A clothing and small item giveaway begins today at 8 a.m. at Hall’s Chapel Primitive Baptist Church, 611 E. Monroe St. There will be a light lunch served from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Grace Deliverance Church, 1237 Old West Innes St., in the Salisbury Women’s Club building (across from Summersett’s), hosts “Storytelling with Grandma Honey” today, at 5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 15. The cost is $8 per family, up to three people; $10 per family, more than three people. Price includes refreshments.

GRANITE QUARRY — Wittenberg Lutheran Church hosts a live nativity at the corner of Oak and Bank Streets, tonight at 5:30 and 7 p.m. Snacks and hot chocolate served afterward.

CLEVELAND — South River United Methodist Church, 10 minutes from Salisbury at 11705 Cool Springs Road, will host a live nativity tonight, Dec. 15, from 7-8:30 p.m. Viewers may enjoy free hot chocolate while viewing. www.southriverumc.org/live_nativity.

St Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 4401 Statesville Blvd., will be having Advent dinners every Saturday through Dec. 22 at 6:30 p.m. as a fundraiser for its youth group.The youth group will host. For information, call 704-245-5805.

First Presbyterian Church of Salisbury begins the celebration of the third Sunday of Advent at 8:30 a.m. with worship in the sanctuary. At 11 a.m. the sanctuary choir will lead worship and 1st Kids will sing.

Life Center Worship (contemporary) is at 8:50 a.m. in Lewis Hall, led by the LCW Praise Team.

Advent Gathering (snacks and fellowship in the fellowship hall) is at 9:30 a.m.

CHINA GROVE — South China Grove Baptist Church will celebrate Christmas on Sunday, Dec. 16 at 11 a.m. when the Church Sanctuary Choir will present a musical by Dennis and Nan Allen titled, “All Is Well.” A covered dish meal will be held in the Family Life Center at 5 p.m., then at 6 p.m. the children’s Christmas play entitled, “Just A Little Christmas” will be held in the sanctuary.

The pastor is Rev. Shane Utley. The church is at 501 Haney St. (between Hwy 29 and Hwy 29-A off of Thom St.), 704-857-3611, www.scgbc.com

CHINA GROVE — River’s Edge Puppet Ministry, under the direction of Charlie and Joyce Miller, will be presenting a Christmas program Sunday, Dec. 16, in the 11 a.m. service at the Southside Church of God. River’s Edge is dedicated to presenting the gospel in unique ways to touch the lives of adults and children alike. The Southside Church of God is located at 163 Third Ave. For more information call Pastor Joyce Miles at 704-467-4555.

ROCKWELL — The Adult Choir at Immanuel Lutheran will present the cantata “Celebrate the Wonder: His Promised Arrival” during the 11 a.m. service this Sunday, Dec. 16. The cantata was written by Marty Parks. The cantata is directed by Nettie Loflin and will feature soloists Judy Harwood, Jordan Owen, Christy Trexler and Woody Weddington. Adelina Cato will serve as violinist and Dominique Karriker is flutist. Billy Goodman will serve as narrator.

The Chrismon tree will be lit for the first time this Christmas season and will feature new Chrismons made by the Immanuel Chrismon Crusaders, led by Carolyn Trexler. After the service is a “no-charge” holiday luncheon held in the Fellowship Building.

Those desiring to attend should make reservations by calling the church office at 704-279-3737.

KANNAPOLIS — The Children’s Choir of North Kannapolis Baptist Church will present the musical “Arrest These Merry Gentlemen” Sunday at 10:45 a.m. in the church sanctuary.

Sunday evening at 5:30 p.m., the Adult Choir and orchestra will present the musical “Agnus Dei” in the sanctuary. Luminaries will be on display. The church is located at 312 Locust St. Call 704-933-2125 for details.

CHINA GROVE — The adult choir of First United Methodist Church China Grove will present the cantata “Silent Night! Holy Night!” by Russell Mauldin and Sue Smith at the 10:30 a.m. service Sunday, Dec 16. Additional music selections will be shared by the Son-Shine Choir and Celebration Ringers Handbell Choir. The church is located at 110 W Church St.

KANNAPOLIS — The worship service at the First Presbyterian Church in Kannapolis this Sunday, Dec. 16, will feature a Festival of Lessons and Carols. The service will begin at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. This traditional format features anthems sung by the chancel choir alternating with scripture readings from the Christmas story and carols sung by the congregation.

The Rockin’ Ringers youth handbell choir also will play the prelude. The choir is under the direction of Dr. Don Simmons. For details, call 704-938-4623, or visit www.firstpresb.org.

The 11 a.m. service at First United Church of Christ on Dec. 16 will feature the lighting of the Advent Candle of Joy. The Jay Laurens family will be liturgist for the lighting of this candle on the third Sunday of Advent.

At 6 p.m. in the fellowship hall, the children will present a Christmas play titled “The Christmas Gift.” Participants include Grayce Pittman, Cade Bernhardt, Stephen Leichman, Rebecca Blossey, Carrie Morgan, Kevin Leichman, Nicholas Snipes, Steven Shuping, Maggie Leichman, Harley Laurens. Jo Carpenter will present a special Christmas selection. Sarah Schiemann and Diane Goodnight will narate.

First United Church of Christ is located in the Historic District of Salisbury at 207 West Horah St.

The Henderson Grove Missionary Baptist Church drama department will present a Christmas celebration on Sunday, Dec. 16 at 3 p.m. The event will feature an original play titled “What’s It All About?” written and directed by Brenda Rice-McNeely. The program will also include praise dances, songs and other surprises.

• Children’s Christmas Program: The children of St. John’s Weekday Church School Program present “Christmas at the Orphanage” Sunday, Dec. 16, during the 11 a.m. service, directed by Joan Rusher, and will feature the Carol Choir, directed by Sandy Jordan and Nancy Shirley, and the Crusader Choir, directed by Carol Everhart and Kimberly Lentz. Kelly Goodman, Stephanie Mesimer and Nicole Towns serve as directors for Weekday Church School, a program for children ages 3 through fifth grade, which meets on Wednesday afternoons.

• Men’s Chorus: The St. John’s Men’s Chorus’ sixth-annual Christmas concert, “How Great Our Joy!” is at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, in the sanctuary. The group is directed by Rosemary C. Kinard, associate parish musician. Janie R. Rollins serves an accompanist. An offering will be received to benefit Rowan Helping Ministries.

St. John’s is located at 200 W. Innes St.

The Jubilee Choir will present the annual Christmas concert, “Christmas… A Celebration of Hope” at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16 at Trinity Presbyterian Church, South Caldwell St. It includes a variety of musical expressions from different periods of time, from A Star Carol and Lullay Thou Little Tiny Child, to moving spirituals as Roun De Glory Manger and the calypso rhythm of Mary’s Little Boy-Chile.

Soloists in the concert are Doris Goodman, Phyllis Partee, Monica Green, Gail McClain, Jacquelyn Wellington and Quentin Woodward, Jr. Special solo performers are Alexis Greer and Rebecca Stinson. Excerpts from”When the Time Was Fulfilled” will be read by Gerald Rush, Dr. Ethel Bamberg-Revis and others. Kay Wright Norman is music director and accompanist and assisted by Phyllis Partee.

The choirs of Trinity Presbyterian Church are hosting this concert. The host pastor is Rev. Olin Bruner. Refreshments will be served following the concert.

Mt. Tabor UMC celebrates Advent and Christmas every Sunday in December. This year’s focus is A Different Kind of Christmas. On Sunday, Dec, 16 at 6:30 p.m. is the annual Children’s Christmas Program.

Mt. Tabor UMC is located just north of Ellis Park at 4520 Old Mocksville Road in Salisbury. If you are coming from downtown Salisbury, just get on Mocksville Avenue (the road that Rowan Regional Medical Center is on) and head north. Mocksville Avenue becomes Old Mocksville Road. You’ll cross over E. Ridge Rd. and the church will be one mile on the right.

More info can be found on facebook or at 704-633-7484.

Salisbury’s North Main Baptist Church, 1501 North Main St., presents its Christmas Cantata, “Christmas Selections 2012” on Sunday, Dec. 16, at 6 p.m. For more information call 704-637-2929.

CHINA GROVE — Main Street Baptist Church at 1615 N. Main St. will be presenting a musical program by the choir on Dec. 16 beginning at 6 p.m. Following the service treat bags will be given to everyone in attendance. On Dec. 22 visitors are invited to the church to see the luminary display from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

MOORESVILLE — West Corinth Baptist Church will present its sixth annual Singing Christmas Tree on Saturday, Dec. 22, at 7 p.m. (and twice on Sunday at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.) The tree has become a Christmas tradition in the Atwell township community, ministering to many in southeastern Rowan County. The church is located off Hwy 152 between China Grove and Mooresville. The performances are free and open to the public with limited seating.

Pastor Robert Suttles along with Minister of Music Dean Orbison invite the community to this celebration of the season. For additional information contact Dean Orbison 704-433-8015. The church address is 110 Corinth Church Road Mooresville.

The UMA will host its joint fellowship service at 7 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 16, at Macedonia Baptist Church, 2865 Enon Church Road. Dr. William Jackson is the host pastor. Rev. Tommy Walker, Associate Minister of the Citadel of Faith Christian Fellowship, Thomasville, will bring the message.

SPENCER — The Spencer Community Blue Christmas Service is a service of longing and hope for those who are suffering a loss at Christmas, to be held Monday, Dec. 17, at 6:30 p.m. in Central United Methodist Church’s chapel room, 200 Fourth St.

Christmas is traditionally a time for families to come together to share a home cooked meal and gifts with each other. But what if this is your first Christmas without your husband, wife, son or daughter? What if this Christmas you have received a bad medical report from your doctor, you’ve lost your job, your home, your spouse? Christmas can be difficult even for Christians. As it is said, “We still have clay feet.” Christians can hurt like anyone else. Let light penetrate the darkness and give us hope!

Spencer churches are optimistic that God can get people through the hard times, which is why they’re having their second annual Blue Christmas Service for those who are having a tough time during the Christmas season. They will sing and celebrate Christmas and also have testimonies from people sharing how they have dealt with painful times at Christmas. There will be an opportunity for people to share their burdens and receive support through prayer to help heal broken hearts.

For more information on this service, call Oakdale at 704-633-9412 or Calvary at 636-2152.

Spencer pastors participating are Don Mason, Central United Methodist Church; Richard Gross, Oakdale Baptist Church; Barrie Kirby, Spencer Presbyterian Church; Franklin Myers, First Baptist Church; Thomas Wyatt, Dorsett Chapel Church.

ENOCHVILLE — St. Enoch Lutheran Church, 701 Campbell Ave., Kannapolis (Enochville) will hold CONNECT contemporary worship for Advent/Christmas, Tuesday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. Come for upbeat music and worship as we celebrate Christ’s birth. For more information contact the church at stenoch@ctc.net or call 704-932-8461.

Mt. Mitchell United Methodist Church will host the Kid’s Night Out Pajama Party next Friday, Dec. 21, from 5-10 p.m., in the fellowship hall. This event is free to all children, There will be food, games, crafts and tons of fun. Mt. Mitchell is located at the corner of Lane Street and Old Salisbury Concord Road. For details contact Judy Thomas at 704-467-4078.

HICKORY — The Viewmont Baptist Church Adult Choir and the Catawba Valley Community College Chorale present, “A Christmas Gloria” conducted by Michael Kirby, on two nights, Saturday, Dec. 15 and Sunday, Dec. 16 at 7:00 p.m., at Viewmont Baptist Church 1246 2nd St. NE in Hickory.

The musical presentation of holiday pop and sacred music includes a combined choir of 80 singers, a 22-piece orchestra from the Western Piedmont Symphony, the West Iredell High School Drum Corp and a combined handbell choir directed by Dr. Amalie Hinson, CVCC music faculty member.

Concert pieces include John Rutter’s “Gloria,” an African-American spiritual version of the Hallelujah Chorus, and holiday favorites like “A Celtic Silent Night,” in new and exciting formats accompanied by organist Mary Ann Studenberg and pianist Helen Mercer.

A reception follows both concerts. The concerts and receptions are free and open to the public, a love offering will be taken, childcare is available.

Viewmont Baptist Church is located on Hwy. 127, next to Checker’s Restaurant. For more information, go to www.viewmontbaptist.org, or call 828-322-6732.