{"id":17963,"date":"2025-11-17T07:20:13","date_gmt":"2025-11-17T12:20:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/?p=17963"},"modified":"2025-12-16T06:51:33","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T11:51:33","slug":"advent-christmas-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/advent-christmas-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Advent\/Christmas 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"flex_column av_one_full  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding first  avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_two_fifth  avia-builder-el-first  \" style='border-radius:0px; '><p><div  class='avia-image-container  av-styling-    avia-builder-el-1  el_before_av_heading  avia-builder-el-first  avia-align-center '  itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"  ><div class='avia-image-container-inner'><div class='avia-image-overlay-wrap'><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-17965 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-17965 avia_image' src=\"https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Christmas_Garland.png\" alt='' title='Christmas_Garland' height=\"217\" width=\"1000\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Christmas_Garland.png 1000w, https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Christmas_Garland-300x65.png 300w, https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Christmas_Garland-768x167.png 768w, https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Christmas_Garland-705x153.png 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3    avia-builder-el-2  el_after_av_image  el_before_av_timeline  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Advent and Christmas 2025<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<div  id=\"avia-timeline-1\"  class='avia-timeline-container avia-slideshow-carousel   avia-builder-el-3  el_after_av_heading  avia-builder-el-last ' avia-data-slides='5'><ul class='avia-timeline avia-timeline-horizontal av-milestone-placement-top avia-timeline- avia_animate_when_almost_visible avia-timeline-animate'>\n<li  class='av-milestone av-animated-generic fade-in av-milestone-odd  '><h2 class='av-milestone-date  ' style='font-size:16px; ' id='milestone-11-23'><a title='Decorate Sanctuary &amp; Giving Tree Starts' href='https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/?p=17963&preview=true#november_23' >11\/23<span class='av-milestone-indicator'style='background-color:#76b756; '><\/span><\/a><\/h2><a class='av-milestone-icon-wrap' title='Decorate Sanctuary &amp; Giving Tree Starts' href='https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/?p=17963&preview=true#november_23' ><span class='milestone_icon avia-font-entypo-fontello' ><span class='milestone_inner' style='background-color:#76b756; '><i class='milestone-char' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue85b' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/a><article class='av-milestone-content-wrap'><div class='av-milestone-contentbox' ><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 style='font-size:16px; ' class=' '><a title='Decorate Sanctuary &amp; Giving Tree Starts' href='https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/?p=17963&preview=true#november_23' >Decorate Sanctuary & Giving Tree Starts<\/a><\/h4><\/header><div class='av-milestone-content' ><\/div><\/div><footer style='background-color:#76b756; ' class='entry-footer'><\/footer><\/article><\/li>\n<li  class='av-milestone av-animated-generic fade-in av-milestone-even  '><h2 class='av-milestone-date  ' style='font-size:16px; ' id='milestone-12-14'><a title='Christmas Pageant at Second Service' href='https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/?p=17963&preview=true#december_14' >12\/14<span class='av-milestone-indicator'style='background-color:#76b756; '><\/span><\/a><\/h2><a class='av-milestone-icon-wrap' title='Christmas Pageant at Second Service' href='https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/?p=17963&preview=true#december_14' ><span class='milestone_icon avia-font-entypo-fontello' ><span class='milestone_inner' style='background-color:#76b756; '><i class='milestone-char' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue8d2' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/a><article class='av-milestone-content-wrap'><div class='av-milestone-contentbox' ><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 style='font-size:16px; ' class=' '><a title='Christmas Pageant at Second Service' href='https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/?p=17963&preview=true#december_14' >Christmas Pageant at Second Service<\/a><\/h4><\/header><div class='av-milestone-content' ><\/div><\/div><footer style='background-color:#76b756; ' class='entry-footer'><\/footer><\/article><\/li>\n<li  class='av-milestone av-animated-generic fade-in av-milestone-odd  '><h2 class='av-milestone-date  ' style='font-size:16px; ' id='milestone-12-21'><a title='Single Service - Cantata' href='https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/?p=17963&preview=true#december_21' >12\/21<span class='av-milestone-indicator'style='background-color:#76b756; '><\/span><\/a><\/h2><a class='av-milestone-icon-wrap' title='Single Service - Cantata' href='https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/?p=17963&preview=true#december_21' ><span class='milestone_icon avia-font-entypo-fontello' ><span class='milestone_inner' style='background-color:#76b756; '><i class='milestone-char' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue801' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/a><article class='av-milestone-content-wrap'><div class='av-milestone-contentbox' ><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 style='font-size:16px; ' class=' '><a title='Single Service - Cantata' href='https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/?p=17963&preview=true#december_21' >Single Service - Cantata<\/a><\/h4><\/header><div class='av-milestone-content' ><\/div><\/div><footer style='background-color:#76b756; ' class='entry-footer'><\/footer><\/article><\/li>\n<li  class='av-milestone av-animated-generic fade-in av-milestone-even  '><h2 class='av-milestone-date  ' style='font-size:16px; ' id='milestone-12-24'><a title='Christmas Eve Services' href='https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/?p=17963&preview=true#christmas_eve' >12\/24<span class='av-milestone-indicator'style='background-color:#76b756; '><\/span><\/a><\/h2><a class='av-milestone-icon-wrap' title='Christmas Eve Services' href='https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/?p=17963&preview=true#christmas_eve' ><span class='milestone_icon avia-font-entypo-fontello' ><span class='milestone_inner' style='background-color:#76b756; '><i class='milestone-char' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue821' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/a><article class='av-milestone-content-wrap'><div class='av-milestone-contentbox' ><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 style='font-size:16px; ' class=' '><a title='Christmas Eve Services' href='https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/?p=17963&preview=true#christmas_eve' >Christmas Eve Services<\/a><\/h4><\/header><div class='av-milestone-content' ><\/div><\/div><footer style='background-color:#76b756; ' class='entry-footer'><\/footer><\/article><\/li>\n<li  class='av-milestone av-animated-generic fade-in av-milestone-odd  '><h2 class='av-milestone-date  ' style='font-size:16px; ' id='milestone-12-28'><a title='Single Service - Carol Sing' href='https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/?p=17963&preview=true#december_28' >12\/28<span class='av-milestone-indicator'style='background-color:#76b756; '><\/span><\/a><\/h2><a class='av-milestone-icon-wrap' title='Single Service - Carol Sing' href='https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/?p=17963&preview=true#december_28' ><span class='milestone_icon avia-font-entypo-fontello' ><span class='milestone_inner' style='background-color:#76b756; '><i class='milestone-char' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue800' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/a><article class='av-milestone-content-wrap'><div class='av-milestone-contentbox' ><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 style='font-size:16px; ' class=' '><a title='Single Service - Carol Sing' href='https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/?p=17963&preview=true#december_28' >Single Service - Carol Sing<\/a><\/h4><\/header><div class='av-milestone-content' ><\/div><\/div><footer style='background-color:#76b756; ' class='entry-footer'><\/footer><\/article><\/li>\n<\/ul><div class='av-timeline-nav '><a href='#prev' class='prev-slide av-timeline-nav-prev'><span aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue87c' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'>Previous<\/span><\/a><a href='#next' class='next-slide av-timeline-nav-next'><span aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue87d' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'>Next<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/p><\/div><div class=\"flex_column av_two_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding first  avia-builder-el-4  el_after_av_one_full  el_before_av_three_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><p><div  class='avia-image-container  av-styling-    avia-builder-el-5  el_before_av_image  avia-builder-el-first  avia-align-center '  itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"  ><div class='avia-image-container-inner'><div class='avia-image-overlay-wrap'><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-14367 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-14367 avia_image' src=\"https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/tree_with_ornament_scaled.jpg\" alt='' title='' height=\"533\" width=\"800\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/tree_with_ornament_scaled.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/tree_with_ornament_scaled-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/tree_with_ornament_scaled-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/tree_with_ornament_scaled-705x470.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<div  class='avia-image-container  av-styling-    avia-builder-el-6  el_after_av_image  avia-builder-el-last  avia-align-center '  itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"  ><div class='avia-image-container-inner'><div class='avia-image-overlay-wrap'><a href='https:\/\/www.signupgenius.com\/go\/20F0545A8AB2FAAF58-59862482-giving#\/' class='avia_image' target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"180\" height=\"180\" class='wp-image-12736 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-12736 avia_image' src=\"https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/signup_genius_logo-180x180.png\" alt='' title='signup_genius_logo'  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/signup_genius_logo-180x180.png 180w, https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/signup_genius_logo-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/signup_genius_logo-1030x1030.png 1030w, https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/signup_genius_logo-80x80.png 80w, https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/signup_genius_logo-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/signup_genius_logo-36x36.png 36w, https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/signup_genius_logo-1500x1500.png 1500w, https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/signup_genius_logo-705x705.png 705w, https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/signup_genius_logo.png 1521w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 180px) 100vw, 180px\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_three_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-7  el_after_av_two_fifth  el_before_av_hr  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  id=\"november_23\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><h2>November 23<\/h2>\n<h4>Giving Tree<\/h4>\n<p>There will be a \u201ctree\u201d set up in the Narthex with gift tags on it as well as virtual tags on Sign Up Genius starting on Sunday, November 23. Tags will be available till November 30. Each child will receive three gifts \u2013 two articles of clothing and one toy, book, game or gift card. Once again, if you or your family want to purchase all three gifts for a child, you will have that option. Remember to indicate on the sign-ups which tag number\/letter you select so that the gift goes to the correct child.<\/p>\n<p>There is always great anticipation around the Giving Tree in our community. We hope you will join us again in making this Christmas a season of hope and love for many families in the City and Town of Essex and Westford.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Update Dec. 11th:<\/span><\/strong> The Giving Tree is done! Thanks so much to the volunteers that organized this beloved tradition and all of the generous shoppers that fulfilled the children&#8217;s wishes. This year we were able to help 54 kids in 25 families. Our church family is amazing!<\/p>\n<h4>Decorate the Sanctuary<\/h4>\n<p>After the second service the Deacons will be decorating the Sanctuary for the Advent\/Christmas season. <strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>You are welcome to join them in the fun!<\/em><\/span><\/strong> Many hands make light work, and it is wonderful to see our Sanctuary adorned with the wreaths, garlands and ribbons.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div><div   class='hr hr-default   avia-builder-el-9  el_after_av_three_fifth  el_before_av_two_fifth '><span class='hr-inner ' ><span class='hr-inner-style'><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_two_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding first  avia-builder-el-10  el_after_av_hr  el_before_av_three_fifth  \" style='border-radius:0px; '><div  class='avia-image-container  av-styling-    avia-builder-el-11  avia-builder-el-no-sibling  avia-align-center '  itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"  ><div class='avia-image-container-inner'><div class='avia-image-overlay-wrap'><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-14474 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-14474 avia_image' src=\"https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/download-1.jpg\" alt='' title='download-1' height=\"213\" width=\"237\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_three_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-12  el_after_av_two_fifth  el_before_av_hr  \" style='border-radius:0px; '><section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  id=\"december_14\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><h2>December 14<\/h2>\n<h4>First Service at 8:30 am<\/h4>\n<h5>A BLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICE &#8211; A TIME FOR HEALING<\/h5>\n<p>The Blue Christmas service acknowledges that Christmas is one of the hardest times of the year. Christmas&#8217; emphasis on family, joy, giving, and good cheer can be difficult for those who have experienced death, broken relationships, depression, illness, unemployment, and addictions. This Blue Christmas service recalls the darkness the Israelites went through as they waited for the Messiah and reminds us that through the darkness God is there with care, love and an abiding presence AND offers us a chance for healing.<\/p>\n<h4>Second Service at 10:15 am<\/h4>\n<p>This service will feature the annual Christmas Pageant that will be presented by the children and youth of our church family. The Joyful Noise Children&#8217;s Choir will perform two songs during this service.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Update Dec. 15th:<\/span><\/strong> Below is the video from the second service. It was a wonderful service and the pageant was absolutely delightful. If you want to skip right to the pageant, it starts at 41:07 in the video.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n<div  class='avia-video avia-video-16-9   av-lazyload-immediate  av-lazyload-video-embed  '   itemprop=\"video\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/VideoObject\"  data-original_url='https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=PSpWS6BQlUo' ><script type='text\/html' class='av-video-tmpl'><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=PSpWS6BQlUo\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=PSpWS6BQlUo<\/a><\/script><div class='av-click-to-play-overlay'><div class=\"avia_playpause_icon\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p><\/div><div   class='hr hr-default   avia-builder-el-15  el_after_av_three_fifth  el_before_av_two_fifth '><span class='hr-inner ' ><span class='hr-inner-style'><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_two_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding first  avia-builder-el-16  el_after_av_hr  el_before_av_three_fifth  \" style='border-radius:0px; '><div  class='avia-image-container  av-styling-    avia-builder-el-17  avia-builder-el-no-sibling  avia-align-center '  itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"  ><div class='avia-image-container-inner'><div class='avia-image-overlay-wrap'><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-17974 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-17974 avia_image' src=\"https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/candles_and_carols.webp\" alt='' title='candles_and_carols' height=\"1368\" width=\"900\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/candles_and_carols.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/candles_and_carols-197x300.webp 197w, https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/candles_and_carols-678x1030.webp 678w, https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/candles_and_carols-768x1167.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/candles_and_carols-464x705.webp 464w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_three_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-18  el_after_av_two_fifth  el_before_av_hr  \" style='border-radius:0px; '><section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  id=\"december_21\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><h2>December 21<\/h2>\n<h4>Single Service at 10:00 am<\/h4>\n<p>In addition to lighting the Advent candle of Love, this service will feature a cantata performance by the Sanctuary Choir. The cantata is titled &#8220;Candles &#038; Carols&#8221; and it includes narration and a medley of Christmas Carols that you know and love.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n<div   class='hr hr-default   avia-builder-el-20  el_after_av_three_fifth  el_before_av_two_fifth '><span class='hr-inner ' ><span class='hr-inner-style'><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_two_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding first  avia-builder-el-21  el_after_av_hr  el_before_av_three_fifth  \" style='border-radius:0px; '><div  class='avia-image-container  av-styling-    avia-builder-el-22  avia-builder-el-no-sibling  avia-align-center '  itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"  ><div class='avia-image-container-inner'><div class='avia-image-overlay-wrap'><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-15307 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-15307 avia_image' src=\"https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Christmas_Eve_Poinsettias_2021.jpg\" alt='' title='Christmas_Eve_Poinsettias_2021' height=\"527\" width=\"800\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Christmas_Eve_Poinsettias_2021.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Christmas_Eve_Poinsettias_2021-300x198.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Christmas_Eve_Poinsettias_2021-768x506.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Christmas_Eve_Poinsettias_2021-705x464.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_three_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-23  el_after_av_two_fifth  el_before_av_hr  \" style='border-radius:0px; '><section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  id=\"christmas_eve\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><h2>Christmas Eve Services<\/h2>\n<h4>Family &amp; Children of All Ages Service \u2013 5:00 pm<\/h4>\n<h6>In-Person and Online<\/h6>\n<p>Our children\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<h4>Lessons &amp; Carols \u2013 9:00 pm<\/h4>\n<h6>Pre-Service Concert \u2013 8:30 pm<\/h6>\n<h6>In-Person and Online<\/h6>\n<p>Pre-Service Concert ~ 8:30pm ~~ Lessons and Carols ~ 9pm This is our traditional service of Lessons &amp; Carols. We start with some incredible music from our choirs and end by spreading Christ\u2019s light to the entire congregation and the world. In between the concert and the spreading of Christ\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<h4>Lessons, Carols and Holy Communion \u2013 11:00 pm<\/h4>\n<h6>In-Person and Online<\/h6>\n<p>There is something perfect about singing to God\u2019s 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\u2019s Supper. All is beautiful as we all reflect on Christ\u2019s entrance and presence in our lives. The service ends at the stroke of midnight. What better way of ending the day.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div><div   class='hr hr-default   avia-builder-el-25  el_after_av_three_fifth  el_before_av_two_fifth '><span class='hr-inner ' ><span class='hr-inner-style'><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_two_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding first  avia-builder-el-26  el_after_av_hr  el_before_av_three_fifth  \" style='border-radius:0px; '><div  class='avia-image-container  av-styling-    avia-builder-el-27  avia-builder-el-no-sibling  avia-align-center '  itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"  ><div class='avia-image-container-inner'><div class='avia-image-overlay-wrap'><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-14444 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-14444 avia_image' src=\"https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Christmas_Sanctuary2_Scaled.jpg\" alt='' title='Christmas_Sanctuary2_Scaled' height=\"381\" width=\"800\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Christmas_Sanctuary2_Scaled.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Christmas_Sanctuary2_Scaled-300x143.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Christmas_Sanctuary2_Scaled-768x366.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Christmas_Sanctuary2_Scaled-705x336.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_three_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-28  el_after_av_two_fifth  avia-builder-el-last  \" style='border-radius:0px; '><section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  id=\"december_28\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><h2>December 28<\/h2>\n<h4>Single Service &#8211; Carol Sing &#8211; 10:00 am<\/h4>\n<p>The Christmas season is busy with travel, family events, friend gatherings, and activities in schools, concert halls, and civic occasions. It\u2019s all good but sometimes these things draw us away from participating in the ageless church events that actually define the season. This single worship service will feature a carol sing, stuffie blessing, and brunch after service. Pajamas acceptable!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17963","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-events"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17963","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17963"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17963\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18036,"href":"https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17963\/revisions\/18036"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17963"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17963"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fccej.org\/v5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17963"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}