Advent at Athens First | Athens First UMC

If you’ve been in the church long enough, you know that before we arrive at the miracle of Christmas, we celebrate a season called Advent. Advent comes from the Latin word, ‘adventus,’ which means “coming” or “to come.” And that’s ultimately what Advent is all about—it’s a season of waiting for Jesus’ arrival into our world.

Join us starting Sunday, December 1, for our Advent sermon series, “Christmas Unwrapped,” as we unwrap hope, peace, joy, and love as we await the birth of Jesus and the arrival of the Savior of the world.

View our full Holiday Schedule below.

Candlelight Carols

Sunday, December 15 | 7:00 p.m.

Join with friends and neighbors on December 15 at 7:00 p.m. to sing together our favorite Christmas carols with the AFUMC Sanctuary Choir and orchestra. Celebrate the season with a beautiful evening of music in our adorned Sanctuary, bathed in the glow of candlelight and Chrismon trees. Afterward, join us for a cookie exchange and hot cocoa reception in Hancock Hall where we can share in Christmas cheer!

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Candlelight Christmas Eve

Tuesday, December 24

We hope you will make plans to join us at one of four services:

3:00 p.m. Children's Candlelight Service*

5:00 p.m. Candlelight Service | Welseyan Youth Choir and Brass*

7:00 p.m. Candlelight Service | Sanctuary Choir and Brass*

11:00 p.m. Candlelight Service with Holy Communion | Sanctuary Choir and Strings

*Nursery care will be available during the 3:00, 5:00, and 7:00 p.m. services.

Holiday Schedule

November

11/27 | No Wednesday Night Programming

11/27-11/29 | Church Offices Closed

December

12/1 | Family Advent Celebration

12/8 | Lessons and Carols at 9:30 and 11:00 a.m.

12/15 | Candlelight Carols at 7:00 p.m.

12/24 | Christmas Eve Candlelight Services at 3:00, 5:00, 7:00, and 11:00 p.m.

12/25-12/26 | Church Office Closed

12/29 | One Worship Service (11:00 a.m.)

12/31-1/1 | Church Office Closed

Sunday Morning Parking

We are a downtown church and sometimes parking can be hard to find. We have two lots off of Hancock Ave and parking is also available on the street. If all of these options are full, the Washington Street parking deck offers free parking on Sundays.