6 Christmas Eve Services | Two Locations

DOWNTOWN – 6 East Wright Street

4:00pm | Main Sanctuary (map)
Christmas Eve at First Church starts at 4pm with a service of candlelight and Christmas carols that includes a children’s moment and a time of holy communion. As the sun goes down, we’ll light our candles (battery powered for the little ones) and sing Silent Night.

5:00pm | An ICON Christmas in The Upper Room (map)
An ICON Christmas starts at 5:00pm in The Upper Room. It is a family-friendly, candlelight, and communion service. Includes a dynamic reading of the Christmas Story and mix of Christmas carols and modern music. Childcare provided.

6:00 & 8:00pm | Main Sanctuary (map)
At 6 and 8pm, join us in the Main Sanctuary for a traditional service of candlelight, Christmas carols, communion, and special choral music. (There will be a children’s moment at 6:00pm). Music will be provided by the Sanctuary Choir at each of these services.

11:00pm | Main Sanctuary (map)
Our final service of the night will be at 11:00pm. We’ll sing Christmas carols and have special music. There will be a time of communion. And just before midnight we’ll light candles and sing Silent Night. At midnight we’ll ring in Christmas day and sing Joy to the World.

Downtown Childcare & Nursery
All children are encouraged to attend worship with their families; however, nursery is provided for children under 5 at the 4:00, 5:00, & 6:00pm services. Access to the nursery, located on the 1st floor of the Education Building (indicated in red on map), will be available through the gym or the entrance on Belmont by the playground. If you need help locating the nursery, please see an usher or greeter for assistance.

BEULAH – 6200 West Nine Mile Road

7:00pm | A Beulah Chapel Christmas
An intimate, traditional service of candlelight, Christmas carols, children’s sermon, and communion.

More Services & Concerts…

Festival of Light: An Invitation to Advent
Wednesday, December 2 | 6:00 – 7:00pm | The Upper Room (map)
All children, youth, and adults are invited to join us for this Interactive service of story and song, that begins in darkness and ends in light, to celebrate the beginning of the Advent Season. As the service concludes will we journey outside to experience the illumination of the FUMC Campus for our Festival of Light Show and enjoy hot chocolate and warm cider.

White Christmas Concert
Sunday, December 6 | 5:00pm | Main Sanctuary (map)
Start the season with some festive Christmas music presented by our Children’s, Tween, and Youth Choirs. A special offering will be collected to benefit Embrace Florida Kids. Afterwards, everyone is invited to join us for pizza and cookies in The Wright Place. Nursery provided.

Electric Christmas Concert
Sunday, December 13 | 6:00 – 7:30pm | The Upper Room
Rick and Heidi Branch, along with some of their talented friends from First Church, will be performing music from the popular Mannheim Steamroller Christmas albums using piano, flute, electric keyboards, synthesizers, drums, timpani, and other percussion. Come and enjoy the unique sounds of Christmas.

Longest Night Service
Wednesday, December 16 | 6:00pm | Chapel (map)
Christmas can be a painful time for some, especially for those who are grieving or in despair, so each year around the longest night, we hold a service of healing prayers, scripture, and music that acknowledges God’s presence for those who mourn or struggle. All are welcome. This service is offered in partnership with Center for Sacred Space.

Sanctuary Choir Christmas Concert with Orchestra
Sunday, December 20 | 7:30pm | Main Sanctuary (map)
This is a traditional evening of classical Christmas favorites presented by the First United Methodist Church Sanctuary Choir under the direction of Rick and Heidi Branch. A full professional orchestra will accompany the choir. A reception will follow the concert in The Wright Place.

Epiphany Concert
Tuesday, January 5 | 7:00pm | Main Sanctuary (map)
Join us for a very special last concert of the season, “Journey to the Manger”, featuring local musicians from area churches. Proceeds go to the FUMC Music Ministry. Presented by Libby Kephart Hargrave, with Sam Waite, Mitzi Holt, Laura M., Young, Heidi Branch, Jennifer DelGallo Taylor, Ty LoVette, and Rick Branch on organ.