Local churches continue actitivies

By Kathy Thomson

Christmas Eve is only a dozen days away, and along with all of the shopping, baking, and family events scheduled for the season, local churches have set aside times for believers to pause and remember the real reason for the season: the celebration of God coming into the world as a helpless infant, all so that He could eventually sacrifice Himself on a cross to pay for all sins and allow his followers to once again join in fellowship with their Creator.

Some pastors and congregations have not yet scheduled all of their Christmas events, and several could not be contacted before this week’s deadline. Any changes or additions will be publicized in a later issue, if requested.

Ministerial Alliance 

The Ministerial Alliance sponsored Believe Tree for Teens present pickup will be on the afternoon of Wednesday, Dec. 18 at the Feed Store.

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.

Church of Christ

Members of the Church of Christ plan to gather at the church on Wednesday, Dec. 18, for caroling. 

“We will take the kids to houses in Albany to carol, and then return to the building for a meal,” said pastor Sonny McCauley. 

First Baptist Church

First Baptist will have a special lunch this Sunday, Dec. 15, after the weekly worship service. 

The congregation will host a Christmas service on Sunday, Dec. 22 at 10:45 a.m., according to pastor Jeff Turner.

First Christian 

First Christian will have a special choir Christmas Cantata, Christmas is a Birthday, at the 11:00 a.m. service on Sunday, Dec. 15.

They will hold a Christmas Eve candlelight service with communion at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 24.

Everyone is invited to these events, according to church secretary Mary Rose.

First Methodist

First United Methodist Church will have special Advent services and sermons through the month of December, according to pastor Tim Trimble. 

On Sunday, Dec. 15 the church will have a Christmas meal and singing after the worship service. 

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

“The community is invited,” said Trimble. 

Friendship Baptist

“We are postponing our usual first Sunday lunch until Dec. 15 to coincide with our children’s play,” said Friendship Baptist member Danita Johnston. “We will have stew and chili after church, pack bags for shut-ins, and deliver them and carol on our traditional hayride.”

Johnston said that Friendship would welcome anyone who wants to join their Christmas plans. 

“We would like to invite people to bring their children to participate in the program and enjoy the day with us,” she said. 

Friendship will have a daytime candlelight service on Sunday, Dec. 22 at 10:00 a.m.

“We will have communion, worship, and end with the candlelight ceremony,” Johnston said.

MMPC

The 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. 15 and 22.

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

The Christmas Day Feast is Dec. 25 at 11:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.  

“We will be serving turkey, beef tenderloin, green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, rolls, and dessert,” said pastor’s assistant Sandi Ingalls. 

All of these events are open to the entire community.

For more information on the Christmas Feast, see the related article in this edition of The Albany News.

Trinity Lutheran

The church will host its annual Christmas ornament exchange party at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15.

Trinity Lutheran has been holding weekly Wednesday night Advent services, with the third and final event planned at 7:00 p.m. on Dec. 18, preceded by a light supper starting at 6:00 p.m.

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 Wednesday, Dec. 25. 

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