The 2022 Chancel Choir Christmas Cantata, "Oh Watch the Stars" centers around the importance of the stars in Christ's nativity story from Advent through Epiphany. Presented in mid-December, this musical presentation was recorded for television and is available to watch online.
A SEASON OF WAITING AND WATCHING
This time of year people are often rushing to shop for the right gift, spending extra hours in the kitchen baking and cooking or trying to get ready for a special seasonal event. This is supposed to be a time for waiting and watching for the coming of the Christ Child. Over the next few weeks, there are numerous opportunities for you, your family and your friends to help discover the sense of anticipation of the season.
We hope you will choose to watch and wait with 1st Church whether in worship on Sunday mornings, attending a special event or coming here on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Please scroll down for a closer look at all that's happening this Christmas at 1st.
CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP - DECEMBER 24th
2:00 PM - WORSHIP ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
7:00 & 10:00 PM - TRADITIONAL CANDLELIGHT WORSHIP
WATCH THE CHANCEL CHOIR CHRISTMAS CANTATA ON TV
Christmas Eve
7:00 AM on WVLT-TV 8
7:00 PM on WBXX - 20
Christmas Day
7:00 AM on WVLT-TV 8
THE EVENTS OF ADVENT & CHRISTMAS
Please scroll down to learn more about the special events of the season.
Hang tight while we look up scheduled events...
PREPARING AND REJOICING
On the night Christ was born, the long wait was finally over. People had grown weary from all they had endured and had awaited the arrival of a Messiah. Angels appeared, a bright star lit up the sky and people proclaimed the Good News from the hills and everywhere. The waiting was over and it was time to rejoice as born this day in the City of David was Christ the Lord.
We often spend this time of year rushing to get to Christmas. We rush to do the shopping, cooking, wrapping, visiting, and partying. But the time before Christmas, a season we call Advent, isn't about rushing. It's about waiting and watching for the coming of the Christ Child.
Starting on November 27th, we begin a look at "Songs for the Waiting," a collection of hymns that guide us through this season. You'll be hearing more about them during our worship services each Sunday morning and in a few other ways. We hope you can be a part of the medley of events happening over the next few weeks as we approach Christmas Day (which falls on Sunday this year). There will only be ONE worship service on December 25th at 10:30 am in the Sanctuary.
The people of 1st Church pray that the story of Christmas will help us with the waiting and focus on the peace, love and joy found in the message of Christmas.
2022 CHRISTMAS OFFERING
Each year during the 7:00 pm presentation of the Chancel Choir Christmas Cantata and during the Christmas Eve Worship Services we collect a special Christmas Offering. This year, your donations will benefit The Welcome Table, a meal ministry where EVERYONE is invited to share a meal together.
This ministry provides meals and fellowship to thousands of people each year thanks to your generosity in both giving and volunteering. There is no charge to guests for Welcome Table meals.
Ways to give:
- Place your check with "Christmas Offering" in the memo line in the offering plate or bring it by the church office.
- Mail it to 1st United Methodist Church, 804 Montvale Station Road, Maryville, TN 37803
- Give online at 1stchurch.org/giving .
WATCH THE CHANCEL CHOIR CHRISTMAS CANTATA ON TV
The 7:00 pm presentation of the 2022 Chancel Choir Christmas Cantata on December 18th will be recorded by WVLT-TV. It will air over the Christmas holiday.