Each day in the Advent season and the Christmas season offers opportunities to rejoice in the anticipation and celebration of God's greatest gift: Jesus.
Advent and Christmas at St. Paul's
Advent and Christmas at St. Paul's
Each day in the Advent season and the Christmas season offers opportunities to rejoice in the anticipation and celebration of God's greatest gift: Jesus.
ADvent & CHristmas Worship Schedule
please scroll down to find special activities.
Sunday, December 24: CHristmas Eve Day
On Sunday morning, we will have a single worship service at 10:30 AM, with a service of lessons and carols celebrating Christmas Eve Day, and we will share communion.
On Sunday evening, we will hold one Christmas Eve worship service in the Sanctuary. Join us at 7:00 PM for an organ prelude, then worship at 7:30 PM. This service will feature the Sanctuary choir. It will also be family-friendly, with the option to have candlelight or flame-free glow-sticks to light the final moments of the service.
Both the 10:30 AM and the 7:30 PM services will be livestreamed. Go to our Worship at Home page: stpaulsk.org/worship/worship-at-home
Poinsettias will decorate the Sanctuary and wreaths will brighten our doors. The Poinsettia Dedications bulletin is available here as a *pdf or contact the church office to receive a copy by mail.
Sunday, December 17
Worship with Communion at 9:00 & 10:30
Join us for Sunday Worship for the 4th Sunday in Advent. Representatives of the Scattered for Service program will be available for the last of the Alternative Giving program orders.
Sunday, December 10
Worship with Communion at 9:00 & 10:30
The third Sunday of Advent is Music Sunday, as is our tradition. Our Sanctuary Choir will be a featured part of worship at 10:30 AM with selections for the season. The Joyful Ringers bells will make the 10:30 service ring with glad tidings of great joy.
The 9:00 worship service continues to offer a smaller community experience with communion.
Our poinsettia coordinator will be available following each worship service for those who wish to order poinsettias and make dedications.
Sunday, December 3
Worship with Communion at 9:00 & 10:30
Join us for worship on the second Sunday of Advent. After services, visit our poinsettia coordinator, Betsy Sanford, in the Narthex after each worship service to order poinsettias, with a dedication in honor or memory of someone special.
Sunday, November 26
Worship with Communion at 9:00 & 10:30
The first Sunday of Advent is also the UMC's designated "Student Sunday" Special Sunday. St. Paul's will enjoy a sermon message from special guest speaker, Andrea Pupino during worship. Advent resources will be available in the Narthex, including the devotions booklet "Those Who Dream" an the "Advent 2023" calendar of devotions.
Poinsettias & Wreaths
Poinsettias in red and white grace the Sanctuary this Christmas season. These plants and the wreaths on our doors may be dedicated in honor and memory of loved ones and to the glory of God by members and friends of St. Paul’s.
The Poinsettia and Wreath Dedications are shared in our special bulletin. Click the button to view the *pdf.
Special Holiday Giving
St. Paul's has three separate ways to warm hearts even during the cold weather months. These special giving opportunities directly benefit local families who are less fortunate, or support organizations actively working on safety-net programs, social justice, or care for God's creation. You can read more on the Holiday Giving page!
These are special giving opportunities beyond the general support of the church. If you would like to make a general offering or pledge support for St. Paul's ministries, worship, and initiatives, please find that information on our Giving page, or contact the church office.
Christmas Offering
The annual Christmas Offering is usually received during Christmas Eve worship and looks beyond our walls to bring help and hope to those less fortunate. At their December meeting, the Church Council determined 100% the offering will be split evenly between UMCOR and St. Paul's Hunger Ministry.
The Pastor's Christmas Offering Letter, an invitation to give to this special offering, is available by clicking the link below or by mail upon request.
Special offering envelopes will be available in the Christmas Eve worship bulletin. Offerings by check may be made out to St. Paul's UMC with "Christmas Special Offering" in the memo. To make a Christmas Special Offering by credit card,
Scattered For Service
Scattered for Service is our seasonal "alternative gift" program. Select from our 20 hand-picked charities and choose the one(s) you wish to support, and receive personalized acknowledgement cards knowing 100% of your contribution will go to the organization of your choice.
The Scattered for Service catalog is now available! You can view the detailed list of charities and order online using a credit card. Click here to visit the Scattered for Service page at https://stpaulsk.org/service/scattered-for-service
For those preferring to use cash or check, a paper version of the order form and catalog can be found in the December issue of The Epistle newsletter, available in the Narthex or church office, and downloadable online by clicking HERE: The December Epistle.
Holiday Giving
Music Sunday
December 10, 2023
As is our tradition, when we celebrate the third Sunday in Advent, our 10:30 worship service transforms into a musical celebration of the season, by turns joyful and contemplative. For 2023, under the direction of Director of Music Tom Pedersen, we will welcome a string quintet, percussion, piano, organ, Joyful Ringer's bell ensemble, Children's Choir, Sanctuary Choir, featured section leader soloists Anna Phillips-Brown and Noah Beye, and guest tenor soloist Nathan Hawsey. The congregation will join in hymns, prayer, Scripture, and lighting the advent candles. Please read more about this worship program of music on our MUSIC page at https://stpaulsk.org/worship/music.
Children's Advent & Christmas Craft Workshop
Children’s Advent & Christmas Craft Workshop
Held in conjunction with the December Pancake Breakfast each year!
Saturday, December 2, 2023
9:00-10:30 AM
Fellowship Hall
After you enjoy the pancake breakfast, enjoy this opportunity to make a variety of Advent and Christmas-related crafts. Children, their friends and adults, and youth helpers will all be making projects together. This workshop is free of charge, but donations are welcome.
For more information, or to volunteer, please contact Meg Baker at mbaker@stpaulsk.org.