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.
Click HERE for more info on
Advent Studies offered this season.
WEDNESDAYS IN ADVENT
Wednesday Night Dinners
Wednesdays, November 29 – December 20 | 5:00 – 5:45pm | The Wright Place
Click HERE to pay online
Join us each Wednesday night in Advent for dinner and fellowship with your church family. Please register the Tuesday before at Noon. Cost is $10 for adults (10 and older) and $4 for children. Registration is required for the dinner on December 20.
November 29
Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, Garlic Bread, Salad, & Dessert
An Invitation to Advent | Two-Part Series
Wednesday, November 29 & December 6 | 6:00 – 7:00pm | Wesley Abbey
All are invited to join us for this two-part Advent Series to help us prepare for the season. Pastor Geoffrey will give a message with special music from our music ministry. We will have childcare for infants – 5 years old.
Journey To Bethlehem
Wednesday, December 13 | 6:00 – 7:00pm
See the Christmas Story unfold on this 10-minute walking adventure! Join Mary and Joseph on their journey to Bethlehem. We will travel on foot to see Jesus’ birth anew with eyes, ears, hands, and hearts as they follow the star to Bethlehem. Please dress appropriately for this outdoor experience.
Caroling
Wednesday, December 20 | 5:30 – 7:00pm
Click HERE to Register for dinner/caroling
All ages are welcome to join us for a special night of Christmas Caroling! After dinner, we will break up into groups and leave the church by church buses and personal vehicles to share the hope, love, joy, and peace of the Advent Season with some of our senior church members. Pizza will be available prior to caroling at 5:00pm and registration for food is required by Tuesday, December 19.
SERVICES, CONCERTS, & EVENTS
FUMC Pensacola Heritage Sunday
50 Year Member Recognition & Church Anniversary
Sunday, December 10
Join us as we recognize our newest fifty-year members during all of our worship services. We will also celebrate the 202nd anniversary of FUMC Pensacola with an unveiling of a new exhibit in our bicentennial room (off the main sanctuary) as well as birthday cake!
The Great Day of Giving & Mission Partners Fair
Sunday, December 3 | 9:00 -10:45am | Gym
The Great Day of Giving is a church-wide event that promotes giving to ministry partners and families in need in our community. This program offers children, youth, and adults an opportunity to prepare and deliver 75 Christmas food boxes (more info on food drive). It includes activities such as making gifts and cards for our homebound. We will also have a special visit from Santa! He will give a blessing of the boxes, a word about giving, and will also be available for pictures.
The same morning, there will be an FUMC Missions Partners Fair. This Fair will give our partners an opportunity to celebrate and share what they are doing in our community and offer ways to get involved. You will have an opportunity to financially support these agencies directly at this time. Our ministry partners include Bright Bridge Ministries, Disaster Relief, Embrace Florida Kids, Family Promise, Gulf Coast Kids House, JUST Pensacola, Milk and Honey, Ronald McDonald House, Serve the Hungry, Teaming with Tanzania, United Ministries and Weekend Feeding Program.
White Christmas Concert
Sunday, December 3 | 5:00pm | Main Sanctuary
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. Afterward, everyone is invited to join us for pizza and cookies in The Wright Place. Nursery provided.
Behold the Lamb of God Concert
Sunday, December 10 | 6:00pm | Wesley Abbey
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. Please note that this is taking place of the previously scheduled Electric Christmas Concert.
Sanctuary Choir Christmas Concert with Orchestra
Sunday, December 17 | 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.
Epiphany Concert
Thursday, January 4 | 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.
Longest Night Service
Thursday, December 21 | 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.
4th Sunday in Advent
Sunday, December 24 | 11:00am | Main Sanctuary
Join us on the 4th Sunday of Advent, for a combined service. Please note that this is an Advent service, not a Christmas Eve service. Click HERE to see more info on our evening Christmas Eve Services.
Giving & Serving OPPORTUNITIES
Great Day of Giving Food Drive
The Great Day of Giving Food Drive is a church-wide event to promote giving to families in need and to our ministry partners in the community. Each age group is asked to bring in the listed non-perishable items below by November 26. We will prepare the food boxes at our Great Day of Giving (more info about this event) event on December 3. We will have designated drop-off bins in the Church Office and Children’s Education Building.
MCA Preschool: Canned Ravioli, Canned Beefaroni, Spaghettios, Canned Veggies (3) and Canned Fruit (3)
Children: Mac ‘N Cheese, Cheez-Its, Goldfish, Graham Crackers, Nilla Wafers
Youth: Peanut Butter, Jelly, Saltine Crackers
Adults: Oatmeal, Pancake Mix (add water), Spaghetti Sauce, Spaghetti Noodles, Rice, Chili, Soup, Canned Veggies, Canned Fruit
Angel Tree
Click HERE to Sign Up Online (starting Sunday, November 12)
Children from N.B Cook, Milk and Honey, and some of the most needy children in our local area are included on our tree this year. Each child will have two angels placed on the tree: one for their clothing needs and one for their interests, likes, and toys. The tree will be set up in the church office starting Sunday, November 12. You can pick your own angel from the tree (no need to register online), OR you can register online and one will be chosen for you. All angels must be signed out and returned with unwrapped gifts to the church office no later than Wednesday, December 6. The difference our congregation makes in the lives of our Angel Tree participants each year is extraordinary, and we are thrilled to set up the tree again! Please get in touch with Sarah Bullock-Head in the church office with any questions. SHead@FUMCPensacola.com (850) 432-1434.
“Be a Santa to a Senior” Tree
Click HERE to Sign Up Online (starting Sunday, November 12)
Unfortunately, for many seniors, the holiday season can be a difficult time of year marked by loneliness and depression. Home Instead Senior Care leads this annual program by partnering with community organizations who work with seniors. They identify the needs of seniors who may not otherwise receive gifts this holiday season. For the third year in a row, First Church is hosting a tree with bulbs that include gift wishes from seniors in the Pensacola area. The “Be a Santa to a Senior” Tree will be set up in the church office starting on Sunday, November 12. You can pick your own bulb from the tree (no need to register online), OR you can register online and one will be chosen for you. All bubs must be signed out and returned with unwrapped gifts to the church office no later than Wednesday, December 6. Last year we supported 100 seniors in our area, and were the largest host in Pensacola for this annual national program! Please contact Sarah Bullock-Head in the church office with any questions. SHead@FUMCPensacola.com (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 3.
KIDS, TWEENS, YOUTH, & FAMILIES
Advent for Kids
Wednesday, November 29 & December 6 | 6:00 – 7:00pm
Preschool -5th grade children will learn the meaning of Advent through story, crafts and activities. Drop off in gym.
Journey To Bethlehem
Wednesday, December 13 | 6:00 – 7:00pm
See the Christmas Story unfold on this 10 minute walking adventure! Join Mary and Joseph on their journey to Bethlehem. We will travel on foot to see Jesus’ birth anew with eyes, ears, hands, and heart as they follow the star to Bethlehem. Please dress appropriately for this outdoor experience.
Caroling
Wednesday, December 20 | 5:30 – 7:00pm
Click HERE to Register for dinner/caroling
All ages are welcome to join us for a special night of Christmas Caroling! After dinner, we will break up into groups and leave from the church by church buses and personal vehicles to share the hope, love, joy, and peace of the Advent Season with some of our senior church members. Pizza will be available to prior to caroling at 5:00pm and registration for food is required by Tuesday, December 19.
Kids Christmas Fun/Parents Shopping Day
Youth Choir Fundraiser
Saturday, December 9th | 9:00am – 2:00pm | $30/child
Click Here to Register
We invite children of all ages (Infant-5th grade) to join our awesome youth team for a fun day of Christmas activities including fun games, crafts, activities, storytime, a movie and more while parents take the day to shop, decorate, rest, etc. Registration ends Wednesday, December 6.
Baby Recognition
Sunday, December 17 | 11:00am | Main Sanctuary
Please join us as we welcome the newest members born into our church family in 2023 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 17th. 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.
Candlelight & Communion Service
4:00pm & 6:00pm | Main Sanctuary
A service of candlelight, Christmas carols, children’s sermon, and communion. Nursery provided for children under 5.
An ICON Christmas
5:00pm | Wesley Abbey
An intimate, family-friendly, candlelight, and communion service. Includes a dynamic reading of the Christmas Story and music from the ICON Praise Band. Nursery provided for children under 5.
Choir, Candlelight, & Communion Service
8:00 & 11:00pm | Main Sanctuary
A traditional service of candlelight, Christmas carols, communion, and special choral music.
looking ahead…
New Years Eve Service
Sunday, December 31 | 11:00am | Main Sanctuary
We will have one combined service with communion. In this service we will commit ourselves to God for the new year.