Christmas At Royston

WELCOME TO CHRISTMAS AT ROYSTON!

Welcome! We are excited you are looking for information about spending Christmas at Royston, and we hope you find the following information helpful as you look for a place to spend Christmas this year. If at any time you have a question, please feel free to contact our church office at 706-245-7402 or office@roystonfirstumc.org.

Here are few quick things to know about spending Christmas at Royston First UMC:

There is a place for you! Whether you prefer a classic and traditional worship service, or a more contemporary and modern worship experience, we have a place for you. We feel blessed with many different musicians and talented individuals, and we love to worship God in genuine and authentic ways in each of our Sunday morning services.
While on campus at Royston First UMC, please feel free to visit one of our Guest Services areas if you need help. The Guest Services areas are located in the gathering areas outside the Gym and the Sanctuary.
As you experience God at Royston First UMC, we invite you to share your experience with others through social media. Please be sure to use our hashtag, #ChristmasAtRoyston, so we can help share your experience.
If you have any questions during your visit to Royston First UMC, please feel free to ask someone for help. We consider ourselves a friendly bunch of people and would like to help serve you.

ADVENT MESSAGE SERIES

What’s in a name? When we are born, we are given a name. For some, that name may be speak about their family history. Maybe it is a name that has been passed down from generation to generation. For others, the name has significant meaning because of how it defines the person. Your name speaks to who you are and how others will know you. So what name was given to God. In this series, we discuss the names of Jesus given through the prophet Isaiah. What do these names tell us about Jesus? How do these names have significant meaning in our understanding of God in this world. How will these names help us to know Jesus, the Son of God who we celebrate this Christmas?

Messages In This Series
December 1- “Wonderful Counselor” (Isaiah 9:2-7)
December 8- “Mighty God” (Isaiah 40:20-31)
December 15- “Everlasting Father” (Matthew 4:12-16)
December 22- “Prince of Peace” (Luke 2-8-15)
December 22&24- “Jesus” (Matthew 1:18-24)
*Travelers’ Service (12/22 at 5 PM) and Christmas Eve Services (6 and 11 PM)

TIMES AND LOCATIONS

SUNDAY MORNING SERVICES
First Place Contemporary | 8:45 AM (Gym)
Led by Rev. Matt Parker
Praise Band leading music

A modern worship experience that blends today’s music with timeless teaching. A light breakfast and coffee is available each Sunday before worship.

Traditional Worship Service | 11:00 AM (Sanctuary)
Led by Rev. Matt Parker
Chancel Choir leading music

A classic worship experience that includes traditional hymns, ancient creeds and liturgical readings, and a biblical and inspirational message.

BLUE CHRISTMAS: A SERVICE OF HEALING AND HOPE
December 1 | 6 PM

This time of year can be difficult for many people – especially those who have lost loved ones in the last year. If you have struggled with grief, anxiety, or hopelessness during the holiday season, we want to invite you to a service of hope and healing this Sunday at 6 PM in our Sanctuary. May the peace of Christ provide comfort to all during this holiday season!

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
December 14 | 9-11 AM

Enjoy pancakes, bacon, sausage, eggs, fruit, coffee, and juice! Get your picture taken with Santa, decorate a cookie for yourself or someone special, make a Christmas ornament, and have storytime with one of Santa’s friends! Cost is $5 per person (children 2 & under eat free)! You can RSVP and pay online, call the church office at 706-245-7402, or email Mrs. Heather at heather@roystonfirstumc.org.

A WINTER ROSE: CHRISTMAS CANTATA
December 15 | 11 AM (Sanctuary)
Led by Karen Smith and Chancel Choir

TRAVELERS’ CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
December 22 | 5 PM (Gym)
Led by Rev. Matt Parker
FirstPlace Praise Team leading music

A worship experience that blends modern music with classic elements of Christmas Eve including Candlelight and Communion. Come early for the cookies and hot chocolate!

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
4:00 PM | Family Service (Gym)
Led by Heather Woods

6:00 PM | Classic Candlelight and Communion (Sanctuary)
Led by Rev. Matt Parker
Karen Smith leading music

11:00 PM | Classic Candlelight and Communion (Sanctuary)
Led by Rev. Matt Parker
Jerry Black leading music

WHAT IS ADVENT?

The season of Advent, which comes from the Latin word adventus meaning “coming” or “visit,” begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. Advent is the beginning of the liturgical year for Christians. [Liturgical — from liturgy, which means the forms and functions of public worship.]

During Advent, we prepare for, and anticipate, the coming of Christ. We remember the longing of Jews for a Messiah and our own longing for, and need of, forgiveness, salvation and a new beginning. Even as we look back and celebrate the birth of Jesus in a humble stable in Bethlehem, we also look forward anticipating the second coming of Christ as the fulfillment of all that was promised by his first coming.

SHARE CHRISTMAS WITH SOMEONE

Share your favorite Christmas experience and photos, and use #ChristmasAtRoyston to share it with others on social media (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter).

SIGN UP TO SERVE

It takes many different hands to pull off any type of Christmas celebration! We are looking for people who can help us with each of our Christmas events and Christmas Eve services. Please let us know how you would be willing to help make Christmas at Royston a wonderful experience for everyone who comes to Royston First UMC.

PLAN YOUR VISIT

WHERE DO I GO WHEN I GET THERE?
Parking is available behind the church and on in front of the gym. Additional parking is available at Northeast Georgia Bank and, if there is not a funeral scheduled, you can also park at Pruitt Funeral Home. As you’re walking to the building, our greeting team will meet you and show you where to find the Sanctuary, Gym, restrooms, and nursery. If you need anything throughout the day—mints, ear plugs, a Bible, or a pen—feel free to ask someone. We try to be a friendly bunch, and we’d love to serve you.

HOW LONG IS THE SERVICE?
Our Sunday morning services typically last about one hour and five minutes. We start by singing three to four songs. Then one of our pastors or a guest speaker preaches.

Some of our special services and events during Advent (including Christmas Eve) typically will last about an hour. All Christmas Eve services will include singing, an inspirational message from our pastor, Holy Communion, and candle lighting (traditionally done while singing “Silent Night”).

If you’re visiting for the first time, you’ll want to give yourself a few extra minutes to find your seat and get situated. You are important to us and we would love to meet you and answer any questions you may have.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
Don’t feel like you have to dress up. Most people wear casual attire, but you are welcome to wear whatever makes you comfortable.

CAN I ATTEND IF I’M ____________?
Go ahead and fill in the blank with whatever fear you have about not being accepted: divorced, single parent, broke, recovering addict, gay, transgender, atheist, skeptic, etc. At Royston First UMC, we believe that every person matters to God and all are welcome. No matter where you are in life, we have a place for you!

FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY

NURSERY FOR INFANTS AND PRESCHOOL AGE CHILDREN
Childcare for infants through preschool will be provided every Sunday at 8:45 and 11:00 AM. Childcare is available for all of our services and events during Advent that are held on campus.

FAMILY WORSHIP FOR CHILDREN AGES 4 AND UP
Christmas is such an important season for all Christians to come together to worship, and we feel that our children should be included in the worship experience so that families can experience the joy, wonder, and excitement of Christmas together. We invite our children to worship with their parents for the first half of our services. There will be a Children’s Church available during the message. Children are invited to remain with their parents for the entirety of all our Christmas Eve services. We are excited about this opportunity!

DIRECTIONS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Still need more information? Contact our church office at 706-245-7402.

We look forward to worshipping with you at Royston First United Methodist Church!