Advent & Christmas 2025
There is so much to be a part of here at Church of the Saviour this Advent season! Christmas Eve worship services will take place in our Sanctuary on December 24 at 4PM & 9PM. Come and see!
Angel tree ministry
November 16 – December 7
The Angel Tree Ministry allows us to provide Christmas gifts for over 200 local children. There are two ways to support it: (1) Make a financial donation at cotsumc.org/give noting “Angel Tree” in the memo section. Our volunteer “elves” will use the donated money to shop for a gift on your behalf. Monetary donations must be received by Sunday, November 23. (2) Contact the church office to be connected with ministry organizer, Kristi Bergren, to sponsor a child. All gifts must be wrapped and dropped off at the church by the morning of Sunday, December 7.
Hanging of the greens
Sunday, November 23
We will be decking COTS’ halls on Sunday, November 23 from 6-8PM. Join us in the Great Hall for desserts and a worship moment, followed by a collective effort to decorate our beautiful church for the Advent and Christmas seasons. All are welcome. The more the merrier!
Advent Sermon series
November 30 – January 4
Luke’s Gospel begins with a small but telling detail: “In the time of Herod…” It signals the fearful world Jesus entered—one marked by oppression, uncertainty, and instability, not unlike our own. Yet in the stories of Christ’s birth, angels continually speak a surprising phrase: “Do not fear.”
Is it possible to be fearless in a fearful world? Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the magi do not deny their fears—they move through them. They ask questions, hold onto courage, trust good news, and say, “Here I am, Lord.” In our own fearful times, we are invited to do the same: to name our fears while still insisting on hope. What Do You Fear? Sermon Series: November 30-January 4
Advent group study
Tuesdays, December 2 – 23
This Advent season, COTS is offering a multi-platform Advent group study encompassing the writings of five authors: John Pavlovitz, John Piper, Richard Rohr, Tsh Oxenreider, and Max Lucado. This 4-week study, led by church member Lorrie Goss, will meet in the parlor on Tuesday evenings from 6-7PM starting December 2. A zoom option will also be made available. Daily meditations will be sent to participants via text and email to facilitate the weekly discussion. Please contact the church office at 216-321-8880 to sign up. All are welcome to participate!
lessons & carols
Friday, December 5
Join us in the Sanctuary on Friday, December 5 at 7:30 PM for Lessons & Carols. Modeled after Kings College, this service tells the story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus through readings interspersed with Christmas carols and music. Come be a part of this century-old tradition to get into the Christmas spirit.
Advent festival
saturday, december 6
Our annual Advent Festival takes place on Saturday, 12/6 from 9 AM – 12 PM. This free-of-charge, popular community event is chock-full of family-friendly attractions: a fair trade and local/handmade holiday gift market, live music, giftable craft opportunities, the famous donut machine, a cookie walk for missions, family scavenger hunt, and story times in the church library. Don’t miss it!
churchwide caroling
Friday, December 12
Make a BIG difference in the lives of retirement home residents with the simple gift of Christmas carols. Joy is guaranteed – for you AND them. For singers of all ages. Great singing voices are not required – just a smile, with bonus points for wearing a holiday sweater. Songbooks and lead voices provided. Meet in the Great Hall lobby to pray and get directions to your retirement home. We’ll come back to the church for hot chocolate, sugary treats, and festive conversation in the beautifully decorated parlor. Friday, Dec. 12, from 6-8 PM.
evensong worship
monday, December 15
Join us in the Sanctuary on December 15 at 7 PM to hear beautiful music sung by a professional choir during this unique and powerful worship service. “Evensong hangs on the wall of life like an old, familiar cloak passed through the generations. Rich with prayer and scripture, it is nevertheless totally non-threatening. It is a service into which all can stumble without censure – a rambling old house where everyone can find some corner to sit and think, to listen with half-attention, trailing a few absentminded fingers of faith or doubt in its passing stream.” — Stephen Hough, The Telegraph
blue christmas
tuesday, december 16
Blue Christmas, also referred to as Longest Night, is a worship experience focused on God’s comfort and presence in the midst of life’s challenges and losses. The holidays may be an especially difficult time for people facing hardships or grief. In this time of worship, these struggles can be named and offered to God. Church of the Saviour will share in this ecumenical service with neighboring churches taking place at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 16 at Church of the Redeemer UMC, 2420 S. Taylor Rd., Cleveland Heights, OH 44118.
christmas eve worship
Wednesday, December 24
There will be two opportunities to worship at Church of the Saviour on Christmas Eve, December 24 at 4 PM and 9 PM. Both services are to held in our beautiful Sanctuary, featuring candlelight, choral and organ music, and a nativity pageant.
Christmas Eve "In-BetweeN"
Wednesday, December 24
We’re doing something new and fun at COTS this Christmas Eve! Between our two worship services, so from about 5-8:45PM, we will have a very casual, open-house Christmas party in the Great Hall that we’re calling Christmas Eve In-Between. Think living room vibes with Christmas movies, music, food, and games for all ages. Drop in for any amount of time between the services for fun and fellowship!
Laity Sunday
sunday, december 28
In lieu of our typical three Sunday worship opportunities, there will be a single, laity-led worship service on the first Sunday after Christmas, December 28, held at 10:30 a.m. in the Great Hall. Join us in unified Christmastide worship.