Aurora Methodists to explore 'B-list' Christmas characters in sermon series, four-part Bible study

Flowing Forth United Methodist Church in Aurora will celebrate the Advent season with "B-List Christmas," a sermon series about secondary Advent characters and a four-part Bible study of lesser known characters from the Gospel of Luke.

The public is invited. Parking is free. A freewill collection is taken. Services are held at Aurora Christian School, 2255 Sullivan Road in Aurora.

The Rev. Derek Rogers, Flowing Forth pastor, said the sermon series profiling secondary Advent characters will be presented on four Sundays at 10 a.m. and a Christmas-eve service at 4 p.m.

The schedule will be: Luke on Dec. 1; Zechariah on Dec. 8; Elizabeth on Dec. 15; and Simeon and Anna on Dec. 22. The Christmas Eve service will begin at 4 p.m.

Rev. Rogers said, "When we think about Christmas we tend to think about the main characters. There are the proud parents Mary and Joseph. There is the divine messenger angel Gabriel. There are the supporting - but still important - characters the shepherds and magi. And of course, there is the star of the whole show, the baby Jesus.

"But there are lesser known characters in the Christmas story. I call them the B-List. This Advent we'll look to these people in the shadows of the story, and listen for what they have to teach us about the meaning of Christmas."

Additionally, Rev. Rogers announced a four-session Advent Bible study focusing on lesser known characters from the Gospel of Luke: Luke, Zechariah, Elizabeth, Simeon and Anna.

The schedule is from 9 to 10 a.m. Sundays Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22 before worship services at Aurora Christian School.

To register for the Bible study, e-mail pastorderekrogers@gmail.com.