Global Advent Traditions & Christmas Services At First Church United Methodist Kenosha

🕯️ An Advent Journey: Exploring Global Christmas Traditions

This Advent season, join us as we embark on a unique journey, exploring how rich traditions from around the world have shaped our preparations for welcoming the Christ child.

Each Sunday, we will highlight a different cultural influence, offering unique fellowship, food, and worship experiences.

Week 1: Sunday, December 7 — Celebrating Italy

We begin our Advent series with the warm traditions of Italy.

• Fellowship: Please contribute an Italian Christmas treat to share during our fellowship time. We will also be celebrating Paul and Ginni Fennema’s 50th wedding anniversary with cake!

• Crèche Blessing: Bring along one of your personal nativity scenes (crèches) to share. We will have table space in the Great Room for display. We will offer a special Blessing of the Nativity Scenes during worship before you take them home.

Week 2: Sunday, December 14 — Scandinavian Countries

Explore the captivating Christmas customs of Scandinavia (including Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, etc.).

• Fellowship: Bring a Scandinavian Christmas treat to share.

• St. Lucia Procession: If you are ambitious, bake some St. Lucia Buns (recipes available at the Welcome Desk). All children are invited to participate in a special opening procession about Santa Lucia with a beautiful head wreath they may keep.

Week 3: Sunday, December 21 — Moravian Lovefeast Tradition

Discover the influence of the Moravian Church, which strongly influenced Methodism's founders (the Wesley family). Moravian traditions have a strong presence, especially in Door County, WI.

• Moravian Lovefeast: We will observe elements of a traditional Moravian Lovefeast. We invite you to bake Moravian rolls (recipes available at the Welcome Desk) or other Moravian Christmas treats to be served during worship.

  
  

✨ Christmas Eve Candlelight Services: December 24

Join us for one of our three special Christmas Eve Candlelight Services, each celebrating a different global tradition.

Time	Service Focus	Global Tradition
4:00 PM	Children and Family Service	Las Posadas (Hispanic/Mexican Tradition)
7:00 PM	Communion and Message Service	Palestine (Bethlehem)
10:45 PM	Traditional Service	Lessons and Carols with Ringing In Christmas

First Church United Methodist, 919 60th St. Kenosha, Wisconsin