Advent

In the Episcopal Church, Advent is the first season of the church year. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and ends at midnight the day before Christmas. The name comes from the Latin word for “coming.” The Advent season is a time of preparation for the celebration of our Lord’s birth. The liturgical color of the season is blue. The color blue represents royalty, the coming of the King, Jesus Christ.

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ECW Children's Christmas Party

Saturday, Dec. 2
10 a.m.
Student Life Center

Hosted by Episcopal Church Women of St. Martin's

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

The season’s joys come to life for children up to 12 years old. Don’t miss this family-friendly event that celebrates Jesus’ birthday! Activities include crafts, festive games and a visit from Santa.

The mission of the Episcopal Church Women (ECW) of St. Martin’s is to bring women together for fellowship, service and outreach while spreading the good news of Jesus Christ.

For more information, contact Valerie Rivera at 713-985-3817 or [email protected].

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Advent Family Festival

Sunday, Dec. 3
4-6 p.m.
Bagby Parish Hall

Please join us for an Advent celebration! Fresh evergreens and supplies will be available to make a family Advent wreath followed by a pancake dinner. Cost for
dinner is $5 per person. Please register at bit.ly/adventfamilyfest.

For more information, please contact Ashley Monachelli at [email protected] or 713-985-3816.

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Advent Quiet Day

Sponsored by The Order of the Daughters of the King®
Saturday, Dec. 9
9 a.m.-noon
Parish Life Center

Praying is essential in the life of followers of Jesus. While prayers can be spontaneous and unscripted, Episcopalians have the added blessing of inheritance of beautifully crafted prayers, or collects, in “The Book of Common Prayer.”

From the Latin word collecta, collects are designed to gather up the prayers and petitions of those assembled into one prayer for all. Some of the collects in the current “The Book of Common Prayer” are so ancient their wording is found in some of the earliest recorded prayers of the Church. Others came from the pen and spirit of the master craftsman of the first “The Book of Common Prayer,” Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer.

In the four collects for the season of Advent, we pray prayers that range from ancient to new. St. Martin’s Clergy will provide meditations on one of the four Advent Collects to prepare for the celebration of our Lord’s birth. The Quiet Day will end with Noonday Prayer.

For more information, please contact Tracee Tindol at 713-985-3811 or [email protected].

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Cocoa and Carols

Sunday, Dec. 10
10:15 a.m.
Children’s Life Center

All the Sunday School classes will gather for a fun-filled morning to celebrate the coming of Jesus. Children will hear a Christmas story, sing Christmas songs and enjoy hot chocolate and a treat.

For more information, please contact Ashley Monachelli at [email protected] or 713-985-3816.

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Christmas Crash

Sunday, Dec. 10
5-7 p.m.
Student Life Center

Students are encouraged to bring a friend for an awesome night of games, contests dinner and prizes. Wear a tacky Christmas sweater, reindeer antlers or a festive Christmas outfit! Please bring a $5 wrapped gift for the White Elephant exchange.

For more information, contact Florence Ritchie at 713-985-3843 or [email protected].

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Taizé Prayer Service

Sunday, Dec. 10
5 p.m.
Christ Chapel

Named for the monastic spiritual community in Taizé, France, this unique form of contemplation invites you into an awareness of God’s presence through chantlike songs, Scripture and silent meditation. Set aside time this Advent to get away from the bustle of holiday activities to rest and just be … be with yourself, be with other seekers and be with the Lord. This quiet and prayerful time apart will nourish your soul as you continue preparing for the birth of Christ anew in your heart this Advent season!

For more information, please contact Amanda DeViney at [email protected] or 713-830-4110.

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Wayne and Friends

Sunday, Dec. 10
7 p.m.
Parish Life Center

Born Is The King!
Wayne Watson, St. Martin’s Director of Contemporary Music, opens the Christmas season with a gathering of talented musicians who will perform an unforgettable concert filled with instrumental Christmas classics, carols and modern Christmas compositions.

For the past seven years, Watson has held this concert, which has featured Christian artists. Bring your family and friends for an unforgettable Christmas experience. Bring the whole family for an unforgettable evening of fellowship!

For more information, contact Amanda DeViney at 713-830-4110 or [email protected].

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Houston Boychoir

Winter Concert and Reception
Saturday, Dec. 16
4 p.m.
The Church

Celebrate the holiday season with the Houston Boychoir. Listen to traditional Christmas music from three choirs that make up the group: the precious Preparatory Choir, the delightful Chamber Choir and the amazing Olde Boys. Founded in 1962, the organization has sung with the Houston Bach Society, the Houston Symphony and the Opera in The Heights.

For more information, contact Carol Nelson at 346-335-8677 or [email protected].

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A Festival of Lessons and Carols

Traditional Service


Sunday, Dec. 17
11:15 a.m.
The Church

This worship service is a wonderful testament to the holiday season, featuring the Parish Choir with bells, brass and timpani to ring in the birth of our savior!

Family Table Service


Sunday, Dec. 17
9:15 a.m.
Parish Life Center

Hear St. Martin’s Young Singers sing and recount this ancient telling of the Christmas story. Sing along to your favorite traditional Christmas carols!

Riverway Contemporary Service


Sunday, Dec. 17
11:15 a.m.
Parish Life Center

The annual Riverway Lessons and Carols is a distinct Advent tradition that includes nine Scripture lessons foretelling the coming Messiah. We are reminded that Christ has come once, and he has promised to return. Accompanying each of the ancient prophecies will be a musical response put together by our talented Riverway musicians.

It will be a beautiful blend of the old and new with the classic words of Scripture meeting the contemporary music that is a staple of Riverway worship. Join us as we prepare for Christmas and the Lord’s return once again.

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Advent Resources at St. Martin's Gift Shoppe

Prepare for this solemn and wonderful season with these special resources:

"Preparing Room" by the Rev. Dr. Russell J. Levenson, Jr.

  • Scriptures key to telling the Christmas story as it centers on Jesus
  • Brief meditations to help readers step more deeply into the Advent story
  • Reflections on how to prepare just a bit more room for the King
  • Prayers from Judeo-Christian tradition or by the author

"Advent Wreath Devotional" by Laura and Russ Levenson

The “Advent Wreath Devotional” in both adult and children’s versions provides a framework within which to traverse the Advent season.