Invite your community to experience a thrill of hope this Advent.

We live in a weary world, fractured by division and despair. Yet across generations and cultures, humanity clings to the hope of restoration, and God continues to draw near.

Advent reminds us that suffering is not the final word. The Messiah has saved us. The Messiah is saving us. The Messiah will save us. On this journey toward Christmas, we watch for God’s saving work unfolding all around us, bringing healing where there is hurt, courage where there is fear, and hope where there is despair.

The miracle of Immanuel did not end in Bethlehem.

The thrill of hope persists.

If you’d like to download a sample of the resources for the First Sunday of Advent, receive updates about A Thrill of Hope, and be notified as soon as it’s released, add your first name and email below.

Scripture passages used in A Thrill of Hope are from the Revised Common Lectionary, Year B.

A Thrill of Hope: An Overview

Scriptures used in A Thrill of Hope are from the Revised Common Lectionary, Year B.

Simplify Your Advent Planning

To make your Advent–Epiphany planning easier, we’ve created four convenient bundles. While you can still purchase each product individually, these bundles offer a great way to stay within your budget.

• Everything Bundle: Ready to fully embrace our new theme, A Thrill of Hope? This bundle includes everything you need for a comprehensive churchwide program.
• Mini Bundle: Ideal for solo pastors or very small churches, the Mini Bundle includes a few items from both the Home and Church Bundles.
• Church Bundle: Perfect materials to use with all ages in your congregation, including resources for worship, preaching, Sunday school, and youth group.
• Home Bundle: Ideal for those focusing on resources to send home with families and congregants.

Bundle Pricing

Pricing for most products is based on church membership size, with tiers for 1–100 members, 101–500 members, and 501+ members. Your purchase includes one Single-Entity license. Learn about Multi-Entity licenses ​here​.

Everything Bundle

Starting at $229.99

• Everything included in the Church Bundle
• Everything included in the Home Bundle

Best value!

Looking for something for yourself or your family?

Affordable options for individuals and families on the following products:

• “O Holy Night (A Thrill of Hope)” Advent Song
• Practices for Families
• Devotional
• Advent Calendar

Mini Bundle

Starting at $139.99

• “O Holy Night (A Thrill of Hope)” Advent Song
• Worship Liturgy
• Commentary & Preaching Guide
• Devotional
• Children’s Mini Curriculum
• Advent Calendar

Church Bundle

Starting at $159.99

• Coloring Page & Poster
• “O Holy Night (A Thrill of Hope)” Advent Song
• Worship Liturgy
• Commentary & Preaching Guide
• Children’s Moments
• Interactive Worship Bulletins
• Children’s Mini Curriculum
• Youth & Intergenerational Curriculum

Home Bundle

Starting at $89.99

• Practices for Families
• Devotional
• Advent Calendar
• Coloring Page

Meet our Contributors

In addition to the Illustrated Ministry staff who are deeply involved in creating these resources, we also partner with talented scholars, writers, pastors, and creatives from across the country. Below, you can learn more about those who contributed to this resource.

Rev. Allie Rosner Bass

Writing (Commentary)

Allie is a PhD student in Biblical Studies (Old Testament) at Princeton Theological Seminary. Her work focuses on how the biblical authors tell stories about prophets, using other ancient Near Eastern texts for comparison. She is ordained in the United Methodist Church and served churches for over a decade before returning to school. In her free time, she likes to bake cookies and run.

Dr. Anna M. V. Bowden

Writing (Commentary)

Anna is Associate Professor of New Testament at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and author of Revelation and the Marble Economy of Roman Ephesus: A People’s History Approach (Lexington, 2021). Her research and writing focus on the lives of first-century Jesus followers in Roman-controlled cities and how early Jesus-followers negotiated their commitment to God’s transformative purposes amidst their imperial context in different ways.

Monica Burt

Writing (Commentary)

Monica J. Burt is a PhD student in Biblical Studies/New Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary specializing in the Pauline epistles, Acts, and identity formation in early Christianity and Judaism. She holds an MDiv from Luther Seminary and is currently approved for ordination in the ELCA.

Rev. Dr. Dong Hyeon Jeong

Writing (Commentary)

Dong Hyeon is the Assistant Professor of New Testament Interpretation and the Director of the Center for Asian/Asian American Ministry at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (Evanston, IL). He is an ordained elder with the United Methodist Church. His recent publication is titled Embracing the Nonhuman in the Gospel of Mark. When he is not busy gardening, Dong Hyeon likes to go to the botanic garden with his partner and two kids.

Dr. Amanda C. Miller

Writing (Commentary)

Amanda is a scholar, a minister, and a musician. She has a music therapy degree, an MDiv, and a PhD in biblical studies. She currently lives with her family in Toronto, Canada, where she sings with a local choir, reads and writes, and kayaks on Lake Ontario. Her latest book is Voices of Resistance: The Bible’s Songs of Victory, Peace, and Protest, and she is passionate about faithfully interpreting the Bible for contemporary justice movements and faith communities.

Dr. Cory Peacock

Writing (Commentary)

Cory is the Director of Operations for the Sonoran Theological Group. He holds a PhD in Hebrew Bible from New York University, focusing on the Bible and the literature of the ancient Near East. He has taught at both the graduate and undergraduate levels for two decades and has served the church in a variety of capacities. He enjoys time with his three kids and wife, Amy Jacober.

Rev. Melissa Bills

writing (preaching guide, liturgy)

Melissa is a pastor and an author of liturgical texts, devotional materials, and intergenerational curricula. She is a native of the Chicago suburbs, a graduate of St. Olaf College and Princeton Theological Seminary, and currently serves as the Director of College Ministries and College Pastor at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.

Rev. Brent Bowden

Writing (preaching guide)

Brent has served congregations in Austin, Texas and Rochester, New York and is the Director of Housing Finance at Habitat for Humanity of Metro Louisville. When not engaged in one of these pursuits you might find Brent running Cherokee Park in Louisville, on a golf course, or working on the home he shares with his spouse, Dr. Anna Bowden and their Yorkshire Terrier, Shiner.

Rev. Lori Walke

Writing (preaching guide)

Lori serves as the Senior Minister at Mayflower Congregational UCC in Oklahoma City and is an unbridled enthusiast about what a well prepared argument and the beloved community can do to make life on earth as it is in heaven.

Rev. Dr. Wesley W. Ellis

Writing

Wes is a pastor, educator, and practical theologian. He holds a PhD in Practical Theology from the University of Aberdeen and an MDiv and MA from Princeton Theological Seminary. He serves as Senior Pastor of First Congregational Church of Ramona, a United Church of Christ congregation in Ramona, California. He is the author of Youth Beyond the Developmental Lens: Being Over Becoming (Fortress, 2024) and Abiding in Amen: Prayer in a Secular Age (Fortress, 2025). Wes lives in Ramona with his wife, Amanda, and their two children, Henry and Bonnie.

Rev. Arianne Braithwaite Lehn

EDITING

Arianne is a mother, one half of a clergy couple, writer, and ordained minister with the Presbyterian Church (USA). She and her family live in Wilmette, Illinois. Arianne is the author of Ash and Starlight: Prayers for the Chaos and Grace of Daily Life.

Brooke Buth

Writing (Children’s Mini Curriculum)

Brooke spends her time gardening and quilting. She is passionate about libraries, hyper-local food systems, and local church ministry. Brooke earned her BA in Youth Ministry and Honors Humanities from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Becky D'Angelo-Veitch

Writing (Children’s Mini Curriculum)

Becky is an educator, coach, and writer. Becky has a Certificate in Youth and Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary, is a Certified Christian Educator (CACE) in the PC(USA), and is an ICF Associate Certified Coach. When not writing or coaching, you’ll find her teaching yoga, thrifting, or hiking with her husband and college-age daughters.

Rachel Dodd

EDITING

Rachel is a spiritual director, writer, and editor with an MDiv and DMin from Fuller Theological Seminary. Having served students and families in ministry for over 20 years, Rachel loves equipping others in their ministry calling. She and her husband live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and have two daughters.

Sonja Dziekciowski

Writing (Children’s Mini Curriculum)

Sonja is a former elementary teacher, previous summer camp program director, and current Director of Children’s Ministries at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis, MN. She resides in Plymouth with her husband, two kids, two dogs, and three cats. Her hobbies include pet grooming and vacuuming.

Brooke Foster

Writing (children’s moments, Youth & Intergenerational Curriculum, advent calendar)

Brooke is passionate about creating welcoming spaces of community for people of all ages. She lives in Princeton, NJ, where she serves as Youth Director at Princeton UMC and as a program coordinator for the Polaris Young Adult Leadership Network at her alma mater, Princeton Theological Seminary.

Daniela Gamba

Illustration

Daniela is a Colombian-American illustrator based in Massachusetts. While studying at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, she discovered her love of digital illustration. With a focus on fantasy and science fiction concept art, she grew up inspired by tales of adventure and discovery and approaches her art-making with the same joy.

Lauren Gibbs-Beadle

Writing (Children’s Mini Curriculum)

Lauren is an educator, creative, and parent. She draws upon her Filipino heritage, radical educators, and her experiences as a queer, biracial, neurodivergent woman of color. She has a BA in Asian American Studies/Education from Wellesley and an MEd. in Social Justice Education from UCLA. Lauren is currently the Director of Children’s Ministries at FirstPres Hayward. She lives in Castro Valley, CA with her partner, four kids, and a menagerie of animals.

Rev. Joanna Goodwin

EDITING

Joanna is the Director of Faith Formation at Mayflower Congregational UCC in Oklahoma City. She received her MDiv from Drew University and previously taught sixth and seventh-grade history and English. She and her husband have two children. Joanna enjoys beekeeping, drinking lattes, reading, and spending time with friends.

Andrea Hamilton

songwriting and producing

Andrea is a songwriter, worship leader and music producer from southern California. Her original songs have been in copious TV shows and films and have millions of streams online. She holds a bachelor’s in Music from Azusa Pacific University, and teaches Worship Tech at Hope International University.Hear more of Andrea’s music ​here​.

Meagan Helton

Writing (Family Devotional & Children’s Mini Curriculum)

Meagan lives in Spokane, WA, with her spouse and two kids. She holds an MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary and has volunteered in youth and children’s ministry for over 20 years. Meagan currently works as an academic director at Whitworth University. For fun, she enjoys hiking and exploring the outdoors.

Deborah Jodrey

Writing (Interactive worship bulletins, youth & intergenerational curriculum)

Deborah graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2020 with a MDiv and a MA in Christian Education and Formation and currently works as the Director of Faith Formation at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church in Ambler, PA. Deborah’s free time is spent running into burning buildings as a volunteer firefighter, cuddling her two pups, and playing all the board games with friends and family.

Rev. Erika Marksbury

Writing (Devotional)

Erika is mom to two wise and wonderful teenagers, and pastor at the First Baptist Church of McMinnville, a creative, progressive, thoughtful congregation. She earned her PhD listening to birth stories and studying birth rituals, and remains fascinated by all the ways people make meaning.

Rev. Amanda Meisenheimer

WRITING / CONCEPT

Amanda is the pastor of Church on the Hill in Flushing, New York. With a focus on intragenerational and therapeutic approaches to ministry and curriculum, Amanda is passionate about blending spirituality and creativity. She also dabbles in music, poetry, and watercolor. Amanda and her two children make their home in Flushing.

Rev. Renee Purtlebaugh

EDITING

Renee is the Associate Pastor to Children and Their Families at Highland Baptist Church. She makes her home in Louisville, KY, where days revolve around life with her husband and daughter. Renee delights in a good cup of coffee, watching her daughter sound out words, baking from scratch, and designing experiences for children that are Reggio-inspired.

Ryan Schmall

Writing (practices for families, children’s moments & Children’s Mini Curriculum)

Ryan serves as Director of Family Ministries at First Presbyterian Church in Spokane, WA where he lives with wife and their three daughters. He’s worked in student and children’s ministry for nearly 20 years. Ryan received his MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary.

Layton Williams-Berkes

Writing (Children’s Mini Curriculum)

Layton is a PC(USA) minister, communications specialist, and writer. She is a Communications Associate for the Presbyterian Mission Agency of the PC(USA) and author of Holy Disunity: How What Separates Us Can Save Us. She holds an MDiv from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and has worked with NEXT Church, Sojourners, and Fourth Presbyterian Church. She lives in Charleston, SC, with her husband, Billy, daughters, Avett and Olive, and lab mix, Idgie.

Rev. Dr. Wesley W. Ellis

Writing

Wes is a pastor, educator, and practical theologian. He holds a Ph.D. in Practical Theology from the University of Aberdeen and an M.Div. and M.A. from Princeton Theological Seminary. He serves as Senior Pastor of First Congregational Church of Ramona, a United Church of Christ congregation in Ramona, California. He is the author of Youth Beyond the Developmental Lens: Being Over Becoming (Fortress, 2024) and Abiding in Amen: Prayer in a Secular Age (Fortress, 2025). Wes lives in Ramona with his wife, Amanda, and their two children, Henry and Bonnie.

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