Advent: Week Two
This Week's Theme: Love
When you hear the word "love" during Advent/Christmas, what do you think about? Does it remind you of a special Christmas song, a Hallmark movie, or special memory with friends/family?
This week, we continue our Advent theme of "Insisting on Hope," and we'll hear that hope as Jesus responds to John the Baptizer. Just a fair warning, John is not an especially loveable guy (we'll talk about why that may be), but he does clear a path for Jesus' love to shine through.
Join us as we celebrate the season of Advent and insist on hope!
Calling All Carolers!
Join us TOMORROW at 2:30pm at church to help sing carols. We'll go to Beacon Hill, Lexington Square, and one or two other destinations (time permitting).
We'll be back at church at 4:30pm to enjoy cocoa and cookies! Then we'll sing more for our Jingles Bell Jubilee, just before the lighting in Lilacia Park at 5:30.
Join us!
All Church Potluck
THIS SUNDAY,
Dec. 7th after church
United Women in Faith is hosting an all church Advent Potluck THIS SUNDAY, December 7th immediately after church. We hope you and your family will join us in welcoming the coming of Christmas! Please bring a dish to pass! If you've been wondering whether to bring that main dish/side dish, here's your sign: please DO! Hope to see you on Sunday!
Prairie Central District Advent Concert
THIS Sunday., Dec. 7th, 3pm
Our bell choir will be ringing and there will be lots of singing! Join us!
Advent Giving Tree for PADS
The Advent Giving Tree will be up in the Narthex through Sunday, December 14th. You're invited to take an “ornament” with a gift listed on it for one of our families facing housing struggles. Return the gifts (wrapped) by Sunday, December 14 in time for Santa's Visit at the Christmas Party that will be held at the Interim Housing Center on Friday, December 19.
Advent Study Continues next Wednesday, 7pm
Next Wednesday, we'll continue our Advent study looking at the stories of Jesus' coming found in Matthew's gospel. We'll read the gospel and talk about what it means together. No homework required! We'll be in the library at First UMC and joined by First UCC.
Global Sewing Ministry
Sleeping Mats
The weaving down in the sewing room has taken off! A few weeks ago the Sunday school kids learned how to weave. Monday a Girl Scout troop (Maddie H’s troop) came over and wove for 3 hours!!! Their conversation and laughter was so much fun to see.
Thank you for all the plastic bags you are bringing in. They are being put to good use.
Want to know how the loom works? Watch a video by clicking here.
Anyone who would like to volunteer a little time to weave, please let Sandy Adamec know!
Blue Christmas/Longest Night Service
Wed., Dec. 17th
Our Blue Christmas service will be Wednesday, December 17th at 7pm at the Maple Street Chapel. Join us for this contemplative service.
Food, Fellowship, & Fun
January 10th
Everyone is invited to attend our first Food, Fellowship, & Fun night on Saturday January 10, 2026 from 5-8 p.m. in the chapel sponsored by UWIF
This a chance for us all to connect and play some board or card games, have some pizza, and just enjoy being together. Pizza & beverage will be provided. If you have a favorite game to play, bring it with you. If you plan on attending, please use the sign up sheet in the sanctuary, so we can have the right amount of pizza. There will be a goodwill offering to defray the cost of the pizza.
This promises to be a good time for everyone - kids make sure you bring your parent(s). Questions? Please contact Linda Dumas or Nancy Smith (office@firstumclombard.org).
This a chance for us all to connect and play some board or card games, have some pizza, and just enjoy being together. Pizza & beverage will be provided. If you have a favorite game to play, bring it with you. If you plan on attending, please use the sign up sheet in the sanctuary, so we can have the right amount of pizza. There will be a goodwill offering to defray the cost of the pizza.
This promises to be a good time for everyone - kids make sure you bring your parent(s). Questions? Please contact Linda Dumas or Nancy Smith (office@firstumclombard.org).
Join us for Prayer Group Thursdays at 9am
All are welcome to attend our prayer group dedicated to praying for our congregation, community and world needs will meet every Thursday morning at 9am in the church chapel at FUMC.
Women's Bible Study Thursdays 1pm by Zoom
Join the Women's Bible Study as they meet via zoom at 1pm every Thursday. Please email the office for zoom link at office@firstumclombard.org.
Scam Notice
Did you receive an email or text asking you to give gift cards? It's a scam!
We've received reports of a scam imitating other church members and emailing something like, "I have an urgent request."
There is often a story involving gift cards or gift certificates for cancer patients. Please do not respond to these requests.
These scams appear to be targeting United Methodist churches throughout the area. We have received several reports from other congregations receiving the same texts and emails. Again, please do not respond.
One of the best ways to make sure the email sent to you is not a scam is to check the "from" person. Even if you recognize the name, see the actual email. For instance, someone impersonating the pastor might have "Pastor Michael" as the from person, but the email has something like youllbelovely or 12f3waf at gmail.com (I've seen variations of those names). Those are not actually from whoever they are pretending to be.
Practice constant vigilance, and we'll all be safer for it!
Week at a Glance
Sunday, December 7th
8:30am Advent Study for Adult Sunday School
10:00am Worship/children’s church
11:00am Coffee &
Acolytes: Zach & Maddie
Liturgist:
Slides: Martha B.
Sound:
Coffee&: Potluck Sunday
Ushers: Tom & Jody
3pm Advent Worship @ First Glen Ellyn UMC
Monday, Dec. 8th
9:00am Global Sewing Ministry (FUMC)
Wednesday, December 10th
7:00pm Advent Study (FUMC)
Thursday, Dec. 11th
9:00am Prayer Time
1:00pm Women’s Bible Study (Zoom)
6:15pm Choir
7:15pm Bell Choir
Saturday, Dec. 13th
8:30am Men’s Fellowship
10:00am Funeral for Claudia Haimann at Faith UMC (815 S. Finely Rd.)
11:30pm United Women in Faith Luncheon
Sunday, December 14th
8:30am Advent Study for Adult Sunday School
10:00am Worship/children’s church
11:00am Coffee &
Acolytes: Eddie & Piper
Liturgist: Denise Karhoff King
Slides: Becky E.
Sound: Steve
Coffee&: Men’s Fellowship
Ushers: Bob & Ron
Sign Up to be a Liturgist
A liturgist stands up front and leads us all as we say our call to worship, opening prayer, and sometimes reads the scripture. They help us all do "the work of the people" on Sunday.
Sign up form is located at the back of the sanctuary or you can sign up by clicking on the button below.
Coffee & Sign Up
Coffee& is a special time after worship. Help us by preparing coffee and bringing a tasty treat to share. Our Men's Fellowship handles the Second Sunday of each month, and our United Women in Faith take care of the third Sunday. Could you help us by volunteering to bring something the other Sundays of the month? Sign up form is located at the back of the sanctuary or you can sign up by clicking on the button below.
Online Suggestion Box for Trustees
Is something broken? Can we fix clean an area? Send us a suggestion!
email: Trustees@firstumclombard.org
Become an Acolyte
Acolytes bring in the light of Christ each Sunday morning, reminding us that Christ's light is always with us. Children are accompanied by an adult to help them as they perform this essential part of worship. To sign up your child or loved one, click this link to email Pam Lohman.
Please pray for those who are healing:
Susan; Doug S.; Bob F.; Cindy S.; Monica D.; Brenda; Jim; Bob & Faye S.; Jerry; Dave; Diane; Hans E.; Joy E.; Sandy and Jerry A.; L.G.; Gary & Kathy B.; John & Diane; Carol W.; Holly and Lou; Annette F.; Carole K.
Pray for those in mourning: The family & friends of Joanna Barfuss; the family of Kate Hernandez; the family of Ellen Bryant Voigt; the family of Janae Latrice; the family of Billy (Diana Flint’s brother); the family of Claudia Haimann, Eric’s mother.
Please note that for most requests, we only use first names and last initials in our enews prayer requests in order to respect each person's privacy. Where a request is public information (such as obituaries), full names may be used.
