Advent Lunch-time recital - Fridays 12:15pm in Monteith Hall
Dec. 2 - Bell Choir  (updated)

Learn about all the Advent happenings and other exciting opportunities and activities for December!

Come join us at the festive 11:00 a.m. Adult Education class on December 21 in Monteith Hall, where Dr. Jerry Blackstone, Director of Choirs and Chair of the Conducting Department at the UM School of Music, Theater and Dance, will present a program of Advent carol singing, recorded music, and readings of scripture pertaining to Advent.

Every year the folks of First Pres – children, parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents and friends – usher in the Advent season with crafts, art projects and activities that help us to understand the meaning of the season. We'll begin our holiday preparations in the Social Hall on December 6, from 10:00 a.m. until noon, by making gifts and ornaments, decorating cookies and designing Christmas cards. The Advent Happening is an intergenerational event with projects for all, ages 3 to 103. Friends are always welcome and encouraged. Childcare is provided for infants through age two.

Hilltoppers, our group for those 60 and over, will host a special program and presentation on December 11 at noon. Come for a lovely $5 hot lunch, provided by our staff. Stay for the program, including sharing Christmas memories, singing Advent carols, and thinking about Advent with the Rev. Eldon Beery. Sign up to attend in the church office by December 9 at noon. You can also "adopt" a table to set by bringing in your Christmas china, linens, glasses, and decorations (or any combination of those). If you would like to share your "goods" in this way, please email the Rev.

Our all-church Advent Study is starting soon! This year's study from The Thoughtful Disciple was written by Rev. Dr. James Howell and Rev. Joyce MacKichan Walker. It will guide us in examining different characters in the Biblical story, as well as ourselves, and in preparing for Christmas, with a focus on "Repentance, Faith, Holiness and Love." The study will be done in small groups with experienced leaders, meeting once each week for 4 weeks. There are 7 groups planned, with a wide choice of days and times.