Advent and Giving Tree Info

Dear Church Family,

As we enter the sacred season of Advent, we invite you to journey with us through these weeks of hopeful waiting and spiritual preparation. This year’s theme, “From Generation to Generation,” reminds us that God’s love continues to unfold through every story—past, present, and future. We hope you will join us as we worship, learn, serve, and celebrate together.

Before Advent begins, we invite you to help us decorate the church on November 23rd, right after Community Faith Time. This is a fun, intergenerational opportunity to prepare our sacred space together—hanging greens, setting up trees, and transforming the sanctuary for the season ahead. All ages and abilities are welcome to join in the joy of getting ready.

We are also delighted to offer Holy Communion every Sunday during Advent in the Library before Soul Café. This is a simple, come-as-you-are time of prayer and connection—a quiet and meaningful way to begin each week as we prepare our hearts for Christ’s coming.

Our Advent season begins with Community Faith Time at 10 a.m. on November 30, followed by our Hanging of the Greens Service, featuring special music from John Redmon. Throughout December, we’ll gather for meaningful worship, joyful celebrations, and opportunities to connect:

• December 6, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. – Women’s Christmas Gathering

• December 7 – UWF Cookie Sale and Carol Sing Gathering

• December 13, 7 p.m. – Colorado Brass Concert

• December 14 – Christmas Shirt or Sweater Sunday

• December 17, 6:30 p.m. – Blue Christmas Worship Service

• December 21, 3 p.m. – Castle Rock Orchestra Concert

We will celebrate Christmas Eve on December 24 with three worship services:

• 4 p.m. Modern Service

• 6 p.m. Traditional Service

• 11 p.m. Midnight Candlelight Service

And we hope you’ll return on December 28 at 9 a.m. for The First Sunday After Christmas as we continue the joy of the season.

Throughout Advent, we also invite you to join in community life, learning, and fellowship:

• Marvelous Mondays at 10 a.m. at Coff33 in Downtown Castle Rock

• Contemporary Studies Group (In Person): December 1–22 from 6:30–8:00 p.m.

• Contemporary Studies Group (Zoom): November 28–December 19 from 6:30–8:00 p.m.

• Tuesday Morning Bible Study at 9:30 a.m.

You can find full details about worship, studies, events, and Advent resources—including this year’s devotional and calendar—on our website at:👉 www.fumccr.org/advent2025

May this season draw us closer to God and to one another as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. We can’t wait to share the journey with you.

Looking for Giving Tree Angels

The Giving Tree will be ready to be de-tagged on Sunday, November 23 when everyone can choose a child and/or make a nursing home donation.

Last year, South Ridge Elementary School had 71 children (30 families) who needed our help to fulfill the children’s wish lists for a very Merry Christmas.  We expect a similar number of requests this year.  The school requests that each child receive 2 gifts and the total of the two gifts does not exceed $60.  Also, the families receive grocery store gift cards which are provided through monetary donations. Sunday, Dec 7 is the deadline for returning the wrapped and tagged gifts to the church.

For Christmas 2024, Silver Heights nursing home recipients received Christmas stockings filled with their requested items. The Memory Care Unit at Brookside, asked and received dementia products including memory games, activity boards, puzzles and cognitive crafts.  These items were acquired through monetary donations.

Donations gladly accepted!  Indicate donation to “Giving Tree”.         

Questions? 

Marcia Schmid at schmid3@comcast.net   

Bonnie Thompson at bjthompson1965@msn.com