Isaiah 43:1-7 But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called […]
2021 Advent Guide: Second Sunday after Christmas
John 1:(1-9), 10-18 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, […]
Index by Scripture
[…] A) Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16; Public Education (Proper 21, Year A) Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; Peace ( Advent 2, Year B) Psalm 93; Focus on Eastern North Carolina (Ascension of the Lord, […]
Jesus, Money, and Taxes
[…] than the Roman calendar, a new year begins on Sunday when the Christian season of Advent begins. One of the most important scripture readings during these four weeks of Advent […]
Pushing Back Against the Grinch
On the third Sunday of Advent, the New York Times ran an essay by Arthur C. Brooks, president of the American Enterprise Institute. (It was reprinted by the Raleigh News […]
Which Christmas Will We Embrace in NC?
Now that Epiphany is over, we are looking back on Advent and Christmas, and remembering our celebrations — special time with family, special foods or gifts. An article in the […]
Wise Leaders Would Answer the Call for Justice and Righteousness
[…] Assembly’s second special session. For Christians around the world it is the third week of Advent, more than halfway through the season we designate as a time to think seriously […]
Prayers for Those Impacted by the Storm
[…] is long. May we remember their struggle as we move into the seasons of Thanksgiving and Advent. Anyone wishing to provide financial assistance can contact their denomination’s disaster relief agency, the […]
Coverage is Coming
December is here and Advent has arrived — a season which Christians joyfully and expectantly welcome as we await the celebration of Christ’s birth. This year, for many Americans, the […]
Eat as an Act of Worship this Holiday Season
This is a special time of year. For Christians, it’s a time of Advent or expectant waiting for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This period of anticipation culminates on […]
Shopping with Meaning
[…] to actions that reflects a commitment to dignity and respect for all workers. As the Advent season approaches, gift giving becomes a priority for those of us in the Christian […]
Human Rights, North Carolina, and 49 People
[…] Nation’s International Human Rights Day. As we wait for the incarnation of God during this Advent season, we must also acknowledge that human rights are still being violated at all […]
Sister Evelyn Mattern Fund
[…] service spanned from the 1980s until she passed from us on the first Sunday of Advent 2003. Sr. Evelyn’s friends established the fund to strengthen the Council’s work on issues […]
2021 Advent Guide: Christmas Day
Isaiah 9:2-7 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined.You have multiplied the […]
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The North Carolina Council of Churches educates, inspires, and mobilizes faith communities to advocate for justice. In the News Over 1,200 Religious People Spoke Against Senate Bill 20 The North […]
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We offer our resources for free because we want everyone to have access to them. But it takes a lot of time and effort to create these materials. If you’re […]
Staff
[…] Recent Articles 2024 Lenten Guide: Fifth Sunday 2023 Lenten Guide: First Sunday in Lent 2022 Advent Guide: Third Sunday 2022 Advent Guide: Keep Awake 2021 Advent Guide: Third Sunday of […]
Road Work Ahead: Jesus and Taxes
[…] full of citations. “Make Straight the Path: Jesus and Taxes,” which includes Lectionary helps for Advent Year B as well as a collection of references to various relevant teachings of […]
Supporting our Mental Health in the Holidays
[…] time. I hope that with a plan, anyone can participate in the goodness of the Advent season. Here are some ideas on how to take care of yourself and stay […]
PHW Book Club Discussion: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Chapter Seventeen
[…] the hustle and bustle of getting ready for Christmas that we often miss out on Advent. We jump straight to Christmas and then to the new year: a season of […]
Lenten Guide – Third Sunday
[…] well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’” (Luke 13:1-9) Lent and Advent have always been parallel seasons to me, both times of waiting. They are, however, […]
Good News: Governor Perdue Vetoes Attack on Racial Justice Act
[…] likely in early January. Important Action Please do two things right away. (I know, it’s Advent, and Christmas is just over a week away. But this one is important.) 1) […]
Believing in Goodness and Mercy After a Very Hard Week
[…] (Edward Stallworth) Worship Resources (Lectionary-Based Prayers, Reflections, etc.) Peace – Pentecost, Year C Peace – Advent, Year B Gun Violence – Ordinary Time, Year C Conflict Resolution – Ordinary Time, […]
The Council Welcomes Your Support
[…] New publications during the year include an expanded Acts of Faith worship resource, Lenten and Advent Guides, “From Jerusalem to Jericho: Christian Witness on the Tax-Sustained Road,” and bulletin inserts […]
PHW Book Club Discussion: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Chapter Eleven
[…] for the proper season is the true key to delight. Questions: During this season of Advent, we practice (or at least reflect on) the difficult and uncommon art of waiting. How […]
Senate Budget, Fracking Roar Through
[…] obtain health care that otherwise they might well have had to do without. With the advent of the national Affordable Care Act, those people may have more options, as some […]
Reclaiming Epiphany
[…] many Christians, it is a time to take a breath after the hectic schedule of Advent and Christmas. While we often talk about “putting Christ back in Christmas,” we forget […]
Immigration in Three Minutes: Terrorist Attacks and Blaming Refugees
[…] that we saw in Paris a week ago. The Council has also made available an Advent devotional guide focused on the plight of refugees that can be downloaded here. As […]
2015: Our Conservatives Weren’t Kidding
[…] into one where workforce development is not just one goal but the primary goal. The advent of the Spellings era in 2016 could have profound implications for the state’s future, […]
Home by Another Way
[…] Jesus, really is. We think we know who he is because we’ve all been through Advent and Christmas, Lent and Easter, a few times before. We’ve all heard the story […]
New Push for Broader Medicaid, Better Health
[…] at the start of this year. He was stymied by legislative opposition and by the advent of a president who had made repeal of the Affordable Care Act a signature […]
On the Fourth Day of Christmas
[…] the midst of all of this tangled clutter, we make an effort to keep our Advent waiting for Christ Jesus before us by majoring in creche remembrances rather than Santa […]
COVID-19 Response & Resources
[…] Catholic Ben Salem Presbyterian Church, Charlotte Beth Page Presbyterian Church, Kannapolis Burlington Philadelphia Seventh Day Adventist Church Caroleen UMC, Ellenboro Christ Church, Hickory Corinth Reformed Church, Hickory Covenant Church, Lincolnton […]
Christian Unity
[…] Church in a Post-Castro World (12/1/2016) Faith Leaders: Add Your Name to Speak Love (11/20/2016) Advent Guide Focuses on Peace (11/10/2016) Christian Unity Committee Offers Workshop: Getting to Know our […]
COVID-19 Resources
[…] Catholic Ben Salem Presbyterian Church, Charlotte Beth Page Presbyterian Church, Kannapolis Burlington Philadelphia Seventh Day Adventist Church Caroleen UMC, Ellenboro Christ Church, Hickory Corinth Reformed Church, Hickory Covenant Church, Lincolnton […]