First United Sunday Update December 20, 2020

Blue Christmas Service Manitowoc Cooperative Ministry The holiday season can be an especially difficult time for those who are living with loss or grief. All are invited to a special Blue Christmas Worship Service on Monday (December 21) at 7pm to remember and honor our loss and grief. If you like, have a candle ready to light during the service at the indicated time. View and interact live on the Manitowoc Cooperative Ministry Facebook page or view later on their YouTube channel. FIrst United will also put a link to the video on our F.U.P.C. website later Monday night. All are welcome. If you know anybody else who may be living with grief, please share this invitation with them.

Christmas Eve Live Stream 3:30pm Join us for a live streamed service (no in-person worship) as Co-Pastors Luke and Meggan Farwell talk about God’s “presence” and gifts given to each one of us. We will share many special music contributions as well. If you can't join us live, you can watch the service recording any time at your convenience on our Facebook page (after the live stream is completed) or on our website (anytime after 4:30pm that day). * Sound-only connection - You can listen by phone by calling Zoom at (312) 626-6799 around 3:20pm on 12/24. Enter meeting ID: 858 5717 5458... Passcode: 640757 Parking Lot Candlelight Service at 5pm Webster Avenue in front of the church will be lit with luminaries at dark. We ask you to park your car in any space in our parking lot just prior to 5pm. Wait near or in your car for an usher to bring you a candle and bulletin. We will then join in a brief scripture reading and prayer followed by the lighting of candles and the singing of “Silent Night.” Please stay in or near your car and wear your mask to keep yourself and others safe.

Today's Sunday Morning Update Our morning began at 8:30 with the latest gathering of our weekly adult Sunday School class via Zoom. During our 9:45 Worship Service, we lit our fourth Advent Candle and shared a wonderful, safely recorded version of the children's Christmas Pageant. If you missed it, a recording can be found (and other recent services) anytime on our website and our Facebook page (find links to both below).   At 11am, our CORE & JAM Youth Groups met for a special Christmas gathering together. Please not that there will be no Sunday School or Youth Group metings next Sunday. CORE & JAM Youth Groups will return on January 3 at 11am, and Sunday School classes will return on January 10.

Virtual Worship on Sunday, December 27 Next Sunday, we'll be having a virtual service of lessons and carols. Who doesn’t love to sign their favorite Christmas hymns? To allow for you to sing your loudest, this worship service will be premiered on our Facebook page and on our website at 9:45am on Sunday, December 27. There will be no in-person worship in the sanctuary that day. As always, a recording will be available on our Facebook page and on our website after the service. Stay tuned for more wonderful music provided by our music team and volunteers!

Today's Devotional comes from our "Where is It? Advent Devotional Calendar (available in your Advent Bag, our Facebook page, and our website) Today's image: Bells Don’t you just love to hear the sound of ringing bells? The joyful noise of a bell reminds us that Christmas is a happy time because we are celebrating the birth of Jesus! A bell gets its noise from the tiny ball that moves inside of it; likewise, our joy comes from inside too. Jesus lives inside of each of our hearts. Today’s Scripture: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him. (Romans15:13) Today’s Prayer:   Dear God, we thank you that bells remind us of the joy that comes with the birth of your son, Jesus. Help each one of us to ring out the news to others this season that Jesus is born. Amen.

Each week our “Taking Faith Home” information provides daily readings, prayers, devotions, and service opportunities following the Lectionary readings. It's a great resource for exploring your faith all through the week. Click here for this week's edition.

Advent Update Have your Advent resources been helping you draw closer to God as you anticipate Christ’s arrival? We sure hope so! Please make sure to send in photos of your Advent candles and wreaths so that they can be shared during worship. Feel free to email them to Mark Young (mark@firstunitedpc.org), the church office, or either Pastor. You can also send them via text to Pastor Meggan (920-246-9030).

Also, watch for the final clues and listings from our Where is It? Devotional Calendar each day on Facebook and weekly on our website. Here's the photo clue for Monday (12/21). Can you figure out where it is?

Please take note that the church office will be closed between Christmas and New Year’s Day. There will also be no Sunday School classes on Sunday, December 27th. Feel free to call and leave a voicemail or send an email as both will be being checked regularly throughout the week. Pastor Luke and Pastor Meggan will also be on vacation this week and can be reached via email or cell phone in the event of an emergency. There will be no "Pastors in the Family Life Center" for the next two Thursdays (12/24 and 12/31). Also, our co-pastors will not be attending the "Wednesday Zoom Check In" on December 30 although the link can still be used and enjoyed if so desired by others.

This year is rapidly coming to a close. Please bring your 2020 offerings to the church by Thursday, December 24 or mail them to be received at the church by Monday, December 28. > For on-line giving: www.firstunitedpc.org > For smart phone giving: ChurchPlus App > or mail your check to: First United Presbyterian Church, 605 N Webster Ave, De Pere, WI 54115. Thanks so much for your support!

Monday (12/21) - Brenda Duncanson Tuesday (12/22) - Bob Knuth & Cole Griffn Friday (12/25) - JESUS (Merry Christmas!) Why not call, email, or send them a card?

> Session Meeting (Zoom) - Monday (12/21) 6:30pm > Christmas Eve Worship Service (live stream) - Thursday (12/24) 3:30pm > Christmas Eve Candlelight Gathering (parking lot) - Thursday (12/24) 5pm > Sunday Virtual Worship "Lessons & Carols" Service - next Sunday (12/27) 9:45am (*No in person worship. Everyone please join on Facebook Premiere or on our website) > Agape Drive-Thru Dinner - Wednesday (1/6/21) 5:45pm *To schedule a meeting at the church, contact Michelle in the church office. To schedule an online Zoom meeting, contact Pastor Meggan.

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