Church activities continue

Two of the four candles on church Advent wreaths were lit this week, and they serve as a reminder that Advent is already half over, and Christmas, the celebration of the birth of the Messiah, is fast approaching.

Several local churches are hosting special activities to help pass on the joy God gave to us on Christmas by sharing gifts of food, presents, songs, and fellowship with others in their congregations and the community.

Ministerial Alliance 

Members of the Alliance have scheduled the delivery of the Christmas Baskets between the hours of 2:00 and 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16.

The 81 food boxes were packed with assorted dry goods by NSES sixth graders this Thursday morning, and the cold items will be added by each group of volunteers as they gather their boxes to head out on the delivery routes on Sunday, Dec. 16, at 2:00 p.m.

Gifts donated to the Alliance sponsored Believe Teen Tree were wrapped and available for pickup at the Feed Store earlier this week. Parents of enrolled teens who did not go by The Feed Store on Wednesday should contact Tisha Wilkins at 325-660-7443 or The Feed Store at 325-762-4960 to schedule a time to pick-up their children’s presents.

Beltway East

The students of Beltway East Student Ministry hosted their annual Legacy Dinner last Wednesday, Dec. 5.

“Once again the evening was a great success,” said sponsor Lorna Ayers. “Our guests thoroughly enjoyed being served by the students and sitting down with them to simply have a conversation. We ate wonderful food, sang carols, and played a trivia game with mixed teams of students and guests.”

Fun was had by all, according to Ayers.

“And more importantly,” added Ayers, “the students had the opportunity to honor the people who have given so much and supported this community so well.”

Church of Christ

Members of the Church of Christ will gather at the church this Sunday, Dec. 16, for their annual Christmas party. 

“I expect that we will also have caroling as we deliver the Christmas baskets, which is our usual practice,” said pastor Sonny McCauley.

Feed Store

Members of Merge helped wrap presents donated to the Teen Believe Trees program during their meeting on Monday, Dec. 10. 

The Feed Store will host the annual “Mr. Christmas Tree Pageant” at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 17, and parents, friends, siblings, and community members are all invited to attend and vote for the winner.

First Baptist Church

First Baptist Church will hold a Christmas service on Sunday, Dec. 23 at 10:45 a.m., during their normal Sunday morning worship hour.

First Christian 

There will be a special children’s Christmas program during First Christian Church’s 11:00 a.m. morning worship service this Sunday, Dec. 16.

A Christmas cantata: On Christmas Day will be presented by the choir during the regular 11:00 a.m. worship service on Sunday, Dec. 23.

First Christian Church will hold a Christmas Eve candlelight service at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 24.

“Everyone is invited to all of these events,” said church secretary Mary Rose.

First Methodist

First United Methodist Church’s mission Advent sermon series will continue every Sunday in December.

There will be a meal followed by Christmas singing and worship on Sunday, Dec. 16, starting at 6:30 p.m.

The Methodist Church will have a Christmas Eve candlelight worship service at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 24.

“Everyone in the community is invited,” said pastor Tim Trimble. 

Jesus of Nazareth

There will be a Christmas Vigil Mass at Jesus of Nazareth Catholic Church on Monday, Dec. 24 at 7:00 p.m. 

Later that same night, at 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 24, a Christmas Midnight Mass will be held at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Breckenridge. Sacred Heart will also be the location of a 10:00 a.m. Christmas Mass on Tuesday, Dec. 25.

MMPC

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. every Sunday in Advent, including Dec. 16, 23, and 30.

MMPC will have a 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service in the sanctuary on Monday, Dec. 24.

They will host a take-out Christmas Day Meal from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall on Tuesday, Dec. 25.

“All of these events are open to the entire community,” said the pastor’s assistant Kellie Sherwood.

Trinity Lutheran

A Christmas ornament exchange will take place in the Lutheran fellowship hall at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16.

Trinity will hold an Advent service on Wednesday, Dec. 19. A light supper will be served at 6:00 p.m., followed by the worship service at 7:00 p.m.

Children are welcome for Bible study, craft time, and caroling beginning at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 19, before the Advent service. 

A children’s program service is set for Christmas Eve, Dec. 24 at 6:30 p.m., with a Christmas Day service at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 25. 

“The entire community is welcome to our Advent and Christmas services,” said pastor Tom Chandler.