Lent & Easter Events at First Pres 2026

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Come join us for Lent and Holy Week at First Pres! Here are all our services, schedules, and events during the season:

Ash Wednesday Soup Supper and Worship Service

Wednesday, February 18, 6:00 pm

We begin our Lenten journey together as a community of all ages with a potluck Soup Supper and then all are invited to gather around God’s inclusive table for communion and to receive the imposition of ashes.

Register here »

Holden Evening Prayer Soup Supper and Worship Service

Thursday, March 19, 6:00 pm

Holden Evening Prayer is a reflective service of music, sung prayer and Communion marking the halfway point in our Lenten journey. We begin as a community of all ages with a potluck Soup Supper and then all are invited to gather for worship and prayer.

Register here »

Palm leaves with bright sunlight
Palm Sunday Worship

Sunday, March 29 at 10:00 am

Celebrate Palm Sunday with our Palms Procession and special music by our JUBILATE! Children’s Choir.

Maundy Thursday Worship

Thursday, April 2 at 7:00 pm

Maundy Thursday is a service of Communion and Tenebrae where we follow Jesus through the stories and experiences of Holy Week.

Good Friday Worship at First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica

Friday, April 3 at 7:00 pm

Standing with the disciples at the foot of the cross, we pray for the whole world as Christ’s death offers life to all. All are welcome at First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica together with the congregations of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica.

Easter lilies and pink spring flowers in garden
Easter Sunday Worship

Sunday, April 5 at 10:00 am

Celebrate the risen Christ! After worship, enjoy an Easter potluck brunch and kids Easter egg hunt.

Register for the potluck »

Shine Children’s Music Ensemble to Sing in Worship on Sunday, October 22

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From it’s beginnings at Compassion Camp this past summer, our Shine Children’s Music Ensemble, led by Emily Audras, has become the place where kids, music, and love for Jesus come together. Join us on Sunday, October 22, Harvest Festival Sunday, as the Shine Ensemble will sing in our worship service and add their voices to our community praise of  God and God’s love for us.

First Pres Harvest Festival

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First Pres is excited to announce that the 2023 Harvest Festival will be on Sunday, October 22 from 11 am to 1 pm. You’re not going to want to miss out on all the fun. For kids there will be pumpkin painting, awesome inflatables, face painting, balloon twisting, an amazing petting zoo, carnival games, and arts and crafts. For adults, there is our Food Garden where the coffee and donuts are free and lunch is available for purchase. We’ll also have a harvest festival themed photo area where individual, family, or group photos can be taken. So sign up now to attend! Proceeds from the event support the Rebecca Hall Children’s Fund. To help raise money, sponsor a booth or activity. You can check out our Instagram video from last year’s festivities!

Los Angeles Children’s Chorus Joins First Pres in Worship on Sunday, October 15

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We are excited to have the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus singing in worship on Sunday, October 15. The GRAMMY® Award-winning Los Angeles Children’s Chorus (LACC) provides choral music education of the highest quality to young people who represent richly diverse racial, economic, and cultural backgrounds.

Pizza & Bingo

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You’re invited to join in after worship on Sunday, October 8 for Pizza & Bingo. Come to the Ren Room following the service for fellowship, fun, and great prizes. Everyone is welcome! To sign up click here or use the Church Center app.

Shine Children’s Music Program Info Meeting

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11:15am–12:15pm in the Ren Room

Calling families with an interest in music! Join us on August 6th after the service to learn more about Shine Children’s Ensemble, our new music program! Shine will be open to children grades preschool to 5th grade! We are also looking for youth volunteers to help with our program!

Shine Children’s Ensemble will officially begin on Sunday September 10th at 11:15am! Children will meet on Sundays after church to sing, learn how to read music, and develop their heart for musical worship!

Register to attend today!

Ash Wednesday Soup Supper

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February 22, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the Renaissance Room.

Ash Wednesday begins the 40-day season (not counting Sundays) of Lent. We begin our journey together as a community of all ages with a potluck Soup Supper at 6:00 p.m. in the Renaissance Room. Please sign up to bring your favorite soup ready to share! 

After the Soup Supper, everyone is invited to join us for worship and voluntary imposition of ashes at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.

“Evicted” Book Study

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Sundays Jan. 29, Feb. 5, and Feb. 12 from 11:15 am – 12:15 pm

Join the Spiritual Growth and Mission ministry teams to read and reflect on “Evicted,” a book by Matthew Desmond that shows us how the unhoused fall through the cracks in our society. The group will meet for one hour following worship in the Ren Room. You can get your own copy of the book or contact the church if you need a copy. A theological guide will be made available to group members to help guide the group’s discussions.

Sign up via the Church Center App or online here.

Christmas Festival – Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022

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YOU’RE INVITED! Join us at the first annual FPC Christmas Festival on Sunday, December 18, 11:00-12:30 p.m. for a Pasta Lunch, Hot Chocolate Bar, Live Christmas music, Crafts, a Bingo game, and Gift Bags for kids. Purchase tickets online at tinyurl.com/fpcsmChristmas or sign up in the courtyard after worship. Tickets: $10 per adult and $5 per child.

Harvest Festival

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The beloved FPC Santa Monica Harvest Festival is back! Join us Sunday, October 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. following worship for pumpkin painting, awesome inflatables, face painting, balloon twisting, an amazing petting zoo, carnival games, and arts and crafts. There is plenty for adults too, including an expanded Food Garden where the coffee and donuts are free and lunch is available for purchase. Don’t forget to stop by our harvest festival photo to document these memories together. Visit tinyurl.com/2022harvestfestival to purchase tickets and learn more!