also to awaken anticipation for his second coming.

In this season, you will find our sanctuary decorated with purple fabric. Royal purple is the liturgical color for the Advent season and signifies that Jesus is the promised king, who began His rule in a manger in Bethlehem and will one day return to reign in glory.

December Services

We plan to worship at 10AM throughout all the Sundays of Advent and Christmastide!

Church Calendar

The season of Advent is the beginning of the liturgical calendar, which helps Christians live the story of the Gospel of Jesus Christ all year. Sometimes referred to as the “church calendar,” this annual cycle connects us with Christians around the world and in history.

If you are new to the liturgical calendar, check out a beginner’s guide (created by Father Aaron) which gives a brief overview of each season and provides Scriptures and spiritual practices to get you started.