Advent 2025: What Do You Fear?
Luke’s Gospel begins the story of Jesus with this opening line: “In the time of Herod…” This detail may seem minor to modern readers; however, it reveals layers of information about the fearful world Jesus entered, one filled with rampant oppression, economic disparity, uncertainty, and instability. A world not so unlike our own. And yet, throughout the stories of Christ’s birth, we hear the whispers of angels delivering a surprising message: “Do not fear.” When Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the magi are each called into God’s redemptive story, they do not deny their fears—they move through them. They ask questions, hold fast to courage, trust in good news, and say, “Here I am, Lord.” When we find ourselves in fearful times, can we acknowledge our fears while also insisting on hope?
This Advent series takes seriously the angels’ message and trusts that Christ’s birth truly is good news of great joy for all people. The resources look closely at the fear and terror looming in the background during the time of King Herod and invite us to consider the fears we hold now. Fear can divide and paralyze us and even be used as a tool for oppression. But what if we formed a different relationship with fear? Can we acknowledge fear without letting it rule us? Might we catalyze our fears into love and action? What if naming our fears helps us see more clearly how God is breaking in and where God is at work?
As you journey through this season, may your hope become gritty and resilient. May you remember: hope that trembles is still hope. This season, let us insist on hope and trust that good news is greater than fear.
Nov 30: In the Time of Herod
Luke 1:5-13, Lamentations 3:55-57
Dec 7: Running Out of Hope
Matthew 11:1-11, Isaiah 43:19-21
Dec 14: Saying Yes in Our Fear
Luke 1:26-39, Jeremiah 1:4-10
Dec 21: Give Me Your Hand
Matthew 1:18-25, Isaiah 41:4-10
3pm: CHILDREN’S SERVICE
Designed for families with young children. Featuring SPARK Worship Praise Band.
5pm: FAMILY SERVICE
Pageant featuring our 2nd graders. Featuring SPARK Worship Praise Band.
7pm & 9pm: FESTIVAL SERVICES
Featuring choir, bells, and the Baltimore Brass.
Nursery care available at 3pm & 5pm.
Our friends at A Sanctified Art have provided a special e-reader version of this year’s Advent devotional, which you can access on your computer and mobile devices. We will also have a limited number of paper copies available in church.
In order to protect their work, please refrain from sharing this link or posting it on social media.
In conjunction with our What Do You Fear? Advent worship series, we’re offering multiple options for study. Anchor yourself in Bible study and community during this hectic season.
Journey through Advent with this companion study to our What Do You Fear? series. Using the daily devotional, we'll reflect together on fear, faith, and the resilient hope born in Christ.
Note: The Friday morning class is a women's group.
In a culture that traced lineage almost exclusively through men, these four women stood out in Jesus' genealogy with their "tainted" reputations.
Meeting ID: 825 2265 2163
Passcode: praise
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December 2 - The Coming of Christ: Be Ready!
- Matthew 24:36-51 (No one knows)
- Matthew 25:1-13 (Wide and foolish bridesmaids)
- Romans 13:8-14 (Wake from sleep)
December 9 - The Coming of Christ: Prepare the Way
- Malachi 3:1-7 (Return)
- Luke 1:26-45 (Accept and submit)
- Luke 3:1-20 (What should we do?)
December 16 - The Coming of Christ: Live in His Presence
- Isaiah 11:1-9 (Justice, Righteousness, Peace)
- Matthew 1:18-25 (Trust and obey)
- Titus 2:11-14, 3:4-7 (Gospel in a nutshell)
This fun and informative class will explore the ways that Christmas has evolved over two thousand years from a simple story of Jesus’s birth in a stable to the spectacle that we experience today. We’ll study scripture, do a Santa deep-dive and learn about many other sacred and secular Christmas traditions that we practice and cherish. Come along for the dizzying (sleigh) ride!
Reflect on the weekly scripture reading from worship through prayer, discussion, and a simple craft.
Don't do Advent and Christmas alone!
Gather 'round the crackling flames, sip some cocoa, and enjoy s’mores. Baked potato dinner, music, crafts, an impromptu pageant, and more awaits! Sign up to bring a topping for the potato bar or other item.
The Brass Band of Northern Virginia is delighted to return to Severna Park United Methodist Church for a joyful evening of holiday music! Comprised of 30 of the DC metro area’s finest brass and percussion players, the band will present a festive program blending sacred and secular selections—from cherished carols and hymns to sparkling arrangements of seasonal favorites—all performed in the rich, resonant sound of the traditional British-style brass band.
Come share in the celebration of the season with us on Saturday, December 13 at 7:00 PM—a perfect way to welcome the holidays with family, friends, and glorious live music. The concert is free, with a love offering taken at the door.
A gentle, reflective worship service for those who find the holidays difficult. Together we'll create space for honest emotions, quiet hope, and the comforting presence of God's light in the darkness.
United Women in Faith is sponsoring a Holiday Shoppe where kids can purchase small and affordable gifts for giving and decorate gift bags. For adults, "gift wrapping elves" will be available during the same time period. They will wrap 5 packages for a $10 donation. All proceeds from this event go to the Good Samaritan Fund, though which our church gives financial assistance to those in need.
SPUMC has many opportunities to serve all year round, but here are a few ways to serve during Advent and Christmas, specifically.
The Angel Tree is loaded with tags representing gifts to children and adults in our local community! There are tags for children & teens through SPAN, Backpack Buddies, Heaven’s Kitchen, Arundel House of Hope, Wycliffe Bible Translators, Clothing Ministry, Book & Toy Ministry, and Welcome Home. We invite you to share the joy of gift giving at Christmas with someone special. This is a great opportunity for families to participate in a mission together. Questions? Email Becky.
Grab a SPAN tote bag and fill it up with food items, toiletries, or personal hygiene items and return it at your convenience. We’ll get it to SPAN for you. The bags will supply our local food pantry for months to come. Our church contributed 300+ bags of food last Christmas and we’re hoping for more this year! We also need help moving the bags to SPAN at 11:45am each Sunday in December. Questions? Email Barbara.
Join us December 20 as we share the joy of Christmas with our friends at Heaven’s Kitchen. Come to Brooklyn Community UMC to serve a warm meal, offer a smile, and help share Christ’s love with our neighbors in need. All are welcome—let’s make the season brighter together! Questions? Email James.
Want to serve all the people who worship with us on Christmas Eve? Email Dixie.