Advent & Christmas at First United Methodist Church of Arlington

Experience the hope, joy, and wonder of Christmas & the Advent Season!

CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP

Join us for Communion, carols, and candlelight at each of our four Christmas Eve services on Sunday, December 24! The 5:00 pm service will be available to live stream on our website & Facebook.

10:00 am

IN THE GREAT HALL

The 4th Sunday of Advent will be celebrated with a blended Advent & Christmas Eve service, for those who would like to join us Sunday morning for worship.

  • Childcare available for children 5 and under (No Sunday school for children-adults)
  • Live stream available on our website & Facebook page
  • Please note that this is not a candlelight service

3:00 pm

IN THE SANCTUARY

Family-oriented candlelight Christmas Eve service with Communion. Children are encouraged to engage in worship and will have the opportunity to participate in telling the story of Jesus' birth.

  • Childcare available for children 5 and under

5:00 pm

IN THE SANCTUARY & LIVE STREAMED

The 5:00 pm service features the Chancel Choir and is a traditional Christmas Eve service with Communion. This service will also be available live on our website and Facebook.

  • Childcare available for children 5 and under
  • Valet service available on North St.

7:00 pm

IN THE SANCTUARY

The 7:00 pm service features the Chancel Choir and is a traditional Christmas Eve service with Communion.

  • Childcare available for children 5 and under
  • Valet service available on North St.

 

11:00 pm

IN THE SANCTUARY

A simplified candlelight Christmas Eve service with Communion, featuring our youth Testament Choir.

  • Childcare will not be available at this late-night service

Daily Devotional

Each day, take time to focus. Read the Bible passage. Spend time wondering. Say the prayer. Take time to move a space forward on the Advent Spiral. Light the candle. Find some intentional time each day this season to move forward toward Christmas.

Advent Activities

We are excited to join you this Advent season as we prepare for the birth of Jesus. From moving forward on the Advent Spiral, to lighting the Advent Wreath, to adding to the Nativity scene, to Love in Action service opportunities, to activities done as a family, our hope is that these activities provides a way for your family to connect to God and others in a memorable way this season.

Advent Spiral

download wood spiral instructions

As we move Forward to Christmas this Advent season, we will be celebrating by using an Advent Spiral. Each day you will move the candle, add a coin or character, and pray as we journey closer to Jesus’ birth. This ritual is a great way to mark the time that is passing as we move forward to Christmas, and it’s also a great reminder that we too are moving forward closer to Jesus this Advent season.

Paper Advent spirals, character coins, and wooden peg dolls are available in the church office. You can also create a lasting wooden Advent Spiral using a 1’x4’ board, by following the instructions linked above.

Serving Opportunities

During this season, we want to remember how important it is to love our neighbors. Our Love in Action: Advent Edition is focused on helping our neighbors. Collection bins will be available at the entrances to our building, as well as Christmas trees located in gathering spaces that give some specific items of need. Thank you for helping us love our neighbors! For more information on how you can help us show God’s love to our neighbors during this season, contact Rev. Molly Hayes.

Items to Collect

  • Rain Ponchos
  • Socks
  • Gloves
  • Hats
  • Chapstick
  • Emergen-C packets
  • Backpacks (Waterproof)
  • Reusable thermal bottles
  • Small pillows
  • Gift Cards: $10 amount to places like McDonalds, Walmart, Starbucks

Days to Serve

  • December 6 @ 10:30 am Pack Bags for AUM & Homeless Neighbors

  • December 9 @ 9-11 am: Family Advent Event

  • December TBD: Pray for and Wrap Blankets for Kooken

Spotify Playlist
spotify playlist

An important part of this season is worship. We’ve put together a Forward to Christmas playlist that you can access by scanning the QR code. We’ve included lots of our favorites on our list. Feel free to listen to your own favorites as well.