Advent & Christmas Eve at Duluth First UMC

Join us at Duluth First United Methodist Church as we celebrate the seasons of Advent and Christmas.

  • The Season of Advent: Anticipating What the World Is Becoming

    It’s the most wonderful time of the year, isn’t it? A season ripened by anticipation. We’re waiting for the big day to come--a day sure to be full of joy, reflection and peace. Right? You’re likely thinking we are alluding to Christmas Day--which, in our United Methodist Tradition, we observe on December 25th. Culturally that seems to be the big focus this time of year. In the church, our congregations are preparing for their Christmas observances and celebrations. The time leading up to Christmas is known as “Advent”.
     
    Advent, beginning on Sunday, December 1st, is a time of heavy anticipation, focusing on waiting for a big occurrence. But the anticipated occurrence or event is not actually fully realized on Christmas. During Advent we’re anticipating the full realization of something that began at the first Christmas but isn’t yet fully realized. Technically Christmas begins on December 25th, and everything leading up to that date is Advent. And it’s important to note that distinction so we can be fully mindful of the hope that faith speaks into our human experience.
     
    The word “advent” derives from the Latin “adventus”, meaning “coming.” During its earliest observances, Advent was 40 days of repentance, fasting and prayer as new believers prepared for their baptisms. Oftentimes, these baptisms took place on the day of Epiphany--which is a day remembering the Magi’s visit to baby Jesus; it was a celebration of Jesus’ incarnation on Earth. Later Christians began tying Advent not just to Christ’s incarnation, but to an anticipated second coming of Christ. Advent became a period for renewing the anticipation and longing for Jesus’ return.
     
    Today, Advent is a period of preparation for both “advents”--or arrivals--of Jesus. Lester Ruth, a professor at Duke Divinity School and a historian of Christian worship, offered this distinction for Advent: “The simplest way I have to distinguish between Advent and Christmas is that advent uses the word “come” as a longing petition, expressed in anticipation, whereas Christmas is a commemorative reflection on how the Lord has come in Christ’s birth and thus the trigger for a new redemptive order has begun.”
     
    One of the ways we reflect on Advent in communal worship is by utilizing an Advent wreath--a simple wreath surrounding four exterior candles (joy, hope, peace and love) and one central candle, the Christ candle. Each Sunday, one more of the exterior candles is lit. Finally, the Christ candle is lit as a reminder of Christ’s ongoing presence. We, of course, can bring this practice home, creating our own Advent wreaths and contemplating our own longings for more joy, hope, peace and love.
     
    We also utilize music for reflection. Many songs communicate our Advent longings. Devotionals present weekly or daily opportunities for an explicit focus on a topic. Our wonderful volunteers in our church library have put together an Advent Devotional Calendar that you can use on your personal journey this Advent season. Please see the Advent Devotional Calendar located on page 2 for more information.
     
    Source: United Methodist Church website - umc.org

  • Advent Devotional Calendar

    The wonderful volunteers of our church library, The Louise McDaniel Memorial Library, have put together an Advent Devotional Calendar for everyone to use during your journey this Advent season. The Advent Devotional Calendar will be available:

    • In worship handouts on Sunday, December 1st;
    • Online by clicking on ADVENT DEVOTIONAL CALENDAR;
    • At the Information tables located in the Narthex (the main entrance to the Sanctuary) and in the back of Hinton Hall on Sunday mornings.

  • Advent Devotional Videos

    The season of Advent is underway and students in our church’s Youth Ministry are excited to share their Advent devotional videos with you! Every Wednesday during Advent (December 4, 11, 18), we will post a short devotional video by one of our students on our Youth Ministry’s YouTube channel - dfumcstudents. They would love for you to journey with them by watching and sharing these videos with others! Also, please click on the SUBSCRIBE button to get notifications whenever they post new content on their YouTube channel.


    Wednesday, December 4, 2024: Advent Devotional Video Week 1; Evelyn Dzikowski

  • Decorate Our Family Christmas Tree:

    SUNDAYS, DECEMBER 1ST - 22ND

    Help us decorate the Christmas tree that will be in the Dorothy L. Rainey Fellowship Hall this year by bringing a family photograph ornament and placing it on the tree. The tree will be up beginning Sunday, December 1st. You can bring your photo ornament anytime and place it on the tree yourself.

  • “Waiting for the Light” – An Advent Study:

    Sundays, December 1st - 22nd

    Join Rev. Beth Brown Shugart on the Sundays of Advent to study and prepare for this Holy Season of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. “Waiting for the Light” classes will be held on Sundays, December 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. in room F204, located on the 2nd floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center. Scripture, poetry, and music of the season will be used to guide our study.

    Bring your Bible and join us. Please register with Tracy Brinker by e-mail at tbrinker@duluthumc.org or call 770-476-3776.

  • Family Fun Night: Wednesday, December 4th

    Join us on Wednesday evening, December 4th, in Hinton Hall as we gather as a church family for dinner and Christmas games at Family Fun Night. Instead of the usual Wednesday night activities after Wednesday Night Dinner, from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. we will spend time together celebrating the season with fun! Bring a friend - we look forward to seeing you there!

  • Kids’ Holiday Night Out:  Friday, December 6th

    We are inviting children out for a night of fun this holiday season! Register your child (2 years old - 5th grade) to have some Christmas pizza party fun from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, December 6th, in the Dorothy L. Rainey Fellowship Hall.

    Parents can register their children and learn more by going to the Children’s Ministry website, dfumckids.com, and clicking on the “Movie Night” button. Spaces are limited, so register soon!

  • Children Singing for Worship: Sunday, December 8th

    The children will join the Genesis Youth Choir and Chancel Choir to sing for worship on Sunday, December 8th, at the 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship service. David Daniel will rehearse with them at the beginning of Sunday school on Sundays through December 8th. The combined choirs will rehearse at 10:30 a.m. the morning that they sing. There will also be one Sunday afternoon rehearsal on December 1st, from 4 to 4:45 p.m. in the Sanctuary. All children, Pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade, are welcome to join us!

  • Christmas Carol Sing-along:

    Wednesday, December 11th

    Join us Wednesday, December 11th, in Hinton Hall, located on the 2nd floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center, for a Christmas Carol Sing-along. Caroling will begin at 6:00 p.m., after the Wednesday night dinner, and will feature many favorite sacred and secular songs.

  • Chancel Choir Christmas Music:

    Sunday, December 15th

    On Sunday, December 15th, the Chancel Choir is excited to present their annual Christmas music during the 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship service in the Sanctuary. This year, we will once again welcome Gate City Brass to accompany the choir and present some of their own arrangements.

  • Christian Beginnings Christmas Program: Wednesday, December 18th

    You are invited to our Christian Beginnings Preschool & Kindergarten’s Christmas Program on Wednesday, December 18th, beginning at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary. Church members are invited to join our students’ families to come and see each grade put on a holiday show. We look forward to seeing you there!

  • Christmas Eve Services: Tuesday, December 24th

    Noon - Contemporary Worship Candlelight Service

    • The Contemporary Worship Candlelight Service will be held in Hinton Hall.
    • Music, featuring Christmas carols, will be led by the Contemporary Worship Praise Team.
    • The service will be live streamed on the Duluth First UMC Contemporary Worship page on Facebook.

    4:00 and 6:00 p.m. - Candlelight Services

    • The Christmas Eve Candlelight Services will be held in the Sanctuary.
    • Music, featuring Christmas carols, will be led by the Chancel Choir. The services will be live streamed on the Duluth First UMC Worship page on YouTube.

    NOTE: Children, newborn through 5 years of age, are eligible for group care in Duluth First United Methodist Church's Childcare Corner.