Advent 2024
Angelic Announcements
What does God’s voice sound like? As modern people, we might not hear trumpets coming from the clouds, but we believe God still speaks. This Christmas season, we will hear the voice of God in the words of the angels announcing the coming of the Messiah. We will celebrate the voice of hope, the proclamation of presence, and the arrival of God’s love in our midst.
We invite you to scroll through the special opportunities below, and choose some that will help you experience the season and make special memories this Christmas.
Angel Tree
Nov 8 - Dec 2, Shawver Welcome Center
The Angel Tree provides Christmas gifts for low-income seniors in our community who participate in the Network of Community Ministries Seniors’ Net program. We also collect $30 Walmart gift cards for single parents involved in Arms of Hope and the Single Parent Action Network (SPAN) at FUMCR.
Please return all gifts and gift cards by Monday, December 2.
To participate:
1. Take an ornament from the tree.
2. Purchase the designated items or gift cards.
3. Return the unwrapped items no later than Monday, December 2.
Designated drop-off boxes will be by the Welcome Desk and in Shawver Welcome Center. Gift cards will be collected at the Welcome Desk.
Advent Workshop
Sun, Dec 1, 2-4pm, Worship & Arts Center
Join us for an afternoon of crafts and stories as we prepare for Advent and Christmas. We will begin with Family Worship in the Worship & Arts Center at 2:00.
Cost: $30 per family
Registration open 11/1 -11/30
Christmas with Skyland
Thur, Dec 5, 7 pm, Sanctuary
You're invited to get into the holiday spirit with FUMCR's annual Christmas concert featuring Chancel Choir and Orchestra with special guests, Skyland!
Tickets:
$10 general entry (beginning at 6:30)
$15 early entry (doors open at 6:00)
Santa's Village 2024 - Ornament Factory
Dec 7-22, 6-9pm, Huffhines Park
FUMCR is honored to host the Ornament Factory at the City of Richardson's Santa's Village again this year! Bring your family to this free event, and stop by the Factory to make an ornament.
Santa's Village is open:
- Dec 7-8
- Dec 12 adaptive night
- Dec 13-15
- Dec 20-22
Sign up to volunteer by Dec 15
More info about Santa's Village
Christmas Poinsettias
Honor or remember loved ones while helping to decorate for Christmas with a donation that will go toward beautiful poinsettias.
Donations can be made December 1-15 in $15 increments.
A list of honorees and donors will be available during Christmas Eve services.
Children's Choir Christmas Musical
Sun, Dec 8, 3pm, Worship & Arts Center
Come and celebrate the season with the children's choir of FUMCR as they present the nativity story in Light of the World.
Children's choir includes children in kindergarten through 6th grade.
Coat and Toy Drive
Through Dec 9
The church at-large is invited to participate in Senior Adult Ministry's annual coat and toy drive. New and gently used coats in all sizes as well as new toys will be collected, organized, and distributed to Network of Community Ministries and other local agencies to meet the needs of adults, children, and youth.
Collection bins are located behind the Welcome Desk and in the Shawver Welcome Center.
UWF Christmas Program
Tues, Dec 10, 6:30-8:30pm, Coleman Family Hall
All women and their friends or spouses are invited to celebrate our year! The meeting will feature a delicious covered-dish dinner, a festive program by the PEO choir, mission award presentations, and officer installations.
Please bring one of your favorite side dishes to share. Meat will be provided.
If you need a ride to this event, please contact Pam Shamblin at 817.313.6757
Service of Hope
Sun, Dec 15, 5 pm, Sanctuary & Livestream
In this season of expectation, decorations, and parties, the sense of loss can be profound. In this service, we look to God for light and comfort, for the Spirit’s presence even in our empty places, and for hope.
Additional Resource
Faith & Grief has shared some helpful coping strategies as well as ideas for taking care of yourself if you're grieving a loss this holiday season. View/Download
All Youth Christmas Party
Sun, Dec 15, 5:30-7:30pm, Bartula Family Life Center
Join us for our annual FUMCRYouth and JYC Christmas party! This fun night includes a Christmas sweater contest, holiday games, a sing-along, yummy food, prizes, and a gift exchange. Please bring a gift valued no more than $15 (gently used items are great, too). We will start the night with dinner in the gym, and end it in Coleman Family Hall.
Young Adult Christmas Party
Tues, Dec 17, 7-9pm, Meet at West Side Playground
Join us for an evening with coffee, cocoa, treats, and Christmas lights on a trolley! Space is limited.
Cost: $10 per person
Christmas Eve Worship
Christmas Pageant
11am* - Sanctuary
Modern Worship
2pm & 4pm - Worship & Arts Center
Traditional Worship
6pm*, 8pm, 10pm - Sanctuary
Communion will be offered in the 10pm service.
*Livestream available 11am Pageant & 6pm Traditional: fumcr.com/online
Online Worship
On Demand - youtube.com/fumcr
Advent Offering
Our special Advent offering will be given to these dynamic organizations who are working passionately every day to make a positive impact in the lives of individuals and families.
Methodist Children's Home
Methodist Children’s Home seeks to equip children, youth, and families by offering hope through Christ-centered relationships and support via a residential program, transition care, parenting education, and foster caregiver support. Learn more about MCH
Network of Community Ministries
Network of Community Ministries works to care, coach, and empower our neighbors in need as they seek an improved quality of life. Learn more about Network
Dec 29 Worship
Our worship schedule is a little bit different on December 29. We hope you'll join us!
Traditional Worship - 9:45 am in the Sanctuary
Modern Worship - 11 am in the Worship & Arts Center
No Sunday school, no nursery care. Children are welcome in worship.
Online Worship - 9:45 am & 11 am at fumcr.com/online + on demand at YouTube
International Christmas Market Shares Available
Shares are financial donations to a non-profit agency or FUMCR ministry bought as a tribute to a loved one. It's a gift that reaches beyond giver and receiver to benefit and serve those in need. We're featuring 10 ministries and agencies this year.
Shares are available online through December 31.
CHOOSE ONE OR MORE OF THESE RECIPIENTS:
• Ark House provides low-cost, fully furnished apartments to persons and their caregivers who come to Dallas area hospitals for long term medical care.
• Healthy Women Healthy Liberia! offers medical and dental exams, over-night stays, pharmacy, labs and imaging, and education.
• Heifer Project International provides livestock and training that transforms the lives of 23 million hungry and impoverished men, women, and children.
• H.E.R.O.E.S. programs provide therapy, recreation, social development, and vocational training for children and young adults with special needs.
• Kafodzidzi School serves 650 students in Ghana. Shares will support ongoing projects and needs of the school.
• Panama Medical shares will provide supplies, medicines, and vitamins to be distributed during FUMCR medical mission trips.
• Richardson Area Interfaith Habitat provides quality housing for stable, low income families.
• Skuinskloof School in South Africa serves over 200 students in a rural area. Shares support projects including lavatory construction and renovation and new roofing.
• Stovebuilders of Guatemala construct safe, externally vented, concrete block stoves for indigenous families.
• Youth Mission Trips serve others across the U.S. through home & community improvement projects.
