The Advent Season is Almost Over

As the Holiday season is ending it is also time to take down the Holiday decorations. We need to take down and pack the decorations in boxes and bins, and then take up to the storage area on the 2nd floor. All ages are welcome, the storage bins will be down from upstairs and placed in the Gathering place or distributed to the appropriate area.

Any questions may be directed to Becky Johnson.

Be sure to come for Christmas Eve services at 4pm, 8pm, and 11pm! Join us in the Sanctuary or online at fumcah.com/worship. The services will be live-streamed to YouTube and will be available to view later.

Come join The Illinois Brass Band and music director Stephen Squires for an afternoon filled with the music and sounds of the season. The band presents their “Holiday Classics” family Christmas concert at 2:00 PM on Sunday, December 22, 2024 at First United Methodist Church of Arlington Heights, 1903 E. Euclid Ave, Arlington Hts, IL. Featured guests with the band will be the “Familia Dei” hand bell choir from the church accompanying the band on selected numbers.

The 30 member British-style brass band, now in their 33rd year of performing, will provide an exciting and upbeat performance of Christmas fanfares, popular Christmas favorites, sacred carols, holiday novelty numbers, our traditional sing along, and many other holiday favorites.
This year’s performance features a new and exciting festive work from the pen of composer Philip Rayment, “City of David.” The work features a trio of carols associated with the place of Christ’s birth, “Once in Royal David’s City,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” and “How Far to Bethlehem.” The work was premiered in 2023 by the Canadian Staff Band of the Salvation Army. This will be the first performance in the greater Chicago area.

Also featured on the program are carols by John Rutter, Bach’s “Ave Maria,” “Frosty the Snowman” with tuba soloist Dan Bethel, “White Christmas” with featured vocalist Amy Bearden, the seldom heard Ken Norman arrangement of “Jingle Bell Rock” and many other selections.
Tickets are available in advance at illinoisbrassband.org or at the door on the day of the performance. A family ticket option is $35 and includes admission for 2 adults and up to 4 children under the age of 18. Individual adult tickets are $15 with children under 18 at $5.
We hope that you will join us on the 22nd and make this a part of your Christmas traditions.

While most people enjoy the festive spirit of major holidays, for those who have suffered recent loss the pain of isolation, loneliness and grief is underscored. The winter solstice is a natural symbol that reminds us that light eventually overcomes darkness. Even the longest, darkest night gives way to longer and brighter days.

A service of hope for those who are enduring a season of sorrow will be held on Friday, December 20, at 7:30pm in the chapel. Through candlelit song, sharing and prayer, we will honor the journey you’ve been on and set our feet on a brighter path forward. No reservations necessary.

This service will be in-person only.

It's Christmas cookie time! Our annual Missions Cookie Sale will be held on Sunday, December 15th both before and after the service. All proceeds will benefit Sustainable Action International in La Victoire, Haiti.

Come attend our Christmas Show!

Under the direction of John Davis, the Arlingtones will hold its annual barbershop a cappella Christmas show on Saturday, December 14th, at 3pm in the First United Methodist Church of Arlington Heights (FUMCAH).

Enjoy live performances with a mixed repertoire of barbershop Christmas songs sung by the chorus and various quartets!

Please join us in the Sanctuary at 7-8pm on December 8 to hear the compelling stories of victims and survivors of gun violence. FUMCAH has the honor to host this important event for the Northwest Suburban Area. This Vigil is part of the larger national movement sponsored by the Newtown Action Alliance Foundation (NAAF), an organization dedicated to remembering the victims of Sandy Hook disaster and ALL gun violence victims. This Vigil is planned by many local anti-violence groups including Moms Demand Action, NWSOFA--INDIVISBLE, Chicago Survivors, Illinois Alliance to Prevent Gun Violence, AIM-IL, and others.

We stand together with these organizations to say ENOUGH to the scourge of gun violence in our country. Please join us on December 8.

Let us know that you will be attending by clicking here-> https://mobilize.us/s/VKo0Jh

This initial meeting is to gage interest in a support group for people with critical illnesses. The group will be a place to share fear and acceptance of health crises without judgement. Participants can vent and share how they are feeling and coping.

Moving forward the group will set a day and time that is most convenient for all. Nancy Tierney will facilitate and bring donuts. Please bring your own coffee.

In honor of Bryson's 4th Heartiversary, we hope you will join us by donating blood on Saturday, December 7. Appointments are available through the website. Blood donor requirements have been updated to be more inclusive, so those who may have been ineligible before are now welcomed to share the gift of life. There is a critical shortage in our community; if you are willing and able, please join us!

If you are unable to donate or volunteer but want to help, simply spread the word to find more blood donors! Thank you!

DECEMBER 1: Help Provide Comfort to People Who Have Lost Loved Ones to Gun Violence: All Are Welcome:

On December 1, in the loggia after our worship service, members of FUMCAH will be prayerfully packing 100 comfort bags for family members who have lost a loved one to gun violence.
FUMCAH will fill these bags with items we hope can bring some solace to those suffering from the unimaginable trauma and loss due to gun violence.

We will then pass these bags onto the Chicago Survivors' Network. Members of the Chicago Survivors Network will gift these bags when they visit the close relative of the gunshot victim. Our purpose in creating these bags: To remind the suffering mother, father, brother, uncle, auntie, father, cousin, friend that God is with them. And the FUMCAH congregation stands with them in their pain.

Please join us on Dec 1 after worship for this meaningful ministry.