A note from Pastor Travis 12/4/25
Greetings Church Family,
Sunday, November 23rd was Stewardship Sunday, when people submitted their pledges for 2026. After two weeks of receiving pledges, we are off to a great start. Thank you to everyone who has made a pledge. If you have not yet submitted your pledge, it isn’t too late. You can pick up a pledge card on Sunday, or you can contact the church office and we will mail you a pledge card.
Advent is off to a great start. Well, read below to learn ways you can join in our Advent and Christmas activities.
December 6 – Home for the Holidays Display
Home For the Holidays in Melrose is Friday, December 5- Sunday, December 7. We are going to be a trolley stop for the event on the 6th. This is a wonderful way to get people into our church. Our plan is to have the library decorated with nativity creches. We need two things from you. First, we need native creches. Please bring one or two from home that we can use to decorate. We will only need them for that weekend. Second, we need volunteers to be at the church during the event. If you can help with both/either of these, please email the church office, fumc@fumcmelrose.com.
December 7 – Hanging of the Greens. Join us for the 10:00 service as we bless the decorations of the church for Advent and Christmas. If you worship with us online, this may be a Sunday when you want to be in person.
December 14 – Christmas Pageant. Join us for the 10:00 service as the children lead us in worship. This is a service that you definitely want to invite family and friends to attend!
December 14 – Family holiday movie day. Following worship, there will watch The Star, a nativity story told from the point of view of the animals. There will be cookies and hot cocoa. Children are invited to wear their pajamas, bring blankets and pillows, and enjoy a fun afternoon with their church friends. (If your child or grandchild needs some quiet time after a very busy and sensory-stimulating Christmas Pageant, there will be a quiet room available.)
December 14 – Christmas Decoration Event at Rolling Ridge, 2:00-7:00. After the movie, all who want to go see Christmas at Rolling Ridge can join us. It is an all-afternoon event, so we can arrive and leave at any time. What is the Christmas Decoration Event – This Grand Georgian Manor will be transformed into a festive wonderland, with staff, family, and friends adorning bedrooms, meeting spaces, and the grounds in holiday splendor. Christmas at Rolling Ridge is one sure way to prepare you and your family for the holidays! All ages are welcome to enjoy and explore. You can* Stroll through beautifully decorated rooms at your own pace, Cast your vote for your favorite bedroom and meeting space, enjoy complimentary hot cider, hot chocolate, hot drinks, and freshly baked Christmas treats after your self-guided tour of the house and the grounds. Admission is $15 for anyone over 12, $5.00 for ages 12-5, and free for 4 and under. If you would like to attend, please let Pastor Travis know.
December 21 – Fourth Sunday in Advent. Christmas is so close that it is hard to contain our excitement! Join us as we begin to turn our eyes from the anticipation of Advent towards the joy of Christmas.
December 24 – Christmas Eve Choir – Our Christmas Eve celebration will begin with music! We are inviting you to join the Christmas Eve Choir, which will sing before the Christmas Eve Service from 5:30-6 p.m. and participate in the Christmas Eve Service at 6:00. If you would like to participate, please let Rachel know. Everyone is invited to join in the fun!
December 24, Christmas Eve Candlelight Service – Join us on Christmas Eve at 5:30 for our annual Christmas Concert, followed by our Christmas Lessons and Carols Candlelight Service at 6:00.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Pastor Travis