Music is a big part of the Advent/Christmas season. Check out a sample of it below.
advent &
christmas at 1st
the music of
christmas 2023
THE EVENTS
OF ADVENT & CHRISTMAS
Hang tight while we look up scheduled events...
celebrate old traditions
make new ones
Christmas is a time filled with tradition and stories. It's a time that can often be hectic and exhausting when it should be a time for reflecting on the unlikely events that happened more than 2000 years ago in Bethlehem. God fulfilled a promise in sending his son Jesus bringing light into a dark world.
Throughout the month of December in the time leading up to Christmas Day 1st UMC wishes to reach out to you in special ways hoping to connect and help you find peace, hope, love and joy in the season. On this page you will find details about a number of Advent & Christmas related events including:
- "An Unlikely Advent" worship focus (Sundy mornings)
- Chancel Choir Cantata (December 10th at 10:30 am & 7:00 pm)
- Contemporary Worship Christmas Special (December 27th at 10:30 am)
- Christmas Eve Worship Services (December 24th at 4:00 pm, 7:00 pm & 10:00 pm)
- and much more.
ADVENT & CHRISTMAS EVENT CALENDAR
christmas offering 2023
new voices
Each year, the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church asks all of its congregations to help raise money for a missions offering. The current goal is to raise $1.5-million for the New Voices Campaign.
The money raised will support Holston Conferences Colleges and Universities, the Wesley Foundations and Conference Camps. A successful campaign will yield $125,000 for each of the twelve ministries shaping young minds and hearts.
This year, 1st UMC-Maryville will support the New Voices Campaign through its annual Christmas Offering. We hope you will consider giving in one of these ways:
- giving during the evening presentation of the Chancel Choir Cantata on December 10th,
- giving during any of the Christmas Eve afternoon and evening worship services,
- marking your check "Christmas Offering 2023" and dropping it in the offering plate or mailing it to 804 Montvale Station Road, 37803,
- or giving online .
DECEMBER WORSHIP FOCUS
EXTRAORDINARY
PEOPLE OF THE
CHRISTMAS STORY
In the weeks leading up to Christmas we see decorations of all types. But it's the nativity we are focused on this season. Baby Jesus, Mary & Joseph and shepherds are probably the most common characters we see in Nativity scenes, but there are others who play an important role that are most likely left out.
During the four weeks of Advent (the time leading up to Christmas Day) we take a look at the unlikely characters of advent and what they teach us about our faith and our relationships with God and others.
Sunday, December 3rd
What if I missed it? - The story of Elizabeth and Zechariah
Sunday, December 10th
Playing the Villain - The story of King Herod and questions about redemption
Sunday, December 17th
When God Shows Up - The story of the Shepherds and how to listen and let God guide you where you need to be.
Sunday, December 24th
(One morning service)
A Curious People - The story of the Magi and how they remind us to reach out to those we might consider outsiders.