The Christmas Season
At Kingswood Church

Join us for our annual Blue Christmas service at 7 pm on Monday, December 16 at the Buffalo Grove campus. The quiet, reflective service is focused on those who have lost loved ones, who find the holidays less than cheerful due to grief and struggle, or who need a quiet place to slow the pace.

The combined choirs from the Buffalo Grove and Deerfield campuses will sing “A Festival of Lessons and Carols” by Hal H. Hopson for our annual Advent Choral Service. Accompanied by the Sheridan Solisti Chamber Orchestra, this work presents the story of the Messiah’s birth, told through scripture and new arrangements of familiar hymn tunes. The Sheridan Solisti Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Susan Merdinger, will also perform seasonal favorites to enrich our worship experience. This program will be presented on  Sunday, December 15 at 10 am in Buffalo Grove, and on Sunday, December 22 at 10 am in Deerfield.

Susan Merdinger and the Sheridan Solisti Chamber Orchestra are thrilled to announce their collaboration with Kingswood United Methodist Church of Buffalo Grove and Deerfield, for an exciting series of concerts in the 2024-2025 season. The first concert, titled the “Festive Holiday Concert,” will feature the Sheridan Solisti Chamber Orchestra performing with the combined choirs of Kingswood United Methodist Church at 4 pm on Sunday, December 22 at Kingswood's Buffalo Grove campus.

The program promises a diverse lineup of beloved holiday and classical selections, including pieces from Handel’s Messiah, featuring sopranos Cantor Stefanie Greene and Felicia Patton. Other highlights include Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride and A Christmas Festival, Ilya Levinson’s A Hanukkah Medley, Sarasate’s Zigeunerweisen with violinist Cyrus Forough, and Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23, with Susan Merdinger conducting from the piano. The evening will conclude with selections from Tchaikovsky’s cherished Nutcracker Suite.

• 12:30 pm Traditional Service Buffalo Grove

Traditional Christmas Eve Service with candles, communion and carols in the sanctuary of our Buffalo Grove campus.

• 4:30 pm Children and Families Service Buffalo Grove

A fun Grinch skit will wrap up our Advent series, where the Grinch will discover the real reason for Christmas... JESUS!  Our children’s xylophone group and Youth Praise Band will lead the music.  Christmas Eve candle lighting sung to "Silent Night" will conclude our time in the service before each child departs with a special Christmas story gift.  Grinch-y presents will be available too for children and youth. 

• 5:30 pm Traditional Service Deerfield

Join us in celebrating the birth of Jesus at the Deerfield Campus at 5:30 pm. We will join in traditional hymns and candles as we share the light of Jesus, in addition to a children's pageant connecting the beloved story of The Grinch with the coming of hope, peace, joy, and love, the birth of Jesus.

• 10:30 pm Traditional Service Buffalo Grove

Traditional Christmas Eve service with special music featuring a brass ensemble, candles, communion and carols.

Celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day at 10:00 am online only. This brief service will be streamed on all digital platforms. Enjoy some Christmas music, a time of prayer and centering, and a Christmas Day message.

The Christmas season lasts 12 days, and we will gather on Sunday, December 29, at 10:00 am at both campuses for carols, cookies, blessing of toys, and sacred community. Continue to celebrate Christ’s birth with this intimate and joyful worship service at both campuses. Wear green and red as you enjoy cookies and community. Children are invited to bring a non-violent toy to be blessed in the worship service. Remember one service at 10:00 am at each campus!

Join the Care-A-Van Crew at 10 am on January 1, 2025, as we visit nursing homes in Riverwoods and Wheeling to sing carols and spread holiday cheer to the residents and staff. Songbooks with well-known tunes will be provided. Please sign up online or on the sign-up sheets at either campus. All are welcome - bring a friend or neighbor. Location details are coming soon!

Join us at Buffalo Grove at 9:00 am and 10:30 am or at Deerfield at 10:00 am for our celebration of the Epiphany on January 5. Epiphany is an ancient word that means “manifestation” or “revelation” and exemplifies the revelation of Jesus and his mission to the whole world in the visit of the Magi. As we give thanks for the Bethlehem Star, come and rejoice as the kings and their three gifts are presented. Regular Sunday School and youth schedules resume at both campuses.