Advent is the season of anticipating Christ’s coming into this world in the flesh – a season of joy! This year, Advent – the four Sundays before Christmas — begins on Sunday, Dec. 1, and Oriental United Methodist Church will be celebrating “The Sounds of the Season” with members’ favorite Christmas music and carols. “We’ve selected service music for the month from the suggestions the congregation gave, and I will try to work in others as parts of sermons. During the month, we want to think about how the songs we love shape our faith,” said the Rev. Dr. Anne Sims.
Also during Advent, OUMC will be emphasizing the importance of friendships, and congregants will be encouraged to invite a friend to church. What better time to bring a friend who perhaps may not have a church home than when the church is adorned beautifully with the Chrismon tree, poinsettias, greenery and wreaths?
And as you make your own personal journey to the manger in Bethlehem and contemplate the meaning of Christ’s coming into this world as a helpless infant, OUMC has materials to take you deeper into the Biblical story. A limited number of printed devotionals titled “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” which focus on the writings of Henri Nouwen, will be available. Additionally, Kate Bowler’s devotional, “The Weary World Rejoices,” will be available online.
During Advent and the days leading up to it, OUMC and other nearby churches will offer many activities in addition to services, including the following Advent 2024 Calendar
- Sunday, Dec. 1 – The first Sunday in Advent, with the OUMC Chrismon Tree and other decorations adorning the Sanctuary and Ann Boswell delivering the message at the 10 a.m. service.
- Friday, Dec. 6 – Ryanhood’s “A Winter’s Evening” free informance by Prime Time at 11 a.m. in the OUMC Sanctuary, with a reception following in the Fellowship Hall. Ryanhood is a two-man folk rock band based in Tucson, AZ.
- Sunday, Dec. 8 – Broad Creek United Church of Christ Christmas Cantata at 3 p.m. Enjoy live music, great food and fellowship!
- Friday, Dec. 13 – The Pamlico Chorale performs Christmas carols and music in the OUMC Sanctuary at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 14 – OUMC and the UHOOs will have a float in the Spirit of Christmas parade at 1 p.m. – feel free to come to the church to join the float. Bring candy to throw to the children!
- Saturday, Dec. 14 – The Old Theater’s Children’s Group presents a Live Nativity performance at 3:30 p.m. on the OUMC grounds – a traditional Christmas favorite!
- Thursday, Dec. 19 – The Pamlico Community Band performs its Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church.
- Sunday, Dec. 22 – The Longest Night/Blue Christmas service at 6 p.m. at OUMC, in conjunction with St. Thomas Episcopal Church, for those whose holidays are less than merry due to grief, loneliness or sadness.
- Sunday, Dec. 22 – Christmas caroling on the streets of Oriental, with carolers meeting at 3 p.m. for warm cider and cookies in the OUMC Fellowship Hall, then dividing up into groups with routes mapped out.
- Tuesday, Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with Communion and Carols at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary — the young and young-at-heart are welcomed to wear pajamas.
- Sunday, Dec. 29 – A Service of Lessons and Carols at 10 a.m. in the OUMC Sanctuary, our traditional service for the first Sunday after Christmas, in conjunction with St. Thomas Episcopal Church.