Announcements

Join us for Christmas Eve at Mount Olivet! ‍

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Family Worship at 3:30 pm and 5:00 pm in the Sanctuary

No need to worry about wiggle worms here! These are interactive family-friendly services that are sure to engage all ages. ‍

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Traditional Worship at 6:30 in the Sanctuary

A classic Christmas Eve service complete with the Mount Olivet Choir, Silent Night by candlelight, and communion. ‍

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The Way Modern Worship at 8:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall

A modern, laid-back Christmas Eve service with incredible music and a cozy atmosphere. This is a family-friendly service that will engage all ages!

During our regularly scheduled traditional worship service this Sunday, December 14 at 9:15 am, the Mount Olivet Choir and Children’s Choirs will present their annual Festival of Lessons and Carols. The service will include all your favorite traditional carols and MORE! There will be ample opportunity for congregational singing so you can lift your voice in the joy of the season. The children will remain in worship and play Advent bingo. Please plan to arrive early; seats will fill quickly! All are welcome.

Make a difference for neighbors in need with a generous donation to the Mount Olivet Advent Offering. This year, three recipient organizations have been selected by the Outreach Committee that serve immigrant newcomers during these challenging times. ‍

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Just Neighbors

Just Neighbors is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving and supporting the immigrant community of D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. They provide high-quality immigration legal services to low-income immigrants, asylees and refugees and build community among clients, staff, volunteers and the larger society through education, advocacy, and volunteerism. Learn More  ‍

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Arlington Free Clinic

Established in 1994, Arlington Free Clinic (AFC) continues to be Arlington’s only provider of comprehensive healthcare services for adults living with a low income and without health insurance. Every year, with the help of over 300 volunteers and 45 full/part-time staff, AFC provides access to comprehensive patient-centered services to over 1,600 of our community’s most vulnerable residents. Learn More

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‍NOVA Friends of Refugees (NFOR)

NFOR is the joint refugee ministry of Mount Olivet and St. George’s Episcopal Church. Now a network of over 1,520 members across the DMV and beyond, NFOR has established an emergency fund to help meet urgent needs of recently arriving refugees and asylees when other sources of aid have ended. Your support of the Advent Offering may help them pay for next month’s rent, groceries, a car repair, driving to English classes, school supplies or a doctor visit. Recently, we organized volunteers to drive a young Afghan widow to her chemo appointments. NFOR’s focus:

• Daily Essentials and Transportation Assistance

• Pathways for Integration

• Community Building and Advocacy

Learn More  

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All are invited to join a 4-week (December 4, 11, 18 & 22 at 7:15 pm) zoom discussion series on Kate Bowler’s book, The Weary World Rejoices, a free resource which includes a daily devotional guide and a weekly group guide. Download both at https://katebowler.com/advent/

Our tradition at Mount Olivet is to give each child a cupcake to take home after the Christmas Eve family services, so they can sing happy birthday to Jesus! Please provide individually wrapped cupcakes with a small candle included. We have available freezer space if you would like to make them in advance.

This Christmas our church will be delivering gifts to 29 children in the nearby community. They have been selected by the Glebe Elementary School and would otherwise not have gifts under their tree. Please use the link to Sign Up Genius and choose up to two (2) gift numbers. Wrap (with gift receipt) and LABEL with the GIFT NUMBER, RECIPIENT AND DESCRIPTION OF CONTENTS as listed on the signup. We ask that all gifts be delivered to the church NO LATER THAN SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14. Collection bins are located in the Gathering Spaces upstairs and downstairs. Thank you for your generosity.

Your Gifts for Their Gifts! One of the easiest and most meaningful items on your Christmas Shopping list is the “Love Gift” for our Mount Olivet pastors and staff. Each year we express appreciation for their gifts, talents and tireless service by making financial contributions during Advent for this special fund. It is given to show that we recognize all that they do throughout the year for our community. So, give generously and note on your check that this is for the 2025 Love Gift. You can use the offering envelopes in the pew rack on Sundays or give online at mountolivetumc.com/giving.

Join us for the Youth Choir Concert this Sunday, December 14 at 6 PM in the Fellowship Hall. All are invited! 

Invite family, friends, and neighbors for the Live Nativity on the Green with live animals – including a camel! Start your Christmas week with the Christmas story and hear about the true meaning of Christmas at this beloved tradition. Join the angels singing on high during interactive carol singing. Hot chocolate makes this event great for children and families of all ages. Rain or shine. ALL are welcome!

Progress continues toward finalizing our fire side restoration. We are working closely with our contractor to schedule our last remaining county inspections and work through our punch list. We have encountered a delay with additional modifications needed to our fire alarm system, which is being addressed.

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Installation of office furniture and Gathering Space furniture is complete (sneak peek in pics below) and other furnishings are expected to be delivered and installed in the next several weeks.

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As a reminder, until the restoration project is finished, we continue to be limited to the sanctuary, preschool, youth area, fellowship hall and L-8 and L-9.  Staff continue to work at home. We thank you for your patience as we move through the restoration and remain grateful for your continued support and prayers.