Church aims to fill residents with Christmas joy throughout Advent
By LOIS KINDLE
The year 2020 hasn’t been kind to anyone, and we could all use a cause to celebrate. Beginning Nov. 29, the United Methodist Church of Sun City Center is giving us one with an event called Journey with Us to Christmas, a month-long series of both live and streamed holiday services and events.
The joyful celebration will be held in conjunction with Advent, the annual four-week period when Christians anticipate Jesus’ birth with love, hope, joy and peace. It ends in light Christmas Eve.
Journey with Us to Christmas begins Nov. 29 (Advent Sunday) with special morning services – traditional worship at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. and contemporary worship at 9:45. Each will be filled with music, centered around the theme of love and will continue on Sunday mornings throughout the holiday season into the New Year.
On Sunday, Dec. 6, the church will host its annual Blue Christmas Service at 7 p.m. to include not only the message of hope for those mourning the loss of loved ones this year but also for those grieving the loss of jobs, health, companionship and financial security. Its purpose is to give area residents an opportunity to acknowledge their sadness as everyone prepares to embrace Christmas season and the coming of Christ.
On Wednesday, Dec. 9, individuals and families alike are invited to stop by the church between 6 and 8 p.m. for a free, professional photo to be taken in front of a beautifully decorated Christmas tree on the church patio.
Then at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, and 8:30 and 11 a.m. the next day, 16 members of the church’s choir, seven handbell ringers and seven instrumentalists will present one of musical artist Joel Raney’s most joyful and beautifully arranged Christmas cantatas. An extra service was added this year to support social distancing.
Due to the pandemic, the church is presenting an alternative to its annual Sights and Sounds of Christmas. This year’s event will be a drive-through celebration focused on peace. It will take place Dec. 16 and 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the church parking lot off Haverford Avenue.
Residents are invited to view a wonderland of trees and lights featuring a variety of live family Christmas scenes. The event will also include Victorian vocal quartets, a sextet of handbell ringers, the church’s Hispanic Children’s Choir and a special final scene presented by the Pelican Players.
To help regulate traffic for these evenings, free tickets will be available while they last starting Nov. 29 on Sunday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to noon on the church patio; beginning Nov. 30 on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon in the church’s ministry office and as of Dec. 1, from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday evenings, also in the ministry office. The church is expecting a large response, so residents are encouraged to get their tickets as soon as possible. Supplies are limited.
“This year’s pandemic has forced us to “think outside of the box” to create something safe and spectacular,” said Jeff Jordan, director of worship arts. “Truthfully, it really has been a blessing to our church family. It has energized us and brought us back together working on a common project. I think folks of all ages will love this year’s (event)!”
As previously noted, Journey with Us to Christmas will culminate Christmas Eve, when the community is invited to one of five beautiful candlelight services to include music and a special Christmas message during contemporary services at 4 and 6 p.m., traditional services at 5 and 7 p.m. and traditional Communion at 10 p.m.
The church will be following CDC guidelines for all in-person services and events, including required temperature screenings, mask requirements, hand sanitizing and social distancing. Streaming will be offered through Facebook or YouTube.
“I look forward to our Christmas events every year, when our church brings the community together with special music, special programs and beautiful decorations.” said usher Sheila Thurston, an 11-year congregation member. “I’m especially looking forward to this year’s celebration.
“No matter what religion you are, everyone is welcome,” she added. “And it’s all free.”
For more information, call (813) 634-2539 after Nov. 28 and ask for Pat Hill (ext. 209) or Jeff Jordan (ext. 207). To learn more about the United Methodist Church of Sun City Center, 1210 Del Webb Blvd. W, visit www.sccumc.com.
“We are so grateful to have this opportunity to honor our tradition of bringing the gifts of Christmas to our church and community,” Hill said. “Even though there has been a sense of darkness in 2020, we plan to share joy and light with all who Journey with Us to Christmas. Let us come together and celebrate the blessings of the season.”