.png){kind=small}
Advent
Advent at Community UMC is a season where faith feels like home—filled with weekly worship services, thoughtful devotionals, and simple practices to help you slow down and prepare your heart. Throughout the month, you’ll find family-friendly events and hands-on activities that invite all ages to wonder, serve, and celebrate together. Our music ministry fills the church with hope through concerts and special musical offerings. Come join us as we watch, wait, and welcome the Light.
About the series
Luke’s Gospel begins the story of Jesus with this opening line: “In the time of Herod…” This detail may seem minor to modern readers, however, it reveals layers of information about the fearful world Jesus entered, one filled with rampant oppression, economic disparity, uncertainty, and instability. A world not so unlike our own. And yet, throughout the stories of Christ’s birth, we hear the whispers of angels delivering a surprising message: “Do not fear.” In our own time, we might ask: is it even possible to be fearless in a fearful world? When Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the magi are each called into God’s redemptive story, they do not deny their fears—they move through them. They ask questions, hold fast to courage, trust in good news, and say, “Here I am, Lord.” When we find ourselves in fearful times, can we acknowledge our fears while also insisting on hope?
Events
MDO Gives Back
Now Thru December 4th
Snuggle up to a good cause! Join Mother’s Day Out in supporting Beyond Bedtime through our annual Pajama Drive, running now through December 4.
Beyond Bedtime provides cozy pajamas, books, and bedtime tools to children who’ve experienced hardship — helping them rest, learn, and thrive.
Bring new pajamas to the church office, MDO office, or Narthex and help make bedtime a little brighter for a child in need.
Poinsettia Orders Due
Sunday, November 30th
Help adorn the sanctuary this Christmas season by ordering a poinsettia in memory or honor of a loved one.
Mission Gift Festival
Sunday, December 7th
During and After Service
Join us on Sunday, December 7, as we celebrate Community UMC’s annual Mission Gift Festival — a joyful morning of worship, song, and stories from our ministry partners.
Following worship, head to the Revelation Room to meet representatives from each organization, shop for meaningful gifts for your loved ones, and share a cup of coffee and conversation with friends.
This year’s mission partners include both familiar friends and new faces: Book Ahead, Rooted & Rising – Washington Park, Northcott Neighborhood House, NAMI, Pathfinders, and Community Smile Dental.
Come celebrate the spirit of giving and see how your gifts make a difference in our community and beyond! For more information visit www.cumceg.org/mgf
MDO Holiday Party
Friday, December 12th
Join in the joy as Mother’s Day Out celebrates the season with their Holiday Party!
Fellowship Hall will be filled with music, cookie decorating, crafts, and the sound of laughter from our littlest ones with the biggest hearts. Their excitement and joy remind us all what the spirit of Christmas is truly about.
Come share in the sweetness of the season with our MDO families — it’s sure to warm your heart! ❤️
Creative Advent
Monday, December 15th
6:00pm
Week 3 of 3
Nativity Bracelet
Discover the beauty of the season through Creative Advent, a three-part series combining meditative reflection with hands-on art experiences.
Each session stands on its own — attend one, two, or all three — as we explore the themes of Advent through creativity and quiet contemplation.
This intergenerational offering welcomes participants of all ages.
To help us prepare materials, please RSVP by contacting the church office to reserve your spot.
Epiphany Sunday
Star Word Sunday
Sunday, January 4th
9:30am
The celebration of Epiphany reminds us of the star that guided the Magi to the newborn Christ—a light that revealed God’s love to the world. In that same spirit, Community UMC continues the
long-held tradition of Star Words Sunday, when each person receives a
single guiding word for the year ahead. This word isn’t chosen at
random—it’s a gift, an invitation to reflection, and a companion for
your spiritual journey. Your Star Word may challenge, comfort, or
surprise you. Over time, it becomes a touchstone, helping you
notice where God is moving in your life and how your faith continues to
grow. During worship, Pastor Tim will share a special Epiphany
message and offer both Star Words and Star Word Journals to help you
engage with your word throughout the year. Come and begin 2026 with open hearts, seeking the light that still leads us forward—one word, one step, one act of faith at a time.
All Saints Sunday
Sunday, November 2nd
9:30am
On All Saints Sunday, we gather to remember and give thanks for the saints who have gone before us — those whose faith, love, and service shaped our lives and our church. As we light candles and lift their names in prayer, we celebrate the promise of resurrection and the great cloud of witnesses that surrounds us still. Join us in worship as we honor their memory and rejoice in the hope we share through Christ.
Advent Study
with Pastor Tim
Unafraid
Sundays in Advent
After Service
November 30th, December 7th, 14th, 21st & January 4th
This Advent, our theme is “What Do You Fear? Insisting on Hope this Advent.” Using Adam Hamilton’s Unafraid: Living with Courage and Hope in Uncertain Times, we’ll explore how faith helps us move beyond anxiety to live with courage and peace. Each week will focus on different fears and how to face them with hope. The five-week study begins November 30, and books are $20. To join, contact Jeff Turmel at jaturmel14@gmail.com or the church office at chriss.stump@cumceg.org
Creative Advent
Monday, December 8th
6:00pm
Week 2 of 3
Box Frame Nativity Silhouette
Discover the beauty of the season through Creative Advent, a three-part series combining meditative reflection with hands-on art experiences.
Each session stands on its own — attend one, two, or all three — as we explore the themes of Advent through creativity and quiet contemplation.
This intergenerational offering welcomes participants of all ages.
To help us prepare materials, please RSVP by contacting the church office to reserve your spot.
Cookie Walk & More
Saturday, December 13th
Doors open at 9:00am
It’s that wonderful time of year again! Join us for the United Women in Faith Annual Cookie Walk and More, where you can fill a box with your favorite treats from dozens of delicious cookie varieties.
While you’re here, browse beautiful handmade crafts from our Sew Together group and unique greeting cards from the Greeting Card Ministry.
This beloved holiday tradition always sells out—so come early, bring your sweet tooth, and enjoy the festive spirit!
And remember, we need both bakers and buyers to make this event such a success.
If you love to bake, we’d love your help!
-
Drop-off for freezable cookies begins one week before the event.
-
Drop-off for non-freezable cookies begins the day before.
-
You can bring your cookies to the church during regular office hours.
Thank you for helping spread warmth, joy, and sweetness this Christmas season! ❤️
Longest Night Service
Thursday, December 18th
6:00pm
A Service of Healing and Wholeness
Christmas is a season filled with images of happy families and joyful people. However, not everyone feels this way. For some people, this season is a real struggle and they need the reassurance and comfort that our faith provides.
Perhaps you are grieving the loss of a loved one, struggling with an illness, or just needing some encouragement in this current time. Maybe you are wondering how you will get through the holidays. In this time, we will be offering a Longest Night Service to provide a time of comfort through reflection, prayer, and meaningful music. Please e-mail (tim.obrien@cumceg.org) the names of those you are grieving, a brief description of a situation you are struggling with, or a prayer that you have and we will lift them up during the service.
Please come for this time of hope and renewal through this worship of healing and wholeness. Let us come to gather in the good news of this season, “God with us: Immanuel!”
Hanging of the Greens
Saturday, November 29th
9:00am
Join us on Saturday, November 29 at 9 a.m. for light breakfast snacks and orange juice as we deck the halls of Community UMC! Help decorate the narthex, sanctuary, hearth room, and more to make our sacred spaces warm, welcoming, and full of holiday spirit. Everyone is invited—no RSVP needed!
Creative Advent
Monday, December 1st
6:00pm
Week 1 of 3
Stained Glass Candle Holder
Discover the beauty of the season through Creative Advent, a three-part series combining meditative reflection with hands-on art experiences.
Each session stands on its own — attend one, two, or all three — as we explore the themes of Advent through creativity and quiet contemplation.
This intergenerational offering welcomes participants of all ages.
To help us prepare materials, please RSVP by contacting the church office to reserve your spot.
Northcott Toy Drive
December 8th thru December 14th
Once again, Community UMC will be collecting unwrapped toys for children ages 1–12 to help make Christmas a little brighter for families served by Northcott Neighborhood House.
Your donated gifts will be lovingly wrapped and given to children on Christmas Eve, with a special catered meal for families on Christmas Day at Northcott.
Please bring your unwrapped toys to Fellowship Hall and place them in the decorated bins along the west wall during collection week. Let’s see if we can top last year’s total of 100 toys!
This project is sponsored by our “Girls on Friday” small group — thank you for helping us share joy and kindness this Christmas season.
Happy shopping, and thank you for your generosity!
Advent Cantata
Sunday, December 14th
9:30am
Sometimes saying "yes" to God's call fills us with fear. We fear, just like Mary, when she was told she would give birth to the Messiah, that we aren't enough. That we'll be alone. That no one will listen. And yet, God calls us forward, inviting us to live fully into who we are created to be and promising to be with us as we move forward through our fear, every step of the way. On December 14th, Community United Methodist Church's Festival Choir and Festival Orchestra present a musical reflection on what it means to say yes to God, featuring beloved Christmas carols and songs that remind us that courage isn't an absence of fear, but a choice that we make despite it.
PJs & Praise
Breakfast Church
Sunday, December 28th
9:30am
The first Sunday after Christmas is often a joyful day!
Christ has come! The wait is over! Joy to the world!
Yet, even as we celebrate, the Gospel of Matthew gently reminds us that the world is still a broken and messy place. Through the story of Herod’s persecution, we are called to hold both realities — joy and sorrow, hope and injustice — in tension.
This special Breakfast Church service invites us to do just that. We’ll gather in Fellowship Hall for worship around the table — sharing food, faith, and honest conversation about what it means to live with hope and work toward justice in the year ahead.
Please let the church office know if you can bring a dish and/or would like to volunteer as kitchen staff!
We’ll also be collecting new socks and underwear for those in need — because while we may come in our pajamas, we still believe in wearing underwear under them! (no donating the ones you’re wearing.)
On this last Sunday of the year, may we feast on joy, face the hard truths with courage, and dream together of a world made new.
Services
All Saints Sunday - 9:30am
On All Saints Sunday, we gather to remember and give thanks for the saints who have gone before us — those whose faith, love, and service shaped our lives and our church. As we light candles and lift their names in prayer, we celebrate the promise of resurrection and the great cloud of witnesses that surrounds us still. Join us in worship as we honor their memory and rejoice in the hope we share through Christ.
First Sunday of Advent - 9:30am
in the time of herod, we long for god to break in Luke 1:5-13 (Luke starts the story with King Herod, in an era of fear) Lamentations 3:55-57 (“I called on your name from the depths of the pit”) Luke begins his gospel by orienting us within “the time of King Herod,” and we begin the series by fleshing out what it might have been like to live in the days when Jesus was born—a time not all that different from our own. As an elderly priest, Zechariah had witnessed the fall of Judean independence and the beginning of Roman occupation. He longed for the coming Messiah, and he longed for a son. The author of Lamentations cries out in personal pain while his homeland is under Babylonian rule. Our global and personal heartache are intertwined, and the wait for promised rescue is hard to bear. Whether in exile, under the rule of a puppet king, or in the depths of personal pain, we long for God to break through the fear and bring us hope.
Second Sunday of Advent - 9:30am
Mission Gift Festival
when we're running out of hope, god is at work Matthew 11:1-11 (John the Baptist is running out of hope and reaches out to Jesus) Isaiah 43:19-21 (“I am about to do a new thing”) John the Baptist sends word to Jesus from his prison cell, asking, “Are you the one?” John has spent his entire life preparing the way for Jesus, but from his prison cell, now certainly facing death, the future looks grim. Like John, even the most confident of us wonder from time to time: Is all this work worth it? Does anything I do matter? Am I on the right track? We can’t always see the fruits of our labor, yet God is at work anyway. How might we, like Jesus and Isaiah, point to the places where God is at work in our world? How might we keep hope alive?
Third Sunday of Advent - 9:30am
Advent Cantata
even in our fear, we are called forward Luke 1:26-39 (The angel visits Mary) Jeremiah 1:4-10 (Jeremiah is called as a prophet) Sometimes saying “yes” to God’s call fills us with fear. We fear, just like Mary and Jeremiah, that we aren’t enough. That we’ll be alone. That no one will listen. And yet, God calls us forward, inviting us to live fully into who we are created to be and promising to be with us as we move forward through our fear, every step of the way. Too often we talk about bravery and courage in terms of hero narratives or big actions, but every day presents many moments to practice small, quiet acts of courage. May we say “yes” to God, even when our knees shake and our voices tremble.
Longest Night Service - 6:00pm
A Service of Healing and Wholeness
Christmas is a season filled with images of happy families and joyful people. However, not everyone feels this way. For some people, this season is a real struggle and they need the reassurance and comfort that our faith provides.
Perhaps you are grieving the loss of a loved one, struggling with an illness, or just needing some encouragement in this current time. Maybe you are wondering how you will get through the holidays. In this time, we will be offering a Longest Night Service to provide a time of comfort through reflection, prayer, and meaningful music. Please e-mail (tim.obrien@cumceg.org) the names of those you are grieving, a brief description of a situation you are struggling with, or a prayer that you have and we will lift them up during the service.
Please come for this time of hope and renewal through this worship of healing and wholeness. Let us come to gather in the good news of this season, “God with us: Immanuel!”
Fourth Sunday of Advent - 9:30am
when you're afraid, give me your hand Matthew 1:18-25 (Joseph’s dream) Isaiah 41:5-10 (“Each one helps the other; I will strengthen you”) “Give me your hand” might be counter to how we usually respond to fear, but what if fear can result in connection instead of isolation? Joseph sets aside his fear of rejection and shame in order to stand in solidarity with Mary, shielding her from harm. Their bond makes them each stronger. We don’t live out our callings in isolation—our communal flourishing depends on each person stepping into their calling despite their fear. How can we offer support to one another? Where can we reach out when fear makes us feel isolated? And can we use our power and privilege, like Joseph, to stand in solidarity with people whose lives are at risk?
Christmas Eve
4pm Service
Chancel Choir &Clarion Bells
Both Services are Candlelight Services
good news is louder than fear Luke 2:1-20 (The angels deliver good news to the shepherds, who go to the newborn Christ) The Christmas season can be filled with saccharine images of Mary, meek and mild, with a quiet, sleepy Jesus in her arms. But the host of angels shouts to the skies, “Glory to God in the highest!” What would it look like for us to proclaim the good news loudly, with overflowing joy? In a world that weaponizes fear, where algorithms decide what gets weight, what gets circulated, and what takes up space, let us be disruptive with our joy. Let us be loud and unruly, amplifying the good news like the shepherds running into the streets of Bethlehem. In a world where good news never feels loud enough to drown out fear, let us shout with the angels, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace!”
6pm Service
Praise Team
First Sunday After Christmas - 9:30am
PJs & Praise
Breakfast Church
let fear fuel a fire for justice Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 (The Holy family flees to Egypt, then returns to Galilee once it’s safe) The holy family fears for their safety and for their child’s life, like so many refugees around the world. Their valid fears motivate them to move—and so they seek refuge in Egypt until it is safe for them to return home. Instead of trying to push fear away, what if we used it as fuel? What if we harnessed that incredible source of energy for good, fighting for a world where no one fears for their safety? Utilizing our fear wisely not only helps others; taking concrete action also interrupts the fear that so easily paralyzes us. The work helps others, but the act of putting our fear to work changes us, too.
Epiphany Sunday - 9:30am
Star Word Sunday
fear doesn't stop us Matthew 2:1-12, 16-18 (The magi visit Christ; Herod responds with the massacre of the innocents) As we end the series, Herod is still in power. Christ is born, but it feels as if the world has not changed. The temptation to give up is strong, especially in the face of violence. But the magi don’t let Herod’s fear-driven demands stop them from honoring the newborn Christ or returning home by a different way. They model for us what it looks like to be led by hope, moving through fear without letting it paralyze you. As this series ends and a new year begins, we proclaim: our journey continues, and fear won’t have the last word.
PJs & Praise
Breakfast Church
December 28th - 9:30am
The first Sunday after Christmas is often a joyful day!
Christ has come! The wait is over! Joy to the world!
Yet, even as we celebrate, the Gospel of Matthew gently reminds us that the world is still a broken and messy place. Through the story of Herod’s persecution, we are called to hold both realities — joy and sorrow, hope and injustice — in tension.
This special Breakfast Church service invites us to do just that. We’ll gather in Fellowship Hall for worship around the table — sharing food, faith, and honest conversation about what it means to live with hope and work toward justice in the year ahead.
Please let the church office know if you can bring a dish and/or would like to volunteer as kitchen staff!
We’ll also be collecting new socks and underwear for those in need — because while we may come in our pajamas, we still believe in wearing underwear under them! (no donating the ones you’re wearing.)
On this last Sunday of the year, may we feast on joy, face the hard truths with courage, and dream together of a world made new.
_edited.jpg)
Discover the beauty of the season through Creative Advent, a three-part series combining meditative reflection with hands-on art experiences.
Each session stands on its own — attend one, two, or all three — as we explore the themes of Advent through creativity and quiet contemplation.
This intergenerational offering welcomes participants of all ages.
To help us prepare materials, please RSVP by contacting the church office to reserve your spot.
All Creative Advent Classes are 6:00pm.
December 1
December 8
December 15
Art Series - Week 1 of 3
December 1st - 6:00pm
Candle Holder
God is always with us.
Luke 1: 5-13
Art Series - Week 2 of 3
December 8th - 6:00pm
Box Frame Painted or Hymn Nativity Silhouette
We are called to be courageous
Luke 1: 26-39
Art Series - Week 3 of 3
December 15th - 6:00pm
Nativity Bracelet
We are called to help those who live in fear
Matthew 2:1, 13-15, 19-23
Cantata
Sometimes saying "yes" to God's call fills us with fear. We fear, just like Mary, when she was told she would give birth to the Messiah, that we aren't enough. That we'll be alone. That no one will listen. And yet, God calls us forward, inviting us to live fully into who we are created to be and promising to be with us as we move forward through our fear, every step of the way. On December 14th, Community United Methodist Church's Festival Choir and Festival Orchestra present a musical reflection on what it means to say yes to God, featuring beloved Christmas carols and songs that remind us that courage isn't an absence of fear, but a choice that we make despite it.
Sunday, December 14th
9:30am
Devotionals
Available in the Revelation Room, Narthex and Office Workroom.
If you would like a devotional mailed to you please email prayers@cumceg.org
Online Devotional
Advent Study
Unafraid
with Pastor Tim O'Brien
Our theme for this upcoming Advent season is: “What do you Fear? Insisting on Hope this Advent”. A common theme of our upcoming season is Jesus’ recurring counsel, “Do not be afraid.” But how do we do this? How do escape the echo chamber of anxiety and worry that can paralyze us? We will look at those questions and others through our Advent study using Adam Hamilton’s book, “Unafraid: Living with Courage and Hope in Uncertain Times”. Through this study we will look at some Biblical principles so that with insight, intention and faith we can discover some practical steps on how to embrace and be examples of courage and hope to those around us in this time.
Our topics will include:
Week 1 (Nov 30): Understanding and Countering Fear
Week 2 (Dec 7): Crime, Race, Terrorism, and Politics
Week 3 (Dec 14): Failure, Disappointing Others, Insignificance, and Loneliness
Week 4 (Dec 21): Apocalypse, Change, Missing Out, and Finances
Week 5 (Jan 4): Aging, Illness, Dying, and Fear of the Lord
This study will include a book, which is $20. Join us for this five-week study as we come to insist on hope and work for peace. If you would like to attend please let Jeff Turmel know at: jaturmel14@gmail.com or contact the church office at: chriss.stump@cumceg.org
Poinsettia Orders
Poinsettia Orders Due
Sunday, November 30th
Help adorn the sanctuary this Christmas season by ordering a poinsettia in memory or honor of a loved one.
If you would like to email Chriss your order you can do that to Chriss.Stump@cumceg.org and pay online with Vanco.
You may also mail in or place your order form in the offering plate and mark that you are paying online and pay online with Vanco.
Epiphany Sunday
Star Word Sunday
**Star Word Spinner will be available
December 30th**
The celebration of Epiphany reminds us of the star that guided the Magi to the newborn Christ—a light that revealed God’s love to the world. In that same spirit, Community UMC continues the
long-held tradition of Star Words Sunday, when each person receives a
single guiding word for the year ahead. This word isn’t chosen at
random—it’s a gift, an invitation to reflection, and a companion for
your spiritual journey. Your Star Word may challenge, comfort, or
surprise you. Over time, it becomes a touchstone, helping you
notice where God is moving in your life and how your faith continues to
grow. During worship, Pastor Tim will share a special Epiphany
message and offer both Star Words and Star Word Journals to help you
engage with your word throughout the year. Come and begin 2026 with open hearts, seeking the light that still leads us forward—one word, one step, one act of faith at a time.
Christmas Offering
StreetLife Communities
What We Do
StreetLife Communities (SLC) engages in street outreach to provide essential medical care, survival resources, and hope to Milwaukee’s unhoused community.
Homelessness is not simply living without shelter, it’s disconnection from the support and relationships that provide security and meaning to our lives. It’s a physical, emotional, and spiritual predicament that creates debilitating suffering and trauma.
Our mission is simple:
As created equals, we work to reduce harm and restore hope by providing essential resources to our Milwaukee neighbors living on the streets.
In that spirit, we provide unhoused people with essential resources including food, water, and hygiene products. We also offer seasonally appropriate clothing and gear to protect them from the elements.
.png)