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Cookie & Ornament Exchange Friday, December 1
This annual gathering is traditionally held on the first Friday in December. Members of Orchard and their friends, neighbors, and/or family are invited to come to Orchard on Friday, December 2, at 10 am. Enjoy fellowship with each other, along with brunch, a cookie exchange, and an ornament exchange. Participation in exchanges is optional. If you're participating in the cookie exchange, bring a batch of your favorite cookies, and an additional container to take home your "new" cookies. If you're participating in the ornament exchange, bring a wrapped ornament. Need childcare? Contact Tracey Huber to arrange. The hosts are Michelle Bianco and Barb Gallett.
​Parents Night Out Friday, December 1
Drop off your children 8 and under for some early St. Nick fun from 6 - 8:30 pm. Head to the WOW Room in the Children's Wing for pizza, a Christmas craft, hot chocolate, and a movie. Get a head start on some shopping or go on a date before the holiday rush. Sign-up is required. Contact Tracey Huber with any questions.
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Breakfast with Santa & Santa’s Workshop Saturday, December 2
Ho! Ho! Ho! What could be better than an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast, followed by a personal visit with Santa? Breakfast is $5 for adults and kids 12 & up; $3 for children 3-11; under 3, free. Gluten-free pancakes will be available. Have your picture taken with Santa. Take home a special keepsake ornament. COVID-safe options for visiting Santa will be in place. After sharing wishes with Santa, the children can head down the hall to do a little Christmas shopping at Santa’s Workshop and get those gifts wrapped—all with a little “elf-help”! This is the PERFECT event to invite friends, neighbors, loved ones, or someone you know who has children to come and enjoy Orchard's hospitality!
Christmas Cantata Sunday, December 10
The Chancel Choir will present "Everlasting Light”at both the 9 am and 11 am services at their Christmas Cantata offering.
Advent By Candlelight Tuesday, December 12
Advent by Candlelight is our annual Advent tea and worship service for Orchard women and their guests (ages 12 and up). On Tuesday, December 12, we are taking a moment to reflect on the season. The evening begins at 6:30 pm as women gather outside the sanctuary and enjoy a cup of our famous holiday wassail. The service starts at 7 pm. Click here to sign up to host a table or come as a guest.
Christmas Caroling Saturday, December 16
Bring your Jingle Bells and join the Orchard family in sharing some Joy to the World as we sing Christmas carols with our VIP members. You can sign up at the Welcome Desk to either go to homes or to stay at church and participate via phone. It will note be a Silent Night as we carol on Saturday, December 16 from 1pm to 3pm. Light refreshments after caroling. See Deacon Laura for more information.
Fabulously Festive Fashion Sunday Dec. 17
Wear your festive Christmas attire! We've seen some of your outfits at Breakfast with Santa, some of them on Facebook, and some of them at our various church events in December. This is your opportunity to wear your fabulous Christmas outfit to a worship service! On Sunday, December 17, you are invited to come to church decked out in your favorite Christmas attire. Wear anything from your "ugly Christmas sweater" to absolutely fabulously festive to classic red and green - the choice is yours!
Longest Night Worship Service Wed., December 20
Orchard is hosting a Longest Night worship service on Wednesday, December 20 at 6 pm. You are invited to come and rest in the presence of God in the midst of a busy holiday season. Pray for peace for yourself... pray for peace in our world. Gentle music, scripture, prayer, and brief meditations offered by area pastors. This is a shared worship service with Nardin Park, West Bloomfield, First UMC of Farmington, and Orchard.
Celebrate Together at 10 am Sunday, December 24
On the morning of Sunday, December 24, we with worship together as we celebrate the 4th Sunday of Advent. We will light four of the Advent candles at the beginning of the service. At the end of the service, we will turn our hearts toward Christmas Eve as we light the Christ candle.
Christmas Eve Sunday, December 24
Christmas Eve is Sunday, December 24. We will celebrate the birth of Christ at three distinct worship services.
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Our 4 pm service will be the perfect one to bring children to. There will be plenty of music, the Christmas Story told for (and by) children, and lots of opportunities for everyone to participate in the joy of the evening!
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​7 pm worship will have music led by the Praise Band and Singers.
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9 pm worship will be more traditional music led by the Chancel Choir and organ.
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All services will end with lighting candles as we sing Silent Night.
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Worship Together at ONE Service at 10 am on Sunday, December 31
We will celebrate worship and sing carols at ONE worship service at 10 am on the morning of New Year's Eve. What a wonderful way to end the year - reviewing our blessings of the past year and looking ahead to what the new year will offer!