| Life at the Church of the Advent Advent Church is a dynamic, growing and lively church in the Anglican/Episcopal tradition. Considered "transitional sized", belonging to Advent can be compared to being in a very large family made up of smaller sub-families. We have a fair share of programs and small groups as well. Our founding members are still here, however we do have a healthy mix of new folks, too. We are composed of people of many different backgrounds, young and old, retired and working, and of many different nationalities and ethnicities. The worship life at Advent is best described as "Three-streams Anglicanism". We have a fully catholic liturgy and church structure, preach and teach the evangelical message, and are empowered by the Holy Spirit to use His gifts to strengthen, heal, and sustain others. Our worship is traditional but not at all stuffy. We use the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, Hymnal 1982, and other worship music as well. We use the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible and follow the Revised Common Lectionary. Advent Church is a faithful witness of historic Christianity as expressed in Anglicanism. We affirm scripture as the Word of God, applicable for our life today, and understand it to be the rule of life for the Christian. At Advent Church, we hold to the following theology: 1) The Lordship of Jesus Christ, His Virgin Birth, His vicarious death, His glorious bodily Resurrection and His Ascension to the right hand of God. We believe that Jesus is the only Son of God, fully God, fully man, and without sin. We believe saving faith in Jesus Christ is essential to salvation. 2) The Holy Trinity - one God as revealed in Trinity of Persons and unity of Being, neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the Substance. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are co-eternal, co-equal and altogether one Almighty God. 3) The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as containing all things nessesary to salvation. 4) The Holy Eucharist as the central act of Christian worship (It is also called the Holy Communion, the Divine Liturgy, the Supper of the Lord, or the Mass). We believe that Jesus is truly present: Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity in the consecrated elements. We further hold that in order for a person to receive Holy Communion at our church, they need to be a baptized Christian. Would you consider joining us? We are ready to have you come and share in our life as we seek to serve the Lord Jesus and make His love known to all the nations - beginning right here in southwest Ocala. |
| Our History In the 1980's, the rapid growth around State Road 200 caused the Diocese of Central Florida to purchase property in 1985 for a future Episcopal mission. For several years there was no growth and a frustrated group of local Episcopalians met on the first Sunday of Advent in 1990. They petitioned the diocese for incorporation as a mission and were canonically admitted January 25, 1991. After two years of meeting in different locations, the diocese provided a doublewide trailer where worship services began on the first Sunday of Advent in 1992. The next three years witnessed immense growth. From 1992-1995 the church grew on average 29% each year. After some years, the temporary worship stucture proved unsuitable and growth slowed to 4%. In 1996, the church became financially independent and was granted parish status in 1997. In 1998, plans for a new facility were finalized and contractors procured. Work began in July of that year. The excitement proved contageous and growth again grew to double digits. The current building was consecrated on February 7, 1999. Unfortunately, much of that growth so early achieved was to be countered by the decline brought on by controversy at the national level. Although there were significant tensions mounting on the national scene in the Episcopal Church, Advent chose to remain neither conservative nor liberal, even amidst a national denomination that seems driven to polarization. From 2007 until now, we have added a chapter of the Daughters of the King and the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, Among our developments was the addition of Education for Ministry and a host of other ministries. Something is going on at Advent nearly every day of the week! The next chapter in our history depends on you. Come and see us in action. Do you have a talent or gift, we will help you find your niche. You see, the real story is just beginning. We are poised to achieve even greater things for our Lord, but doing just that means having you among us! Former Clergy-in-Charge: The Rev'd Michael Messina, Vicar 1991-1992 The Rev'd A. Joe Goss, Vicar, and later, Rector (deceased) 1992-2007 The Rev'd Margaret Silk-Wright, Priest-in-Charge 2007-2009 The Rev'd Robert M. Lewis, Rector 2009-2013
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