We embrace generosity as a way of life: True wealth comes when we give our time and treasure.
Advent Village December 2020
Welcome to the Advent Village “on line” experience. “Visit” the Mission Stores by clicking on the videos below. Learn about the good works God is doing through these missionaries. Click on the online order form for a complete list of the items available in all of the store. Credit cards are welcome. If you prefer to pay by check please print out a form and mail it in.
What is Advent Village? An opportunity for the greater Allentown community to participate in an alternative experience to commercial Christmas shopping which creates awareness of and benefits the missions of the Allentown Presbyterian Church.
Who benefits? Purchasing a gift at Advent Village benefits the lives of people who are in need, in the name of a loved one, fulfilling our call to care for the members of the family of Jesus Christ. Mission team representatives determine creative ways to sell products or services which directly benefit those whom the mission team serves. Buyers receive Advent Village Christmas gift cards which explain the purchase made and the beneficiary of the gift. Through Advent Village, not only are we raising awareness of the works of the missions of our church family, but in 2019 we raised $25,377 in support of the missions of APC. Our ten year total for giving through Advent Village is $222,398.
Missions: The Allentown Presbyterian Church missions represented at Advent Village 2020 are:
Our local missions: The Allentown Food Pantry, The Allentown Good Neighbor Fund, Crossroads Youth and Young Adult Ministry, and HomeFront, and our international missions in Guatemala and Africa (Villages in Partnership).
Environment: In a typical year, the hallway of the Education building is transformed into a Victorian village complete with Dickensian storefronts. The patrons visit six stores filled with friendly and knowledgeable “owners” who offer explanations and creative displays of their work in the various mission fields. See photos to get a glimpse of Advent Village Past…
The Potter Room is home to Ye Olde Book Shoppe (supported by the Elementary Sunday School) and the Little Tree Bakery (supported by Little Tree Preschool). Ye Olde Book Shoppe is filled with books donated by the Sunday School families. The children also made various ornaments for sale on the Sunday School Mission Christmas Tree. Little Tree Bakery provides a cookie decorating table. The book sale proceeds from 2010-2016 allowed us to purchase 240 Spanish Children’s Bibles for the Guatemala mission and the Little Tree cookie sales and the Sunday School ornament sales benefited the preschool missions in both Guatemala and Africa.
Entertainment: We present a potpourri of entertainment including the ROCK, Stepping Stones Choirs of APC, local talent, strolling minstrels, and the APC Men’s Advent choir, and the smooth Christmas Jazz of Enoch Smith, Jr. Returning this year: The Allentown High School select choir: Half and Half! These musical and dramatic talents provide lively entertainment while our patrons enjoy a wide selection of food at the APC Café!
Ye Olde APC Café: The Café is fabulous! Usually, we are enjoying many delicious and varied homemade breakfast. lunch, and dessert options. All food is donated and prepared by volunteers allowing the APC Café to donate 100% of sales to the missions.
The bottom line: Advent Village has been a success on so many levels. We have increased awareness of the missions of APC. We have contributed to a change in the way we think about “giving” at Christmas. We provided a day of fun and fellowship evidenced by our “lingering” shoppers. New friendships are formed and old ones strengthened. And, in the first ten years of the event, we have raised over $222,000 to help people in need locally and around the world. What a beautiful experience. Praise God!
We are very excited about this year’s event during the entire month of December 2020!
Come join us!
Here’s a link to the 2020 Advent Village Shopping List: AV 2020 Shopping List. Feel free to download and complete the form and mail it in with your donation and request for cards. Thank you for your generous support; giving to serve others as Jesus served!
Advent Village December 2020