Join us for the 2026 Christmas Season!
The season of Advent is all about remembering the anticipation and welcome of Jesus and its meaning for us today.
At Bethel Congregational United Church of Christ in Beaverton, near Portland Oregon, we welcome people of all ages, races, faith journeys, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community to celebrate the Advent Season with us!
Join us for the season of Advent / Christmas
Advent/Christmas 2026 season:
The season of Advent begins November 29th, 2026. This year we will celebrate the season of Advent with resource materials from A Sanctified Art. Our theme will be “Until the Dawn: Actions For the Work of Advent”.
Advent is a season of enduring hope. Christ is born into a fearful world, a world many of us may feel familiar with today. But God does not avoid vulnerability. In spite of this tumultuous time and place, God arrives as a newborn baby. In a season of unknowns, the resilience of hope leads us to the message of good news. Even when we feel fearful or vulnerable, God is still at work in the world around us.
Until the Dawn will include these weekly themes:
In addition, we will be sharing art work, music, and fellowship times that deepen these themes and prepare for and celebrate the gift of Christmas.
Check our electronic newsletter, Weekly Highlights for updates. Email our office to sign up!
Dates at a glance:
This year’s dates for each Advent Sunday are November 29th, December 6th, 13th, and 20th. We will have a Family Christmas Eve Service on December 24th at 4 pm, and also a Candlelight Christmas Eve Service later that evening at 10 pm. We hope you will join us!
Advent/Christmas chancel decorated with beautiful stained glass and poinsettias
A Closer Look at our Services and Programs for Advent 2026:
WEEK 1
The first Sunday of Advent, November 29th - Advent is a season of endings and beginnings. As the calendar year comes to a close, a new church year rushes in. Christ’s birth ushers us into new ways of living and loving—and yet, we feel the weight of many things coming to an end. Sermon: Until the Dawn… CRY OUT.
Blue Christmas, November 29th at 2 pm
Later in the afternoon of November 29th, we will offer a “Blue Christmas Service” at 2pm in the sanctuary. As its name suggests, the Blue Christmas service provides comfort and support for those who may be struggling to be “happy or merry or cheerful.” If you have lost a loved one, or have experience any significant loss, the holiday season be especially difficult. You may feel out of step with everyone else. The Blue Christmas service makes room for and acknowledges these “counter cultural” feelings.
WEEK 2
The second Sunday of Advent, December 6th - Sermon: Until the Dawn…START SOMEWHERE
Join us for our annual Wassail Celebration (sharing of cider and sweet breads) after service, led by our choir!
WEEK 3
Children’s Christmas Pageant, DECEMBER 13th
The third week of Advent, December 14th, we celebrate the angel’s message and Mary’s courage: Until the Dawn…SPEAK UP. The children and youth of Bethel will lead our family-friendly service and show our filmed annual Christmas pageant.
Join us for our annual Christmas cookie potluck after service!
WEEK 4
The fourth Sunday of Advent, December 20th - Sermon: Until the Dawn…TAKE COURAGE.
Christmas Eve, 4 pm and 10 pm
Christmas Eve is December 24. and will be celebrated with two services. We will have a shorter Family Service at 4 pm and a Candlelight service at 10PM. Kids of all ages will be invited to help tell the story together and join in carols and teachings.
The Christmas Eve candlelight service at 10pm will celebrate the “aliveness” of God and the joy of Christ’s birth: Until the Dawn… ANGELS SING. A number of lessons and carols will be shared at this service as well as special music from our chancel choir.
WEEK 5
The fifth Sunday of Advent, December 27th, Theme: Until the Dawn… BUILD UP. This service will feature music from the John Nilsen Trio, a beloved local group that has performed at Bethel on the Sunday after Christmas for years.
Epiphany
Epiphany Sunday, January 3rd, Sermon: Until the Dawn… CHOOSE JOY.
Check out this video below of our past Advent services to show what you can expect when you celebrate Advent and Christmas with us. Please join us!
Advent/Christmas Services Beaverton Portland
A Progressive Church Near Me?
We're convenient to Portland's west side, right in the heart of downtown Beaverton, just south of the Beaverton City Library at the corner of 6th and Watson Avenue.
Bethel Congregational United Church of Christ
5150 SW Watson Avenue
Beaverton, OR 97005
(503) 646-1191