First Connections - 2020 Advent & Christmas

fi rs t co n n e c ti o n s STORIES OF LIFE AND FA I T H

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH RICHARDSON DEC 2020 VOLUME 15, ISSUE 4

503 N. Central Expressway P.O. Box 830877 Richardson, TX 75080 972.235.8385 fumcr.com Senior Pastor Dr. Clayton Oliphint Director of Communications Kristen Ceaser Managing Editor Tracy Thomas Graphic Designer Kyle Henson Communications Team Kevin Burns Francy Collins Eric Czechowski Leslie Kring

First Connections (USPS 022-024) is published six times a year, by First United Methodist Church Richardson, 503 N. Central Expressway, Richardson, TX 75080.

Periodicals postage paid at Richardson, TX and additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: First Connections, PO Box 830877 Richardson, TX 75083-0877

concert HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

JOIN US ON DECEMBER 11 AT 7PM FOR OUR FIRST EVER AT-HOME CHRISTMAS CONCERT, FEATURING MUSIC FROM ACROSS DECADES AND STYLES PERFORMED BY THE TALENTED MUSICIANS OF FUMCR! DETAILS AT FUMCR.COM/CONCERT

I’ll be home for Christmas; You can plan on me.

Please have snow and mis-tle-toe and presents on the tree.

Christmas eve will find me where the love light gleams.

I’ll be home for Christmas if only in my dreams.

This song was written during World War II, from a soldier’s viewpoint. You first think he is expressing confidence that he will be home indeed. Yet the last line shows the reality that this year is different, and Christmas at home may only exist in his dreams. It’s a strange combination of hopefulness and melancholy that, in so many ways, reminds me of 2020. This year will be a different kind of Christmas.

But different or not, Christmas will come! Typical Christmas plans may give way this year to creative solutions that fit the moment. Some families will ZOOM on Christmas rather than travel. Large Christmas parties may give way to smaller, more intimate, physically distanced, masked gatherings. And yet, Christmas will come. We know this because “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5) The light that shines in the darkness, given to us in the birth of the Christ child, gives hope to the world. The good news of great joy is alive: Hope has not been canceled! The birth of Jesus is a celebration for all of us, through all stages of life, including through a pandemic.

Christmas will come to FUMCR. You will not want to miss our live nativity drive-through, The Message of Christmas, on December 17 & 18. Driving through our campus those nights, you will

experience the biblical story of Christmas come to life, complete with live animals, narration, and music. Our choirs will present an online Christmas Concert on December 11. Worship during Advent will feature the music we love, the lighting of Advent candles, and the story of Christmas from the Bible. Whether you are worshiping with us in person or online we hope and pray it will be a meaningful part of your Christmas experience.

Christmas Eve Candlelight services are our biggest services of the year, often with overflow crowds and standing room only. We’ve been asking how we share these services without compromising the health of our members and visitors. This year, instead of asking people to come to our buildings to receive the light of Christ, we’re going to bring the light of Christ to you. Each household is invited to register for a Christmas Eve at Home kit. Our beautiful candlelight services will be live streamed, available on demand on YouTube, and for the first time, our Christmas Eve Services will be broadcast on KTXA Channel 21 in the DFW area. This will allow everyone to be Home for Christmas and still experience the joy of the season. It also allows us to bring the message of Christmas to even more people.

Yes, Christmas 2020 will look and feel a little different, but Christmas will come! The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not, will not, and cannot overcome it. Together, let’s celebrate the message of Christmas - the message of love.

In Christ,

Clayton Oliphint

totebags for persons that are homeless

Advent Offering This year’s special offering will fill needs on both the local and national level.

Network of Community Ministries

This local partner has been a source of food, clothing, rent assistance and more in the Richardson area since 1985. Prior to the pandemic, Network’s food pantry was serving 150 families per week. That number is now over 700! We hope to increase our support for Network during this holiday season

United Methodist Committee on Relief

As the humanitarian relief and development arm of The United Methodist Church, UMCOR assists churches to become involved in direct ministry with persons in need. This offering will help support disaster recovery from wildfires and hurricanes in the U.S., and assist with administrative costs of the programs.

To support these ministry partners please visit fumcr.com/give

The Message of Christmas: December 17 & 18

6:30pm - 8:30pm Register at fumcr.com/message

A Living

Nativity Drive through the church parking lot and experience living vignettes of Christmas. Narration will tell the story along your journey as you witness scenes including Mary’s visit by the angel, the Holy Family in the stable, and the Wise Men traveling to meet Jesus.

Christmas Eve at Home Kits

Make this Christmas Eve special and memorable as we worship together from home! Kits include an ornament, hot cocoa, Christmas candy, candles to use as you participate in candle lighting at the end of the service, and a small gift for families with children.

Registration and details available at fumcr.com/athomekits

Christmas Eve

We invite you to participate in a special Christmas Eve service featuring music presented by the Chancel Choir and orchestra as well as the Modern Worship Band. Join us in celebrating the birth of Christ with beautiful music, a word from our senior pastor, and a moment of candle lighting to receive and spread the light of Christ in the darkness.

TELEVISION broadcast on KTXA local station channel 21 9pm and 11pm

LIVESTREAM

fumcr.com/live facebook.com/FUMCRichardson 4pm and 6pm

YOUTUBE on demand youtube.com/fumcr available December 24

Poinsettias A gift in honor or memory of a loved one.

Donations are $10 each, available through December 13.

If you would like to pick up a poinsettia to enjoy for Christmas, you may do so on Sunday, December 20, 2-4pm, in the covered drive outside the sanctuary.

Donation information and the honoree list (beginning December 20) can be found at fumcr.com/poinsettia

TOTE BAGS

We need your help! Volunteers are needed to prepare 1000 totebags for delivery to local shelters. Sign up for a shift during the day or evening, December 7-10, at fumcr.com/totebags

MARKET SHARES Market Shares are gifts in honor of a loved one to local and international nonprofit agencies that improve the lives of those they serve. Shares are available through December 31 at fumcr.com/shares

YOUTH X-MAS

Join in our Social Media Advent Challenge, “All the Colors of Christmas.” Find details on Instagram @FUMCRyouth, and come to the Youth Christmas Party on Dec. 13 at the church. We’ll have caroling, games, and hot chocolate!

SUNDAY DEC 27

Worship with us online or in person! Livestream Traditional Worship at 9:45am or Modern Worship at 11am. Or join us in person for a combined service at 9:45am, Dr. Josh Fitzpatrick preaching.

PERIODICALS

503 N. Central Expressway P.O. Box 830877 Richardson, TX 75080 972.235.8385 fumcr.com

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

For information on all FUMCR worship services and events this Christmas season, visit

fumcr.com/christmas