Advent 2025

Season of Advent

The season of Advent, which comes from the Latin word adventus meaning coming or visit, begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. Advent is the beginning of the liturgical year for Christians.

During Advent, we prepare for, and anticipate, the coming of Christ. We remember the longing of Jews for a Messiah and our own longing for, and need of, forgiveness, salvation, and a new beginning. Even as we look back and celebrate the birth of Jesus in a humble stable in Bethlehem, we also look forward to anticipating the second coming of Christ as the fulfillment of all that was promised by his first coming.

The Christmas season begins at sundown on December 24 (Christmas Eve) and lasts until Epiphany of the Lord (January 6). This period is popularly referred to as the Twelve Days of Christmas.

A list of the events, activities, services, and volunteer/giving opportunities at First Church this Advent season are listed below. Make plans to worship with us at First Church as we anticipate the coming of Christ.

WEDNESDAYS IN ADVENT

Wednesday Night Dinners
Wednesdays, December 3, 10, & 17 | 5:00 – 6:00pm | The Wright Place
Join us in Advent for dinner and fellowship with your church family. The cost is $10 for adults (10 and older) and $4 for children with a $27 family max.
Please note that there will not be dinner on December 24 and 31.

Festival of Light: An Invitation to Advent
Wednesday, December 3 | 6:00 – 7:00pm | Wesley Abbey
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.

Pizza Dinner & Caroling
Wednesday, December 10 | 5:00 – 6:00pm (Pizza Dinner), 5:30 – 6:00pm (Caroling at Wesley Haven), 6:00 – 7:00pm (Caroling on the Buses)
All ages are welcome to join us for a special night of Christmas Caroling! After Pizza, Salad, and Dessert we will head over to Wesley Haven for 30 minutes to carol, then, at 6:00pm we will load up on the church buses to share the hope, love, joy, and peace of the Advent Season.

Longest Night Service
Wednesday, December 17 | 6:00pm | Chapel
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.

SERVICES, CONCERTS, & EVENTS

FUMC Pensacola Heritage Sunday
50 Year Member Recognition & Church Anniversary
Sunday, December 7
Join us as we recognize our newest fifty-year members during all of our worship services. We will also celebrate the 204th anniversary of FUMC Pensacola with an unveiling of a new exhibit in The Consulate as well as birthday cake!

White Christmas Concert
Sunday, December 7 | 5:00pm | Main Sanctuary
Start the season with some festive Christmas music presented by our Children’s 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.

Community Christmas Concert and Carol Sing-Along
Monday, December 8 | 7:30pm | Activities Center | FREE
The Pensacola Bay Concert Band (PBCB), a 110-piece community concert band, will perform a FREE Christmas Concert and carol sing-along in the Henry Roberts Activity as a thank you to our church for the temporary use of our facilities for practice space. Please bring non-perishable food items for Manna Food Pantry.

Behold the Lamb Concert
Sunday, December 14 | 6:00pm | Wesley Hall
This folksy concert features music that tells the true tall tale of the coming of Christ – from the story of Passover in the Old Testament to the birth of Jesus. Includes acoustic and electric instruments, a string quartet, organ, piano, and percussion. The Consulate Cafe will be open before the concert with warm drinks and refreshments.

Sanctuary Choir Christmas Concert with Orchestra
Sunday, December 21 | 7:30pm | Main Sanctuary
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.

Longest Night Service
Thursday, December 17 | 6:00pm | Chapel
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 contemplative service of healing prayers, scripture, and music that acknowledges God’s presence for those who mourn or struggle. All are welcome. This service is provided in partnership with Center for Sacred Space.

Epiphany Concert
Tuesday, January 6 | 7:00pm | Main Sanctuary
Join us for a very special last concert of the season, “Journey to the Manger”, featuring local musicians from area churches.

Giving & Serving OPPORTUNITIES

Weekend Feeding Kids – Food Drive
Help support local children facing food insecurity through FUMC’s Weekend Feeding Kids ministry.
• Drop off donations at the “Giving Center” in the Activities Center
• By Sunday, December 7
• Monetary donations welcome!
Make checks payable to FUMC (memo: Weekend Feeding Kids) and turn them in to the front office.

WHAT TO BRING
MCA PRSCHOOL:
• Packets of Ramen (no cups) • Box Mac & Cheese
CHILDREN:
• Cans of Soup (no single serve or family size) • Canned Ravioli
YOUTH:
• Single Snacks: Granola Bars, Crackers, Popcorn, Pretzels, Animal Crackers, Nuts
ADULTS:
• Single Serve Packets of Grits & Oatmeal • Breakfast Bars

Serving the Hungry – Shoe Drive
Our Serving the Hungry Ministry provides hot meals twice a week to community members experiencing food insecurity. We also offer clothing and toiletries to help meet essential needs.

• Collecting new or gently used men’s shoes (sizes 6–12) — no sandals, please
• Drop off donations at the “Giving Center” in the Activities Center
• By Sunday, December 7

Angel Tree
Click HERE to Sign Up Online
The Angel Tree returns on Sunday, November 16! Children from N.B. Cook, Milk and Honey, and other local families in need are included on our tree this year. Each child will have two angels: one for clothing needs and one for interests, likes, and toys.

• Tree set up in the church office beginning Sunday, November 16
• Pick an angel from the tree OR register online to have one chosen for you
• Return unwrapped gifts with the angel tag to the “Giving Center” in the Activities Center
• By Sunday, December 7
Questions? Contact Sarah Bullock-Head at SHead@FUMCPensacola.com or (850) 432-1434.

“Be a Santa to a Senior” Tree
Click HERE to Sign Up Online
The “Be a Santa to a Senior” Tree returns on Sunday, November 16! For many seniors, the holidays can be a time of loneliness. This program, led by Home Instead, partners with community organizations to provide gifts for seniors who might otherwise go without.

• Tree set up in the church office beginning Sunday, November 16
• Pick a bulb from the tree OR register online to have one chosen for you
• Return unwrapped gifts with the bulb tag to the “Giving Center” in the Activities Center
• By Sunday, December 7
Questions? Contact Sarah Bullock-Head at SHead@FUMCPensacola.com or (850) 432-1434.

White Christmas Donations
Financially support the abandoned and neglected children in our community through Embrace Florida Kids (United Methodist Children’s Home). Give at EmbraceFLKids.org or mail a check to: Embrace Florida Kids, 5414 Highway 90, Pace, FL 32571. Donations can also be given at the White Christmas Concert on December 8.

KIDS, YOUTH, & FAMILIES

First Students: Cooking Decorating & Festival of Light
Wednesday, December 3 | 6:00 – 7:00pm | Youth Building
All youth in grades 6–12 are invited to bring sugar cookies to decorate. Finished cookies will be shared among participants and delivered to local nursing homes to share the Advent spirit. After decorating, we’ll gather outside to view the illumination of the FUMC Campus for the Festival of Light and enjoy hot chocolate and warm cider together.

First Kids: Parents Shopping Day & Wrapping Party
Saturday, December 6 | 9:30am – 1:00pm | Activities Center | $25/child
Click HERE to Register by December 3
Parents can shop, infants -5th graders can have fun with us, while youth raise money for choir tour. What’s not to love? Shop, then come back and wrap gifts or drop them off for youth to wrap. Registration is required with a suggested donation ($25 per child). Lunch included.

Breakfast with Santa & Giving Workshop
Sunday, December 7 | 9:30 – 10:45am | Activities Center
Join us for Clause with a Cause – morning with Santa as we focus on the season of giving. We will collect and prepare bags of non perishable items for the Weekend Feeding Kid’s Program food drive, making gifts for the homebound, eat a delicious breakfast, and have an opportunity to take pictures with the big guy himself!

Pizza Dinner & Caroling
Wednesday, December 10 | 5:00 – 6:00pm (Pizza Dinner), 5:30 – 6:00pm (Caroling at Wesley Haven), 6:00 – 7:00pm (Caroling on the Buses)
All ages are welcome to join us for a special night of Christmas Caroling! After Pizza, Salad, and Dessert we will head over to Wesley Haven for 30 minutes to carol, then, at 6:00pm we will load up on the church buses to share the hope, love, joy, and peace of the Advent Season.

Baby Recognition
Sunday, December 21 | 11:00am | Main Sanctuary
Please join us as we welcome the newest members born into our church family in 2024 and celebrate them as a child of God. A reception for families and friends will be held at 10:15am in the Wright Place, Dining Room. Please contact Lisa Bond (LBond@FUMCPensacola.com ) if you would like your child recognised if you have not been contacted.

Poinsettia orders

Click HERE to place order
You may honor, celebrate, or memorialize individuals or events by purchasing poinsettias for $14.00 each this Advent Season. Please register online no later than December 15th. Email Sarah Bullock Head (SHead@FUMCPensacola.com) with any questions.

christmas eve

Nursery is provided for children under 5 at the 4:00, 5:00 and 6:00pm services. Email Lisa Bond (LBond@FUMCPensacola.com) for more information.

4:00pm | Main Sanctuary
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. There will also be music from the artists formerly known as youth choir members. 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 Wesley Abbey
An ICON Christmas starts at 5:00pm in Wesley Abbey. This is an intimate, family-friendly, candlelight, and communion service. It includes a special children’s time with a reading of the Christmas Story and music from the ICON band.

6:00 & 8:00pm | Main Sanctuary
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
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.