Advent & Christmas at First Pres

Advent is the four-week season before Christmas, a time of hopeful anticipation as we celebrate the arrival of Jesus, our Savior. It is full of opportunities for connection, celebration, and worship at First Presbyterian Church Fort Worth. We hope our church will be a place for respite, reflection, and renewal this season. We can’t wait to celebrate with you! 

LUNCH & ADVENT WREATH WORKSHOP

Sunday, November 29, 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. on the Third Floor Concourse
Bring the whole family on Sunday, November 29, for an Intergenerational Advent Wreath Workshop and enjoy a special day of fellowship and creativity! Our Workshop will be set-up on the Third Floor Concourse from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (come and go as you like throughout the morning). This hands-on experience is the perfect way to prepare for the Advent season together. All materials are provided, and everyone - of all ages - is welcome! After worship, enjoy a free All-Church Lunch beginning at 11:30 a.m. in the Great Hall, hosted by the Stewardship Committee as a heartfelt thank you for your generous 2027 pledges. Questions? Contact Ann Nielsen (817.335.1231, ext. 232).

Advent sermon Series: Hopefully Hoping

Hope is a word we hear often during Advent, yet many enter this season carrying uncertainty, grief, or unanswered prayers. Hopefully Hoping invites us to be honest about where we are, recognizing that hope can be fragile, stubborn, and shared in community, while ultimately being rooted in God rather than our circumstances.

WEEKLY ADVENT WREATH LIGHTINGS ON ZOOM

Sundays, November 29, December 6, 13, and 20 at 6 p.m.
We’d love for you to join us on Zoom as we light our Advent wreath candles together. This is a simple, meaningful way to pause in the middle of a busy season, connect with one another, and share a moment of reflection from home. Bring your wreath, your devotional, gather your family if you’d like, and light the candle with your church community as we prepare our hearts for Advent.

Advent NOON WORSHIP, Afternoon Organ Concerts & Lunch Fellowship

Wednesdays, December 2-23, 12 p.m. in the Great Hall
These 30-minute noon services in the Great Hall include Scripture, music, prayer, and reflections by clergy on the spiritual impact of Advent as a season preparing us to celebrate Emmanuel - God with us. 

Wednesdays, December 2-23, 12:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Following the Noon Advent Service, enjoy 30 minutes of beautiful and inspiring organ music in the Sanctuary, followed by a free lunch and fellowship at 1 p.m. in the West Concourse. 

  • December 2: Bradley Hunter Welch, Resident Organist, Lay Family Chair, Dallas Symphony Orchestra/Artist-in-Residence, Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church; Dallas, TX.
  • December 9: Rebecca Sawyer, Music Associate at First Presbyterian Church Fort Worth, TX.
  • December 16: Love Benson, DMA candidate in Sacred Music with Organ at Baylor University, Waco, TX.
  • December 23: Dalaie Choi, Associate of Chapel Music and Collaborative Art at St. Andrew’s School , Middletown, DE.     

FOLLOW THE STAR LIVE NATIVITY

Sunday, December 13, at 5:30 p.m. on Penn Street
Celebrate Advent at First Pres! Experience the wonder of a live nativity, then warm up with a cozy come-and-go dinner featuring grilled cheese and tomato soup under the Great Hall’s covered entrance. All are welcome - don’t miss this festive evening! Questions? Contact Ann Nielsen (817.335.1231, ext. 232).

MORAVIAN LOVEFEAST

Tuesday, December 15, at 6:30 p.m. in the Great Hall
The Moravian denomination introduced the service of a Lovefeast in 1727, a simple meal with song and prayer, to encourage Christian fellowship and love. All are invited to come enjoy an evening of dinner, music, praise, and fellowship in the Great Hall as we continue the tradition, hosted by Circles of Christ. 

FAMILY CAROLING

Friday, December 18, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Bring out those Christmas sweaters, jingle bells, and reindeer antlers! We will head out to sing carols at our homebound members' homes to bring them love and joy this season. 4th grade and older, may attend on their own.

RSVP here

Christmas & Carol Concert by Fort Worth Opera

Saturday, December 19, 2026, 2 p.m. in the Sanctuary
As we enter the final days of Advent and draw closer to the joy of Christmas, we are delighted to welcome the Fort Worth Opera back to the Penn Street Arts Concert Series for a special afternoon of music and celebration in the Sanctuary. This festive concert will feature beloved carols, stirring arrangements, and seasonal favorites that invite us to pause, listen, and prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. All are welcome! This concert is free and open to the public.

THE LONGEST NIGHT SERVICE

Monday, December 21, at 5:30 p.m. in the Chapel
On December 21, we will mark the winter solstice, the night with the longest period of darkness in the year, as a way to name and acknowledge feelings of grief, sadness, or loss that may be present in this season. During Advent and Christmas, the church focuses on the happiness of receiving the Christ child into the world. Yet there are many among us for whom Christmas is a season of grief. We’ll come together for a moment of reflection for healing and self-care as we gather around Scripture, song, prayer, and acts of remembrance.

CHRISTMAS EVE: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24

Christmas Eve Brunch at Community Crossroads: 10 a.m.
Neighbors and friends are invited to enjoy a warm and festive Christmas brunch together at Community Crossroads, then ride the bus (optional) to First Pres for the noon Christmas Eve worship service. This event is free and open to the public.

12 p.m. Service of Lessons and Carols in the Sanctuary
5 p.m. Service for families with children with candlelight in the Great Hall
7 p.m. Service with candlelight in the Sanctuary* and livestream
9 p.m. Service with Communion and candlelight in the Sanctuary

*Childcare provided at 7 p.m. The shuttle (providing transportation to and from Trinity Terrace) will be available for the 7 p.m. service.