Lent & Easter 2025
Wrestling with Doubt, Finding Faith
Certainty is virtually impossible, and the Bible is full of people who doubt. Doubt is a path to deeper faith, yet if we hang onto doubt, it will paralyze us. So we look to deepen our faith by examining difficult questions, and we implore the prayer from Mark 9:24 - “Lord I believe, help my unbelief.”
We invite you to scroll through the special opportunities below and choose some that will help you experience the season more fully.
Coat and Toy Drive
Collecting: Through Dec 8
Sorting: Dec 9, 9am-12pm, Ogden Fellowship Hall
The church at-large is invited to participate in Senior Adult Ministry's annual coat and toy drive. New and gently used coats in all sizes as well as new toys will be collected, organized, and distributed to Network of Community Ministries and other local agencies to meet the needs of adults, children, and youth.
Collection bins are located behind the Welcome Desk and in the Shawver Welcome Center.
All are welcome to join us for sorting. No sign up needed.
Angel Tree
Nov 17 - Dec 1, Shawver Welcome Center
The Angel Tree provides Christmas gifts for low-income seniors in our community who participate in the Network of Community Ministries Seniors’ Net program. We also collect $25 Walmart gift cards for Wesley Rankin.
Please return all gifts and gift cards by Monday, December 1.
To participate:
1. Take an ornament from the tree.
2. Purchase the designated items or gift cards.
3. Return the unwrapped items no later than Monday, December 1.
Designated drop-off boxes will be by the Welcome Desk and in Shawver Welcome Center. Gift cards will be collected at the Welcome Desk.
Christmas Poinsettias
Honor or remember loved ones while helping to decorate for Christmas with a donation that will go toward beautiful poinsettias.
Donations can be made Nov 30-Dec 14 in $15 increments.
A list of honorees and donors will be available during Christmas Eve services.
Give online - link coming soon.
Advent Workshop
Sun, Nov 30, 2-4pm, Worship & Arts Center and Coleman Family Hall
Join us for an afternoon of keepsake treasures and stories as we begin the season of Advent and prepare for Christmas.
We will begin with Family Worship at 2pm in the Worship & Arts Center, where we will hear and sing the story of Christmas. Then we'll enjoy making treasures to keep or give. Follow us at @fumcr_kids_at_first for special sneak peeks at this year's crafts!
Cost: $30/family
Registration open through 11/26
Community Movie Night
Fri, Dec 5, 5:30-8pm, Coleman Family Hall / Worship & Arts Center
People of all ages are welcome as we watch The Polar Express on the big screen - PJs welcome! Dinner provided, please register.
Register - RSVP by Dec 4
Santa's Village 2025 - Ornament Factory
Dec 6-21, 6-9pm, Huffhines Park
FUMCR is honored to host the Ornament Factory at the City of Richardson's Santa's Village again this year! Bring your family to this free event, and stop by the Factory to make an ornament.
Santa's Village is open:
- Dec 6-7
- Dec 11 adaptive night
- Dec 12-14
- Dec 19-21
Sign up to volunteer by Dec 14
More info about Santa's Village
Holiday Classics Christmas Concert
Sat, Dec 6, 7:30-9:30pm, Eisemann Center
You're invited to a special Christmas concert featuring the FUMCR Chancel Choir with the Richardson Symphony Orchestra! Enjoy timeless carols that spread holiday cheer and celebrate the spirit of togetherness through music.
Children's Choir Christmas Musical
Sun, Dec 14, 3-4pm, Worship & Arts Center
Come and celebrate the season with the children's choir of FUMCR as they present the nativity story in When Jesus Was Born!.
Children's choir includes children in kindergarten through 6th grade.
Service of Hope
Sun, Dec 21, 5pm, Sanctuary & Livestream
In this season of expectation, decorations, and parties, the sense of loss can be profound. In this service, we look to God for light and comfort, for the Spirit’s presence even in our empty places, and for hope.
Additional Resource
Faith & Grief has shared some helpful coping strategies as well as ideas for taking care of yourself if you're grieving a loss this holiday season. View/Download
Advent Offering
Our special Advent offering will be given to these dynamic organizations who are working passionately every day to make a positive impact in the lives of individuals and families.
Methodist Children's Home
Methodist Children’s Home seeks to equip children, youth, and families by offering hope through Christ-centered relationships and support via a residential program, transition care, parenting education, and foster caregiver support. Learn more about MCH
Network of Community Ministries
Network of Community Ministries works to care, coach, and empower our neighbors in need as they seek an improved quality of life. Learn more about Network
International Christmas Market Shares Available
Shares are financial donations to a non-profit agency or FUMCR ministry bought as a tribute to a loved one. It's a gift that reaches beyond giver and receiver to benefit and serve those in need. We're featuring 10 ministries and agencies this year.
Shares are available online through December 31. Ordering cards is available through December 19.
CHOOSE ONE OR MORE OF THESE RECIPIENTS:
• Ark House provides low-cost, fully furnished apartments to persons and their caregivers who come to Dallas area hospitals for long term medical care.
• Heifer Project International provides livestock and training that transforms the lives of 23 million hungry and impoverished men, women, and children.
• H.E.R.O.E.S. programs provide therapy, recreation, social development, and vocational training for children and young adults with special needs.
• Impact Global Health Alliance partners with the UMC conferences and health boards to deliver sustainable and measurable health improvement programs that focus on women and children.
• Kafodzidzi School serves 650 students in Ghana. Shares will support ongoing projects and needs of the school.
• Manos Juntas - Establishes ministries such as medical clinics, scholarship programs, and community development projects along the U.S.-Mexico border.
• Panama Medical shares will provide supplies, medicines, and vitamins to be distributed during FUMCR medical mission trips.
• Prison Entrepreneurship Program focuses on overcoming the challenges faced by individuals reentering society after incarceration through education, mentorship, and housing stability.
• Richardson Area Interfaith Habitat provides quality housing for stable, low income families.
• Skuinskloof School in South Africa serves over 200 students and has need of new lavatories, new roofing in the original school building, and remodeling a structure to house teachers.
• Youth Mission Trips serve others across the U.S. through home & community improvement projects.
Rev. Adam Hamilton kicked off our Lenten series with a dynamic presentation on February 24. If you missed it, you can watch it here.
