The Music and Fine Arts ministry of World Hope Worship Center presents “Christmas Fills the Air” today at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 9 and 11 a.m.
Adults, youth and children ranging in age from 6 to 72 are involved in this musical drama presentation, which includes popular Christmas songs in addition to familiar Christmas carols.
The production includes both a full-stage, modern-day setting of a mall at Christmas, plus costumed characters at the Nativity. Doors will open 30 minutes prior to service times.
The message of the production is “Fear Not,” just as the angel first spoke it to Mary.
World Hope Worship Center is located at 2203 Mooresville Road.
For more information, call 704-636-9159.
First Presbyterian
KANNAPOLIS ó The First Presbyterian Church in Kannapolis will present the drama “The Advent Cross” during the 10:55 a.m. worship service this Sunday in the sanctuary. This play, written by Juliette M. Palmer, weaves the meaning of the Advent wreath with biblical characters. The Chancel Choir will provide musical selections to complement the dramatic presentation.
The drama is under the direction of Jennifer Black, and the cast includes members of the church and local high school students. The choir is under the direction of Dr. Don Simons.
For more information, call 704-938-4623 or visit www.FirstPresb.org.
Union Lutheran”Go, Tell,” a montage of Christmas music, will be presented on Sunday at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary of Union Lutheran Church, 4770 Bringle Ferry Road.
Two vocal choirs, four handbell choirs and an instrumental ensemble will alternate, providing anthems and Christmas pieces. Soloists, both instrumental and vocal, include Masyn Burgess, Kevin and Brad Huffman, Amy Lowder and Chelsey Peeler. Organist Pat Miller, Pastor Robert Howard, and music director Tonya Brittain will lead the presentation.
First UCC
This Sunday at 11 a.m. First United Church of Christ Chancel Choir will present a service of Christmas Lessons and Carols.
Choir director is Dennis Jewett and accompanist is Susan Trivette.
At 6 p.m. Sunday in the fellowship hall, the children of the church will present a program under the direction of Jaclyn Chapman and Sarah Schiemann. After the children’s presentation, refreshments will be served.
John Calvin Presbyterian
The John Calvin Presbyterian Men of the Church will meet for breakfast at 8 a.m. Sunday in the fellowship hall. Will Ballard will provide piano music during breakfast.
The guest speaker will be Christina Natichioni, an expert in pet training and management and reflexology. Her expertise includes training in Tellington Touch for both animals and humans. Her Web site is www.pawsitivebehaviorsolutions.com.
The church is located at 1620 Brenner Ave.
For more information, call 704-633-4333.
Cornerstone play
The Cornerstone Church Children’s Ministry will present the play “All I Want for Christmas” at 6 p.m. on Dec. 19 and 11 a.m. on Dec. 20.
The play is a collaboration with the annual Christmas Dream toy drive. The public is invited to donate toys. All toys donated will be part of the children’s play then later given to families in need. For information about the toy drive, call Tina Yow, 704-791-9048.
For other information call 704-855-1218, ext. 102.
Cornerstone Church is located at 315 Webb Road.
Shiloh Baptist
CONCORD ó Shiloh Baptist Church music and arts ministry will present their annual holiday concert entitled “Signs, Miracles and Wonders: A Ballistic Praise Experience” at 6 p.m. Sunday Dec. 20.
The presentation features the Shiloh Baptist Combined, Family and Friends Mass Choir under the direction of Angie Harding and Eddie Brown Jr. The musical worship will consist of a Gospel Music Melody (consisting of various songs from the 70s, 80s and 90s), theatrical presentations and liturgical dances.
Shiloh Baptist Church is located at 255 Logan Ave., Concord.
Yadkin Grove
Yadkin Grove Missionary Baptist Church will be hosting a Missionary Ministry Service Dec. 13 at 4 p.m. Pastor Carlos Barratt will be the guest speaker from Charlotte.
The Mission Ministry will be receiving dry foods and nonperishable items in preparation of baskets for the holiday season.
First Calvary
The Rev. James D. Ballard, evangelist and Baptist minister, will continue a quarterly series of sermons at First Calvary Baptist Church at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16. This is the last sermon in this year’s series. Music will be provided by First Calvary’s choir.
Dr. Ballard, a native of High Point, has a career as theologian, educator and civil rights advocate spanning more than 53 years. The former pastor at United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, Ballard is a member of the general board of the Lott Carey Foreign Missions Convention and the general board of the National Baptist Convention USA Inc.
The Rev. Leamon E. Brown is pastor of First Calvary Baptist Church, which is located at 400 South Long Street.
St. Matthews Lutheran
St. Matthews Lutheran Church invites the public to celebrate several special Christmas events in the coming weeks.
The first event will be Dec. 13, 4 p.m., when the Jr. LYNC goes Christmas caroling to shut-ins. A light meal will be served afterwards in the fellowship hall.
St. Matthews Sunday school, youth and scouts will participate with the Sharing Shepherd Ministry of the Salem Men’s Chorus by delivering gifts and clothes to 84 children and gifts toward food and electric bills for the winter for 30 families represented by these children in Bradshaw, Kimball and Anawah,W. Va.
On Dec. 20, the 10:30 a.m. worship service of Lessons and Carols will focus around the reading of the Christmas story and the singing of Christmas carols. Pastor Gary Coble will have a brief meditation during the service.
Sunday evening, 6:30 p.m., a play “Live from Bethlehem” will be presented by the children of the church under the direction of Elizabeth Williams and Hope Coble.
On Dec. 24, 7:15 p.m., music by St. Matthew’s handbell choir will precede the 7:30 p.m. Christmas Eve worship service with Holy Communion, Christmas carols presented by the Senior Choir, and sermon by Pastor Coble.
St. Matthew’s is located at 9275 Bringle Ferry Road. For more information, call 704-633-3770.
Mighty Miracle
The “Keeping it Real” Women’s Fellowship presents “The Unity That Christmas Brings: A Christmas Social” in the fellowship center of Mighty Miracle Temple.
The social will be held on Friday, Dec. 18, at 7:30 p.m. The program includes a Christmas Dinner and entertainment, featuring music, comedy and skits. Donations are $10 per person, and $15 per couple, 18 years and older.
For more information contact Patricia Byers at 704-873-8448; Sarah Warren at 704-872-0681; or Bishop Everett Hackett at 704-261-2830.
Live Nativity
Woodleaf United Methodist Church will be presenting a live Nativity this Sunday, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The event will take place at 3150 Potneck Road, Woodleaf.
This is an annual event that has become a tradition for many. Individual family communion will be offered for those wishing to partake and light refreshments will be served.
UMC youth project
KANNAPOLIS ó The North Kannapolis United Methodist Youth Group will be babysitting children ages 2-12 whose parents need to do Christmas shopping, go to a party, or just need to wrap gifts.
Bring the children to the North Kannapolis United Methodist Church on Friday Dec. 11 from 5-11 p.m.
They will provide the children with dinner, holiday activities, arts and crafts, and even their own Christmas shopping. Each child will get $5 angel bucks to be a Christmas angel for someone absolutely free. They can purchase items from the Christmas store run by one of Santa’s elves.
Additional angel bucks can be purchased.
The cost is $15 for the first child and $5 for any additional children.
You must register your child prior to the event at www.nkumyouth.com or with Andrew at 704-224-6208.
Glory of Christmas
A concert, “The Glory of Christmas” will be presented 4 p.m. Sunday at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 131 W. Council St.
The concert features a 70-voice ecumenical choir accompanied by chamber orchestra. Soloists are Rebecca Stinson, Grant Harrison, Phyllis Partee and Teresa Moore-Mitchell.
New Shepherd Baptist
COOLEEMEE ó New Shepherd Baptist Church, 108 Wall St. in Cooleemee, will be celebrating the church’s 112th anniversary this Sunday at 3 p.m. Lunch will be served at 1:30 p.m.
The speaker for this occasion will be the Rev. Coker Stewart, pastor of Cedar Creek Baptist Church, Mocksville, and his congregation will be in charge of the service.
The public is invited.
Outreach Ministries
Maxx Promotions and World of Faith Outreach Ministries, with Bishop Kevin Bost and Pastor Kimberly Bost, presents “Gospel Expo: Spending Christmas With Jesus Christ” featuring Heaven Cynt-Cynthia McNeill and AKAK Production.
The event will be held Saturday, Dec. 19, at 4 p.m. at 1325 N. Main St.
For more information contact Howard Moore, Sr. at 704-754-1768.
Resurrection Life
Resurrection Life Church will be hosting a Christmas Concert with the Hinkle Family on Sunday Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. A love offering will be received. The Rev. Jerry Snipes is the pastor.
The Hinkle family, from Decatur, Texas, has been traveling together 365 days a year since 2001, visiting and ministering at nursing homes, retirement centers, senior centers and churches across America. In the last eight years they have had the opportunity to conduct 5,750 services, visit more than 660,000 souls and travel more than 990,000 miles in 22 states.
Their family motto is “More than music, we’re ministry.”
The church is located at 216 S. Main St.
For more information, call 704-638-0002.
Ardis Chapel AME
The Usher Board of Ardis Chapel AME Zion Church invites the public to the annual Rainbow Tea to be held on Sunday Dec. 13, at 4 p.m.
The North Rowan Connection Choir will be featured in concert.
Ardis Chapel is located at 1940 Old Mocksville Road in Salisbury. The pastor is Rev. T.M. Kendall.
North Kannapolis Baptist
KANNAPOLIS ó The Adult Choir and instrumentalists of North Kannapolis Baptist Church will present a program of Christmas music at the church Sunday at 10:45 a.m.
The children of North Kannapolis Baptist and North Kannapolis Christian Academy will present their annual Christmas program Sunday evening at 6 p.m.
The church is located at 312 Locust Street. For more information, call 704-933-2125.
Salem Lutheran
Salem Lutheran Church invites the community to attend a musical and a modern day drama this Sunday, at 5 p.m.
“Angels We Have Heard” is a musical featuring preschool and elementary children of the church.
Middle and high school youth will present a modern Christmas drama entitled, “Where is Jesus?” In this play, when the baby Jesus turns up missing, the church and community discover God’s presence with them in whole new way.
The Salem Spirit Band and Singers will lead the worship music. Favorite Christmas carols will be sung during the service.
After the service, all are invited to enjoy fellowship and dinner with dessert.
Salem is located at 5080 Sherrills Ford Road. Call 704-636-0352 for more information.
Faith Lutheran
FAITH ó Faith Lutheran Church will celebrate the season of Advent with a musical entitled “Festival of Carols” by Joseph M. Martin.
The work follows the order of the traditional lessons and carols service and includes all nine scripture readings.
The Chancel Choir will offer the performance at a 10:30 a.m. worship service. There will be no 8:45 a.m. FaithWorks service.
The service will be narrated by the Rev. Clarence E. Sifford Jr. and the choral performance will be directed by Don Deming, music director. Daisy Bost will accompany the choir on piano, and Stan Ludwig will provide the drums for several selections.
The children’s Christmas play will be presented on Sunday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. in the Family Life Center, and the annual Christmas Eve candlelight service with Holy Communion will be celebrated at 5:30 p.m. and at 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 24 in the church sanctuary.
The Church is located at 205 S. Main St. in Faith.
Christ Episcopal
CLEVELAND ń On Dec. 6, more than 50 members and friends of Christ Episcopal Church packaged 10,092 meals for the world hunger relief organization Stop Hunger Now.
People of all ages were able to help with the event that took just over two hours.
Stop Hunger Now is an international hunger relief organization that coordinates the distribution of food and other life-saving aid around the world.
Stop Hunger Now’s meal packaging program provides volunteers, such as Christ Church, the opportunity to package dehydrated, high protein, and highly nutritious meals that are used in crisis situations and in school feeding programs for schools and orphanages in developing countries around the world.
The event at Christ Episcopal Church was made possible because of a $2,500 mission grant from the St. Luke’s foundation of Salisbury.
FUMC Lessons and Carols
The Music Department of First United Methodist Church will present its second annual Service of Nine Lessons and Carols at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, in the sanctuary. The service, which is identical to that heard each year in King’s College Chapel in Cambridge, will be led by the church’s chancel choir and choristers, under the direction of Matthew Brown, organist and director of music.
Special guests include representatives from area academic institutions including Dr. Albert Aymer, president of Hood Theological Seminary, Dr. Craig Turner, president of Catawba College, Dr. Dennis Carroll, provost of High Point University, and Dr. Jimmie Jenkins, president of Livingstone College.
The service will be accompanied by organ, oboe, harp, and timpani and will include many carols for congregational participation.
An offering will be received for the Music Memorial Fund.
For more information, contact the church office at (704) 636-3121.
Christmas cantataCLEVELAND óThe First Baptist Church Cleveland Choir will perform “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” Sunday, Dec. 13 during the 11 a.m. worship service.