Click here to download a copy of the 2021 Advent and Christmas brochure.
Advent Worship and Message Series
Based on Adam Hamilton’s Book The Journey. Worship at 10:30 am In-Person or Online at Live.WaterfordCUMC.org
- November 28th – First Sunday of Advent
- Baby’s First Christmas and United Methodist Student Day.
- Pastor Jack’s message: “The Journey: Mary of Nazareth.“
- December 5th – Second Sunday of Advent
- Pastor Jack’s message: “The Journey: Joseph of Bethlehem.“
- December 12th – Third Sunday of Advent
- Rev. Cora’s message: “The Journey: Mary’s Cousin Elizabeth.”
- December 19th – Fourth Sunday of Advent
- Pastor Jack’s message: “The Journey: Mary and Joseph’s Journey Begins.”
Christmas Worship Services
- Blue Christmas Worship – Wednesday, December 15th, 7:00 pm
- A service of remembrance and encouragement. Leave your pain, loss, and discouragement at the altar in readiness to find peace this Advent season.
- Family Christmas Worship – Thursday, December 23rd, 4:00 pm
- An intergenerational, family-friendly “candlelight” Christmas service that is interactive and engaging.
- Christmas Eve Worship Services – Friday, December 24th. Pastor Jack’s Message: “The Journey: The Manger.”
- 8:00pm—Carols & Candlelight Service. Featuring the Alleluia Dancers and Covenant Choir.
- 11:00pm—Carols & Communion Service. Music by the Covenant Choir.
Faith Formation
- Advent Message Study – Wednesdays, 7:00–8:30 pm, December 1st–December 29th
- Join Pastor Jack for an in-depth discussion of the previous Sunday’s message based on The Journey. This class will be conducted online. Contact Pastor Jack (jmannschreck@waterfordcumc.org) for the Zoom link.
- Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas – December 9th & 16th, 6:30–7:30 pm
- A time of stillness, reflection on an Advent hymn, and prayer as we prepare our hearts for Christmas. People of all ages can join us to use these spiritual practices! Come for one or both sessions. Contact Rev. Cora (cglass@waterfordcumc.org) for more details.
- Advent Devotionals
- Pick up a devotional and practice daily prayer during this season of waiting. They are available outside the Chapel. Donations are welcome.
Music and Fellowship
- Hanging of the Greens – Saturday, November 27th, 9:00 am
- Help transform the church for Christmas. Please sign up outside the church office.
- The Advent Experience – December 5th, 3:00–4:30 pm
- This special afternoon of worship for women will explore the art and music of Advent and help prepare our hearts for this wonderful time of waiting and anticipation. Childcare will be available for preschool and nursery-age children.
- Jackson Chorale Concert – Saturday, December 11th, 7:00pm
- An evening of Christmas music with the Jackson Chorale. Visit www.jacksonchorale.org for ticket information.
- Tuesday Musicale Concert – Tuesday, December 14th, 7:30pm
- A free Holiday Concert by the Tuesday Musicale Chorus and Adele Thomas Bell Ensemble.
- Carols & Beer – Friday, December 17th, 7:00pm
- Enjoy a festive Christmas carol sing-along at Rustic Leaf Brewing company in Waterford.
Mission and Giving
- Clothe-a-Child
- Help clothe children from the Waterford school district by making a monetary donation. Make checks payable to the church with “Clothe-a-Child” in the memo. More information is available in the church office.
- Food Pantry Reverse Advent Challenge
- Pick up a calendar and collect one item each day in December, then donate them in January to Central’s Food Pantry.
- Compassionate Christmas Cards
- Purchase Christmas cards through Sunday, December 19th for a $5 per card donation. Donations will go to various Central missions. Cards can be purchased in the Chapel hallway or from the church office.
- Jail Outreach Ministry
- This year Central will collect rolls or sheets of “Forever” stamps for the families of prisoners. Please drop donations of stamps off in the church office by December 12th.
- Christmas Wishes for Methodist Children’s Home
- Once again Central will be donating Scrip gift cards so the Cottage parents can purchase gifts. Please give in denominations of $25 at the Scrip table on Sundays, or drop off or mail a donation to the office by November 28th.
- Hats and Mittens/Gloves
- Donate a matched set of a hat + mittens/gloves after December 1st to go to Waterford School children through the Clothe-a-Child program (please no scarves).
- Advent Mission Project
- Central UMC will tithe 20% of our Christmas Offering to local missions: The Baldwin Center and Jail Outreach Ministry.
Click here to download a copy of the 2021 Advent and Christmas brochure.