Christmas services set

By Melinda L. Lucas

One major change is being publicized this week about Christmas events being conducted by local congregations during the week leading up to Christmas.

Rabbi Jason Sobel, a Messianic Jew who has visited and spoken in Albany several times in the past, will give the homily during First Christian Church’s annual candlelight service on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24 in the FCC sanctuary.

Christian recording artist Miriam Webster will present special music during the service, which begins at 6:00 p.m. 

Other Christmas activities in various churches include the following:  

Ministerial Alliance

Members of the Alliance and other volunteers will deliver Christmas Baskets between the hours of 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 22.

First Baptist

First Baptist Church will hold a Christmas service on Sunday, Dec. 22 at 10:45 a.m.

First United 

Methodist

First United Methodist Church’s mission Advent sermon series continue through this Sunday, Dec. 22.

A Christmas Eve candlelight worship service will be held at the church at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 24, and everyone in the community is invited to attend, according to pastor Tim Trimble. 

Friendship Baptist

Friendship Baptist Church will hold a Christmas candlelight service on Sunday, Dec. 22 at 10:00 a.m.

Jesus of Nazareth

Catholic

There will be a Christmas Vigil Mass at Jesus of Nazareth Catholic Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24 at 6:00 p.m. Christmas Midnight Mass will be held at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Breckenridge at 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 24.  Christmas Mass will be on Wednesday, Dec. 25 at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart in Breckenridge.

Matthews Memorial

Presbyterian

Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church will have breakfast at 9:30 a.m., Sunday school at 10:00 a.m., and worship service at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 22.

MMPC will have a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 24. 

Church members will serve a take-out Christmas Day dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 25.

Trinity Lutheran

A children’s program service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24 at 6:30 p.m. A Christmas Day service is planned for 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 25. 

The entire community is welcome to attend the services, according to pastor Tom Chandler.

By Kathy Thomson

Albany’s First Christian Church will have a couple of special guests at their Christmas Eve candlelight service at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 24.

Rabbi Jason Sobel, best selling co-author of The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi, is expected to give the homily, and Australian worship leader Miriam Webster will sing during the service.

Sobel’s in-depth first-hand knowledge of the Holy Land, coupled with his understanding of both the Christian and Jewish cultures as a Messianic Rabbi is part of what has helped him become a sought after speaker and teacher.

Those who were able to attend his free lecture at the Aztec in March of 2018 are sure to remember his insights into the Jewish background of Yeshua (Jesus).

Webster has also been to Albany before, where she performed at local church services.

First Christian Church is located at the corner of Second and Walnut.