From The Pastor

One of my favorite hymns for Advent was written by Charles Wesley – Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus. With this hymn Wesley captured the meaning of Advent, these four weeks of preparation.


Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free;

from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee.

Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art;

dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.


The word Advent comes from the Latin word, adventus, which means “coming.” The Season of Advent proclaims the comings of Christ, whose birth we prepare to celebrate once again.  Christ comes to us continually through Word and Spirit. And Advent is a time of anticipation as we look to that day when Christ returns in final victory!  


As a community of faith Advent calls us to prepare for these comings.  Each of the four Sundays of Advent will have a distinctive theme for this preparation.   These themes are: Hope (1st Sunday), Love (2nd Sunday), Joy (3rd Sunday), and Peace (4th Sunday).  


From December 1st to December 25th we celebrate Christ’s coming.  So, please accept this as our invitation for you to come and join in these days of preparation and celebration as we look for the comings of Christ.


Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King,

born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring.

By thine own eternal spirit rule in all our hearts alone;

by thine all sufficient merit, raise us to they glorious home.


Advent Blessings!

Pastor Bob

Advent Events

First Sunday of Advent - December 1

Lighting of the First Advent Candle: Hope

Holy Communion

Blessing of the Creche - 11:00 Worship


Christmas Dinner - December 4

5-7 pm Usborne Book Fair and photos with Santa in Courtyard Tent

5-5:45 pm First Dinner Seating in Asbury Hall

5:50-6:10 pm A Story of Advent from the point of view of Joseph, Elizabeth, the Shepherds and Isaiah in the Sanctuary

6:15-7 pm Second Dinner Seating in Asbury Hall

The menu is pork tenderloin, hash brown casserole, green beans, rolls and dessert. Chicken tenders are available for children. Tickets must be purchased in advance.


Second Sunday of Advent - December 8

Lighting of the Second Advent Candle: Love

Peace Light Tree Dedication - 11:00 Worship

5-7:30 pm Youth Progressive Dinner Party

5-5:30 appetizers for high schoolers at the Berry Home and middle schoolers at the Eagle Farm Club House

5:45-6:45 dinner and crazy sock exchange in Asbury Hall for all

7-7:30 dessert for high schoolers at the Newton Home and middle schoolers at the Satterfield Home

6:00 pm Children Christmas Caroling

Calling all children!  Please join us on Sunday, December 8th, as we  travel with the Children's Choir to sing Christmas carols at Parkwood Village and The Landing and for some of our homebound church members.  We will leave the church at approximately 6:00pm.  If anyone would be willing to help us with transportation, please contact Joel joelgay@fumcwilson.org, Vickie vickiebfranks@fumcwilson.org, or call the church office. 


Preschool White Gift Service

Wednesday, December 11 at 10 am in the Sanctuary

(MW 2's, MWF 3's and M-TH 4's)

Thursday, December 12 at 10 am in the Sanctuary

(T/TH 2's, T/TH 3's and M-F 4's)


Third Sunday of Advent - December 15

Lighting of the Third Advent Candle: Joy

Birthday Party for Jesus - Sunday School Hour 10 am

All children are invited to join us on Sunday, December 15th, during the Sunday School hour in room 201 of the Blackburn Building.  

We will be celebrating the birth of Jesus!

5 pm White Gift Service in the Sanctuary

First Letter of Last Name - White Gift Items

A-C - Peanut Butter

D-H - Canned Vegetables

I-P - Canned Fruit

Q-T - Spaghetti and Spaghetti Sauce

U-Z - Dried Beans and Rice


Special Christmas Music - December 20

7:30 pm Special Christmas Music, "Joy Has Dawned," with Chancel Choir and Orchestra


Fourth Sunday of Advent - December 22

One Worship Service at 11 am in Sanctuary

Lighting of the Fourth Advent Candle: Peace

Special Christmas Music, "Joy Has Dawned," with Chancel Choir and Orchestra

5 pm Children's Choir Christmas Program, "Boring Bethlehem"


Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24

5 pm Family Christmas Eve Service in the Sanctuary

A celebration service for everyone with scripture readings and songs. Children as well as adults dress in costumes to recreate the Christmas Story. Come celebrate the birth of Jesus with us during this special service.

11 pm Candlelight Communion Service in the Sanctuary


Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25

11:30 am - 1 pm Christmas Dinner at First Christian Church for our neighborhood friends, 

followed by Christmas Gifting in Asbury Hall at FUMC



The Story Behind

white Gift

In December 1929 Polly Wray, a child living at the Children's Home in Winston-Salem, was given 25 cents to buy herself a Christmas present during a shopping trip downtown with her cottage friends and housemother. At first she chose four presents for others at a nickel a piece. Her housemother told her with the last nickel she should buy something for herself since the quarter was really for her. Polly replied, "No, I have to get a present for Mr. Bradshaw." Thus she spent her last nickel on a present for her "friend." Robert Bradshaw served as the Assistant Superintendent at the Children's Home from 1922-1931. Polly Wray died the next summer and is buried on the grounds of the Children's Home in Winston-Salem. Robert Bradshaw used this story many times at Christmas to remind us that Polly's gift was not unlike that of God giving us His only Son, the Baby Jesus, who was sent to save us. Polly gave her last possession for a friend. 


Thanks Be To Polly

Thanks Be To God