Finding Peace in the Season!
We’d be honored to share our Christmas season with you. Follow along below for a list of events that are coming up. We’d love for you to be our guest. If you have any questions along the way, just ask at the link to your right.
CHRISTMAS 2023 • FRANKLIN FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
The Sundays in Advent
As we begin Advent, whatever else is on our Christmas list, the Prophet Isaiah names what we (and this whole world) really need – the presence of God Almighty.
Please join us for Sundays in Advent. Join us at any of our Main Campus at Mack Hatcher at 8:30, 10:00 & 11:15 a.m. or at our Historic Sanctuary at Fifth Avenue at 8:30 a.m. You can also join us at livestream campus right here. We can’t wait to see you this Christmas season.
No morning worship on Sunday, December 24. Instead, join us for the afternoon & evening Christmas Eve Services listed below.
Join us for Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve Services
Join us for our Christmas Eve services where we will celebrate the birth of our Savior.
We are offering seven services in two locations.
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Main Campus at Mack Hatcher: 2:00, 4:00 & 6:00 p.m.
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Historic Sanctuary at 5th Avenue: 3:30, 5:30, 7:30 & 11:00 p.m.
If you are not local to Franklin, or if you would prefer to join us online, you may also catch our service at our live streaming platform right here (https://live.franklinfumc.org) We will be streaming the 2:00, 4:00 & 6:00 p.m. services from our Main Campus. We’d love for you to be our guest.
If you would like to help us welcome our guests at one of our 7 Christmas Eve services, CLICK HERE. We have opportunities from ushers, greeters, communion servers, nursery helpers, and more! For questions, please reach out to Jennifer Jannetty (jjannetty@franklinfumc.org).
More Christmas 2023 Happenings
Art Crawl Nativity Night
Experience the wonder of the Nativity, the tableau that tells the story of our Savior’s birth. Don’t miss the Downtown Franklin Art Crawl at our Historic Sanctuary at Fifth Avenue for a showcase of nativities from all around the world, plus artwork from Grassland Middle & Franklin High Schools and festive Christmas music from our Chancel Handbell Choir. It’s all coming up on Friday, December 1 from 6-8 p.m.
As you make your way through downtown Franklin, be sure to hang a left at 5th Avenue so you can come on down to the historic sanctuary and see the artists we’ll have on display…and maybe even enjoy a little live music. You just never know what you may find.
Christmas Festival
Stop by Sunday, Dec. 3 from 3:30 to 5:30 pm for ornament-making, hot chocolate, Advent crafts, and a live nativity. Likely the highlight of the Festival will be the annual musical rendition of the Christmas Story by the Cherub Disciples Choir in Wesley Hall from 4-4:30. This is a low-key, all-fun event so it’s a great thing to invite your friends and neighbors to. (No registration needed.)
19 Miles Christmas Edition
Pump House Records Joins with 19 Miles for an Amazing Christmas Show!
It’s an all-hits December with 19 Miles partnering with Pump House Records bringing you some of the most recognized hit songs as recorded by Lee Brice, Luke Bryan, Dolly Parton Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Steven Tyler, Joe Nichols, Faith Hill, Ronnie Dunn and many more.
We’ll kick the night off with an opening round of three amateur songwriters. And then… to close the evening our Inside the Hits artists will lead the audience in singing some of our favorite Christmas songs to kick off the holiday season. Don’t miss a second of the magic.
Don’t Miss 19 Miles to Music Row on December 5 right here at the corner of Franklin Road and Mack Hatcher.
Entry is always free at 19 Miles, but in December you can choose to give back by bringing a toy to donate to the Graceworks Manger. For shopping suggestions for The Manger click here.
Christmas Sweater Tea
Adults 65 and up, make this Christmas extra special by joining us on Thursday, December 7 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. for a special music program, while enjoying tea, coffee, sandwiches, cookies and other delectable treats. Wear your favorite Christmas sweater and enjoy the warmth and spirit of Christmas with friends new and old! Reservations are required. Please RSVP by December 1 RIGHT HERE.
If you need assistance with registration, call 615-794-2734. This is a community-wide event and is free, so bring a friend! If you’re interested in volunteering for the event, contact Pastor Sarah Carty (scarty@franklinfumc.org).
A Festival of Lessons & Carols
Join us in Wesley Hall at our main campus for an evening of Lessons & Carols on Sunday, December 10 at 6:30 p.m., featuring our Franklin First UMC Chancel Choir and the Angel Chorus.
Service of Hope & Healing
While the holiday season can be filled with joy, it can also bring feelings of sadness and grief. The Service of Hope and Healing is a time to rest in God’s love, share in our laments, and to pray for healing and wholeness in Jesus’s name. Join us in this holy space on Tuesday, December 12 at 6:30 p.m.
This will be held at our beautiful Historic Sanctuary in downtown Franklin (148 Fifth Ave. South).
Mission Giving Tree
Want to give a meaningful gift to someone this Advent? Take an ornament from our Mission Giving Tree and donate to FFUMC mission in honor or memory of a loved one. The Giving Trees will be set up at both our Main Campus at Mack Hatcher and our Historic Sanctuary at Fifth Avenue all the Sundays in Advent.
Poinsettia Orders
Give poinsettias in “honor of” or in “memory of” important people in your life this Advent season. CLICK HERE to make your purchase and choose a date. These dedications will be shown in a special link each Sunday of Advent in our app within the Sunday bulletin. This is sponsored by the Worship Committee.
Advent Study Wednesdays
Wednesdays in November & December (Nov. 8 through Dec. 6) from 4:00-5:00 pm OR 6:30 – 7:30 pm.
For two thousand years, Christians have turned to the story and message of John the Baptist in the weeks leading up to Christmas. This study by Pastor Adam Hamilton explores the Advent themes of John’s life and ministry, and how John calls all followers of Jesus to prepare our hearts for his coming. Books are $14.00