2023 Advent / Christmas at First Church
This is a season steeped in tradition and it is a great opportunity to dig deeper into your faith and discover new meaning. We hope that you’ll join us for these special Advent and Christmas celebrations.
Christmas Pageant
Sunday December 17th – both services
Each year, our Christian Education and Youth Director, Laurie Chipman, gathers volunteers and actors to present the Christmas story. Not only is this a delightful tradition that we look forward to every year, but we often see afresh one of the most intriguing stories of the bible. And to top it all off, we love watching our youth work with some of our “seasoned” church actors to make the old story come to life. Children are welcome to join in the pageant as shepherds, sheep and angels the morning of the pageant. Easy directions will be in our bulletin and older actors will help lead them. This is a great Sunday to being a friend and enjoy some holiday cheer.
Christmas Eve
Sunday Morning Worship – Lessons & Carols – One Service at 10:00 am
In-person and Online here
We will come together to sing the old carols and hear the ancient story of Jesus’ birth. We are also welcoming the Currier Bell Choir back as they play for our delight. This is the perfect service for those of you who do not like coming out in the darkness later in the day. There is no better way to start the day than by remembering Christ’s birth and singing with joy!
Family Service – 5:00 pm
In-Person and Online here
Our children’s heads are filled with sugar plums and presents, Saint Nicholas, and family rituals of fun, love and joy. Our 5pm service is geared to them as guests from another time and age tell the story in a unique way and guide us all in the singing of carols, praying for those whom we love and lighting of candles. Our entire staff will be sick and out of commission and replaced by some interesting characters. Come and enjoy this tradition and be sure to invite the family down the street looking for something to do.
Lessons & Carols – 9:00 pm
Pre-Service Concert – 8:30 pm
This is our traditional service of Lessons and Carols. We start with some incredible music from our many choirs and finish with spreading Christ’s light to the entire congregation and the world. In between the concert and the spreading of Christ’s light, we hear the story and sing the carols. Come and remember your own childhood and those who are no longer here but singing to the glory of God right next to us and in our hearts.
Lessons, Carols and Holy Communion – 11:00 pm
There is something perfect about singing to God’s glory for the entrance of the divine son into our world and lighting the candle that represents his entrance right at midnight of the anniversary when he came. Finally @ First leads this service with great music while we celebrate the birth of Jesus. We revel in welcoming Christ into our lives through the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. All is quiet and beautiful as we all reflect on Christ’s entrance and presence in our lives. The service is at 11pm and will end at the stroke of midnight. What a wonderful way to end the day.