Christmas events today and upcoming

Breakfast with Santa at Mt. Zion UCC

CHINA GROVE — 9 a.m. Dec. 12: Breakfast with Santa hosted by the Mount Zion UCC Women’s Fellowship, Mount Zion UCC, 1415 S. Main St.

Walk Through Bethlehem, Mooresville

MOORESVILLE — 2-9 p.m. Dec. 12: Free, lively, interactive, biblical-era drama and marketplace. Camp Wesley, 3090 Deal Road, Mooresville, www. walkthrubethlehem.org/

‘A Coming Home For Christmas Banquet’ 

4 p.m. Dec. 12, Hall’s Chapel Primitive Baptist Church, 611 E. Monroe St., speaker of the hour Elder Nellie Johnson of God’s Tabernacle for Believers of Rockwell. Presented by the Pastors Aid Committee. Host pastor Elder Richard Johnson.

Christmas light and Nativity event 

FAITH — 6-9 p.m. Dec. 12: Annual Christmas Light and Nativity drive-through sponsored by Faith Lutheran Church, held at the home of Randall Barger, corner of Faith Road and Deal St. Info 704-279-2500.

‘The Light of the World’

CHINA GROVE — 6-9 p.m. Dec. 12: Live Nativity presentation on the front lawn of Mt. Moriah Lutheran Church, 750 Mt. Moriah Church Road. Drive through or park and come to the manger for a closer look. 704-857-5034. Rain date: Sunday, Dec. 13.

‘His Name is Wonderful’

10 a.m. Dec. 13: A celebration of the coming of Messiah with a focus on His names, based on Isaiah 9:6-7, featuring congregational singing, Scripture and devotional readings, music by the choir, praise team, Good News Club, and vocal and instrumental ensembles. At Maranatha Bible Church, 2320 Statesville Blvd.

‘Travelers from Afar’ 

MOCKSVILLE — Following the 9 a.m. service Dec. 13: Holy Cross Lutheran Church presents “Travelers from Afar,” which will be preceded by a continental brunch, sponsored by the Evangelism Committee.

‘Amahl and the Night Visitors’

KANNAPOLIS — 2 p.m. Dec. 13: Amahl, a poor crippled shepherd boy, receives his Christmas miracle. First Presbyterian Church of Kannapolis, 201 Vance St. The choirs of First Presbyterian, community singers, actors and musicians. 704-680-8399.

St. John’s Men’s Chorus Christmas Concert

4 p.m. Dec. 13: Christmas Concert by the 50+ member chorus to benefit Rowan Helping Ministries, plus The Inner Voices. Freewill offering benefits Rowan Helping Ministries. St. John’s Lutheran Church, 200 W. Innes St., www.stjohns-salisbury.org

‘Joy of Christmas’ ecumenical concert

4 p.m. Dec 13: At Milford Hills United Methodist Church. Debbie Staley carries on the Glory of Christmas ecumenical concert tradition begun by Phillip Burgess. Alden Wright will play 30 minutes of organ music before the concert.

Jubilee Choir annual Christmas concert

5 p.m. Dec. 13: “Were You There On That Christmas Night?” with guest artist classically trained soprano Kia Baird. Also features Rebecca Stinson, Phyllis Partee, Doris Goodman, Monica Green. Choir has been together 50+ years. Free concert, love offering accepted. Held at Soldiers Memorial AME Zion Church.

‘A Tree Lot Christmas’

KANNAPOLIS — 5:30 p.m. Dec. 13: The Children’s Choir and cast of North Kannapolis Baptist Church, 312 Locust St., present the musical “A Tree Lot Christmas” in McMurray Hall. 704-933-2125.

‘Come Messiah King’

6 p.m. Dec. 13: Presented by  North Main Baptist Church Choir, 1501 N. Main St.

‘Christmas Across the Pond’ encore

CHINA GROVE — 7 p.m., Dec. 13: Repeat performance at First United Methodist of China Grove, 110 W. Church St. Free, donations requested. Bring a toy to be donated. www. facebook.com/ Salisbury. Rowan.Choral.Society

‘Come Messiah King’

KANNAPOLIS — 7 p.m. Dec. 13: The 36-voice Sanctuary Choir and Drama Troupe of First Baptist Church Kannapolis, 101 N. Main St., present a concert including traditional carols, narration, drama and songs of the season. Child care for ages 4 and under. 704-938-4697 ext. 17.

‘Beautiful Star of Bethlehem’ and Lovefeast

COOLEEMEE — 7 pm. Dec. 13: Cooleemee United Methodist Church presents “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem,” with refreshments afterward. 197 Main St.

Bible Missionary Baptist’s ‘The Ornament’ ROCKWELL — 7 p.m. Dec. 18-19 plus 2:30 p.m. matinee Dec. 20: “The Ornament,” a musical drama specifically for area assisted living, retirement centers, nursing homes and group homes. Free, but tickets are required. 704-640-7127 or www.bible missionarybaptist.com

11th annual Singing Christmas Tree

7 p.m. Dec. 19 and 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Dec. 20: West Corinth Baptist Church  choir’s 11th annual Singing Christmas Tree  titled “The Star Still Shines” with songs made famous by Steve Amson and Jason Crabb. Reception follows the Saturday performance. Dean Orbison is Minister of Music.

Unplugged Christmas benefit concert 

ROCKWELL — 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19: Four-time Grammy Award-winning artist Kevin Max. Net proceeds and canned goods benefit RHM and The Hands & Feet Project. Grace Bible Church, www.facebook.com/events/487257908117981/

‘Breath of Heaven’

11 a.m. Dec. 20: Christmas musical at Mount Tabor UMC, north of Ellis Park on Old Mocksville Road, www.mounttaborumc.org

Christmas Memorial Singing Program

MOORESVILLE — 2:30 p.m. Dec. 20: Annual program in memory of the late Rev. F. L. Cornelius, at Sills Creek AME Zion Church, 3165 Bradshaw Road, with special guests The Chosen Disciples,  Asheboro, The Revelations of Salisbury, The Anointed Vessels of the Carolinas.

Milford Hills Cantata 

5 p.m. Dec. 20: Christmas Cantata followed by fellowship and food at Milford Hills Baptist Church, 1238 East Colonial Drive, 704-633-1423. www.milfordhills baptistchurch.org

‘God With Us’

KANNAPOLIS — 5:30 p.m. Dec. 20: The Adult Choir of North Kannapolis Baptist Church, 312 Locust St., presents “God With Us.” 704-933-2125.

Christmas Eve candlelight Communion service

KANNAPOLIS — 10 p.m. Dec. 24: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service of Communion at North Kannapolis Baptist Church, 312 Locust St.

South River UMC events

• Breakfast with Santa: Dec. 12 at 9 a.m.

• Praise Team Christmas Concert followed by refreshments: Dec. 13 at 7 p.m.

• Live Nativity/children’s Christmas program at 11535 Cools Springs Road, Cleveland: Sun. Dec. 20 at 6:30 p.m.

• Candlelight Christmas Eve: Dec. 24 at 10 p.m

Events at St. Matthew’s Lutheran

• 4 p.m. Dec. 13: Youth group Christmas caroling

• 7 p.m. Dec. 13: Second Sunday singing with the Piedmont Singing Men.

• 10:30 a.m. Dec. 20: Senior choir under the direction of Beverly Ludwig and accompanied by Peggy Hoffner, organist, present “A Noel Celebration,”

• 6 p.m. Dec. 20: Children’s Christmas program directed by Elizabeth Williams.

• 7 p.m. Dec. 24: Christmas Eve worship with Holy Communion and familiar Christmas carols.

• 10:30 a.m. Dec. 27: Service of Lessons and Carols followed with meditation.

• St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 9275 Bringle Ferry Road.

Submit your church’s Christmas events or other special services to faith@salisburypost.com 

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Faith Briefs

Emmanuel Baptist welcomes new pastor

On Sunday, Emmanuel Baptist Church, 2300 Bringle Ferry Road, will welcome Frederick “Dale” Kinley as its new pastor at the 11 a.m. service.

Pastor Dale comes from Hillside Park Baptist Church in Thomasville, where he served as associate pastor and youth leader for almost five years.

Pastor Dale is married to the former Heather Vaughn of High Point and they have two children, Cameron, age 15, and Raegan, age 12.

Advent at Mount Zion 

CHINA GROVE — During the 11 a.m. Sunday service Mount Zion UCC, 1415 S. Main St., will celebrate the third Sunday of Advent with the lighting of a candle. Brian and Rachel Rawlings with daughters Madison and Avery will light the Candle of Peace. Bring gifts of coloring books, crayons, puzzles and stuffed animals to fill Christmas stockings for children at local hospitals. The Rev. Mark L. Burns is pastor, 704-857-1169 or mtzionchinagrove.com

Rainbow Tea at Ardis

The usher board of Ardis Chapel AME Zion Church will be having a Rainbow Tea program on Sunday at 3 p.m. Rev. Jerry Miller will be the guest preacher along with the Macedonia Baptist Church family.

Four Gospel Program

CLEVELAND — On Sunday at 3 p.m., Moore’s Chapel AME Zion Church, 5890 South River Church Road, will host a Four Gospel program The church is located at the corner of Cool Springs and South River Church Roads. The Rev. Eddie L. Fortson is host pastor.

Candlelight Service of Remembrance 

At 3 p.m. on Sunday is the 22nd annual candlelight service of remembrance, held in the Northcrest Chapel of Linn-Honeycutt Funeral Home’s China Grove location. For details, call 704-857-2401.

United Baptist anniversary

KANNAPOLIS — The Gospel Choir of United Baptist Church will observe its choir anniversary at United Baptist Church, 3001 Clermont Ave., on Sunday at 3 p.m. The Rev. John E. Jones is host pastor.

Milford Hills Baptist 

On Tuesday, Dec. 15 at 10 a.m., Milford Hills Baptist Church, 1238 East Colonial Drive, is hosting a Community Brunch for everyone. Call 704-633-1423 or visit www.milfordhillsbaptistchurch.org