Occasionally during the church year, special services are offered at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Some of these take place during regular Sunday morning worship times, while other programs are offered during non-traditional church times, enabling people from other churches and the community-at-large to attend. Here is a look at what’s ahead as well as information about some of our recent services.

The season of Advent is a time when we participate in a number of special programs to help us prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of the Messiah. Below is a list and brief description of special events that will take place at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church during the 2011 Advent/Christmas season. We invite you to join us as we prepare the way for the babe of Bethlehem!

Hanging of the Greens - Wednesday, Nov. 30 – 6:45 PM Our church family will gather to decorate the sanctuary on this first Wednesday of the Advent season. Join us as we deck the halls, sing carols, and light the Chrismon tree.

Children’s Christmas Program – Wednesday, Dec. 7 – 6:45 PM Members of the Alleluia choir (grades 1-4) will present The Case of the Reluctant Innkeeper, a musical drama with a new twist! It seems the Innkeeper has fallen out of favor with the citizens of Bethlehem because of his failure to find a room for Mary and Joseph. Will he be convicted?

Christmas on the Air – Wednesday, Dec. 14 - 6:15 PM The Sanctuary Choir will be joined by other actors and singers from our congregation for a 1940’s style Christmas Eve radio broadcast. Take a journey back in time with us as we present an old-fashioned Cookeville Christmas celebration!

Intergenerational Christmas Breakfast – Sunday, Dec. 18 – 10:00 AM A delicious youth-sponsored Christmas breakfast will be served in the church’s Fellowship Hall between the morning worship services. All proceeds from this event will go to the FCP Youth Fund. The breakfast will be held in lieu of Sunday School.

Sounds of the Season – Sunday, Dec. 18 – 3:00 PM Back by popular demand! If you missed the 2010 Christmas Concert given by handbell soloist Christy Huddleston, pianist Sandra Robbins, organist Joy Rachor, and flutist Dr. Roger Martin, we hope you’ll be able to attend this year’s program. We are pleased to have Dr. Charles Decker and Alex Wilborn on trumpet and Carroll Gotcher and Gary Alspaugh on trombone joining us for a variety of musical selections that are sure to lift your spirits as we countdown to Christmas! This program is offered free of charge by the Music Ministry of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Christmas Eve service – Saturday, Dec. 24 – 6:00 PM The church family will gather for a service of Lessons and Carols as we celebrate the birth of the Christ Child. Following the serving of Holy Communion, we will sing “Silent Night” in a candlelit sanctuary before departing for our homes.

Christmas Day – Sunday, Dec. 25 – 10:00 AM The fact that Christmas Day falls on a Sunday this year gives us the opportunity to worship together as we rejoice over the Messiah’s birth. This 10:00 worship service will be the only church activity offered on this day. Come, let’s celebrate!