welcome
Welcome to Advent at the Downtown Community of First United Methodist Church. Advent is such a special time in the calendar of the church as it is a period in which we anticipate the arrival of Christ and the many blessings that his presence brings for us and the world.
Below, you will find many ways in which you and your family can participate together with your entire church family in worship and activities that draw us close to Christ and one another.
sermon series
Signs of Arrival
Picking up a friend or family member from the airport takes some coordination, some know how, some familiarity, and some patience. The same can be said for Jesus and the arrival of his kingdom. Knowing what signs to look for and how to interpret them is key to being ready and not left behind.
December 3 - Mark 13:24-37 -- “Supernatural Signs”
December 10 - Mark 1:1-8 -- “Prophetic Signs”
December 17 - John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- “Leaps of Faith”
December 24 - Luke 1:26-38 -- “Too Outlandish To Be True”
sermon series
Signs of Arrival
Picking up a friend or family member from the airport takes some coordination, some know how, some familiarity, and some patience. The same can be said for Jesus and the arrival of his kingdom. Knowing what signs to look for and how to interpret them is key to being ready and not left behind.
December 3 - Mark 13:24-37 -- “Supernatural Signs”
December 10 - Mark 1:1-8 -- “Prophetic Signs”
December 17 - John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- “Leaps of Faith”
December 24 - Luke 1:26-38 -- “Direct Signs”
sermon series
Signs of Arrival
Picking up a friend or family member from the airport takes some coordination, some know how, some familiarity, and some patience. The same can be said for Jesus and the arrival of his kingdom. Knowing what signs to look for and how to interpret them is key to being ready and not left behind.
December 3
Mark 13:24-37 -- “Supernatural Signs”
December 10
Mark 1:1-8 -- “Prophetic Signs”
December 17
John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- “Leaps of Faith”
December 24
Luke 1:26-38 -- “Direct Signs”
Gingerbread House Build & Christmas Craft Night
Make plans to be a part of this year’s High Street Campus Gingerbread House and Christmas Craft Night, Sunday November 26. Gingerbread House decorating begins at 3:00 PM, with free crafts for all ages starting at 4:00 PM. Please register by November 19 for the houses so we have one for you; cost is $20/house and you can register for more than one per family. All activities downstairs in the basement. Want to lead a craft? Let us know on the registration form. Register here.
Book Study
Bless the Advent We Actually Have
Join Mary Mowery and Carol Cooper as we journey through Advent while studying Kate Bowler’s new Advent Devotional. This is a free downloadable book and we will have copies of it available for you if you prefer a printed version. We will meet on Wednesday November 29, December 6, 13, and 20 at 10:30 AM. You can then stay for the Advent Lunch and Learn if you’d like to continue the fellowship and learning through Advent. Please email Carol if you’d like to sign up for this and let her know if you’d like a copy of the printed book.
Lunch and Learn
The Geography of Advent: Rediscovering the Roots of the Season
This study will be led by Rev. Don Cummings, retired UMC pastor from the East Ohio Conference. Don will combine geography and history of the Holy Land with images, video and music from his five trips to Israel to create an Advent experience designed to help every heart prepare room for the Lord who has come. Join us for this memorable journey through place and time to the manger on Wednesdays November 29, December 6, 13 & 20 in the Fellowship Hall at noon for a box lunch ($10) and time of learning. All participants will receive a copy of Don’s latest book.
Festival of nine lessons and carols
Makes plans for the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 3 at 6:00 PM. This is a great event to invite family and friends. Invitation tickets available in the Narthex and Gathering Hall.
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Downtown Sanctuary
Admission: Free, No Ticket Required
Nursery Available: Yes
Livestream: Available Here
Christmas Pageant
What a great time to enjoy our kids and the Christmas season! Our Downtown Kids Christmas Pageant will take place on December 10 in both services. Join us Downtown as we sing, watch and hear the Christmas story with our children.
Time: During 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM Services
Location: Downtown Sanctuary
Nursery Available: Yes
Livestream: Available Here
Christmas Caroling
Join in in continuing our tradition of caroling. Following the 11:00 AM service we will gather in the Fellowship Hall for a quick lunch (pizza, soda, and cookies) before heading out around 1:30 PM. Our caroling tradition is a special time, allowing us to celebrate the Christmas season with those who might not be able attend our Church services and events.
Longest Night Service
For many the Christmas Season is not one of joy and anticipation...it is one filled with grief and loss. This may be the first Christmas without a loved one, a Christmas where buying gifts is not possible, a Christmas where a feeling of hopelessness has taken over. If this is where you are, or if you know someone who is struggling this Christmas Season, we invite you to join us for a special service being held on the longest night of the year. We will acknowledge our pain and invite God into our grief.
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Downtown Sanctuary
Nursery Available: No
Livestream Available: Available Here
Christmas Eve is such a special time at Downtown and we hope you will join us for one of our four Christmas Eve services. You will find details for each service below.
11:00 AM Service
The Fourth Sunday of Advent, this service will follow our usual order and liturgy for worship on Sunday mornings. (There will be no 8:30 AM worship service this day.)
Nursery Available: Yes
Livestream: Available Here
4:00 PM and 6:00 PM Services
One of our most beautiful and cherished services of the year. Join us as we share in music led by the Chancel Choir and Orchestra, and light candles in anticipation of the arrival of the light of the world.
Nursery Available: Yes
Livestream: Available for the 4:00 PM Here
11:00 PM Service
Our final Christmas Eve service is simple yet intimate and beautiful. This service includes singing and a string quartet as well as an invitation to participate in communion together.
Nursery Available: No
Livestream: Not Available
