Advent begins on November 30 and continues through Christmas Eve. Keep reading to learn about some of our Advent decorations and traditions, the worship theme “Christmas in the Carols“, and the special worship services and events that are planned. This year we have some new events and some new twists on some of our traditions.
If you would like to read an online version of our Advent Newsletter – Click Here
It’s beginning to look like Advent!
Food Angels
FUPC supports Cooperative Emergency Outreach. Many of our members volunteer there and our Outreach and Service Ministry works to make sure it is easy for the congregation to donate needed items. During Advent, these Food Angels can be found in the Courtyard waiting for canned food donations.
Chrismon Tree
Our Chrismon Tree is a giant tree covered with white and gold ornaments called “Chrismons” — Christ’s monograms. Each Chrismon has a meaning. For example, the angel reminds Christians of the angels announcing Jesus’s birth and can represent the second coming of Jesus.
Wandering Wiseman
As Advent marks the anticipation and time of waiting to celebrate Christ’s birth, we will slowly make our way toward the Sanctuary and will be closest on Epiphany, January 6th (January 5th on our worship calendar.) Look for a clue near the water fountain in the Gathering Place and then use the clue to find us each week. This year, we are adding something new, a suggested gift to bring (just like the wisemen brought gifts) each week to help with food insecurity in our community.
Hat, Sock and Mitten Tree
The Hat, Sock and Mitten Tree can be found in the Gathering Place. It serves as a place to donate hats, socks and mittens to Fayetteville Public School students in need and their families. If you donate, please take a felt ornament from the tree as a “thank you.”
Advent Banners
These beautiful banners hang out front of our sanctuary during the Advent season. The artwork for the banners was done by Dana Bassi, a member of the congregation. They remind us of the themes we focus on during the season and that we are called to be a light on the hill.
Advent Wreath
On every Sunday of Advent and on Christmas Eve, we light a candle during worship. The lit candles symbolize the hope and light that Christ brought to the world. The evergreen wreath reminds us of God’s infinite, everlasting love. An Advent wreath is a beautiful reminder of the true reason for the season. We hope you will observe Advent with us!
Our Advent Theme “Christmas in the Carols”
A Note from Interim Pastor Stewart Smith:
Some of my earliest memories of the Christmas Season involved listening to and singing wonderful Christmas carols. My parents recorded me singing the Gloria refrain of “Angels we Have Heard on High” when I was five years old. I sat by our large stereo each Christmas season singing along with the Firestone Christmas Albums. They helped shape my memories of Christmas and my understanding of all that we are celebrating.
This year at FUPC, our Advent Devotions are written about Christmas music. Some will be familiar carols, others will be more modern songs that may be new to you. But all, will enhance our anticipation of and celebration of the incarnation of Jesus Christ.
During our worship services in the season of Advent, I will be preaching a series of sermons titled “Christmas in the Carols.” We will look at some of our favorite Christmas Hymns and look at their history and theology. And hopefully, we can sing them with a renewed sense of importance of the message being conveyed in the familiar words and music. I hope to see you during the Advent Season – Stewart
Christmas in the Carols
November 30: “Christmas in the Carols – O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” Matthew 1:18-24
December 7: Celebration at the Manger
December 14: “Christmas in the Carols – Hark the Herald Angels Sing” Luke 2:8-14
December 21: “Christmas in the Carols – O Little Town of Bethlehem” Micah 5:2-5a; Mark 1:1-8
December 24: “Christmas in the Carols – Silent Night” Genesis 33:1-10; Titus 2: 11-14
Advent Worship Services and Special Events
November 20, 2025
Advent invites us to wait with hope, not hurry. In this one-hour, self-guided workshop, you’ll explore hands-on stations that help you try on small prayer practices: breath prayers from Scripture, candle-gazing for attention, simple postures, quiet music, and tactile reminders you can carry. You’ll finish with a doable Advent plan tailored to your real-life rhythms. Come ready to experiment, choose what helps, and let the rest go. This event will be November 20 at 6:00pm in Upper Witherspoon and will be led by Amanda McDonald.
December 7, 2025
Celebration at the Manger will be during worship this year. Our annual children’s Christmas play will be the message on Sunday, December 7. After worship, there will be a cookie reception for all in Upper Witherspoon and an appearance by Santa. There will be a rehearsal during the Christian Education Hour that morning. If you have a child or grandchild that would like to participate, please contact Kristi Button. Kristi also needs adults to help with the preparations, the rehearsal, the performance and the reception.
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December 13, 2025
On Saturday, December 13 from 10:00am – noon, come learn how to make a beautiful, festive and delicious treat! Kristi Button will be teaching participants how to bake Star Bread. You can sign-up as an individual or a family – reservations are required. All supplies will be provided. You will leave with a baked loaf of bread, the recipe and instructions for freezing and thawing the bread. Space is limited so contact Kristi at kbutton@fupcfay.org to reserve your spot.
December 14, 2025
All ages are invited to a special Advent Sunday School experience where faith and practicality meet. We’ll create beautiful soup-in-a-jar mixes, pray over them, and send them out as gifts of nourishment and comfort. Keep yours for a hectic winter week, or give it to a neighbor, friend, or family member who could use a warm reminder of God’s love. This meal of soup is a simple way to share God’s peace through physical nourishment.
December 14, 2025
We will make joyful noise to the Lord Sunday, December 14. We will have our annual mostly music service. The service will be full of beautiful Christmas music provided by the Handbell Choir and the Chancel Choir.
December 20, 2025
On Saturday, December 20, at 7:00pm pianist, Garth Smith presents “A Sacred Christmas 2025”- free for the NWA community. A 24-voice choir, orchestra, band, and narrators, accompanied by a beautiful art/video display present Garth’s arrangement of traditional carols, along with covers of contemporary Christian artists. Attending this event is fast becoming a holiday tradition for many in northwest Arkansas. Refreshments will be served following the concert.
December 21, 2025
Our traditional Christmas Brunch will take place after worship on Sunday, December 21. Bring your favorite breakfast or brunch dish to share. Volunteers and the warming ovens will be available to receive items brought prior to worship. Marti Woodruff will share her famous sausage gravy and the Fellowship ministry will provide beverages, sausages and biscuits. There will be no Christian Education Hour. Christian Education will resume on January 11.
December 21, 2025
After the brunch (~1:00 pm), Sunday, December 21, we will travel by “Car Caravan” and the church bus to sing for some FUPC friends who are not able to partake in events on the church campus. This is always a joy filled afternoon. There will be a stop for cookies and cocoa along the way. Rhythm instruments and festive attire are welcome.
December 21, 2025
For many, Christmas is “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” but for others, it can be a painful reminder of loss, grief, or loneliness. A Blue Christmas Service—often held on December 21, the longest night of the year—is a quiet, contemplative time to honor those feelings. This service offers space amid the season’s noise to acknowledge both joy and sorrow, light and darkness. It’s a gentle invitation to experience God’s presence and the care of a compassionate community for those who may be struggling during the holidays. The service will be held on December 21 at 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall.
December 24, 2025
On December 24 at 5:00pm our Calvin Street Band will be playing Christmas music in the Gathering Place, and there will be refreshments. The Christmas Eve worship service will begin at 5:30pm and will conclude with singing “Silent Night” by candlelight.
December 28 & January 4, 2025
There will be no Christian Education Hour on Sunday, December 28 and Sunday, January 4. Come at 10:00am for Fellowship Time and to look for the Wandering Wisemen. Worship will be at the regular time – 10:30am. Christian Education will resume on January 11.
December 6 & 31, 2025
Please contact our Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Amanda McDonald at youthandyoungadults@fupcfay.org for more information about these events.
Searching for the Wandering Wiseman – Bringing Gifts
The children always enjoy searching for the wandering wisemen. This year, when we search for the Wandering Wisemen, we are going to GIVE BACK to help others in our community.
Week 1 (November 30): Find the FIRST WISEMAN and bring peanut butter and jelly, both in plastic jars
Week 2 (December 7): Find the SECOND WISEMAN and bring canned pasta and sauce or boxed mac n’ cheese
Week 3 (December 14): Find the THIRD WISEMAN and bring canned fruit
Week 4 (December 21): Find ALL THREE WISEMEN and bring canned hearty and meaty soup or chili
Weeks 5 and 6 (December 29 and January 4): Bring any item on the list as we continue to Epiphany with the Wandering Wisemen
