Announcements
Worship
Festival of Lessons & Carols
During our regularly scheduled traditional worship service on 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. Please plan to arrive early; seats will fill quickly! All are welcome.
Christmas Eve Worship
Join us for Christmas Eve at Mount Olivet!
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.
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.
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!
Advent & Christmas
Advent Offerings 2025
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.
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
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
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
Scout Troop 167 Annual Christmas Tree and Wreath Sale
Mount Olivet UMC and its members have strongly supported the troop’s Christmas sales over the years, the proceeds of which support activities for the troop's boys and girls. Fraser Fir Trees and holiday wreaths will be available. Reserve your tree/wreath now as supplies are limited. Reserve Your Tree Now. Delivery is available!
The sales stand at Mount Olivet will be open on November 28-30 and December 6-7, 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM (while supplies last).
Cupcakes for Jesus
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.
Advent Party
Mark your calendars for our annual Advent party on Sunday, November 30 from 5 until 7 PM in Fellowship Hall. We will make crafts that help us celebrate the holiday season. All supplies are provided. We will start with a potluck, bring a dish to share if you can.
Annual Senior Adult Christmas Lunch
Join us for a Senior Adult Christmas lunch on Thursday, December 4 at 11:30 at Metro 29 Diner (4711 Langston Blvd, Arlington) for great food and fellowship. Lunch is on us! RSVP to Tina by December 1.
Adult Advent Study
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/
Christmas Tea
On Saturday, December 6 at 2 PM in the Fellowship Hall, we welcome in the holiday season with our annual Mount Olivet Christmas Tea. United Women in Faith are again pleased to host this much beloved yuletide event. Everyone is invited. What a perfect time to share a holiday outing. We hope our entire church family will join us to kick off this most joyous month in the church calendar. Reverend Janine Howard will share an inspirational message for the season. Cookies, punch, tea, and Christmas carols await.
Supper & Service + Christmas Cookies for Community Assistance
Cookie Drop-Off Deadline, Monday, December 8
Mount Olivet bakers, fire up your mixers! It’s time to make Christmas cookies for our Community Assistance guests. With over 400 families, we will need thousands of cookies, but we have freezer space available, so you can start baking anytime. Place your cookies in a large ziplock bag labeled “December Community Assistance” and the number of cookies in the bag, then drop them off in the kitchen on Sundays. No nuts or icing please. Cookie questions? Contact Kim Mullin.
Supper & Service
Join us to pack cookies for Community Assistance in festive bags at Supper & Service on Wednesday, December 10 from 6-7 PM in the Youth Area. Each Community Assistance family gets a bag with a dozen assorted cookies. We will begin with supper followed by the service activity. We had over 450 guests at Community Assistance in November so we will need lots of hands to pack cookies. Contact Linnea at lcarlson@mtolivet-umc.org with any questions.
Live Nativity (Not on Christmas Eve)
Sunday, December 21 at 5 and 5:30 PM! Invite family, friends, and neighbors for the Live Nativity on the Green with live animals – including a camel – and a real baby! 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!
Community
Volunteer with Community Assistance
It’s time to volunteer for Community Assistance. Our next event will be this Saturday, December 13. Please volunteer to help our neighbors in need receive some much-needed help with food and gift cards. Slots to volunteer are available from 8 AM through 12:45 PM. Sign up on the SignupGenius.
You can make a financial contribution to Community Assistance, at mountolivetumc.com/giving and indicate Community Assistance. Thanks for your continued support of our Community Assistance Ministry.
With the support of great volunteers and generous donors, last month (November) we helped:
479 families
1,559 individuals in those households
492 children in those households
384 people age 60+ in those households
Racial Equity Resources
Land grant colleges and universities, primarily established under the Morrill Act in 1862, have long been praised for the democratization of higher education (although democratization generally meant white males). But whose land was granted for founding those schools? In the last decade scholars have focused on the fact that almost 11 million acres of land previously inhabited by Native Americans and taken over by the federal government through one means or another was the source of funding under the Morrill Act. Learn more about how land in the west funded schools in the east as well as continuing sources of income through extractive processes in this week's resources.
Caretakers of God's Creation
Black Friday has competition: November 28 is also Buy Nothing Day. There is no contest, though, as to which is better for the environment. And if you lean into Buy Nothing Day, you can attend to your holiday shopping needs on Small Business Saturday and your generosity, either monetarily or through beneficial actions, on Giving Tuesday.
Stewardship 2026
As we look ahead to a new year, we invite you to prayerfully consider what "Why Church" means to you. Please consider how you can financially support our church and submit your Pledge card for 2026.
Furlough Loans
The Northern Virginia District of the UMC has agreed to release up to $1 million in no-interest, short-term loans to active United Methodists who are federal workers, and whose pay has been deferred under the federal government shutdown. See attached letter from our District Superintendent Kirk Nave and loan application. Learn More and Apply
Food Drive
During this difficult time for many of our neighbors, help put food on their tables by donating canned goods. Place your items in the basket in the Preschool Lobby on Sunday or leave in the bin on the 16th Street porch (entrance door #1). The following low sugar and low sodium items are needed:
- Canned fruits
- Canned tuna
- Canned soups
- Canned vegetables
- Canned tomatoes
- Peanut butter (in plastic jars)
- Cereal
Contact Linnea Carlson with any questions.
Adults
Adult Advent Study
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/
Children & Families
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Potluck and Playdate
Our next Potluck and Playdate is this Friday, December 5 from 5:30 – 7:30 PM at the home of one of our church members. Everyone is welcome! This is a chance to bring the kids, have dinner, meet some new folks and relax. There will be activities for the kids. Sign up to bring a dish for the dinner. Once we receive your sign up, you will receive the host's address. Contact Linnea with any questions!
Youth
Youth News
The next Sunday evening Youth Gathering will be on December 7 for a holiday party. No other youth group gatherings on Sunday evenings in December.
Youth Play
We are opening up a couple of smaller roles to fifth graders as well as one adult role this year. Auditions will be held on December 7 after the 11:15 AM worship service in the Youth Area.
Youth Outings
The youth ministry is going bowling this Saturday, November 22 at 5 PM. We are going to Bowl America in Falls Church, VA. The price per person is $19.59. Sign Up Now
Payment Instructions!
Go to mountolivetumc.com/giving
Select 'one time'
Under fund select 'Youth'
Under sub fund select 'Youth Ministry Activities'
Youth Choir
Our fall youth choir concert has been rescheduled from November 23 to December 14 at 6 PM in the Fellowship Hall. All are invited!
Youth Mission Trip
Sign-ups are live for our July 2026 mission trip with Appalachia Service Project. The deadline for sign-ups is November 30. Sign Up Now
Payment Options:
You can either pay the $375 (price-per-volunteer) in full or in installments.
Installment Schedule
$50 due by November 30, 2025
$175 due March 1, 2026
$150 due June 28, 2026
Select 'One-Time'
Fund: Youth
Sub-Fund: Youth Missions Trip
Please leave a note specifying who you're paying for
Fire
Fire Update
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. Installation of office furniture is complete and other furnishings are expected to be delivered and installed at the beginning of December.
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.
