Christmas Eve Services
Contemporary Services
3 & 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 24
Re-imagined Christmas classics with a sermon and candle lighting in the Harnish Center. We will be having simultaneous services at 3 and 5 p.m., click here to download a map detailing all the options for parking on Christmas Eve.
Traditional Services
3, 5 & 11 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 24
Classic hymns and anthems featuring our choir and brass with a sermon and candle lighting in the Sanctuary. We will be having simultaneous services at 3 and 5 p.m., click here to download a map detailing all the options for parking on Christmas Eve.
The 11 p.m. service features our choir and a guitarist with a sermon, candle lighting, and communion.
Online Services
3 & 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 24
An online broadcast featuring our Contemporary band, Chancel choir, sermon, and candle lighting. All from the comfort of your own couch.
Special Services
Blue Christmas
7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15
A service to acknowledge the very real feelings of loss and sadness that we feel during the holiday season. We will light candles, reflect, remember, and respond through Communion.
Family Christmas Service
4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22
Join us for an interactive service, crafts, live animals and more!
Christmas in the Park
6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22
Bring a chair, your four-legged friends, and maybe some two-legged ones too to an outdoor service with live music, a message, and candle lighting. We’ll provide the coffee. Located at Water Works Park.
Stay Connected This Season
Advent Bible Study
Beginning Dec. 1. Unveil the profound meaning of Christ’s coming this Advent season. Join our in-depth Bible study series, inspired by Rev. Magrey deVega’s latest book. Explore the transformative power of Christ’s arrival through weekly, one-hour sessions. In-person and virtual options are available, with childcare provided for select classes. Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your spiritual journey and connect with a supportive community. Sign up now!
Florida Wind Band Concert
6 – 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 – Sanctuary. The Florida Wind Band invites you to our annual Holiday Pops concert. Join us for a global Christmas journey with holiday favorites, band classics, and new works. Our guest narrator, Colleen Schmitt, will guide you through England, Germany, France, Puerto Rico, Russia, and the United States. Get in the holiday spirit with us!
Poinsettias on Sale
Starting Monday Nov. 25. Honor or memorialize family members and friends with a poinsettia. On sale in the Courtyard or you can purchase online now.
Lumina Winter Concert
7 p.m. Tuesday Dec. 7 – Sanctuary. Lumina, our resident youth choir, invites you to get into the holiday spirit with their winter performance.
PrimeTimers Christmas Luncheon
11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4. Annual PrimeTimers Christmas luncheon at the Columbia Restaurant. Space is limited RSVP here. Cost: $30
Merge Lock-In
8 p.m. – 7 a.m. Friday, Dec. 6 – Magnolia Building. Get into the holiday spirit with reindeer games, festive activities, and delicious food. All students are welcome, so bring a friend and join us for a memorable Christmas celebration. Sign up here.
Serving Opportunities
Hospitality Heroes
Looking to branch out and make more connections this holiday season? We are in need of volunteers to work as greeters and ushers a few Sundays in the upcoming weeks. As well as parking volunteers on Christmas Eve. Sign up here.
Open Arms
Sundays 10:45 a.m. -1 p.m. This ministry serves breakfast to our guests each Sunday. Multiple opportunities are available throughout the week to gather food, prepare meals or interact with guests. Contact the Volunteer Coordinator for specific opportunities. | Email Kara Rutherford, church liaison, with questions or to volunteer. Sign -up here to serve with Open Arms.
Dunbar Santa Shop
8:30am – 2pm Starting Mon, Dec 16 – Dunbar Elementary. Be an elf for the students of Dunbar Elementary. They’ll shop for their family through the array of gifts we’ve donated. Help shop, wrap and reorganize the “shop.” It’s joyful event for everyone. Sign up here.
Portico Christmas Lunch
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 25 – The Portico. Join us in spreading holiday cheer and making a difference this Christmas! Volunteer to serve a hot, delicious lunch to those experiencing homelessness in our community. Your time and effort will bring warmth, nourishment, and a sense of hope to those in need. Sign up here.
Gifts for Good
When you choose to donate to missions that our church supports, you are sending love, compassion, hope and practical assistance to those hurting in our community and around the world. Learn more.
Lock-In Volunteers
8 p.m. – 7 a.m. Friday, Dec. 6 – Magnolia Building. Get into the holiday spirit by facilitating reindeer games and festive activities. Help us make this a memorable Christmas celebration for our Youth by signing up for one of our volunteer shifts. Sign up here.
Advent Details
The Christmas Letters: An Advent Invitation from the Epistles
December 1
Good News: Hope for Salvation
The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus brings us good news, offering us the hope of salvation. In Romans, we see God’s great plan to save all people from sin.
December 8
Love Incarnate: The Word of Life Revealed
Jesus is love incarnate, the “word of life” revealed to us as a human of both “water and blood.” He shows us the way of love, which shapes our relationships with God and others.
December 15
Fully Human: Joy in Humility
Jesus emptied himself of his equality with God to become fully human. In doing so, he shows us a model for empathy, curiosity, and humility, which are keys to living a joyful life in Christ.
December 22
Fully Divine: Peace through Christ
Colossians 2:6-15 NRSV
In Jesus the full divinity of God “was pleased to dwell.” Therefore, through Christ, we can be at peace with God and we can live in peace with one another.
You may or may not know the story of your birth. If you do, there is something special about hearing your origin story again and remembering how it all began for you. That’s why we observe Advent: to celebrate how it all began for us. In The Christmas Letters, Magrey deVega invites you to hear about the miracle of Christ’s birth from those who first told the story. The letters in the New Testament, known as the Epistles, contain the first attempts by the church to understand and celebrate the mystery of the Incarnation. They point us to the origins of what we believe about Jesus, fully human and fully divine. By spending time with these holy, ancient words this Advent, you’ll come to know the meaning of Christ’s coming like never before.
