CHristmas SPecial Offering

It is our practice here at St. Paul’s to hold a special offering on Christmas Eve that will specifically go outside the walls of this congregation and into the needs of the community. 


This year, the Church Council has determined that 100% of the Christmas offering will be divided equally among three worthy causes: 

  • The Hunger Ministry of St. Paul’s, which serves anyone in our ZIP code who may be in need of food
  • The United Methodist Committee on Relief to directly assist relief efforts in disaster zones around the world
  • The Reconciling Ministries Network which works to ensure that the United Methodist Church is inclusive and welcoming of all people including our LGBTQ+ siblings. 


To contribute to the Christmas Offering by credit card, please click the Christmas Offering button to go to our secure credit card processing site managed by CloverGive/MinistryWorks. 


Christmas Offering


To donate by cash or check, please use the Christmas envelope available in the Christmas Eve worship bulletin, or note “Christmas Offering” in the memo line of your check and place it in the offering plate or mail it to St. Paul’s UMC. 


All other donations, including general offerings or 2022 pledges, should be made using a different contribution option online or in an envelope other than the Christmas Offering envelope. 

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, November 27

    The first Sunday of Advent kicks off the Advent study led by Pastor Joey: Almost Christmas: A Wesleyan Advent Experience. The class will also enjoy lunch together each week. Visit the Adult Education page for more details.


    St. Paul's holiday giving project includes the Giving Tree available in the Narthex. We hope you will select a tag and provide a Christmas gift for a child in need in our local area.

  • Sunday, December 4

    For the second Sunday of Advent, communion will be shared at both the 9:00 and 10:30 worship 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. 


    Those who are giving children's gifts for the Holiday Giving project are encouraged to bring the wrapped present with the tag attached on this day or on Monday, December 5.

  • Sunday, December 11

    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. We thank all those who use their gifts to heighten our worship experience each week, and will take a moment to thank those who have been part of the Music Ministry at St. Paul's during 2022.


    The 9:00 worship service continues to offer a quieter, more contemplative experience with communion. 


    Our poinsettia coordinator will be available following each worship service for those who wish to order poinsettias and make dedications. You may also order poinsettias online: click here.


    Those who would like to volunteer to held sort Christmas gifts for the holiday giving project are invited to stay after worship for this task.

  • Sunday, December 18

    Sunday Worship will be held at 9:00 and 10:30 as usual.


    In the 4th Sunday in Advent, we acknowledge that the pressure of the holidays can be hard on people who are hurting. We'll pause to invite in light and peace. 

  • Saturday, December 24: CHristmas Eve

    We will hold one Christmas Eve worship service in the Sanctuary this year.


    Join us at 6:45 PM for an organ prelude, then worship at 7:00 PM. 


    This service will include favorite hymns and carols, and communion. 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. Poinsettias will decorate the Sanctuary and wreaths will brighten our doors.

  • Sunday, December 25: Christmas Day

    We offer one service on Christmas morning at 10:30 AM. Organist Marvin Mills will lead those assembled in singing favorite Christmas carols in celebration of the holy day. In-person only (no livestream offered this day).

New Year's Opportunities

New Year's Eve falls during the Christmas season and offers an opportunity to think and pray mindfully as we enter the new calendar year. Here are some ways to mark the changing of the year:



Moving Mindfully into the New Year, Saturday, December 31, 1-3pm, a virtual offering available through the Washington National Cathedral's Center for Prayer and Pilgrimage and led by St. Paul's own Dr. Terri Lynn Simpson. This online retreat helps participants explore ways to take stock of the old year while looking forward to the new. Guided meditations, individual reflections and shared ritual invite us to remember and release the past while setting intentions for the year to come. Registration: $15, $7 students/seniors/limited income; registrants will be sent information with a Zoom link on December 31. For more information and to register, please visit https://cathedral.org/calendar/moving-mindfully-into-the-new-year-8.


New Year's Eve Labyrinth Walk, Saturday, December 31, 6-9pm, an in-person event held at nearby Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church, 9601 Cedar Lane, Bethesda, MD, with Meg Baker on the harp and piano throughout the evening. This is a wonderful way to reflect on the recent year and look forward to next year. Following the labyrinth's path to the center and back out again brings together body and mind in a mediative walk. All ages are welcome! Participants are required to walk the labyrinth in their socks or shoe covers. The last walk begins at 8:30 PM. Masks are strongly recommended due to the close proximity of walking by each other on the labyrinth. For more information please visit https://cedarlane.org/event/new-years-eve-labyrinth-walk.

Poinsettias & Wreaths

Poinsettias in red and white will grace the Sanctuary starting December 24. These plants and the wreaths on our doors may be given in honor and memory of loved ones and to the glory of God by members and friends of St. Paul’s. 

Please find read more at the Poinsettia page.

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.


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.

  • Holiday Giving

    The holidays bring special opportunities to support those in our area with limited means. In addition to serving our Hunger Ministry families, St. Paul’s is proud to be a community partner of the Montgomery County Department of Health & Human Services "Holiday Giving Project" serving our ZIP code. We have two Holiday Giving programs:

    Thanksgiving Feast: This year, we will be assisting families by providing a special one-time Thanksgiving grocery store card valued at $50 so they can purchase food for a feast. To donate, even retroactively, make checks payable to St. Paul's UMC with "Thanksgiving" in the memo line or give online at stpaulsk.org/giving then click on "Additional Contribution Options." Providing grocery support this way allows our recipients to create the feast that best fits their family - and their food allergies or diet restrictions. This also frees our small but mighty band of volunteers from the burden of worrying about how to safely distribute pies, produce, or poultry!

    Giving Tree: St. Paul’s will hold a Giving Tree gift drive starting Nov. 20. We will provide families with wrapped children’s gifts or $25 Target gift cards. Pick a tag from the Giving Tree in the Narthex and return a wrapped gift (with tag attached) by Monday, Dec. 5. Bakers, please consider donating cookies for the cookie & cocoa goodie bags! Contact cookie coordinator Dupeh Palmer directly or email the church office at stpaulsunited@stpaulsk.org to get in touch. (No nuts or peanut butter, please.) If you would like to volunteer to organize gifts on Dec. 11 or help distribute to the families on Dec. 12, please contact Pastor Pat at pallen@stpaulsk.org.

  • Scattered For Service

    Scattered for Service is the "alternative gift" program. Select from our 16 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 available in the December issue of the Epistle newsletter, and online - click here to go to the Scattered for Service page.


  • 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 has determined 100% the offering will be split evenly between UMCOR, the Reconciling Ministries Network, and St. Paul's Hunger Ministry. For the online giving option, please click here to go to the Giving page, or place your donation in the offering plate on Christmas Eve.

Advent Craft Workshop

Children’s Advent Craft Workshop

Dec. 3

9:30-11:00 AM

Multipurpose Room


After you enjoy the pancake breakfast, come downstairs where children and their accompanying adults will enjoy making a variety of Advent and Christmas themed crafts in the Multi-Purpose Room! 


Free, but donations welcome. 


We still need youth and adult craft leaders! Contact Meg Baker at mbaker@stpaulsk.org to get involved.