Join us this Advent and Christmas season as we worship, grow, serve, give and celebrate together — all in the hopes of becoming more like Christ in this holy season.
WORSHIP
Sundays: Advent – A Season of Promise
Sundays, November 30, December 7, 14 and 21 | 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
Advent is the season when the church dares to hope again. Week after week, we recall God’s promises—of peace, justice, joy, and presence—and learn to wait, not with fear, but with trust. The God who made promises has not forgotten us. In Christ, the promises are fulfilled.
November 30—The Promise of Peace
Isaiah 2:1–5, Matthew 24:36–44
December 7—The Promise of a New World
Isaiah 11:1–10, Matthew 3:1–12
December 14—The Promise of Joy
Isaiah 35:1–10, Matthew 11:2–11
December 21—The Promise of Presence
Isaiah 7:10–16, Matthew 1:18–25
Service of Hope and Consolation Sunday, December 7 | 7:00 p.m. online
When the holidays arrive, joy and sorrow often travel together. Our annual Hope and Consolation Service creates sacred space for anyone carrying grief, walking through a season of loss, or simply finding December heavy. Together we acknowledge our pain, remember those we love, and open ourselves to Christ’s gentle promise of light in the darkness. This year’s service will be an interactive, live-streamed meditative service on Sunday, December 7 at 7:00 p.m. You can participate on our website, Facebook page, or YouTube channel.
Christmas Eve Worship December 24 | 4:00 and 6:00 p.m.
Come celebrate Christmas Eve at 4:00 p.m. with carol singing, children’s nativity during the reading of the Christmas story, candle lighting and Holy Communion.
Join us for a traditional service at 6:00 p.m. with music from our Chancel Choir and brass quintet, a homily, candle lighting and Holy Communion.
Grow
Youth Advent Study
Anticipate Advent Event November 16 | 4:00-6:00 p.m.
All ages are invited to join us for this reimagined Advent Workshop. Participants will receive an Anticipate Advent devotion book and will create a Jesse Tree. Soup supper will be provided.
Advent Devotionals Available Sunday, November 30
Pick up your free Advent Devotional, written by FUMC members and staff in the narthex to guide you in spending intentional time with God throughout this holy season.
Serve
Feeding the Children (+Plus)
We have expanded our Feeding the Children program to be a meal assistance program. When we deliver this season, in addition to the lunch we will leave 2 grocery bags of food at the home. These 2 bags will provide food for breakfast, lunch and dinners on the days we do not deliver. This provides the child with shelf stable foods into the weekend. This addition to our program will expand our volunteer opportunities. You can sign up to cook and deliver as we have done in the past, or sign up to pack the grocery bags to be delivered to homes. Click here to sign up.
Room in the Inn
Beginning December 6th we will begin our partnership with Christ UMC in Charlotte in serving the unhoused. There are many opportunities to serve in setting up, cooking and serving a meal to our neighbors. We will use our mini bus to pick up our guests from a Roof Above in Charlotte on appointed Saturday’s to take them to the church where they will receive a hot meal and warm bed for the night. Check out the opportunities to serve like Jesus by clicking HERE.
Gaston County Cold Weather Shelter Gaston County operates an emergency shelter when temperatures fall below 32 degrees at Unity Baptist Church in Gastonia. Your help is needed to make sure our unhoused neighbors are not sleeping outside during freezing temperatures. Gaston County has no other shelters, making this a crucial offering. To learn more, register for training, and sign up click here.
Give
ZOE Alternative Giving
What do you get a friend or family member who has everything for Christmas? Give a gift that transforms the lives of vulnerable children. A goat, maize seed, or even a cooking pot can empower a child to never need charity again. Our Zoe Team will be available after worship to help you shop for your loved ones. With a donation of $10 or more, an item to represent your gift will be complimentary for your gift recipient. Handmade ornaments by children in Rwanda will also be for sale for a suggested donation of $20. All donations will directly support our communities in Rwanda.
Sharing the Warmth
This Christmas we will keep our neighbors warm by collecting socks, mittens and hats for children, youth and adults who need help with adequate winter clothing. Hang your donations on the Christmas tree designated in our narthex for the collection. All donations will be distributed through S.O.C.K.S. Crisis Ministry.
Celebrate
Primetimers Dinner and Drive Through McAdenville December 18th | 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Sign up to ride the FUMC Belmont bus through the McAdenville Christmas lights. Dinner will be prior to the Christmas lights and it will be at “Sake,” dutch treat. Sign up to reserve your spot on the bus. Seats will go fast. RSVP: doreen@fumcbelmont.org
FUMC at Holiday in the Garden December 17 | 6:30 p.m.
Our Chancel Choir, Worship Team and Handbell Choir will be performing in the Grand Hall at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. Come enjoy a night of holiday music and tour the beautiful gardens decorated for Christmas.
Movie Night December 19 | 6:30 p.m.
Kick off Christmas break with The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, showing in Carpenter Hall. Free popcorn will be available and candy will be available for sale.