Churches list Christmas activities

By Sam Waller

Albany churches are getting ready for Christmas with several planning special events and services leading up to the holiday.

Some pastors and congregations have not yet finalized plans for Christmas events. Any changes or additions will be publicized in future issues if requested.

First Baptist

First Baptist Church will hold a JAM Christmas party for the 100+ children in the Wednesday night program at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 15.

Details were still pending at press time, but several special activities are being planned.

There will also be a party for the FBC youth group that night. 

First Baptist will have a double helping of special Christmas services on Dec. 19 and 26, according to pastor Jeff Turner.

“The second one is actually the day after Christmasbut it’s close,” he said. 

First Christian

On Sunday, members of First Christian Church will deliver Christmas trees and wreaths to help decorate homes in the community.

“We have a ministry where we take those and decorate homes, especially some elderly folks who wouldn’t have decorations otherwise,” pastor Brad McBee said. “Grade school kids are making cookies, so we give them all a bag of cookies, too.”

The church’s annual Sunday School Christmas party is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17.

McBee said First Christian will hold a special Christmas Eve service this year. 

“We’re having a Texas Country Christmas,” he said. “There will be music by Randall Palmore and John Caldwell, and Sam Davis is going to read his Cowboy Christmas poem. There’ll be candlelight communion, as well.”

First Methodist

First United Methodist Church has two special events for Sunday, Dec. 12.

Joseph Mendez, The Jerusalem Violinist, will perform during the regular worship service, which will start 15 minutes early at 10:45 a.m.

“It isn’t necessarily Christmas, but it’s during Christmastime,” pastor Tim Trimble said.

More information on Mendez can be found at ­jerusalemviolinist.net or on Mendez’s Facebook page.

Following the performance, FUMC will have its Christmas dinner in the Fellowship Hall.

A candlelight Christmas Eve service will start at 6:00 p.m. on Dec. 24.

Friendship Baptist

Friendship Baptist Church will hold its annual Children’s Nativity program during its Dec. 12 services. Services start at 11:00 a.m.

“The kids will present a program,” pastor Paul Johnston said. “It’s not very long and pretty simple.”