Christmas Eve Worship Services
On Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24, St. Paul's will have two worship services. Our 5:00pm service is an interactive, family-friendly service in the Fellowship Hall and our 8:00pm service is a reflective candlelight service in the Sanctuary. Both will include Christmas carols, communion and candlelight, as well as new ways of hearing the familiar story of Jesus' birth. We will also collect an offering designated for the pastors' emergency fund, which is used to help people in need throughout the year.
Childcare will not be provided for either service. The 5:00pm service is designed with children in mind, and children of all ages are always welcome to join worship at St. Paul’s.
Livestream Worship: Our 8:00pm service will also be livestreamed on St. Paul’s Facebook Page.
What would you do if you were not afraid?
Life can be daunting, filled with uncertainty and fears. It wasn't any different two thousand years ago when Jesus was born. An aged priest is told he is about to become a father for the first time. A young woman is told she is going to give birth - outside the protection of marriage. A simple carpenter is asked to believe the impossible. A group of shepherds' night on a hill is interrupted by a bright host of angels in the sky.
Yet, each of these encounters begins with the same refrain: do not be afraid.
Those words, though, are not just words of comfort; they are an invitation and a calling from God. This Advent season, guided by Erin Wathen’s book “Calling All Angels,” we will be challenged to take this timeless message and apply it to our lives today. What could change in our relationships, vocations, congregations, and communities if we had the courage to overcome our fears like Mary, Joseph, Zechariah, and the Shepherds in our Christmas story?
Join the people of St. Paul’s as we embark on a journey of fearlessness and strength this Advent & Christmas season!
Resources for the Advent Journey
“Calling All Angels” Book & Discussion Group: If you would like to reflect further on our weekly Scriptures and Advent theme, you’re invited to read “Calling All Angels” by Erin Wathen, the book that inspired this series. Pastor Diane will gather for a group discussion of the weekly chapters every Sunday at 10am in the Fellowship Hall. Copies of the book are available at church for $15.
St. Paul’s Advent Devotional: This year’s devotional is written by St. Paul’s members, sharing their personal experiences with facing their fears through story, poem and art. Paper copies will be available at church and digital copies will be available starting December 1.
“Do Not Be Afraid” Family Devotional: We also have an interactive Advent Devotional designed for families and children. Activity packets to accompany the digital family devotional are available at church. If your family would like a printed copy of the entire devotional, reach out to Pastor Amanda.
“Calling All Angels” Worship Playlist: Prepare your heart for the birth of Jesus, while listening and singing along to hymns and songs that accompany our Advent theme.
Sunday Worship & Weekly Gatherings
9:02 am Worship: We will worship at 9:02 on December 1, 15, 22 and January 5 in St. Paul’s Fellowship Hall. This service features contemporary music and an informal discussion of the weekly Scripture. The nursery is open; toddlers and young children also have the option of attending Worship & Wonder.
10:00 am Sunday School for All Ages & Languages
Koinonia Class: “The Stories & Scriptures behind our favorite Christmas Carols”
“Calling All Angels” Book Discussion with Pastor Diane in the Fellowship Hall
Regular Classes for ESL Adults, Children & Youth
11:00 am Traditional Worship: We will worship every Sunday at 11am during the Advent & Christmas season. This service is more traditional with people of all ages, with some dressed in suits and jeans, and others in jeans and t-shirts. The nursery is open and young children also have the option of attending Worship & Wonder.
Schedule of Worship Services & Special Events
*Scroll down for more information about these events
Sunday, December 1: First Sunday of Advent
9:02 am Worship
10:00 am Sunday School for All Ages & Languages
11:00 am Worship
Sunday, December 8: Second Sunday of Advent
No 9:02 Worship
10:00 am Sunday School for All Ages & Languages
11:00 am Joint Worship Service & Children’s Christmas Pageant
6:30 pm Blue Christmas Worship Service at Covenant Christian Church*
Sunday, December 15: Third Sunday of Advent
9:02 am Worship
10:00 am Sunday School for All Ages & Languages
11:00 am Worship
4:00 pm Christmas Caroling*
6:00 pm Church Christmas Party*
Sunday, December 22: Fourth Sunday of Advent
9:02 am Worship
10:00 am Sunday School for All Ages & Languages
11:00 am Worship
Tuesday, December 24: Christmas Eve Worship
5:00pm Family Worship Service (Fellowship Hall)
All ages are invited to an interactive worship service in the Fellowship Hall as we bring to life the story of Jesus’ birth. Childcare is not provided since this service is intentionally designed for children of all ages to worship.
8:00pm Traditional Worship Service (Sanctuary & Facebook Live)
Join us for a reflective candlelight worship service in the Sanctuary as we celebrate the light of Christ coming into the world. This service will also be livestreamed on St. Paul’s Facebook Page.
Childcare is not provided during this service; children of all ages are always welcome in any worship service at St. Paul’s.
Sunday, December 29: Christmas Worship
No 9:02 Worship or Sunday School
11am Joint Worship Service: You’re invited to wear your Christmas pajamas or favorite holiday sweater!
Sunday, January 5: Epiphany Sunday
9:02 am Worship
10:00 am Birthday Party for Jesus & Potluck Breakfast*
11:00 am Worship
More Opportunities to Worship, Serve & Connect
St. Paul's Angel Tree & USCRI Toy Drive, Gifts due December 8th
With gratitude for the abundant generosity of St. Paul's members, we are expanding our Angel Tree efforts. In addition to providing gifts for children at St. Paul's, we are also partnering with the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants to collect toys for children whose families recently moved to the Raleigh area. Toys for USCRI families should be inclusive and non-violent, and used toys should be in excellent working condition with all parts/pieces. No clothing, please. Wrapped or unwrapped toys should be labeled with the appropriate age group and placed in the designated collection box in the Fellowship Hall. All gifts are due back to St. Paul’s on Sunday, December 8th. We hope you will participate in some jolly generosity this Christmas season!
Blue Christmas Worship Service, Sunday, Dec. 8 at 6:30pm at Covenant Christian Church
Anyone struggling to fully feel the joy of the holidays this year or yearning for a way to process feelings of grief and loss in the midst of celebrations, is invited to attend a reflective worship service led by several area Disciples and UCC churches at Covenant Christian Church (2911 SW Cary Parkway, Cary). This service will be in-person and virtual via Facebook Live, and childcare will be provided.
Caroling & Christmas Party: Sunday, Dec. 15 at 4:00pm & 6:00pm
On Sunday afternoon, adults and children of all ages are welcome to gather in the Fellowship Hall, where we will divide into groups & go sing to friends of St. Paul's who need extra cheer this holiday season. After caroling, we will return to church for a potluck dinner, games & merriment for all ages! Folks are welcome to attend one or both activities.
Breakfast Potluck & Birthday Party for Jesus: Sunday, January 5 at 10:00am
As we remember the story of the Magi who brought gifts to Jesus’ family, a sign of hope and generosity while they were seeking refuge in a foreign land, we celebrate Epiphany Sunday by collecting items for families and children in our community who are in need of extra love, encouragement, and assistance on their journey. This year, we will collect donations for CWS-Durham, a local refugee resettlement organization and resource provider for immigrants and refugees in the Triangle.
In addition to this collection, we will also be repurposing Christmas cards by writing cards with messages that will be shared with adults and children who will spend next Christmas at Eloy Detention Center in Arizona. Through these simple acts of generosity, hospitality and care, we hope our immigrant and refugee neighbors experience the love of God and neighbor in the New Year.
Donations Requested by CWS-Durham to Support Refugee Families
Laundry Detergent
Bedsheets (twin sets)
Comforters/Blankets (twin sets)
Pots and Pans for Cooking
Toothbrushes
Shampoo
Diapers (Sizes 3 and 5)
Deodorant
Multi-Purpose Cleaning Spray