With expectant hearts we await Christ’s coming.
Into our lives, bring light. Into our hearts, bring love. Into our world, bring peace.
This Advent season, we prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ with expectant hearts. That’s not just waiting around! Expectation means taking action. Maybe that means coming to worship, volunteering, making a special gift to the missions of the church, joining a new group, or praying over a devotional. Take a look below at our offerings this season, and join us with Expectant Hearts!
Christmas at First United Methodist Church can’t happen without you! Can you help us as an usher, greeter, communion server, or just a friendly face on Christmas Eve? Make this part of your family tradition!
Weekly Video Devotionals: Click here to follow along as our pastors talk about expecting the hope, love, joy, and peace of Christ. New devotionals every Tuesday!
Advent Family Devotion Guide: Download this guide or grab a copy at the Info Desk. Our youth and children’s ministries provide scripture, questions, and instructions for preparing a space in your home for Advent.
ADVENT EVENTS
We have lots of fun events for the season! Want to know more or volunteer? Email Ms. Cheridy for kids and Deidre for youth, or Pam for missions!
12/3 – 12/17 New Bible Study. Join Pastor Courtney for a special three-week Advent study Wednesday nights at 7pm, in person or on Zoom. To register or learn more, email Scottie.
12/7 Children’s Concert. Our Children’s Choir is proud to present “Bethlehem Blessings,” a concert of Christmas music at 3pm in the Sanctuary. Bulletin here.
12/7 Night in Bethlehem. Bring the whole family for crafts, activities, a petting zoo, and more as our Children’s Ministry turns the church into a bustling marketplace in Bible-era Bethlehem. 4 – 6pm
12/11 Poinsettia Deadline. Help decorate the church for Christmas by giving a poinsettia in honor or memory of a loved one. If you would like their names to appear in our Christmas Eve bulletin and on the livestream, December 11 is the deadline to make your donation.
12/1 through 12/7 Caldwell Angels gift dropoffs. If you are shopping for a Caldwell Angel, drop your items off at the church office the first week of December. That helps us keep everything organized and accounted for!
12/10 Christmas Caroling. Wednesday night at 6:30 our Youth & Children’s Ministries will go a-caroling! Join them as they walk around downtown and spread a little Christmas joy.
12/14 Choir Concert. Our music ministry is proud to present Rejoice and Be Merry: A Christmas Concert. featuring Flutes of the Spirit, bell choir, chancel choir, youth choir, the Wellspring music team, and you! Invite your friends and neighbors. Join us at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary or click here to join online.
12/14 Blue Christmas service at 3pm in the Sanctuary and online. This is a quiet and prayerful service for those who are having a difficult time during the Christmas season.
12/14 Youth Christmas Party. All youth are invited to wear your favorite Christmas sweater or outfit and come ready for food, fun and fellowship! 5 -7pm at the Hub.
12/15 Caldwell Christmas Celebration. We need volunteers from 4 – 8pm to welcome and feed families, help with our popup food pantry, and distribute our angel tree gifts. Learn more here!
To help decorate the church with poinsettias for Advent, people make a donation in memory or honor of a loved one. Their names, along with the donors, will be displayed in the bulletin and online for Christmas Eve. The deadline to get a name printed in the bulletin is December 11.
Click here to give a poinsettia. If you have already filled out a paper form for your poinsettia gift but have not paid yet, click here to go directly to our payment form.
Looking to give a life-changing gift for Christmas? Every year, we partner with Heifer International in their mission to end world hunger. Visit our Heifer page for events, gift ideas, and ways to get involved!
You can also prepare a meal kit for anyone with food insecurity. Here is the shopping list for the kits. More info on the volunteer opportunities page.