When Christmas is NOT “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”

Blue Christmas Service
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
6:00pm-7:00pm

Finding the holiday cheer between Thanksgiving and the New Year can be especially challenging when grief, loss, illness, depression, loneliness, financial woes, or other forms of stress are taking an emotional toll.

That is why Monaca UMC is holding a Blue Christmas service this year. With its soft lighting and calming music, this service is a haven from the pressures and turmoil of the world, as well as an opportunity to come together with others from the area who are similarly struggling.

All who attend will find themselves in the company of a supportive community, who understand that Christmas is not “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” for everyone. This warm community will include members of the Methodist Church and other church denominations, as well as people with no church experience at all.

It is the goal of the service to spark a glimmer of hope in the hearts of all who attend. During the service, attendees will have the opportunity to light a candle in acknowledgement of our personal sadnesses and anxieties, and as a symbol of our common desire to find support in each other and hope in Jesus Christ.

Monaca UMC’s Blue Christmas service will be held on the night of the winter solstice, Wednesday, December 21st, which is the longest night of the year.

Dress is casual. Light refreshments will be offered immediately following the service, and clergy and lay ministers will be available for discussion and individual prayer. If you have any questions, please call the church office at (724) 775-6702 or email to monacaumc@gmail.com.

Tap here to get the event flyer.


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< March 2026 >
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1Worship w/ Communion 11am from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Holy Communion Offered Church Sanctuary + Google calendarKids Sunday School ~11:15am from 11:15 am to 12:00 pm
Begins immediately following the children's message during 11am worship in the sanctuary + Google calendar
2 3Bowling Night @Baden Bowl from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
+ Google calendar
4Community Lenten Luncheon 12pm @St. John's from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
On each Wednesday from February 25th through March 25th, a different Monaca church will host lunch at 12 noon, immediately followed by a devotion. Free and open to the public. Goodwill offerings accepted. Mary Queen of Saints Parish, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church -- Virginia Ave & 15th St, Monaca + Google calendarYouth Group 6pm from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
+ Google calendarEves Meeting 6:30pm @Aliquippa First from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Meeting of the evening women's group of Monaca & Aliquippa First UMCs.
Meeting location alternates each month between the two churches.
Aliquippa First UMC: Jan, Mar, May, July, Sept, Nov
Monaca UMC: Feb, Apr, June, Aug, Oct, Dec
+ Google calendarAA Meeting 7pm from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
5Busy Hands 1pm from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Knitting/crochet Group Carey Community Center + Google calendar
6NA Meeting 8pm from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Meeting of Narcotics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
7Daylight Saving Time Begins all day
DST begins at 2am 3/8/2026. Remember to "spring forward" and turn your clocks ahead before bedtime! + Google calendarAA Meeting 10:30am from 10:30 am to 11:30 am
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
8Study on 'Why Easter Matters' by Andy Stanley 10am from 10:00 am to 10:45 am
Studying Why Easter Matters by Andy Stanley
Sundays at 10am, March 8, 15, 22, and 29
+ Google calendarWorship 11am from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Traditional worship, including prayer and the singing of traditional hymns. Church Sanctuary + Google calendarKids Sunday School ~11:15am from 11:15 am to 12:00 pm
Begins immediately following the children's message during 11am worship in the sanctuary + Google calendar
9Book Club 7pm–Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah @Aliquippa First, Lounge from 7:00 pm to 8:15 pm
"Reading United Methodists" monthly book club with snacks, books, and fellowship!
This month's pick: Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah
Discussion led by: Vera Lovewell
2816 Brodhead Rd, Aliquippa 15001 + Google calendar
10Food Pantry Distribution 11am-Noon from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Free and open to all Monaca area and Center Township residents + Google calendarBowling Night @Baden Bowl from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
+ Google calendar
11Community Lenten Luncheon 12pm @Redeemer Trinity from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
On each Wednesday from February 25th through March 25th, a different Monaca church will host lunch at 12 noon, immediately followed by a devotion. Free and open to the public. Goodwill offerings accepted. Redeemer Trinity Lutheran Church
819 Washington Ave, Monaca
+ Google calendar"PhDs" 6:30pm @Aliquippa First, Lounge from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
For "Projects Half Done" - knitting/crochet group; 2nd & 4th Wednesday of the month at Aliquippa First UMC + Google calendarAA Meeting 7pm from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
12 13NA Meeting 8pm from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Meeting of Narcotics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
14Coffee Mugs & Kids Club 10am from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
2nd Saturday of each month. Fun for the kids; caffeine for the adults! Carey Community Center + Google calendarAA Meeting 10:30am from 10:30 am to 11:30 am
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
15Study on 'Why Easter Matters' by Andy Stanley 10am from 10:00 am to 10:45 am
Studying Why Easter Matters by Andy Stanley
Sundays at 10am, March 8, 15, 22, and 29
+ Google calendarWorship 11am from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Traditional worship, including prayer and the singing of traditional hymns. Church Sanctuary + Google calendarKids Sunday School ~11:15am from 11:15 am to 12:00 pm
Begins immediately following the children's message during 11am worship in the sanctuary + Google calendar
16 17Happy St. Patrick's Day! all day
+ Google calendarBowling Night @Baden Bowl from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
+ Google calendar
18Community Lenten Luncheon 12pm @First Presbyterian from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
On each Wednesday from February 25th through March 25th, a different Monaca church will host lunch at 12 noon, immediately followed by a devotion. Free and open to the public. Goodwill offerings accepted. First Presbyterian Church
1301 Indiana Ave, Monaca
+ Google calendarUnited Women of Faith 1pm @Aliquippa First from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
2816 Brodhead Dr, Aliquippa, PA 15001 + Google calendarAA Meeting 7pm from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
19Newsletter Deadline Day all day
Please submit any items for inclusion in the church's newsletter, THE MESSENGER, by the 3rd Thursday of the month. + Google calendarBusy Hands 1pm from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Knitting/crochet Group Carey Community Center + Google calendar
20NA Meeting 8pm from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Meeting of Narcotics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
21AA Meeting 10:30am from 10:30 am to 11:30 am
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
22Study on 'Why Easter Matters' by Andy Stanley 10am from 10:00 am to 10:45 am
Studying Why Easter Matters by Andy Stanley
Sundays at 10am, March 8, 15, 22, and 29
+ Google calendarWorship 11am from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Traditional worship, including prayer and the singing of traditional hymns. Church Sanctuary + Google calendarKids Sunday School ~11:15am from 11:15 am to 12:00 pm
Begins immediately following the children's message during 11am worship in the sanctuary + Google calendar
23 24Bowling Night @Baden Bowl from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
+ Google calendar
25Community Lenten Luncheon 12pm @Monacrest from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
On each Wednesday from February 25th through March 25th, a different Monaca church will host lunch at 12 noon, immediately followed by a devotion. Free and open to the public. Goodwill offerings accepted. Monacrest Free Methodist Church
995 Elmira St, Monaca
+ Google calendar"PhDs" 6:30pm @Aliquippa First, Lounge from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
For "Projects Half Done" - knitting/crochet group; 2nd & 4th Wednesday of the month at Aliquippa First UMC + Google calendarAA Meeting 7pm from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
26 27NA Meeting 8pm from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Meeting of Narcotics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
28AA Meeting 10:30am from 10:30 am to 11:30 am
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
29Palm Sunday all day
Today starts Holy Week! + Google calendarStudy on 'Why Easter Matters' by Andy Stanley 10am from 10:00 am to 10:45 am
Studying Why Easter Matters by Andy Stanley
Sundays at 10am, March 8, 15, 22, and 29
+ Google calendarWorship 11am from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Traditional worship, including prayer and the singing of traditional hymns. Church Sanctuary + Google calendarKids Sunday School ~11:15am from 11:15 am to 12:00 pm
Begins immediately following the children's message during 11am worship in the sanctuary + Google calendar
30 31Bowling Night @Baden Bowl from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
+ Google calendar