Worship Times
Traditional Worship – 9 a.m.
Praise Worship – 10:30 a.m.
Christmas/New Year’s Worship Schedule at First UMC We will again celebrate the gift of the Christ child this year through our times of candlelight worship, as has been our longtime tradition. We will keep the same schedule as last year. We will offer a time of worship on Christmas Eve-Eve, on December 23rd, at 7:30 p.m. On Dec. 24th, Christmas Eve will offer worship times of 5:30 and 8:00 p.m. These options allow you to choose the day and time that work best for you and your family as we come together to celebrate the reason for the season! These options also provide flexibility for all of those that you can invite to be a part of our celebration. Please share the information about our services wherever you can. People need to experience the joy of Christ during this holiday season! All three candlelight services on both nights are similar to one another. On Christmas Eve at the 5:30 worship, we are planning an especially family-oriented worship experience, with the praise band leading music and Pastor Amy sharing the message. Pastor Brian will provide the message, and pipe organ and the Chancel Choir will lead music at 8:00 on Christmas Eve and on Eve-Eve at 7:30. All of the services sing wonderful Christmas carols, and all feature the candlelight singing of “Silent Night” that makes this time of worship so special. Choose a day and time, bring your family and friends, and experience the light of the Christ child as we worship together! Because Christmas Day is on Sunday this year, we’ll change our Sunday morning schedule. We’ll have only one service at 10:00 a.m., and we will worship with the reading of Scriptures and the singing of Christmas Carols. Similarly, on Sunday, January 1st, we will have one service at 10:00 a.m. and some of our youth will lead us in New Year’s Day worship. Remember to wear an ugly sweater to Worship!
Blue Christmas-December 18th, 4:00 pm We invite you to a special Christmas service designed for those for whom the holidays might be difficult. Over the last few years, some have suffered from the death of loved ones, dealing with divorce or separation, struggling with unemployment, or facing depression or a family crisis. When you have gone through tough times like these, you can feel sad and alone in the midst of all the celebrating and joy of the season. You might struggle to see the light and feel tired from putting on a happy face. If you have undergone a difficult loss, transition, or life change, our church family cares about you and invites you to a special time of music and worship where we will acknowledge your pain, sadness, and loss. To recognize your pain and to offer healing and hope, we offer our Blue Christmas service on Sunday, December 18th at 4 pm in the sanctuary.
The BEST Present of all is Jesus! Warm up those singing voices for The Christmas Present by Pam Andrews! This music presentation is open to children and youth ages 4 and above and will be performed on December 18th during both worship services. Practices are held every Sunday at from 10:00-10:30 a.m. in Room 11 on the main floor. For more information or if you would like to help out with the program, contact Judy Kraft at judykraft@love-first.org.
Jazzy New Year’s Eve! Try this enjoyable special new event at 1st UMC! On New Year’s Eve, we will offer an early evening time of jazz music and communion worship. We are pleased to welcome the Nostalgics big band, who will kick things off with a time of fun jazz music at 5:30 p.m., and then they’ll stick around to provide music throughout our communion worship that will begin at 6:00. We’ll conclude before 7:00 so you can head off to any other New Year’s plans you might have. (We’ll need some ushers and greeters to make the evening happen. Let Clarence McCoy know if you’re willing to help.) Bring your family and friends as we mark this changing of the calendar, remind ourselves of our connection to God as we start a new year, and just have some fun together!
TRINITY CIRCLE has begun meeting again! Their special project will be joining in the card ministry at the church making beautiful handmade cards for those who are homebound and others. All supplies and instruction in making the cards will be furnished. ALL WOMEN AND YOUNG LADIES ARE WELCOME to join us on December 9!
All meetings will be in Room 22 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
We are collecting NEW blankets for the Lutheran Social Services Shelter on East Main Street where many of our First Community Kitchen guests stay. The shelter needs NEW, Twin/Full Sized blankets and comforters. You can bring your donations to our Drive-Thru Dinner on Wednesday, December 7 or Wednesday, December 21st, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. or drop them off at the church Monday – Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. We will accept blankets through December 21st. Thank you for helping others stay warm this Winter!
A reminder that cyber-criminals and con artists are using more and more technology to scam people. Please know that should you ever receive an email or text from anyone on staff asking for money or gift-cards, it’s not from the staff. Should you receive an email or text or are ever in doubt, please feel free to call the church at 740-653-3330, and we will take the appropriate action. Thank you!