Weekly News December 19, 2025

Worship at Tucker First - December 21

Lessons & Carols

Sacred Knowing

Rev. Owen Skinner, preaching

11:00 am Traditional Worship Sanctuary

4th Sunday of Advent

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This Sunday at Tucker First

This Sunday, we’ll continue our “Reflecting The Sacred” series in a special way by telling Our Story, the Christmas Story of Jesus coming into the world, with specific scriptures and some of our favorite songs. I’ll give a nod to the theme of “Sacred Knowing” at the beginning, but encourage us to be present for those leading us, and the Living Word of God before us.

Tucker First News and Events

A Service of Lessons & Carols

Join us Sunday, December 21 at 11:00 am for a special worship service of Lessons & Carols. We’ll hear the Christmas story as told through scripture and sing some of our favorite hymns of the season. Don’t miss it!

Longest Night Service

We sing, "It's the most wonderful time of the year,” but for many people, the Christmas season is anything but wonderful. The Christmas season can be an extraordinarily difficult time for some of us. We may look up and realize that during this season our lives are marked more by broken hearts and shattered spirits than by holiday joy. Join us for a service of peace on Sunday, December 21 at 7:00 pm in the Chapel.

Christmas Eve Services

This year, we’re introducing new service times to better support family schedules and reduce time spent driving after dark. We invite you to join us for one—or both—of these meaningful celebrations:

3:00 pm- Family Service with a Spontaneous

Christmas Pageant

5:00 pm-Traditional Candlelight Service

Notes from the Church Office

Important 2025 Year-End Giving Information

Year-end gifts must be received or postmarked by December 31, 2025, to be included in the 2025 tax year. If you need to fulfill a 2025 Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your IRA, remember that gifts to Tucker First from your IRA are not taxable. These gifts are called Qualified Charitable Distributions and must be made directly from your IRA custodian to the church in order to not be taxed. Note: you must be at least 70 ½ years old to participate in a Qualified Charitable Distribution.

Recurring Online Payments for 2026

If your 2026 pledge is different from 2025 and you give through an automatically recurring online payment, please remember that your payment amount won’t change on its own. You’ll need to log in to Realm or Vanco to adjust your recurring gift. If you have any questions or need help making the update, please contact Cindy Petersiel at cpetersiel@tfumc.org or 678-325-4035.

Christmas Office Hours

The church office will be closed December 25, 26, 29, and January 1 for the holidays.

Women's Drumming Group

The Tucker Women’s West African Drumming Group is excited to make Tucker First United Methodist Church its new home! Founded in 2022 at the Tucker Rec Center, this high-energy, friendly group warmly welcomes newcomers of all experience levels. We play the djembe, a traditional hand drum of the Maninka people of West Africa, along with dunun bass drums that complete the ensemble. Together, we learn traditional rhythms and songs, create arrangements, and share our music at community events, including performances on the Tucker Green.

Beginning January 7, we will meet every Wednesday from 7:00–8:30 pm in the Wesley Center. If you don’t have a drum, we can provide one to help you get started. Your first class is free so you can see if the group is a good fit.

The group is led by Chuck Cogliandro. For more information, visit kumandi.com or call Chuck at 404-966-5800.

Wednesday Night Supper Returns January 14!

Come together again with your church family each Wednesday from 6:00–6:45 pm in the Activities Center for a time of intentional, spirit-led fellowship around the table. Adult meals are just $6 with advance reservations through Realm or $7 at the door. Season passes are available for $70 (January 14 - May 6, excluding February 11 and 18, and April 8). Best of all—children and youth eat FREE! Make Wednesday nights a part of your family’s rhythm and come be nourished in both body and spirit.