For more than four decades, Augsburg University has ushered in the Advent and Christmas seasons with Advent Vespers, a magnificent experience of music and liturgy focusing on the theme of preparation and culminating in the joyful celebration of the Incarnation.
EVENT DETAILS
We invite you to join us in the celebration of the Incarnation at the 45th annual Advent Vespers services.
See Revealed Creation’s Splendor
Our Advent Vespers theme this year is a response to the shared sense of anxiety we feel around the ongoing climate crisis. Gus Speth, environmental lawyer and a US Advisor on climate change, writes, “I used to think that top environmental problems were biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and climate change. I thought that thirty years of good science could address these problems. I was wrong…The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed and apathy, and to deal with these we need a cultural and spiritual transformation and we scientists don’t know how to do that…”
Our common concern for creation begins with a transformation of the heart, with a recognition that the world was created in Love and that we are called to live in harmony with it. For Christians, the birth of Jesus represents God’s full identification with, and within, the created world. In Christ, we “see revealed” God’s decision to dwell deeply within all living creatures. What good and joyful news!
Dates and Times
Friday, December 6
7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 7
2:00 & 5:00 p.m.
Location
Central Lutheran Church
333 South 12th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55404
Cost
Advent Vespers is free to the public with a suggested donation of $30 per person. Please consider giving online through the donation portal below, or when you reserve your seats. Donation envelopes will also be available at the church for each service.
Reservations
Reservations for Advent Vespers are strongly suggested and must be made online through the link below. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Make your reservations now and we’ll see you in December!
Parking
Parking is free at Central Lutheran Church with proof of your Advent Vespers order. You may show your order confirmation or your seating envelopes upon arrival at the parking lot. There will be signs and people with flags to guide you to each of the various entrances. Visit Central Lutheran’s “Getting Here” webpage for more information.
Accessibility
If you need disability-related accommodations in order to participate in this event, please email vespers@augsburg.edu or be sure to include your request on the last page of the reservation form.
ADVENT VESPERS DEVOTIONAL
As part of Advent Vespers, we are offering a digital daily devotion throughout Advent tying to our Vespers theme using scripture texts and hymn stanzas with reflections by members of the Augsburg community.
2024 Advent Vespers Devotional
Support Us
Augsburg University’s Advent Vespers services are funded solely by generous individual contributions. Your donation today will directly support students, staff, and faculty in continuing this majestic tradition. Make your contribution today.
ADVENT VESPERS ARCHIVES
Enjoy some past Advent Vespers Service at the links below.
- The Augsburg University Archives is a searchable website of photos, articles or recordings with content from Advent Vespers
- To watch videos of past Advent Vespers, visit The Augsburg University Archives YouTube Advent Vespers Playlist
- The most recent video recordings are located on the department’s Youtube Channel – Check it out!
LEARN MORE
Contact any of the production team members:
- Brian De Young, Choral Music Director
- Dr. Mark Bergman, Orchestral Music Director
- Pastor Babette Chatman ‘06, Liturgical Director
- Pastor John Schwehn, Liturgical Director
- Mark Sedio, University Organist
- Ryan Borden, Vespers Producer
Send general inquiries to vespers@augsburg.edu or contact the Music Department directly at 612-330-1265