Upcoming Events in Detail

Sunday Dec 15, 10am–Worship: 3rd Sunday of Advent
Worship on Sunday morning opens with the kids bells playing a Christmas tune! That’s appropriate for this third Sunday of Advent with the theme of Joy! Also: the Celebration! Choir sings; the Advent Candles are lit; Pastor Karin preaches “In the Fields and Keeping Watch.” (After Worship, the youth and elementary age kids rehearse for the Dec 22 Godly Play “Live” program.)

Sunday Dec 15, 11:00-ish–Mouse House Christmas Shop
The Mouse House Christmas Shop is on December 15 after worship. Kids can shop for items that are all 25 cents each. All items are donated new or very gently used. Proceeds will go to an organization in need. (Any items you want to donate should be brought to the Church Office by Sunday, Dec 8.)

Sunday Dec 22, 10am–Godly Play “Live” & Special Music for Worship
The special children’s program this year is the Godly Play Advent series of stories, which will be presented during 10am worship on December 22. These stories are a “journey to Bethlehem” with the prophets, Mary & Joseph, Shepherds and Magi. Youth readers tell the story while younger children have non-reading, costumed parts. “Get ready for the mystery of Christmas” with the children & youth! ALSO, there will be special music from the Celebration! Choir, including a newly-written piece for choir, piano & glockenspiel by church member Patty Painter-Wakefield.

Tuesday Dec 24, 5:30pm–Candlelight Service & Live Nativity
A candlelight service with the Christmas story, music and, of course, candles begins at 5:30pm. For the conclusion of the service we gather outdoors to sing around the live nativity, which includes several live animals, as has become a church tradition. Cookies and hot cider follow the service.

Sunday Dec 1-Tuesday Dec 24–Advent Season
The Advent Season–where Godly Play stories say “we get ready for the mystery of Christmas”–began on December 1 and continues until Christmas eve, December 24. This year’s secondary themes for Sunday mornings follow the Godly Play stories:
Dec. 1–Hope & Prophets
Dec. 8–Peace & The Family’s Journey
Dec. 15–Joy & Shepherds
Dec. 22–Love & Angels and Magi
Families light the Advent candles each Sunday morning, and music from the choir, bell choir and other small groups bring each week’s themes to us in different ways.

Sunday Dec 29, 10am–Christmas Hymn Sing
Join us to sing many favorite Christmas Songs throughout the worship service on December 29 at 10am.

Need or Want Gift Cards? First United now has Scrip…..
If you like to give gift cards to friends & family, you can now buy them from First United! You’re helping the support the church at the same time. Or…Maybe you already shop places like Target or Home Depot, or J.C. Penney. Well, buy yourself a gift card through First United to pay for the shopping you already plan to do…and you’ll help support the church! There’s a long list of which stores, restaurants, etc. are part of this program called Scrip. There’s a copy of the list and order forms on the welcome table. Orders will go in on the 15th of the month. (December’s goes in on the 10th.) Payment must be included at the time of the order.