Advent Events and Christmas Worship at KUMC



You are always welcome at Kirkwood United Methodist Church! 


Drop in for Christmas concerts, bring your family to some of the fun activities planned this season, and join KUMC for weekly worship for our Advent Worship Series, "How Does a Weary World Rejoice?"   We look forward to welcoming you to Christmas Eve Worship on Sunday, December 24th at any one of our four different worship times. Choose the worship time and style that suits you and come celebrate Christmas Eve at KUMC!

All are invited, and ALL are welcomed! 


Advent Sermon Series: How Does a Weary World Rejoice?   


Christ was born into a weary world. King Herod ruled the land with a legacy of ruthlessness. The Romans treated the people of Israel with contempt, imposing harsh taxes and land seizures that forced many into subsistence farming. Poverty and destitution were pervasive. And yet, 

Christ was born, bringing good news of great joy for all people. 


This season, we'll be looking closely at the details in the opening chapters of the Gospel of Luke to discover where joy is sprinkled throughout the narrative. We'll identify the moments when joy arrives-despite trepidation, fear, or grief. And consider how joy can be a companion to you this season, for our joy is rooted in the truth that we belong to God. Can you tether yourself to that deep truth? You deserve to feel joy-fully. 

The world needs your joy, even if you are weary. May each week of Advent offer you rhythms for rejoicing-through acknowledging your weariness, finding joy in connection, allowing yourself to be amazed, singing stories of hope, making room, rooting yourself in ritual, and remembering your belovedness. 


And so, this Advent, let us hold space for our weariness and our joy. Let us seek a "thrill of hope" in our hurting world. Let us welcome joy-even and especially if, like the prophet Isaiah, we cry out for comfort (Isaiah 40:1). In this weary world, may we find Many ways to rejoice! 

Celebrate Advent in Worship at  KUMC

Here are the ways you can Worship at KUMC or from home online on Sundays with KUMC during Advent.

  • Sunday Advent Worship: 

    How Does a Weary World Rejoice?

    Sundays, 9:30 am Contemporary & 10:30 am Traditional

    You're invited to attend worship on Sunday mornings in person at either 9 am Contemporary Worship in The Commons or 10:30 am Worship in the Sanctuary. 


    Or watch live from home or wherever you are streaming live on KUMC's Facebook Page at 9 am or 10:30 am on Sundays. You can also find our weekly Sunday sermons on our Sermons Page. 


    Kids Worship & Childcare is Available During Both Worship Times,  8:45 am - 11:30 am

    Childcare (for infants - 3 yrs) and Kids Worship for ages 3 yrs (and potty trained) - 5th grade is offered during both worship times. Check infants and toddlers into rooms 203 & 204, and Kids into Kids' Worship in KUMC's gym, ten minutes before the start of worship. 

     

    Watch Worship Live at 9 am and 10:30 am on KUMC's Facebook Page circlefacebook

  • HOw Does A Weary World Rejoice

    A Daily Devotion Book for Advent

    This Devotion book is desgined to help you practice joy in a weary world. Each week offers are, reflections, poetry, and hymns. Journey through these pages at your own pace to look closely at the details in the opening chapters of the Gospel of Luke. Discover where joy is sprinkled throughtout the narrative, and cosider how joy can be a companion to you this season! Pick up a copy at church at the Connection Center, or at the church office. 


    You can also follow along in the Devotion Book with  this online version circlerightarrow

  • Christmas Poinsettias for the Sanctuary

    Order poinsettias in honor or memory of loved ones to decorate KUMC's Sanctuary for Christmas. You will be able to deliver your poinsettia to someone or take it home to enjoy at the end of the holiday season. Place your order now using your Realm account. There will be space for you to fill out your dedication information on the order form.


    Order Christmas Poinsettia(s) on Realm circlerightarrow


LONGEST NIGHT WORSHIP

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21,  7 PM, in the SANCTUARY

Longest Night Worship is for those experiencing loss or grieving during the holiday season. You're invited to come to this special worship opportunity in the sanctuary at KUMC on the longest night of the year to remember those special to you during a time that can be so difficult without them. 

Christmas Eve Worship

Saturday, December 24

You are welcome to come and worship on Christmas Eve in the Sanctuary at Kirkwood Methodist Church. 

All worship services will include Communion and end with the singing of "Silent Night" by candlelight. 

Or, watch from home using the Vimeo link under each Worship time listing. 


3 PM: Early Traditional Worship with Journey Youth Choir

Early Traditional Worship will feature Journey Youth Choir. 

Alumni members of Journey Youth Choir and their families are encouraged to attend this time so that they may

join in several anthems during worship. 


Watch Live from home on Vimeo on 12/24 at 3 pm circlerightarrow


5 PM: Family Service with the Children's Choirs

Family Worship will feature KUMC's Children's Celebration and Cherub Choirs. 

This is the perfect time for families with young children to engage their interests and be home by the early evening.


Watch Live from home on Vimeo on 12/24 at 5 pm circlerightarrow


7:30 PM: Contemporary Worship

Contemporary Worship will feature KUMC's Contemporary Band.

Watch Live on Vimeo on 12/24 at 7:30 pm circlerightarrow


11 PM: Traditional Worship

The 11 PM Traditional Worship will feature the Chancel Choir.


Watch Live on Vimeo on 12/24 at 11 pm circlerightarrow

Christmas Concerts This December at KUMC

Come and hear the joyful sounds of Christmas at any of the concerts at KUMC this December. Admission is free to any of the concerts, and you will have the opportunity to leave a donation or "retiring offering" if you wish to show your appreciation and support the music ministries of KUMC and other performing artists and groups. 

Christmas Concerts This December at KUMC

All of the following performances will be in KUMC's Sanctuary. 

  • Community Gospel Choir

    Saturday, December 9, at 4 pm

    The Community Gospel Choir and special guest will present a selection of traditional Christmas spirituals and contemporary Gospel Christmas favorites sung by more than 50 glorious voices in KUMC's Sanctuary at 2 pm. 

  • Community Gospel Choir, St. Louis Women's Chorale & Legend Singers

    SUnday, December 3, at 7 pm

    At 7 pm, Join three of the best choirs in St. Louis as they bring you this heart-warming concert celebrating the diversity of our community and the diversity of Christmas music. You will hear classic carols, festive favorites, and rousing Gospel songs and spirituals. The St. Louis Women's Chorale, Community Gospel Choir, and Legend Singers join forces for a special, one-time performance that will get you in the spirit and keep you humming all season long! 


    While this concert is free, the seating is limited. Reserve your seats now at www.achristmascollage.org. 

  • "Christmas Decorations" 

    Presented by REbellion HandBell Ensemble

    Sunday, December 11, 6:00 pm

    The ReBELLion Handbell Ensemble program is titled Christmas Decorations and features traditional carols played on a six-octave set of handbells and a five-octave set of chimes.    The ReBELLion Community Handbell Ensemble has been in existence for more than 10 years and is comprised of 14 auditioned handbell musicians from the area.  The concert ends with a rousing edition We Wish You a Merry Christmas followed by Glorias as based on the carol Angels We Have Heard on High.  Other tunes in the concert repertoire include Masters in This Hall, Fum, Fum, Fum, The First Noel, Silent Night, and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.  All of the ReBELLion Concerts are open to the public.  A retiring offering will be received.  ReBELLion is under the direction of Dolan Bayless, founder of ReBELLion, and Director of Traditional Worship and Music at Kirkwood United Methodist Church.

  • ReBELLion Handbell Ensemble & Saint Louis Wind Symphony

    Sunday, December 18,  7:00 pm

    The St. Louis Wind Symphony and ReBELLion Handbell Ensemble began collaborating on a Christmas program several years ago.  The 2022 edition of the combined concert will feature pieces played by the Wind Symphony and several pieces played by the ReBELLion Handbell Ensemble.  Four pieces have been arranged for the combined Wind Symphony and ReBELLion to play together.  Christmas Festival by Leroy Anderson has been adapted for bells and winds as the opening piece of the program. Rebellion and the Wind Symphony will each play several pieces by themselves. Christmas Bells Overture is another piece played by the combined group as arranged for band and bells by Indianapolis composer Douglas Wagner. The audience is invited to sing carols as arranged by James Ployhar and accompanied by both handbells and wind instruments.  The final piece of the program has become an audience favorite as ReBELLion and the St. Louis Wind Symphony combine to play Sleigh Ride.  This concert is open to the public and a retiring offering will be received to support future performances by the two groups.

Just for Kid's This Holiday Season at KUMC

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  • KiD's PAJAMA Party/ ParentS' Night Out

    Friday, December 9, 5:00 - 8:30 pm

    Kids are invited to put on their pajamas and join us for a night of holiday fun while parents can go holiday shopping, out for dinner or enjoy a peaceful evening at home! We will serve pizza, for dinner, play games, do holiday crafts, decorate cookies, read some stories and watch a movie to help us relax at the end of the evening. 


    Register your child or children now on Realm circlerightarrow 


    Questions? Contact Lisa Hendry circleemail

  • KID's CHRISTMAS PARTY

    Wednesday, December 21, 3 - 5 pm in the Gym

    Join us for a party to celebrate Christmas and the beginning of winter break! This is a great opportunity for kids to use up some of their holiday energy as they play in the gym, play games, do crafts, eat snacks and celebrate the season!


    Questions? Contact Lisa Hendry circleemail

  • Bounce in the New Year at KUMC!

    Wednesday, January 3, 10 am - Noon

    Your kids are invited to bounce into 2023 in a bounce house in KUMC’s gym! We will also have some games to play to use up some of that holiday energy before heading back to school. 


    Questions? Lisa Hendry   circleemail

2022 Advent Mission Opportunities

Choose your favorite, or participate in all of these special holiday giving opportunities to share the love of Christ this season! 

  • Brown BAG SUNDAY

    Sunday, December 4

    Brown Bag Sunday is a Christmas tradition at KUMC! It's the Sunday when members bring in items they purchased from the LifeWise StL's Christmas wish list in brown paper shopping bags to place around the altar at church. Those bags are then taken to LifeWise StL to put into their Christmas Shopping Market where their clients can shop for gifts for their families at reduced costs. 

    To participate in this mission you can pick up a brown bag at church on Sundays now that has a Christmas wish list attached to it to fill and return on December 4th. Or, you can download a copy of the list using the link below and start shopping now and bring in your items in your own brown bag from home. Help spread the joy of Christmas and the pride of being able to give nice gifts this year and let's fill our church altar with lots of bags! 


    LifeWise StL Holiday Market Wish List circlerightarrow


    Questions? Julie Sherwood circleemail

  • Holiday Food Boxes

    Donations due by December 11

    Holiday Food Boxes are going to look a bit different this year. We are collecting non-perishable items that will be used to create Holiday Food Boxes that will be available for purchase in the LifeBridge Market. Please contribute by pulling an ornament off the tree in the KUMC foyer labeled with a needed item. Or pick up a few of the following items during your next trip to the grocery store:

    • Box Stuffing (Cornbread type preferred) 
    • Canned green beans
    • Canned corn
    • Cranberry Sauce
    • Beef Gravy/Turkey Gravy/Dijon Mustard
    • Elbow Macaroni
    • Velveeta
    • Pumpkin pie filling
    • Muffin Mix (blueberry, banana nut, etc) 
    • Oil
    • Holiday Paper Plates/Napkins
    • Holiday Candy
    • Foil Roasting Pan

    Please return items to the base of the tree by Sunday, Dec 11.  

    Alternatively, you can contribute financially to the Holiday Food Box project through the LifeBridge Giving Page too! Use the link below to make a contribution online. 


    LifeBridge Giving Page circlerightarrow 


    Volunteers are needed:

    • To pack the food boxes on December 13th
    • To distribute the food boxes on December 14th

    To volunteer, sign up on Sign Up Genius circlerightarrow