Christians have a special word for the four weeks before Christmas. It is Advent, which means “to come or arrive,” because this is the season when we get ready to celebrate Jesus’ arrival into the world at Christmas. We might be shopping, cooking, and decorating as we get our hearts and homes ready for Christmas. Most of all, we are waiting for the love that Jesus brings.
Christmas WORSHIP
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21
Blue Christmas on the Longest Night
4:00PM | SAN Murchison Chapel
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24
Christmas Eve Morning Service
8:00AM | FLC Garrison Chapel
Christmas Eve Noon Service
12:00PM | Sanctuary
Christmas Eve Family Service
3:00PM | Sanctuary
Christmas Eve Candlelight and Communion
6:00PM | Sanctuary and Livestream
8:00 and 11:00PM| Sanctuary
SunDAY, DECEMBER 29
First Sunday after Christmas
11:00AM | Sanctuary
More details about each worship service and how to navigate our campus below
Blue Christmas on the Longest Night
Saturday, December 21
4:00PM | SAN Murchison Chapel
How come I don’t feel it? If you are asking yourself this question, remember that even in the midst of the wonder and expectation of Advent, many of us feel out of step with the joy and excitement of Christmas. We have lost loved ones, faced disappointments and or scary diagnoses, or just feel disconnected. If you find that you are feeling blue because grief and depression do not disappear during the “happy holidays,” join us for this special worship service to ask God to meet us in our grief and longing for hope.
Christmas Eve Morning Worship Service
Tuesday, December 24
8:00AM | FLC Garrison Chapel
Start your celebrations early on Christmas Eve morning. We will host our annual Christmas Breakfast with our unhoused neighbors, and then guests, volunteers, and early birds are invited to worship to celebrate Emmanuel, God-with-Us, coming to us at Christmas.
Christmas Eve Noon Worship Service
Tuesday, December 24
12:00PM | Sanctuary
This traditional service features carols, scripture reading, and Holy Communion, and is ideal for those who wish to celebrate early and for those whose plans make it impossible to participate in our later services.
Christmas Eve Family Worship Service
Tuesday, December 24
3:00PM | Sanctuary
Designed with young families in mind, adults can experience all of the traditions of Christmas Eve worship and introduce their children to those same traditions in this brief 45-minute service. While worship will include the Nativity story, carols, Holy Communion, and a candlelit “Silent Night,” the atmosphere in the room is more casual and there is no expectation that participating children will be wiggle free or as silent as the infant Jesus.
Christmas Eve Candlelight and Communion Worship Services
Tuesday, December 24
6:00PM | Sanctuary and Livestream
8:00 and 11:00PM | Sanctuary
These traditional services celebrate Christ’s birth with sacred music, carols, scripture, Holy Communion, and a candlelit “Silent Night.” The music of the Christmas Festival Choir will add to the joyous atmosphere at the 6:00 and 8:00PM services.
First Sunday after Christmas Worship Service
Sunday, December 29
11:00AM | Sanctuary
You are invited to take things slow on this Sunday morning after Christmas. We will end the year with a chance to connect with God and make space in this busy season to hear what God is calling us to do in 2025. There will be one worship service at 11:00AM and no childcare or faith formation activity for children or youth. Come in your casual clothes. Seriously, jammies are welcome this week! We look forward to this chance to extend our Christmas celebration and share hopes and intentions for this new year.
Details About Our CampUS
- Our Sanctuary Building is undergoing a significant renovation so that it is ready for the next century of worshipers to find a spiritual home here. That’s a good thing! It also means that it is surrounded by scaffolding. The main entrance to the Sanctuary is on Lavaca Street beneath the scaffolding. Ushers will be available to help you find your way in if this is your first time at First Church.
- Parking is available on the surrounding city streets and in the parking garage located on the southwest corner of 13th St. and Lavaca St. across from the Family Life Center. There is also a parking lot adjacent to the church that provides easier access to the Sanctuary for those who have small children or mobility challenges.
Our Christmas Offering
Black Mamas Village
This Christmas, strengthen community by helping Black Mamas Village (BMV) build bridges to health and belonging that change lives.
At a time when many families face housing insecurity, food shortages, and health disparities, Black Mamas Village provides connection, healing, and hope through its programs. The Village Place, BMV’s vibrant community hub in North Austin, serves hundreds of families weekly through a food pantry, resource navigation, and access to affordable childcare and mental health services.
Behind these numbers are powerful stories of transformation.
- One mother, battling postpartum depression, visited The Village Place and was able to entrust her baby to volunteers so that she could reset in our nap room. This simple act gave her the time and strength to face the challenges of working motherhood.
- Another mother, experiencing homelessness, found relief with a hot shower, library time with her sons, and housing support after escaping domestic violence.
- A third mother, a skilled massage therapist rebuilding after divorce, launched her business at The Village Place and now gives back by offering free wellness sessions to others.
Help First Church fund some of BMV’s most critical needs: a refrigerator and shelving for the food pantry, upgrades to the breastfeeding and nap rooms, event furniture, and a clothes dryer for the Free Store. Your gifts, marked “Christmas Offering,” may be brought to worship, mailed to or brought by the church office, or online by using the button below. Be sure to select “Christmas Offering” from the drop-down menu.
Diaper Collection
Now-Sunday, January 5
Sanctuary and FLC Foyers We are collecting diapers for the Austin Diaper Bank from Advent through Epiphany. A clean diaper means a happy, healthy baby, and recent studies say that nearly fifty percent of families with young children struggle to afford this basic need. Bring diapers of any size (sizes 4-6 are most needed) throughout this season in recognition of the fully human infant Jesus, and help us ensure that families have this essential for peaceful silent nights.
Special Events
Blue Christmas on the Longest Night
Saturday, December 21
4:00PM | EDU Murchison Chapel
Even in the midst of the wonder and expectation of Advent, many of us feel out of step with that joy and excitement. We have lost loved ones, faced disappointments or scary diagnoses, or just feel disconnected. If you are feeling blue because grief and depression do not disappear during the “happy holidays,” join us for this special worship service on the longest night of the year as we ask God to meet us in our grief and longing.
Cookie Baking for Christmas Breakfast
Monday, December 23
9:00AM-12:00PM | FLC Great Hall and Kitchen
Cookies, coloring, ribbon, and more! Bring your favorite holiday apron to help with drop-and-bake cookies, assemble bags of cookies and gift bags, make placemats, write Christmas care notes, and other holiday preparations as we get ready to host our annual Christmas Eve Breakfast. For more information, contact Pastor Cathy Stone.
Christmas Breakfast
Tuesday, December 24
6:30-8:30AM | Family Life Center
Start your Christmas celebrations with the gift of serving others as we host our unhoused neighbors for breakfast. Our guests will enjoy coffee and Christmas music beginning at 6:30AM, with breakfast served at 7:00AM. Many have made these volunteer opportunities a meaningful part of their Christmas traditions. Spaces fill fast so sign up now.