Advent 2022
Christmas Eve Family Service
A “No Muss, No Fuss” Christmas Pageant for all ages. Costumes will be available
at the door for all children to participate. In-person and online.
Saturday, December 24, 4 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Special choir music and candlelight. In-person and online.
Saturday, December 24, 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Christmas Day: Service of Lessons and Carols (part 2)
In-person and online.
Sunday, December 25, 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary
If you’re celebrating with family and friends on Christmas morning, remember that you can access the worship services LIVE, or through the week ahead on these platforms: Our Facebook Page, YouTube, on the website, or the First UMC app.
Advent Devotional – 2022
Click button below to sign up to receive Advent Devotion daily emails,
beginning Sunday, November 27. Audio devotions will be include in the emails from Sunday, December 18 thru Sunday December 25.
November 27 marks the beginning of Advent 2022. We invite you to celebrate the season, inviting new life to be born in you at this time when we need it most. It is the gift of God’s grace, bringing salvation to all. This year we celebrate the theme “The Magnitude of God’s Promise.”
Below is a list of ways to engage and move through the holiday season.
Angel Tree Project
Angel Tree is back and is again being chaired by church member, Chris Ruud. This church/community project provides new household items to families of Family Place/Upward Bound House with new things for Christmas. Celebrating her 19th year coordinating this fundraiser, Chris is excited that she will be in the Courtyard after worship for four Sundays to take sign-ups. If you worship online, or can’t make it to church, please call or email Chris (310 393.3255, chr10is@yahoo.com) for info on what you can do to help.
Sundays from November 27 thru December 18, in the Courtyard
Family Ministry’s Advent Toy Drive
Family Ministries is hosting an Advent Toy Drive benefiting the Children, Youth & Family Collaborative (CYFC), one of two covenant missionaries supported by First UMC, and headed by Lydia Templeton. Toy donations will be accepted starting next Sunday, November 27 – look for the bin in the Sunday School playground to drop off your toy donations. Then on December 11 during Sunday School, children and youth are invited to participate in a Faith in Action service project to wrap all the toys!
November 27 thru December 11, drop-off box in the Sunday School playground
Family Ministry’s December Park Meet Up
Join us at the park! Open to all of the church community – bring a blanket or chair, check out the farmer’s market, or a book at the library. Kids can play on the playground and park. Tricia and her family look forward to seeing you there!
Saturday, December 3, 9 – 11 a.m. Virginia Ave Park
Alternative Christmas: In-Person and Online
Sponsored by the Mission Council, the Alternative Christmas Fair is a way to support mission projects and programs in the community and around the world, by giving a financial gift in the name of a loved one. After worship for two Sundays, visit the displays in the Courtyard celebrating this year’s featured missions: Harvest Home, Upward Bound House, Wesley Foundation of UCLA, CYFC, InnerChange, The People Concern, Haiti Missions, Good Samaritan Medical and Dental Ministry in Vietnam, and Westside Food Bank. To find out more about each group, and to donate through December, visit the website: www.santamonicaumc.org/mission-partners
December 4 and December 11, in the Courtyard
United Women in Faith: Peanut Brittle Sales, and a Mini Boutique
United Women in Faith are excited to be back selling hand-made peanut brittle on the Sundays of December 4 and December 11, after worship in the Courtyard! Then on December 18 they’re offering a “mini-boutique,” selling more peanut brittle and a limited amount of home-made items.
Sundays, December 4, 11 & 18
Poinsettias
Beautiful poinsettias will once again grace our sanctuary for the Christmas Eve Family and Candlelight Services. Order at the Sunday Welcome Table, online here: www.santamonicaumc.org/flower-fund, or call the church office. Each plant is $15, and may be picked up after the 7 p.m. Christmas Eve service.
Deadline to order is Tuesday, December 13.
December Mid-Week Recital
Listen to beautful music this Advent Season! The December Mid-Week Recital features: Beth Chouinard-Mitchell, tuba; Hannah Yi, piano.
How to watch: • Facebook Live • YouTube Live • Website – www.santamonicaumc.org/livestream
• The App – download the app at the App Store, search FirstUMC_SM
Wednesday, December 14, 12:10 p.m. Livestream
Available to watch anytime afterwards on the above platforms.
Preschool Christmas Concert
The First UMC Preschool is excited to have the Preschool Christmas Concert back in the Sanctuary this year! All are welcome to watch the adorable Preschoolers perform their holiday songs.
Friday, December 16, 9:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary
Advent Brunch
Save the date for a special Advent Brunch following worship of Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 18, hosted by Fellowship and Events. Activities will include seasonal crafts, card-making for homebound members, caroling, and a special visit from Santa! A light lunch will be served.
Sunday, December 18, after worship in Simkins Hall
First UMC Creche
We invite you to our courtyard to view our Nativity scene, or creche, with the Holy Family–Joseph and Mary, and the animals that shared their shelter and warmth. We celebrate God’s love that comes to be with us, bringing peace, hope and joy for all. The display will be on view through December.
Santa Monica Nativity Scenes
The Calvary Baptist Church, located at 1502 20th Street, will again be the home of Santa Monica’s annual Nativity Scenes display starting on December 11, and continuing through the beginning of January.