Christmas 2020 will look different.
We have made, with unanimous support of our Church Council, the difficult decision to suspend in-person Christmas Eve and Christmas Day worship services. To be sure, this decision was met with grief and sadness, but also, a spirit of hope and joy is drawing us forward into a different kind of Christmas season.
We have many virtual events and opportunities during Advent. For Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, we will join together in the Spirit of Christmas—virtually from our sanctuary and also from a barn. Undoubtedly a first for First Lutheran! Below is a summary of our increased efforts to offer multiple opportunities to come together.
Virtual Carols and Cocoa
Sunday, December 13, 6 p.m.
What is Christmas without singing carols together? Get a mug of cocoa (or any other preferred hot drink) and get online to belt out Christmas carols along with your church community (yes, you can mute yourself!). The songs will be led by the talented musicians of First and all are invited to warm their spirits with Christmas favorites. Tune in on our website, flcfargo.org, and Facebook, (First Lutheran Church—Fargo).
Parking Lot Christmas
Sunday, December 20, 4-5 p.m.
Come to the east parking lot of First Lutheran where we will join our hearts and voices together in celebration of the Christmas season. You can stay in your cars or warm up by a fire pit—keeping socially distanced of course. Come with the whole family to hear the Christmas story and sing Christmas songs. Hot cider and warm wishes available.
Christmas Worship Opportunities
CHRISTMAS EVE: Thursday, December 24
ONLINE | our homepage and Facebook
Traditional and Contemporary Worship, 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Traditional Worship, 10:35 p.m.
TELEVISION | The CW (Midcontinent 16 and 616; Sparklight 38 and 1038)
Traditional Worship, 12 p.m.
Contemporary Worship, 3 p.m.
TELEVISION | KVLY-11
Traditional Worship, 10:35 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY: Friday, December 25
ONLINE | our homepage and Facebook
Traditional Worship, 9 a.m.
TELEVISION | KVLY-11
Traditional Worship, 9 a.m.
Christians—no matter where they are—are joined together by the promises Communion holds: forgiveness, new life, and salvation. Therefore, we are offering the opportunity to partake in Holy Communion from your home during Christmas worship.
While you are worshiping with us on Christmas Eve or Day, you will have the opportunity to have Communion and light your candle during the service as we gather in Spirit as the community of Christ. While you are worshiping with us on Christmas Eve or Day, you will have the opportunity to have Communion and light your candle during the service as we gather in Spirit as the community of Christ.
Pick up your Christmas Worship Bag!
We have prepared a Christmas worship bag for you to take home that contains the wine, a wafer, and a candle for each member of your family. These bags are available for pick up:
Sunday, December 20, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Monday, December 21, 1 - 6 p.m.
Call the office for other arrangements 701.235.7389.
What You Will Need
- The Celebration Cup (individual communion wafer and juice set) included in the Christmas worship bag you picked up at First Lutheran.
- If you were unable to pick up a Christmas worship bag, please have available bread or wafers and red wine or grape juice.
To participate from your home at Christmas in the sacrament of Holy Communion, please follow these instructions:
Instructions
- Have all elements prepared before worship begins.
- The pastor will share the Words of Institution.
- The pastor will then say, “The body of Christ, broken for you;” at this time eat the bread.
- The pastor will say, “The blood of Christ, shed for you;” at this time drink the wine.
- Receive God’s forgiveness in Jesus Christ with joy!
Christmas In a Barn
The smell of animals.
The crunch of hay underfoot.
Light peaking through the rafters.
Discover the manger on a farm during worship on Christmas Eve. Join us as we leave the Celebration Center and experience a unique adventure (virtually) in a barn—a service you will not want to miss!
On December 24 at 3 p.m., tune in to The CW (Midcontinent 16 and 616; Sparklight 38 and 1038), or visit our homepage or Facebook (video will be released at 3 p.m.).
