The season of Advent, which comes 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. [Liturgical — from liturgy, which means the forms and functions of public worship.]
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 anticipating the second coming of Christ as the fulfillment of all that was promised by his first coming.
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT — November 27th, Hanging of the Greens: Dinner at 5pm in the Fellowship Hall and the Service at 6pm in the Sanctuary
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT — December 4th, ONE UNITED ADVENT SERVICE at 11am in the Sanctuary
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT — December 11th, Breakfast at the Manger at 10am in the Fellowship Hall—This tradition will have an added component this year. The Sunday school classes will still meet for breakfast and a story as usual and you are invited to bring packaged socks and underwear, as well as, new children’s pajamas and men’s flannel shirts. However, the children and youth have taken on a project to purchase life changing livestock through Heifer International for developing countries this Christmas. There will be special giving envelopes available at Church and in your bulletins, Dec. 4th -18th for your contributions to this project. If you need more information about Heifer International, go to www.heifer.org ,or come by the Church Office to browse their catalogue. Christmas Play at 6pm in the Sanctuary—What if Central Texas were the site of the Messiah’s birth? Come and see this amazing story, Live From the First Christmas, by Samuel I. Blanco and stay for the reception that will follow. We will even provide “invitations” to use to invite your friends, family, and neighbors, which will be available Sunday, December 4th.
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT — December 18th, Community Choir Christmas Cantata at 6pm in the FUMC Sanctuary. Reception to follow.
CAROLING — Tuesday, December 20th, Meet at the Church at 5pm to go caroling. Then we will have hot chocolate afterwards in the Fellowship Hall.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES—Saturday, December 24th, 5:00 pm — Family Service 7:00 pm — Contemporary Service 11:00 pm — Traditional Service. (See Worship Schedule)
CHRISTMAS DAY — Sunday, December 25th, 11:00 am — Christmas Day Sunday Worship will be a casual service with music & testimonies, (See Worship Schedule)