St. Matthews Lutheran Church will celebrate its annual Service of Lessons and Carols at 10.30 a.m. Sunday.
The service will be a blend of seven different readings from the scriptures telling the prophecy and birth of the Christ child and of the shepherds and wise men worshiping him. Each reading will be followed with an appropriate Christmas carol.
The Rev. Gary S. Coble is pastor. The church is located at 9275 Bringle Ferry Road.
For further information, contact the church office at 704-633-3770.
Franklin Baptist
There will be a special singing on New Year’s Eve at Franklin Baptist Church, 3819 U.S. 601. The singing will be from 6-7:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served in the Family Life Center after singing. The event is free. An offering will be taken .
Featured will be the Southern gospel group Prodigal Son, singing for the entire service.
Joe Thomas is church pastor.
New Testament
New Testament Word of Faith Church will have a special New Year’s Eve celebration 9-11 p.m. Monday.
Dr. Martha Starks’ ministry theme will be “What’s Next for the Body of Christ in 2008.”
The dance ministries, consisting of Agape Mime Ministry, Explosive Praise and Vessels of Praise Dance Ministries will participate in the service.
The praise team will provide music from their recently released CD. The Mass Choir, along with Triumphant Praise Children’s Choir and Youth For Christ Teen Choir, will also provide music.
“A Year End Review” highlighting special events that occurred in 2007 will be seen.
Dr. Martha and Elder Clinton Starks are host pastors.
For information, call 704-633-2431.
Community Baptist
Community Baptist Church, 18 Carolina St., will host “Praisin’ in the New Year” starting at 7 p.m. Monday.
Sounds of Praise, Abundant Life, God’s Child and Marie Waller will be sharing the Gospel in song until midnight.
Shiloh Reformed
FAITH ó Shiloh Reformed Church of Faith’s Wednesday Family Evening will begin the Winter-Spring session Jan. 2 and meet each Wednesday evening until May.
The evenings begin with a meal at 5:30 p.m. For reservations, call 704-279-2260.
The evenings also include Bible study for all ages from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Boys and girls and youth will meet in age groups for the Pioneer Club, with Bible study, fellowship and mission studies.
Pastor Wayne Trexler will lead the adults in a study of the New Testament Book of Revelation.
The Church is located at 100 S. Main Street in Faith.
Life support
First Baptist Church of Salisbury is hosting its winter “Life Support” groups beginning the week of Jan. 7. These support groups are open to members of the community.
Life Support groups are offered on Monday and Thursday evenings for those who are in a time of transition and crisis. The Monday evening groups include:
n DivorceCare ó Helps you to face challenges and move toward rebuilding your life after separation and divorce.
n DivorceCare for Kids (DC4K) ó A biblically based, Christ-centered ministry designed to bring healing to children ages 5-12 who are struggling with the hurt and pain of divorce and separation.
n GriefShare: Your Journey from Mourning to Joy ó A weekly seminar and support group for people who are grieving the death of someone close to them.
n Hurts, Habits and Hang Ups: Celebrate Recovery ó Past hurts, current destructive habits and relational hang ups are all issues that seriously affect families in our church and community. This group is open to individuals with addictive, compulsive and dysfunctional behavior and their loved ones.
On Thursday night, a new support group is offered:
n Family to Family ó The NAMI Family to Family Educational Program is a 12-week course/support group for families of individuals with mental illness (severe brain disorders). The curriculum focuses on schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, clinical depression, panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The course discusses the clinical treatment of these illnesses and teaches the knowledge and skills that family members need to cope more effectively.
All classes meet 6:30-8 p.m.
For more information, contact Rod Kerr, 704-633-0431, or rod@fbcsalisbury.org.