Advent at Wesley UMC – 2025

The Advent season of 2025 is upon us! We’re so excited to get to share this season and our celebration with you.

"The angels that appear in the story of Jesus’ birth would have been very comfortable in our world of tweets and hashtags. Their messages were often short and to the point and their favorite line was “Do not be afraid”!

For our 4 Advent Sundays this year, each will have a “Hashtag” theme, to pertain to the angel’s messages discussed that morning - #MoreHope, #MorePeace, #MoreJoy and #MoreLove. Each Sunday will also include a different interactive worship element, in addition to Advent themed music, as we approach Christmas.

Click Here to Contribute to the Memorial Christmas Decoration Fund

As we enter into Advent, it's important to remember that with it also comes cold weather! Cancellations of worship services and other events may happen, and we want to make sure everyone is aware and safe. If you want to be able to receive notices of cancellation by text, please text "UPDATE" to (309) 827-8046.

Advent Sunday 1 - November 30 - 9:00am and 11:15am

Make Ready a People #MoreHope

John the Baptist is known for “preparing the way”. News of Elizabeth’s pregnancy was a precursor to the birth of Jesus: if a barren woman can conceive, Mary can conceive the Son of Man.

Advent Sunday 2 - December 7 - 9:00am and 11:15am

Nothing is Impossible #MorePeace

Mary trusted the impossible when she was visited by Gabriel: she would birth a Son, and that Son would save the world. Right now, peace may feel impossible in the world around us. But nothing is impossible in the kingdom of God. What are your prayers for peace?

Advent Sunday 3 - December 14 - 9:00am and 11:15am

Do Not Be Afraid #MoreJoy

When Joseph said yes to God, he chose joy, even in what could have been the darkest of moments. He must have been scared, he was undoubtedly afraid, but he also believed that God would make all things right in the end. As a congregation, we too, are called to choose joy, even when we are afraid.

Advent Sunday 4 - December 21 - 9:00am and 11:15am

This Will Be a Sign: #MoreLove

The angels said: “this will be a sign for you”. God’s love shows up quietly, in a manger, in the darkness, and when we least expect it. When Jesus was born unto the earth, he created a pathway for us to find “more love”: more love in each other, more love in the kingdom and more love as beloved children of God. All things have been prepared, and Christ is on his way. May we, as a congregation of believers, make a pathway for all love as we wait for Jesus to be born.

Later on same Sunday - December 21 - 7:00pm

Longest Night Service

In the evening of the longest night of the year, December 21, we hold a special service that is more somber than our usual worship celebration.

Grief doesn't always come in the form of empty seats at a table. Join us as we lament the loss of life, joy, hope, dreams, and opportunity together. This will be an interactive service for all who gather to engage in healing with community.

Special Activities & Services

Don't miss these special services and events that take place outside of our normal Sunday Worship time!

December 24 - 7:30pm and 11:00pm

Christmas Eve! — #DoNotBeAfraid

“Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.” — Luke 2:14

Over the last four weeks, we have heard of the stories of angel appearances heralding incredible news of the birth of a savior. They didn’t appear to kings and rulers or courts or the privileged of society. They came to an old and barren couple, a young girl barely a woman, a simple and humble man betrothed to her, and finally, to lowly shepherds on a hillside. They came to people like you and me. And so it is that God works through us every time we offer messages of hope, peace, joy, and love to an anxious world. We are called to fly in the face of fear — to be angels among us.

Join us at 7:30pm or 11:00pm on December 24th for our Christmas Eve Services! There will be special liturgy, interactive worship elements and beautiful music from our congregation and Sanctuary in one of our most important service(s) of the whole year. We will of course also be streaming the services live on our YouTube channel at Youtube.com/@WesleyUMCBloomington.

December 17th - 7:00pm

Family Christmas Bazaar

Our 3rd Annual Wesley Family Christmas Bazaar is on December 17th from 6-8:00 pm! We will have a potluck, Christmas Carol sing-along and special crafts for kids.ALL ministries, fellowship groups, families or groups of friends in the church are invited to decorate a Christmas tree to put up around the building. On the 17th, we will have 2 very special guest judges attend the bazaar and pick a winner! Tree decorating begins on November 30th and concludes at 5:00 pm December 17th. Contact Kelsey if you have any questions at KRoss@Wesley-UMC.com.

December 28th - 10:00am

Breakfast & Benediction

We will still have a worship service on December 28th! Instead of our usual 9:00am Traditional Service and 11:15am Contemporary Service in our Sanctuary, we will have a single 10:00am "Service" in Wesley Hall, where we will be serving breakfast and playing our Pre-Recorded Worship Service for December 28th on the projector.

All are welcome to join us in this opportunity to share delicious food and say hello to your friends and neighbors!

December 19th - 20th (Overnight)

Surge Youth Lock-In!

The SURGE Youth Group will be holding their annual Lock-In at Wesley from the night of Dec. 19 to the morning of Dec. 20! There's going to be food, snacks, games, late-night worship in the Sanctuary and more.

Any students in 6th through 12th grades are welcome to attend! Contact Kelsey Ross at KRoss@Wesley-UMC.com for more information.

Multiple Times/Locations

"The Angels of Christmas" - by Susan Robb

Join us for our Advent Book Study on Sunday mornings from 10:00am-11:00am in the lounge studying the angels' messages between services, on Tuesday nights online or with the Tuesday morning Women's Group at 8:00am in the Garden Room.

Books are available now at the welcome desk! (More information in the "Christian Education" link at the base of the newsletter!)