ORUCC Children and Youth 

Sunday, December 21, 2025

Dear Families,

We look forward to seeing your family back at ORUCC this week. This coming Sunday is the fourth week of Advent – Love. There are many great ways to be involved at ORUCC this week!

Christmas Eve music rehearsal continues this Sunday, 10 am-11 am, downstairs in the Bonhoeffer Room. TRU Function will practice from 10:00-noon.

Be sure to save time to visit the Fair Trade Sale happening in Friendship Hall this Sunday. Wonderful causes and organizations to support for all of your last-minute holiday shopping needs.

Please see below for information about Christmas Eve service preparations, including a fun pizza party for all participants after our rehearsal on the 23rd.



-Pastor Kate & Julie M.

Sunday Morning Faith Formation Classes

Supported Childcare in the Crossroads with Jade 8:30-11:30 AM

This service allows parents of children ages 0-5 to socialize and engage in the service, but encourages parents to stay nearby to assist their child, as well. (Nursery Care is not offered this week).

Peace Circle (PreK-5th Grade) 9:00-9:50 AM:

Children in PreK-5th Grade will gather in the Ruby Bridges Room at 9 am for Music with Julie. We’ll begin by singing, “Mary Had a Baby” in preparation for our Christmas Eve service. Following the music, the children will explore the Advent stories of the Prophets, Mary and Joseph, the Shepherds, and the Magi. Exploration stations will include writing Christmas cards to church elders, creating ornaments, sand play, and puzzles. We’ll close in prayer. Josie G. and Jadyn G. will lead the children in the experience.

Echo the Story (Middle School) will gather in the Anne Frank Room to journey through the Advent story of Mary and Elizabeth. The youth will also have the opportunity to journal and create an ornament. Kellie M. and Barbara S. will guide the group in the discussion. 

Teen Text (High School) will gather in the Dorothy Day room. This group will be using “Teen Text,” a progressive Christian Bible study resource that guides teens to reflect together in discussion on the lectionary scripture texts associated with each Sunday. This group will be guided by Al B. and Rayelle B. this week.

Music Opportunities

Music Connections/Christmas Eve Rehearsal: Children participating in the Christmas Eve service will rehearse from 10-11 am. Please note that children will not attend worship, but will begin downstairs with Julie. We might need 75 min to get through all the material. Your patience and flexibility as we move through this season is appreciated! Anyone not participating in Christmas Eve is still invited to stay in worship or visit the Crossroads with a caregiver. Devin C. will be our Safe Sanctuary volunteer.

TRU Function: will continue their preparations for the Christmas Eve service at with practice from 10:00-Noon on Sunday.

Christmas Eve Service and Practice Details

(Plus a Pizza Party)!

Our beloved Children & Youth-led Christmas Eve service will be at 3:00 p.m. on December 24th. For those participating, please note the following:

• December 23: Christmas Eve Dress Rehearsal, 5:30-6:30 pm

Festive Attire Encouraged! All are welcome for a pizza party in Friendship Hall following the rehearsal. Please see details and RSVP for pizza here.

• December 24: Christmas Eve Final Run Through, 2:00 pm

TRU Function will practice one hour before the rest of the Music Connections practice:

December 23 at 4:30 p.m., and December 24th at 1:00 p.m.

Save the Date: Upcoming Events

• December 24: Christmas Eve Service, 3:00 pm
• December 28, Winter Break: No Children’s Faith Formation or Music Connections
• January 4, All ages Intergenerational Epiphany Faith Formation, 9:00
• January 23, “Lock-In Light” 6:00pm-Midnight: Youth Event at ORUCC with Madison Mennonite Church and First UMC! More info coming soon about this joint fellowship opportunity.

Home Prayer for the Week: 

You are invited to use this prayer with your family to help deepen your faith together. Times you might consider sharing this prayer include before bedtime, at mealtime, or any other regular connecting moment you share with your child(ren). Does your family have a prayer practice or a favorite prayer? If you are comfortable sharing, please EMAIL JULIE, and your family’s prayer will be featured here.

Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming from tender stem has sprung!

Of Jesse’s lineage coming as saints of old have sung.

It came upon a floweret bright, amid the cold of winter,

when half spent was the night.

Isaiah had foretold it, the Rose I have in mind,

With Mary we behold it, the Virgin Mother kind.

To show God’s love aright, she bore to us a child,

when half spent was the night.

-lyrics, “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”