Sunday, November 27, is the first Sunday of Advent 2022 and the beginning of our The Angels of Christmas worship series. We’ll anticipate the arrival of Christmas as we connect through worship, music, studies, and events for the whole family.
We’ll focus on the angels that shared the news of great joy.
Offering a contemporary Gathering style Christmas Eve worship experience including communion, candlelight, and special music, this midday service provides an earlier alternative to our evening services.
Come join us for a family-friendly evening with Mister Mark Burrows, filled with all our cherished Christmas Eve experiences — candlelight, Christmas carols, Communion, and the wondrous story of Jesus’ birth.
The cherished experiences of Christmas and the beauty of this night will be enhanced by uplifting music and proclamation of the Word, celebrating Holy Communion, singing carols, and lighting candles. Sanctuary doors will open 20 minutes prior to each service for a 20-minute pre-service concert featuring DFW Brass and organist, Peggy Graff, consisting of familiar Christmas carols and holiday songs arranged with a flair for the season.
Other special music offerings include:
7:00 pm | Cornerstone Youth Choir, its alumnae, and parents will combine to sing “Almost There,” a song about the emotional journey to Bethlehem, arranged by Heather Sorenson.
9:00 & 11:00 pm | The beloved classic, “All is Well” arranged for choir by Lloyd Larson, will be sung by our own Choral Union, under the direction of Thomas Williams.
Arrive early before our evening Christmas Eve services to get a good parking place, visit with your friends, and beat the rush. Come to Wesley Hall and join us for refreshments, carolers, and a time to visit with old friends and make new ones! The Crismon Tree will be in Wesley Hall and is the perfect backdrop for photos to capture the fun and meaningful moments of the day and share it with family and friends while waiting for the Sanctuary doors to open, 20 minutes prior to each service.
Christmas Eve is right around the corner — and with that comes the PERFECT opportunity to be a part of one of the most beautiful and meaningful days at FUMCFW. There are six services: A Traditional service at noon, Family Services at 3:30 and 5:00 pm, as well as Traditional services at 7:00, 9:00, and 11:00 pm. If you would be interested in being a smiling face and ushering at one or more of the services that day or volunteering in the Welcome Center, we would love to have you! It’s truly a fun and festive way to serve our church on Christmas Eve and show countless people First Church hospitality!
Contact: Lisa Helm | lhelm@myfumc.org
volunteerThis Advent Season, First Church is anticipating the birth of Christ with a Daily Advent Devotional Podcast. Beginning on Monday, November 28th, these podcasts will feature a musical selection, a scripture reading, and a commentary on that day’s scripture selection. Our prayer is that this will provide us all with a daily reminder of the Light of Christ we celebrate during this meaningful season. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!
Every year after Thanksgiving, FUMCFW kicks off the holidays with the decorating of our 12-foot Chrismon tree. This year it will be prominently displayed in Wesley Hall. It celebrates the birth of Jesus with more than 600 Christian monograms that were handmade by volunteers from our congregation. Please stop by to see the beautiful Chrismon Tree and take a family photo. To learn more about our Chrismon tree you can view the dedication booklet.
chrismon dedication booklet
Prison Fellowship Angel Tree provides a gift to a child during the Christmas season. Gifts are valued at about $25. Creating reconciliation to families and a tangible expression of love to all God’s children.
Stop by and pick up an Angel from the Angel Tree, register the gift with the Angel Tree volunteer, and bring the wrapped gift back to First Church by Sunday, December 11.
Contact: Brenda Brooks Alexander | balexander@myfumc.org
Get ready to Deck the Halls! You are invited to decorate the Chrismon tree, string lights, hang garland, and get the church ready for Christmas.
Contact: Brenda Brooks Alexander | balexander@myfumc.org
Fill your box with goodies and delivery to your neighborhood first responders. Your box also invites your First Responders to our Christmas Eve services.
The boxes can be picked up beginning November 27 in Wesley Hall, Children’s Wing, and Welcome Center until they are gone. Get your boxes early!
Contact: Sammye Dunn | sammyelou9@gmail.com
Adoramus Chamber Singers will present music of the Advent and Christmas season at the Traditional worship service.
Contact: Thomas Williams | twilliams@myfumc.org | 817-339-5074
The Angels of Christmas: Hearing God’s Voice in Advent explores the angelic visits surrounding the birth of Jesus with Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds. In this study, we will explore the visits and dive deep into the history of the angel Gabriel and other angels in the Bible. The messages of the angels hold meaning for listeners both then and now. The author is Susan Robb, an excellent writer and recently retired Senior Associate Pastor of Highland Park United Methodist Church.
Contact: Dr. Mike Marshall | mmarshall@myfumc.org
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Our Bible Study is a comfortable place for everyone — whether it’s your first time to participate in a Bible Study or you have been to many. It’s the perfect opportunity to engage in practical conversation about how scripture is meaningful and relevant today. Each week Rev. Phyllis Barren shares a Scripture reading and then leads an inspiring discussion of practical questions of faith and Christian journey.
During Advent, the Wednesday Bible study class will focus on exploring the Nativity Story by comparing the two Nativity stories told in Matthew and Luke.
This will be a special time to see what is in the scripture and what has become tradition through history.
Contact: Rev. Phyllis Barren, LPC | pbarren@myfumc.org
All students in 7th – 12th Grade are invited to join us for our annual Christmas Party at the Justin Youth Building! We’ll have games, food, ugly Christmas sweaters, a white elephant gift exchange and more!
The holiday season can a particularly difficult time for those who are overwhelmed with feelings of grief, sadness, disappointment, or any other feeling that can get lost — and sometimes even made more painful — in the bright lights, merriment, and festivities being enjoyed seemingly everywhere you look this time of year.
At First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth, we know all too well the difficulties the holiday season can bring during times of loss, fear, and sadness — and we want you to know you are not forgotten among the tinsel and celebration.
Each year we schedule this special service intentionally during this time to create a space for feelings that are not so merry — and a refuge from celebration when you just don’t feel like it. Led by Rev. Phyllis Barren, who will offer a brief word and lead a time of prayer, this quiet service, surrounded by the beauty of Leonard Memorial Chapel, offers balm to the weary soul — and solace to the discouraged and brokenhearted at a time when the rest of the world may seem oblivious to your pain.
Choral Union Advent Choir will be featured in Traditional worship on this third Sunday of Advent.
Contact: Thomas Williams | twilliams@myfumc.org | 817-339-5074
The forecast is mostly Christmas carols with scattered seasonal sounds and an occasional flurry of fun!
Join us in our Sanctuary to hear this outstanding handbell ensemble!
Contact: Thomas Williams | twilliams@myfumc.org | 817-339-5074
Join us for our ninth annual family celebration around the holiday classic, The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. We’ll enjoy dinner and this classic holiday film, hot chocolate, and Christmas fun!
The party will include a Prayer Bear Drive for Cook Children’s Hospital. We are encouraging any who can to bring a new, unwrapped Teddy Bear. When “a certain someone” arrives, he will gather all the bears and deliver them to the best children’s hospital around!
Be sure to wear your most festive pajamas! Optional nursery care for children under 3 years old available with reservations by December 7.
Contact: Janice Cooper | jcooper@myfumc.org
Childcare: Paula Wagstaff | pwagstaff@myfumc.org
Help us support our church ministries and local community with our Christmas offering. This year’s offering supports Kids Hope USA, FSMM Rental Assistance, United Community Centers, Providence Place (formerly Methodist Mission Home), Methodist Children’s Home in Waco, TX, and Wesleyan Homes. Give online (choose Christmas Offering from the drop-down menu) or with a check or donation envelope marked “Christmas Offering” in the Sunday offertory, by mail, or in the Main Office.
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