Join local churches for special services to celebrate Christmas

Published 12:00 am Friday, December 20, 2013

The Men’s Fellowship of Hall’s Chapel Primitive Baptist Church will host its annual clothing and small item giveaway starting at 8 a.m. today.
A light lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The church is located on the corner of South Clay and Monroe streets at 611 E. Monroe St.

Remnant in Christ Outreach, 627 Newsome Road, will host a clothing giveaway beginning at noon today.
In addition, a chili lunch with bread and drinks will be served.
For more information, call 980-233-0415 or visit onewarmcoat.com
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church will present “The Journey to the Manger” at 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Accompany Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and the wise men on their journey to Bethlehem.
The service will be presented in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church fellowship hall, 205 St. Paul’s Church Road.
For more information, call 704-633-0922 or visit splcweb.org
CHINA GROVE — Concordia Evangelical Lutheran Church, 185 Concordia Church Road, has a number of Christmas services in the works.
The children’s Christmas program will be presented during the Sunday school hour, beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday.
The Chancel Choir will present the annual Christmas cantata titled “Night of the Father’s Love,” narrated by Judy Isenhour, Donna Graham and Steve Garver at 11 a.m. Sunday.
Jan Williams is choir director. Sarah Brandt and Gene Britain will accompany. Soloists include Donna Graham and Ron Kirk. Fallon Ritchie is the liturgical dancer.
The annual Christmas Eve Pageant will be presented at 7 p.m. Tuesday. There will be Holy Communion and a candlelight service.
CHINA GROVE — South China Grove Baptist Church, 501 Haney St. , will be celebrating Christmas on Sunday with a few events.
The sanctuary choir will present a cantata created by Dennis and Nan Allen titled “Christ Was Born for This, Christmas Blessings” at 11 a.m.
A covered dish meal will be held in the Family Life Center at 4:30 p.m.
A Christmas play, presented by the children and youth of the church, will take place at 6 p.m. in the sanctuary.
For more information, call 704-857-3611.
CHINA GROVE — The Mt. Zion UCC children and youth will present “Twas the Night Before Christmas” during the 11 a.m. service Sunday.
The Children’s Choir will share a medley of Christmas favorites.
Matthew Martin will deliver the message and the David Hill Family will light the third Advent candle of love.
Blanket donations are being accepted for the Blankets Around the Baby Jesus project to be shared with the Main Street Mission, Meals on Wheels, and the Jeff Gordon Children’s Hospital.
A candlelight Christmas Eve service at 8 p.m. will include a Celebration of the Love Feast. The Tim Corriher Family will be lighting the Christ Candle.
Mt. Zion UCC is located at 1415 S. Main St.
For more information, call 704-857-1169 or visit mtzionchinagrove.com
CHINA GROVE — The combined adult choir, handbell choir and children’s department will perform special Christmas music during the 10:30 a.m. worship service Sunday at Mt. Moriah Lutheran Church, 750 Mt. Moriah Church Road.
Christmas Eve services include “Christmas Letters: The Musical” at 6 p.m. and a candlelight Holy Communion service at 9 p.m.
During the fourth Sunday of Advent, the Mark Shuping family will lead the liturgy and light the Advent candle of love at First United Church of Christ, 207 W. Horah St.
Pastor Carol Hallman continues the Advent sermon series based on classic Christmas movies with the sermon titled “All I Learned About Christmas I Learned from “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”.”
A luncheon will be held in the fellowship hall followed by Christmas caroling to shut-in members of the church.
On Christmas Eve, organist Susan Trivette will kick off the service with a prelude of special music beginning at 6:45 p.m.
The candlelight worship service with Holy Communion will begin at 7 p.m.
The Beth Turman family will be liturgist and light the Christ Candle.
A story based on “Charlie Brown” will be shared by pastor Hallman, and the chancel choir will sing.
A time of fellowship will be held afterward.
Resurrection Life Church, 216 S. Main St., celebrates Christmas with two services.
The Christmas service “Jesus, Come Again This Christmas” will be presented with special music and worship with the Resurrection Life singers as well as drama titled “Ordinary Girl” at 10 a.m. Sunday.
The Resurrection Life candlelight communion service will take place at 9 p.m. Christmas Eve.
For more information, call 704-638-0002.
Salem Lutheran Church, 5080 Sherrills Ford Road, will hold its Christmas Eve Candlelight and Holy Communion service at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
The music of Christmas will be lead by guest musician Don Simmons.
The service will include inspirational Christmas carols, readings from Scripture, Christmas sermon, Holy Communion and candle lighting.
For more information, call 704-636-035 or visit SalemLutheranSalisbury.org
First United Methodist Church will host its annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at 5 p.m. Sunday.
The program will be officiated by the Rev. Dr. Samuel Moore Jr., Uwharrie District Superintendent of the Western NC Conference of the United Methodist Church and the Rev. Stephen D. Haines, senior pastor.
Lectors of the nine lessons include various representatives of current church leadership. The choir of First Church is under the direction of Matthew Michael Brown, and Timothy Belk will accompany at the organ.
Originated in King’s College, Cambridge, England on Christmas Eve 1918, the order of service alternates readings each year from the Bible with carols for choir, congregation, brass, organ, oboe and timpani.
This year, Spectrum Brass joins the choir in offering music of composers Paul Halley, Craig Phillips, David Hurd, James Bassi, Herbert Howells, Dan Forrest and Richard Webster.
A 30-minute prelude for brass quartet precedes the service. An offering will be received for the Music Memorial Fund.
The church is located at 217 S. Church St.
For more information contact Matthew Brown at matthew@fumcsalisbury.org or 704-636-3121, extension 104.
In addition, FUMC will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with three different services Christmas Eve.
The Children’s Christmas service begins at 5 p.m. As the story of Jesus’ birth is told, children and adults will be invited to the front of the sanctuary to represent different nativity characters.
Enjoy the candlelight communion service at 7 p.m. Holy Communion will be served and stories revealing the mystery and joy of the season will be shared along with the original Christmas story. The service will end in candlelight.
A second candlelight communion service will take place at 11 p.m. The choir shares the beauty of the evening through song. Holy Communion will be served and the service will end in candle light.
Prior to the service, beginning at 10:30 p.m., a recital of sacred Christmas music will given by music director/organist, Matthew Brown.
All donations made that evening, unless otherwise designated, will be given to Rowan Helping Ministries.  
The Senior Choir of Trinity Presbyterian Church USA will present its annual Christmas Cantata at 4 p.m. Sunday.
The show titled “On Christmas Day,” was arranged by Marty Parks.
Featured soloists are Monica Green, Tanya Neely, David Boger and Guam Reid. Narration will be provided by the Rev. Olen V. Bruner, the church’s pastor, and Dr. Catrelia Steele Hunter. The pianist is Christopher Robinson.
The Young Adult Missionary Society (YAMS) of Moore’s Chapel AME Zion Church, 500 Partee St., will present “An Evening of Gospel” at 4 p.m. Sunday.
Special guests will be Tayuanee Dewberry & Friends of Kings Mountain.
Dewberry is the daughter of the pastor Carolyn D. Bratton.
Lilly’s Chapel Church of God’s adult choir and other local gospel groups will also participate in the service.
The program is a part of the YAMS 30th anniversary observance.
The Carmel Baptist Church Christmas program will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday.
A special children’s choir will open the program. Following that performance will be the puppet production of “The Christmas Guest,” performed by Carmel’s puppet team Hands of Faith, Hearts of God.
“The Christmas Guest” is a timeless story with a puppet twist — a tad sad, some humor and very heartwarming.
Carmel Baptist Church is located at 2100 Mooresville Road.
CHINA GROVE — South China Grove United Methodist Church is one of only a few churches that will celebrate the birth of Christ on Christmas day with informal devotions from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Carols will be sung and people will share their true Christmas joys.
The church is located at 230 Rose Ave.
KANNAPOLIS — Central Baptist Church, 1810 Moose Road, will presents the Christmas musical “Love Came for Me” at 6 p.m. Sunday.
Call 704-933-8006 or visit centralbaptistkannapolis.com for details.
St. Matthews Lutheran Church will observe Christmas with several services.
The Christmas Cantata “Bethlehem Morning,” will take place at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.
The youth Christmas program will take place at 6 p.m. Sunday.
Pre-service music begins at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday with the worship service and celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Communion starting at 7 p.m.
On Dec. 29 at 10:30 a.m. will be
The Worship with Lessons and Carols service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 29.
St. Matthews is located at 9275 Bringle Ferry Road,
For more information, call 704-633-3770.
KANNAPOLIS — Mt. Mitchell United Methodist Church, 6001 Old Salisbury Concord Road, will celebrate Christmas with several services.
The Love Feast will take place at 11 a.m. Sunday.
A children’s program will begin at 6:30 p.m. Sunday with a reception afterward in the fellowship building.
The Christmas Eve service is set for 11 p.m. Tuesday.
Grace United Methodist Church, 846 Faith Road, will be having a community meal from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Christmas Eve.
First Baptist Church of Salisbury will host a Christmas Eve candlelight and communion service at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the church sanctuary.
Matthew Weaver, Graham Carlton and David King will assist in leading the music.
In addition to the Wee Musicians choir, the adult worship team and the sanctuary choir will perform.
The Rev. Russell Robbins serves as minister of music.
The church is located at 223 N. Fulton St.
KANNAPOLIS — First Presbyterian Church in Kannapolis will conduct a Christmas Eve service beginning at 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
A candlelight service of carols and the Christmas story is suitable for all ages. To give participants an opportunity to unwind from the hectic day, an extended musical prelude will begin at 5:15 p.m.
The service itself will consist of singing familiar Christmas carols, a simple Christmas pageant involving the children, special music by the Chancel Choir, a brief message from God’s Word and a candle lighting ceremony.
For additional information, call 704-938-4623 or visit FirstPresb.org
?Rugged Cross Baptist Church, 185 Dukeville Road, presents a Christmas play at 6 p.m. Sunday.
The Christmas candlelight service will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Call 704-310-0901 or visit facebook.com/ruggedcross for details.
RICHFIELD — Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, 111 E. Church St., will celebrate Christmas with a candlelight communion service at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
A special service of Lessons and Carols will be held at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 29.
Call the church at 704-463-7280 or visit mtzionrichfield.org for more information.
KANNAPOLIS — A Christmas Eve candlelight service will be held at North Kannapolis Baptist Church, 312 Locust St., at 10 p.m. Tuesday.
A watch meeting will be held at Fairview Heights Baptist Church from 10 p.m. to midnight Wednesday.
Presiding minister will be Elder Calvin Miller, Winston-Salem District of AME Zion churches.
St. John’s Lutheran Church, 200 W. Innes St., will host two worship services on Christmas Eve.
A family candlelight worship service is set for 5 p.m. Tuesday, with prelude music beginning at 4:30 p.m. The annual community candlelight worship is set for 9 p.m., with prelude music beginning at 8:30 p.m.
Rob Durocher is minister of music.
ROCKWELL — Immanuel Lutheran will host a Christmas family night service at 7 p.m. Sunday.
Travel back through decades as the children and youth perform the musical “Back to the Manger.”
The church kids discover the janitor’s time machine — and before the night is over, the congregation will visit the baby Jesus lying in the manger.
Following the musical, those attending may bring Birthday for Christ gifts to the manger during the singing of carols.
The gift list includes: socks, washable slippers, hand lotions and creams, blankets, tissues, powders, after shaves, sugar free candy, hard candy, deodorants perfumes, stationery, envelopes with four quarters, undershirts, pajamas, nightgowns, scarves, gloves, denture creams, denture brushes, costume jewelry, individually wrapped snack treats, word search books, easy crossword puzzle books and inexpensive handheld games.
Gifts may be labeled as appropriate for a man, a woman or both and will be taken to Trinity Oaks Health and Rehab Center.
This is the 33rd year that Immanuel has partnered with Trinity Oaks, formerly known as the Lutheran Home, for this project.
The Trinity Center elves will make certain each gift gets to the right person.
Once the actors gather around the Birthday for Christ cake and sing happy birthday, they will exit for a cast party. Those in the congregation will receive a treat bag as they depart from the church.
St. Paul’s traditional Christmas Eve service begins at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday with caroling followed by mass at 11 p.m. with the Rev. Rick Williams officiating.
Take part in the “greening of the church” following Sunday’s worship service.
St. Paul’s is located at 930 South Main St. Parking is provided behind the church. Call 704-637-9404 or visit st-pauls-salisbury.dionc.org for details.
CHINA GROVE — Pine Ridge Baptist Church, 880 Old Linn Road, will host services Sunday.
Morning worship is at 10:45 followed by a Christmas meal at 1 p.m. in the fellowship building.
The evening service will be the Christmas program “If I Had Not Come,” starting at 6 p.m.
There will be a candlelight memorial service of remembrance of loved ones and friends who have passed away at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29.
If you have someone whose name you would like to have called out, call 704-857-3182. There will be a fellowship following the service.
ROCKWELL — “Oh Come, All Ye Faithful,” Saint James Evangelical Lutheran Church, 131 W. Main St., will celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord with service of candlelight communion at 7 p.m. Christmas Eve.
First Presbyterian Church of Salisbury at the corner of South Fulton and West Innes streets, celebrates the 4th Sunday of Advent on Sunday, with special music at all three worship services.
During the 8:30 and 11 a.m. sanctuary services, Resurrection Brass will lead worship.
The Life Center Praise Team will present a contemporary service of Lessons and Carols at 8:50 a.m. The Bell Tower Ringers will be joining them in song.
At 10 a.m., Dr. Karl Hales will be in Lewis Hall presenting his rendition of Christmas stories for all ages.
EAST SPENCER — The Town of East Spencer and Northside God of Prophecy are partnering to host a food giveaway to spread some holiday cheer.
The giveaway will be held at Northside Economic Community Center, 729 N. Long St., from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Monday.
Caroling and a photo opportunity with Santa Claus for children will be provided. Santa’s helpers will be assisting with the distribution.
KANNAPOLIS — First Presbyterian Church in Kannapolis will host its annual Christmas blood drive from 2 to 6:30 p.m. in the church’s fellowship hall.
The canteen will feature hot spiced cider and home-made baked goods, along with the usual cold beverages and snacks. The church is located at 201 Vance St. at the southern end of the NC Research Campus.
All healthy members of the community who are at least 17 years old and weigh 110 pounds or more are urged to give the gift of life this Christmas. Sixteen-year-olds may also donate now, with parental concert.
Donors are reminded to help decrease the chance of being deferred by eating iron-rich foods on the days leading up to the drive. On the day of the drive drink lots of water, avoid caffeine and eat a good breakfast and lunch.
Appointments are not required, but will expedite the donation process.
To make an appointment, call the church office at 704-938-4623. Walk-ins are welcome too.
The Health & Wellness Ministry of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church of Salisbury, 1920 Shirley Ave., is the local host of a city-wide Biggest Loser Challenge Jan. 12 through April 19.
Cash prizes will be awarded to the church and the individual that loser the highest percentage of weight.
The 15-week weight-management program is sponsored by Healthy Lives, Healthy Futures, and includes information, empowerment and motivation sessions, as well as the opportunity for participants, who will receive a daily food log, a pedometer, healthy snacks and more., to track their progress.
For more information, contact Linda Beaty at 704-798-8559 or linobe40@aol.com
Registration is open through Sunday, Dec. 29.
KANNAPOLIS — Hospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus County and Bethel AME Zion Church, 2219 Dale Earnhardt Blvd., are sponsoring a workshop from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25 in the fellowship hall.
Light refreshments will be served afteward..
It will be led by Ric Durham. It is open to all, notaries public will be present, and no fee will be charged for anyone wishing to prepare a living will or health care power of attorney.
For more information or to RSVP, call Chiquita Knight or Joy Kennedy at 704-232-7963.
CONCORD — Any child from across the Charlotte area can take home a gift Sunday at The Church at The Way/Camino, 7557 Ruben Linker Road.
If your children are getting close to teenage years, bring them to The Church at The Way/Camino this Sunday beginning at 10 a.m.  There will be hot chocolate, music and much more to help make your Christmas special.