Special Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services abound this week at area churches.
Luminaries will line the sidewalk for a 7 p.m. candlelight Christmas Eve service at First Presbyterian Church, 302 E. Madison Ave. Worship will begin with the “Carol of the Bells” by the Handbell Choir under the direction of Sally Huskey. The Chancel Choir, directed by Jan Knewtson, will present “Baby Born A King” and “Who Would Send A Baby?” They will be joined by the Youth Choir and Handbell Choir for “A Wondrous Birth.” Jacob Rausch and his father, the Rev. Jim Rausch, will sing “Star Child.” Individual candles will be lit for the singing of “Silent Night.” Piano and organ accompaniment will be provided by Kathleen McCollam. Jim Huskey will play guitar. Fellowship will follow. Nursery care and an elevator are available. The service is open to all area residents.
Members of Carlyle Presbyterian Church, 15 Covert St., invite area residents to join them at 7 p.m. Christmas Eve for a candlelight service.
The Lord’s Supper will be served during a 6 p.m. Christmas Eve candlelight service at Fellowship Regional Church, 202 S. Washington, Ave. Regular Crux services will be at 7 Christmas night. On Sunday, church and morning worship begin at 10:30 a.m.
The dramatization of a student returning home for Christmas after her first semester at university will be enacted at 7 p.m. Christmas Eve at First Baptist Church, 801 N. Cottonwood. The drama will focus on biblical values the student learned as a child, how those values were challenged at college and the student’s current confusion. A Christmas Eve program, her parents’ prayers and a mysterious visit from Bible characters help the young woman decide her life’s path. Community members are invited.
Christmas Eve service begins at 7 o’clock at Grace Baptist Church, 214 W. Madison. Scripture readings, special music and the observance of the Lord’s Supper will be featured.
Area residents are invited to a candlelight Christmas Eve service at 6 p.m. at RiverTree Christian Church, 301 W. Miller Rd.
First Christian Church, 1608 Oregon Rd., will have a candlelight service at 6 o’clock Christmas Eve. The church choir will lead the singing of Christmas music, followed by communion. Community members are welcome to attend the casual dress service.
Yates Center United Methodist Church, 307 S. Grove St., is planning a 5:30 p.m. candlelight communion service Christmas Eve. Special Christmas music will be presented by F.J. VanAnne, Haley Pringle, Kari King, Ashley Pringle, Trent Forsyth and the Youth Handbell Choir directed by Karen Jesseph.
Members of Grace Lutheran Church, 117 W. Miller Rd., will gather for a 7 p.m. Christmas Eve service which will include a special musical presentation. Christmas Day worship is at 10:30 a.m.
The public is welcome to experience “The Light of the World” as “Emmanuel — God with us!” is presented at 7 p.m. Christmas Eve at Wesley United Methodist Church, 301 E. Madison. The Chancel Choir will sing Mauldin’s arrangement of “O Holy Night” under direction of Terry Meadows. The Rev. Trudy Kenyon Anderson will offer a sermon about living daily with the presence of Jesus. During Holy Communion, Chelsea Kenyon will sing Schubert’s “Ave Maria” and Matt Stuckey will sing Dix’s “What Child is This,” both accompanied by Shane Snavely on piano. The Wesley Bell Choir will lead the traditional lighting of the candles and singing of “Silent Night.”
Christmas Eve Masses will be celebrated at 5 p.m. at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Piqua and at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Yates Center. Christmas morning Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church in Iola. Confessions will be heard from noon to 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve and from 4:30 to 5 p.m. on Christmas Day at St. John’s.
Area residents are invited to celebrate Christmas Eve services at 5 p.m. at Salem United Methodist Church, 3 miles west of Iola on Highway 54 and 2 miles south on 800 St.
Christmas Eve service will be at 7 p.m. at Calvary United Methodist Church, 118 W. Jackson Ave.
Churches plan holiday services
