Upcoming Events in Detail

Sunday Nov 28-Dec 24–Advent & Christmas Eve
Advent–the season where we prepare for the Mystery of Christmas, as the Godly Play stories say–begins on November 28. Each Sunday during worship, we’ll have members of our congregation light the week’s candle(s) on the Advent wreath with scripture and original poetry by Leigh-Ann Collett. We’ll participate in original music by Patty Painter-Wakefield. On December 5, we’ll decorate the tree. Throughout the season we’ll include special music from small groups, bells and the choir as we’re able. On December 19, we’ll feature visual art inspired by the Christmas story. And on Christmas Eve our candlelight service will be in person and on Zoom beginning at 5:30pm. We will not be using the animals this year, but many other aspects of the Christmas Eve service are likely to be similar to previous years.

Now-Dec 19–Youth Collecting Canned Food for Community Table
​Youth Group is collecting canned food to help donate to our local food bank. Our weekly goal is 25 pounds of food donated, given that the food bank’s goal is 25,000 pounds total by December 25th. Take this opportunity to clean out your pantries and/or help families in need this holiday season! All donations will be collected at the church and driven to the food bank by Youth Group volunteers. Thank you so much for all of your support in this effort!

Monday Dec 6–Scrip Gift Cards
Need some gift cards for the holiday season? Shop our Scrip catalog now! For every gift card you purchase, FUCA receives a percentage (determined by the merchant) of the total. An easy way to purchase gifts and do a little fundraising for the church as well. We will be placing a final Christmas pre-order order on Monday, Dec 6. Make sure you have your order to the church office by 9am on the 6th. Any questions? Contact Kathy Hine in the church office.

Monday Dec 6, 10am–Book Club Potluck Brunch Meeting
​Book Club’s next read will be the novel The Night Watchman by Louise Endrich. We’re meeting at a member’s home for a potluck brunch on Monday, December 6, 10am. Bring a brunch dish to share. Please contact the church office for more information.

Sunday Dec 12–Mouse House Christmas Shop
We will be having our Mouse House Christmas Shop again this year! It will be on December 12 after worship. Kids can shop for items that are all 25 cents each. If you would like to donate items please make sure they are new (anything like lotions or candles, etc.) or very gently used. Items can be anything that you think a child would like to purchase for a family member. Proceeds will go to an organization in need. Any items you want to donate should be brought to the Church Office by Thursday, Dec 9. Contact the church office with any questions.

Open for in-person Worship!
First United Church of Arvada is now open for in-person Worship in addition to offering our services over Zoom. For in-person services, masks are strongly recommended for vaccinated people and required for unvaccinated people. Social distancing remains in place. As of Aug 15, the nursery is open (closed Sept 26); masks are required for ages 2 and up–including for our vaccinated Nursery Attendant. Worship & Wonder for the elementary age kids started Sept 12 (no W&W Sept 26). If you prefer, kids are welcome in the sanctuary with you, or just outside it in the foyer where there’s extra wiggle space available while listening to the service.

To join us online, sign up to receive the Zoom info here. If you’d like to get our weekly email blast, or other information about First United, fill out the “Contact Us” form.

Blessing Box (a.k.a. Little Free Food Pantry)
The Blessing Box (the free little pantry on a south corner of our parking lot) is open for use 24/7. If you’d like to bring items to stock it, here’s a list of what’s most used, though other items are also welcome:
*Canned food (with pop top lids if possible)
–Protein sources (chili, soups, ravioli, chicken/tuna)
–Fruits & veggies (please NO canned beans such as black, kidney, etc.)
–Pasta sauce
*Pasta or instant/boxed rice (preferably not bags of rice)
*Peanut butter or other nut butters
*Granola bars (higher protein ones are best)
*Crackers with peanut butter or cheese filling
*Water bottles (8oz), juice boxes or shelf-stable milk
*Toiletries
–Travel sized toothpaste
–Toothbrushes
–Other travel sized toiletries and soap
–Sunscreen
–Toilet paper
–Feminine hygiene products
*Socks, hats, gloves
You’re invited to stop by to fill the box with a few items from time to time. Or take items as you need them. Thank you!