In celebration of Advent, the congregation and community are invited to participate in a Virtual Advent Calendar. Each day, from Dec. 1 to Dec. 24, Rev. Josh Fitterling will send a special email message with ideas for sharing the gifts of the season. To participate, you need to submit your email address to the church at www.uccwiscasset.org and click on the “Virtual Advent Calendar 2018” tab.

The Advent Season at First Congo Church of Wiscasset begins with the traditional Hanging of the Greens representing Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. On Hope Sunday, Dec. 2, from noon to 2 p.m., an Advent workshop featuring cookie decorating, decorating with greens, graham cracker ‘gingerbread’ house decorating, carol singing, creating a holiday ornament and more will take place in Fellowship Hall.

The second Sunday of Advent, Dec. 9, features Peace. During the regular 10 a.m. service, the church will celebrate with the children singing as part of worship.

The third Sunday of Advent, Dec. 16, features Joy. The choir will perform “Christmas Presence” by Pepper Choplin during the regular 10 a.m. service. The Organ Society’s annual cookie sale will take place during Coffee Hour. Plates of mixed holiday cookies, wrapped and tied with a bow, will be sold at $5 per plate.

The Fourth Sunday of Advent, Dec. 23, features Love. On each Sunday in Advent, a candle on the Advent Wreath will be lit. The center candle will remain unlit until Christmas Eve to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Christmas Eve will feature a candlelight service at 7 p.m. A second service beginning at 11:30 p.m. will usher in Christmas Day with a ringing of church bells at midnight. The church offering will supplement the Special Needs fund to help with fuel, housing and other emergency needs for our neighbors in need during the year.

A service of lessons and carols will be held on Dec. 30 at 10 a.m. Scripture verses telling the story of Jesus’ birth and traditional hymns including “Joy to the World” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” make up the regular service.

On Jan. 6, Epiphany Sunday, marking the arrival of the Three Wise Men to the Stable where Jesus was born, is the church’s traditional White Gift Sunday. Gifts wrapped in white, or checks in white envelopes, are solicited for the Midcoast Humane Shelter (formerly called Lincoln County Animal Shelter), a home heating fund, and the St. Philip’s Food Pantry, as designated by the giver.

The First Congregational Church of Wiscasset is an open and affirming church. Whoever you are and wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.

For more information, please call the church office at 28 High Street at 882-7544, or visit the church web page at www.uccwiscasset.org, or Facebook page at First Congregational Church of Wiscasset UCC.