Fine Arts
2024-2025 SERIES
MAGIC OF BRONZE HANDBELL CONCERT:
SEASON OF WONDER
Sunday, November 24 at 5pm – Sanctuary
No ticket required
Kick off the holidays by ringing in the sounds of the season with this talented group of handbell ringers. Through their handbell artistry, the Magic of Bronze will help us discover what it truly means to wonder, and have wonder, during this special time of the year.
HANDBELL MUSICIANS OF AMERICA COLLEGE RING-IN CONCERT
Sunday, January 5 at 3pm - Sanctuary
No ticket required
Come see and hear what advanced handbell musicians ages 18-29 can accomplish, from pop tunes to classical and original works. These talented ringers from around the country will meet for the first time on Friday, January 3rd, and work together for three days, preparing to present a magnificent concert on Sunday, January 5th.
JAZZ ROOM
Friday, January 31 from 7pm to 9pm –Fellowship Center
Tickets: $15/person
Back by popular demand! Looking for something unique this winter? Enjoy a relaxed evening of Jazz favorites, as The Jeff Phillips Trio returns again this year to whisk us away from the worries of today, and into a New York City style Jazz Room, created by our contemporary worship team in the Fellowship Center. Ticket price includes an evening of exceptional music, table snacks and one drink from the craft mocktail and soda bar.
THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS
Sunday, December 8 at 4pm and 7pm – Sanctuary
No ticket required
Celebrate the holidays with the choirs, handbells, praise team and the Sights and Sounds Orchestra as we experience Images of the Season. A wonderful way for you and your friends & family to ring in the season, and a Lakeland tradition for nearly 50 years. Childcare is available for children ages six weeks through pre-K for the 4pm concert.
FINE ARTS SUNDAY
Sunday, January 26 at all services
No ticket required
Join us as we celebrate Fine Arts Sunday in the 8:15, 9:30, and 11:00 traditional worship services. Through the creativity of music, dance, and visual art, we will glorify God and celebrate the artistic talents of all who contribute to our fine arts ministries.
MYSTERY AT SHADY ACRES: DINNER THEATRE AND SILENT AUCTION
Written by Michelle R. Davis
Produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service
Presented by the Handbell Ringers & Singers
Friday, February 21 at 6:30pm & Saturday, February 22 at 12pm - Fellowship Center
Tickets: $30/person
A prestigious guest’s valuable diamond necklace has been stolen at a remote English countryside hotel and nearly everyone is a suspect! Join us for this hilarious, lighthearted “whodunit” and help solve the case! Our Friday evening dinner experience and Saturday matinee lunch experience will be identical with a silent auction being offered during both performances. A special children’s event for kids 3rd grade and younger will be offered during our Friday night performance with a separate registration so parents can make it a date night if they choose.
HANDBELL RINGERS & SINGERS: CELEBRATE THE SEASONS
Sunday, May 18 at 4pm - Sanctuary
No ticket required
Singing and ringing simultaneously, this talented group will present a unique program of music describing and celebrating the four seasons. The Ringers and Singers perform on two sets of Whitechapel handbells along with ChoirChime instruments that blend wonderfully with their singing.
THE WIZARD OF OZ: YOUTH EDITION
By L. Frank Baum
and
Background Music by Herbert Stothart
Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC
Saturday, March 29 at 4pm - Fellowship Center
Tickets: $10/adult, $5/child
Join us for a special one-hour adaptation of “The Wizard of Oz” presented by our own children and youth. These talented kids will take us on the unforgettable journey of Dorothy and all the friends she encounters along the way as they “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” through the Land of Oz. Their journey to happiness – and self-awareness – is a glowing testament to friendship, understanding and hope in a world filled with both beauty and ugliness.
Help support our 2024-2025 Fine Arts Series by becoming a Patron!
PATRONS DONATING $100 OR MORE WILL RECEIVE RESERVED SEATING FOR CONCERTS TAKING PLACE IN THE SANCTUARY AND YOUR NAME WILL APPEAR IN THE PATRON SECTION OF ALL CONCERT PROGRAMS.
Three ways to donate:
• Scan the QR code
• Give online at firstumc.org/concert-series
• Send your check payable to First UMC and marked “Fine Arts Series” directly to:
First UMC Fine Arts Department
72 Lake Morton Dr. Lakeland, FL 33801
TO PURCHASE TICKETS TO CONCERTS, PLEASE VISIT FIRSTUMC.ORG/CONCERT-SERIES
Music & Fine Arts Staff
CO-DIRECTORS OF MUSIC & FINE ARTS
Karen Buie – kbuie@firstumc.org Matthew Corl – mcorl@firstumc.org
DIRECTOR OF CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP
Jeremy
– jhearn@firstumc.org
Jessica Michel – jmichel@firstumc.org