Advent and Christmas 2022: Events, resources & services
Below find a listing of services as we celebrate Advent and Christmas throughout the month of December. If you have an event to add to the list, please email to Molly Hamilton at mhamilton@episcopalchurchsc.org. There are also a number of resources available that can be helpful as you celebrate Advent or Christmas in your church or home.
Navigate directly to the events below through the following links:
Navigate directly to the events below through the following links:
#AdventWord
AdventWord is a global, online Advent calendar, offered by Forward Movement, a ministry of The Episcopal Church. Images and meditations can be experienced via the #AdventWord website, direct daily emails, as well as on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Special Advent Services and Events
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27 Advent Lessons & Carols at Grace Church Cathedral, Charleston at 7 pm. This beautiful candlelight service can be watched online at this link. WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 30 St. David's Episcopal Church, Cheraw Advent Soup & Learn Series from 6-7:30 pm. This is a four-week Advent offering. Saint Anne's Episcopal Church, Conway Ecumenical Service of Lessons and Carols at 6:30 pm along with other area churches in Conway. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3 St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Charleston Advent Quiet Day from 10 am to 2 pm in the church and Stephen's Hall. Come consider Advent through the first two chapters of Matthew’s Gospel. Time for reflection will be interspersed by periods of silence. The day will continue will a simple lunch of soup and bread. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4 St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, North Myrtle Beach Advent Lessons and Carols at 10 am Holy Cross Faith Memorial, Pawleys Island Advent Service of Lessons and Carols at 10:30 am. Holy Eucharist will be held at the 8 am service only on this Sunday. St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Port Royal Advent Lessons & Carols at 5 pm SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11 St. James-Santee Parish Episcopal Church, McClellanville, 3:30 pm at Brick Church A Festival of Lessons and Carols at the historic Brick Church at Wambaw. A delightful worship service of glorious music and carols, talented soloists, and scripture readings for the Christmas Story. Featuring the music and choir from St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church from Charleston, SC. Directions to Brick Church: Take highway 45 west, turn right on Old Georgetown highway (a dirt road) and go about two miles and you will see Old Brick Church. Christmas Lessons & Carols at Bishop Gadsden (featuring the St. Gregory Choir of Grace Church Cathedral, Charleston) at 4 pm. Bishop Gadsden is located on James Island on Bishop Gadsden Way (which is just off Camp Road near the intersection with Riverland Drive). St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Charleston An Advent Sunday evening lecture on Mary at 5 pm in the church featuring Angela Mack, Executive Director of the Gibbes Museum. Come hear Angela Mack talk about representations of Mary in art and iconography. The lecture will conclude with time for questions and answers. A reception will follow. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18 Grace Church Cathedral, Charleston, at 9 am Family Eucharist and Children's Christmas Pageant Good Shepherd, Sumter at 2 pm Join us for an Advent Service of Lessons and Carols featuring Krystin Baier, violinist, and John Spann, organist on Sunday, December 18 at 2 pm. The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd is located at 401 Dingle Street in Sumter (corner of Dingle and Wright Streets). St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Charleston at 4 pm Need an antidote to the noise, rush and stress of the season? Join St. Mark's Episcopal Church - corner of Warren and Thomas Streets - for a Taize Service for the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Sunday, December 18th at 4:00 pm. Candlelight, silence, song and prayer await you. Everyone is welcome. St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Port Royal at 4 pm Sharing Christmas Stories: Dramatic reading of Christmas stories across the ages. Anne Errington, a member of St. Mark's, will share stories that help us connect with the many ways Christmas touches our hearts and changes our lives. Festive musical selections will be woven among the stories. St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Charleston at 5 pm A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at 5 pm. All are welcome to attend this Christmas tradition based on the historical service held annually at King's College, Cambridge. The service will feature the St. Stephen's Choir and special guests Laura Ball, Kimberly King, and Margaret Kelly Cook. Church of the Good Shepherd, Summerville at 6 pm Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols at 6 pm. All are invited to attend this Christmas tradition. The service will feature Good Shepherd’s Choir and special guest singers and musicians, under the direction of organist & choir director Jamie Hawkins. The church is located at 119-B West Luke Avenue in Summerville. Grace Church Cathedral, Charleston, at 7 pm Christmas Lessons & Carols (nursery provided) with the St. Gregory & St. Nicholas Choir. Service will also be shared live on the church's YouTube page at this link: https://www.youtube.com/user/GraceChurchChrlstn. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21 St. Stephen's, North Myrtle Beach at 4 pm Winter Solstice Candlelight Concert. 
'Blue Christmas' Services
Wednesday, December 14 at 5:30 p.m. Blue Christmas: A Service of Remembrance and Hope Grace Church Cathedral, Charleston: Anyone who is coping with grief, a broken relationship, financial difficulties, or any kind of loss or loneliness may find the holidays especially difficult. The Blue Christmas Service is a way to acknowledge sadness and concern amid a world that is focused on celebration (nursery provided). Wednesday, December 14 at 5:30 pm Blue Christmas: A Healing Service of Remembrance & Hope Holy Cross Faith Memorial, Pawleys Island Wednesday, December 21, at 6 pm Blue Christmas Service at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Charleston, located at 67 Anson Street. |
Christmas ServicesChristmas Eve, December 24 Find the Episcopal Church closest to you on our website at this page. Most, but not all, services are listed below. All Saints Episcopal Church, Hilton Head Island 4:30 pm - Prelude music begins 5 pm - Family Service in the style of Saturday@5 7:30 pm - Prelude music begins 8 pm - Candlelight Eucharist with choir and special music Calvary Episcopal Church, 106 Line St., Charleston 4 p m- Holy Eucharist Christ Church, Mt. Pleasant 5 pm - Holy Eucharist in the main church 11 pm - Holy Eucharist in the historic church Epiphany Church of Summerville 6 pm - Christmas Eve Service Episcopal Church in Okatie, Ridgeland 6 pm - Christmas Eve Eucharist Episcopal Church on Edisto, Edisto Island 4:45 pm - Pre-service caroling 5 pm - Celebration of the Nativity of Our Lord: Christmas Eve Good Shepherd, Summerville 5 pm - Holy Eucharist Rite II Holy Communion, Charleston 6:30 pm - Pre-service music begins 7 pm - Mass Holy Cross Faith Memorial, Pawleys Island 4 pm - Holy Eucharist with Christmas Pageant 8 pm - Candlelight Holy Eucharist Grace Church Cathedral, Charleston 4 pm - Family Eucharist (nursery provided) 3:30-6 pm - Visit the manger animals in the Garden of Remembrance 6 pm - Choral Eucharist with Choir & Brass (nursery provided) 8 pm - Choral Eucharist with Choir & Brass* 11 pm - Choral Eucharist, Rite I, with Choir & Brass* * Service will also be shared live on the church's YouTube page at this link. Messiah, Myrtle Beach 7 pm - Candlelight Holy Eucharist with traditional music Saint Anne's Episcopal Church, Conway 4:30 pm - Children's Christmas Pageant (with music) 5 pm - Traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight Service St. Bartholomew's, Hartsville 5:30 pm - Family Service 11 pm - Midnight Mass St. Catherine's, Florence 4pm - Holy Eucharist St. David's, Cheraw 12 noon - Festive Holy Eucharist (The Rev. Stuart Hoke will join Fr. Mike as co-celebrant) St. George's Episcopal Church, Summerville 6 pm - Contemporary Children's & Family Service 8 pm - "Midnight" service with special music beginning at 7:45 pm St. James Episcopal Church, James Island 8 pm - Holy Eucharist St. John's Episcopal Church, Johns Island 4 pm - Christmas Eve service at Grace Chapel in Rockville 6 pm - Holy Eucharist at St. John's St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Charleston 5:30 - Christmas carols before the service 6 pm - Christmas Eve Service Additional parking available in Ashley Hall parking lot at corner of Warren & Smith Streets St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Port Royal 4 pm - Festive Holy Eucharist 6 pm - Music & Carols 6:30 pm - Festive Holy Eucharist St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Charleston 4 pm - Children's Christmas Eve Service 8 pm - Christmas Eve Service St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, North Myrtle Beach 6 pm - Christmas Eve Family Service 8: 30 pm - Musical Prelude and Candlelight service with Holy Eucharist St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, St. Stephen 6:30 pm - Christmas Eve Service St. Thomas Episcopal Church, North Charleston National Advent/Christmas servicesWashington National Cathedral, Washington, D.C. The Cathedral has a full slate of holiday concerts and worship services. Find out more on their website at this link: cathedral.org/christmas/ FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24 at 10 pm In one of the most beautiful services of the year, we herald the Light made known to us on this holy night. We celebrate Christ’s birth with readings from Holy Scripture, favorite hymns, seasonal choral and instrumental music, and preaching by Cathedral Dean Randolph Marshall Hollerith. The Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, presides. Watch live at this link. Christmastide Sunday, December 25: Christmas Day More services may be added to this listing as they are provided to the diocese. Most churches in our diocese will offer a service on this day. Find the Episcopal Church closest to you on our website at this page. Most, but not all, services are listed below. All Saints Episcopal Church, Hilton Head Island 9 am - Eucharist with carols (one service) Calvary Episcopal Church, 106 Line St., Charleston Christ Church, Mt. Pleasant 10 am in the historic church Epiphany Church of Summerville 9 am - Christmas Day service Episcopal Church in Okatie, Ridgeland 10 am - Christmas Day service Episcopal Church on Edisto, Edisto Island 10 am - Christmas Day Morning Prayer Holy Cross Faith Memorial, Pawleys Island 10 am - Holy Eucharist (no Coffee with Clergy) Good Shepherd, Summerville 9 am - Holy Eucharist Rite I Holy Communion, Charleston 9:30 am - Mass Grace Church Cathedral, Charleston 10 am - Holy Eucharist with Choir & Carols Messiah, Myrtle Beach 10 am - Christmas Day Holy Eucharist with Christmas Hymns Saint Anne's Episcopal Church, Conway 9 am - A simple service (no music) St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, Hartsville 9:30 am - Christmas Day spoken Eucharist St. Catherine's, Florence 10:30 am - Holy Eucharist St. David's Episcopal Church, Cheraw 11:15 am - Holy Eucharist St. George's Episcopal Church, Summerville 10 am - Lessons and Carols St. James Episcopal Church, James Island 10 am - Lessons and Carols St. John's Episcopal Church, Johns Island 10 am - Christmas Day Eucharist St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Charleston 10 am - Holy Eucharist Rite II St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Port Royal 10 am - Holy Eucharist St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Charleston 10 am - Christmas Day service St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, North Myrtle Beach 10 am - The Nativity of our Lord, Christmas Day St. Thomas Episcopal Church, North Charleston Monday, December 26: Feast of St. Stephen Services to be added. St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Charleston 10 am - Holy Eucharist Tuesday, December 27: Feast of St. John Services to be added. Wednesday, December 28: Feast of The Holy Innocents Services to be added. Sunday, January 1: Feast of the Holy Name All Saints Episcopal Church, Hilton Head Island 10:15 am - Lessons & Carols with communion (one service) Calvary Episcopal Church, 106 Line St., Charleston Good Shepherd, Summerville 8 am - Holy Eucharist Rite I 10:30 am - Holy Eucharist Rite II Saint Anne's Episcopal Church, Conway 10 am - One combined service of Holy Eucharist St. David's, Cheraw 11:15 am - Lessons & Carols St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Port Royal 10 am - Holy Eucharist St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, North Myrtle Beach 10 am - Holy Eucharist |
Resources for Advent
'Journeying the Way of Love'
Curriculum and Advent Calendar
Journeying the Way of Love is a four-week Advent curriculum pegged to readings and themes from the Sunday lectionary. Sessions are designed for use during the Christian formation hour offerings at churches and ministries exploring the Way of Love.
The curriculum and advent calendar can be downloaded here.
Digital Invitation Kit - The Episcopal Church
Advent is a special time of preparation and anticipation, as well as the beginning of the liturgical year. This combination creates a wonderful opening to invite those who are seeking something greater than themselves – those who are seeking the Good News of the Way of Love. The Episcopal Church offers a Digital Invitation Kit to help you to offer that invitation with great joy and hope.
The kit may be downloaded here.
Advent Toolkit
Episcopal Relief & Development
Episcopal Relief & Development is offering resources for the holiday season, such as prayers, activity guides and an Advent calendar poster from the online Advent Toolkit.
Making Home: Advent Meditations on Refugee Ministry
On behalf of Episcopal Migration Ministries, The Rev. Canon Maria Tjeltveit, Rector of The Episcopal Church of the Mediator, Allentown, PA, is sharing Advent meditations that lift up the ministry that Episcopalians do with refugees, as well as with asylum seekers and immigrants, based on her own personal experience and interviews with others. You may click here to subscribe to receive the daily meditations.
Learn more here.
Curriculum and Advent Calendar
Journeying the Way of Love is a four-week Advent curriculum pegged to readings and themes from the Sunday lectionary. Sessions are designed for use during the Christian formation hour offerings at churches and ministries exploring the Way of Love.
The curriculum and advent calendar can be downloaded here.
Digital Invitation Kit - The Episcopal Church
Advent is a special time of preparation and anticipation, as well as the beginning of the liturgical year. This combination creates a wonderful opening to invite those who are seeking something greater than themselves – those who are seeking the Good News of the Way of Love. The Episcopal Church offers a Digital Invitation Kit to help you to offer that invitation with great joy and hope.
The kit may be downloaded here.
Advent Toolkit
Episcopal Relief & Development
Episcopal Relief & Development is offering resources for the holiday season, such as prayers, activity guides and an Advent calendar poster from the online Advent Toolkit.
Making Home: Advent Meditations on Refugee Ministry
On behalf of Episcopal Migration Ministries, The Rev. Canon Maria Tjeltveit, Rector of The Episcopal Church of the Mediator, Allentown, PA, is sharing Advent meditations that lift up the ministry that Episcopalians do with refugees, as well as with asylum seekers and immigrants, based on her own personal experience and interviews with others. You may click here to subscribe to receive the daily meditations.
Learn more here.
Living Compass Advent Devotional
Living Compass has launched an Advent Devotional called "Practicing Peace With All Your Heart,Soul, Strength, and Mind." Designed for use as an individual reflection or for group study, the guide provides a foundation for seeking a deeper experience of Advent, an experience that will help prepare us for the true meaning of Christmas.
Learn more here.
Living Compass has launched an Advent Devotional called "Practicing Peace With All Your Heart,Soul, Strength, and Mind." Designed for use as an individual reflection or for group study, the guide provides a foundation for seeking a deeper experience of Advent, an experience that will help prepare us for the true meaning of Christmas.
Learn more here.
'Advent In A Box'
Advent in a Box is a resource created by the Christian educators at Family Ministry Tools to help churches equip families to have faith conversations at home. The goal is to send home interactive, fun, and biblically sound activities that engage families and help them grow in their faith.
Learn more here.
Advent in a Box is a resource created by the Christian educators at Family Ministry Tools to help churches equip families to have faith conversations at home. The goal is to send home interactive, fun, and biblically sound activities that engage families and help them grow in their faith.
Learn more here.