Trinity UMCKANNAPOLIS ó Trinity United Methodist Church, 416 E. 1st St., welcomes Bishop Larry Goodpaster, resident bishop of the Western N.C. Conference, to the pulpit on Sunday, Dec. 11, during its Second Sunday service at 10:25 a.m. A covered dish meal will follow.
Haven Lutheran
Haven Lutheran Church, 207 W. Harrison St., will hold a Service of Lessons and Carols on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 10:30 a.m.
St. Paulís Episcopal
At St. Paulís Episcopal Church, 930 S. Main St., the Rt. Rev. William Gregg, assistant bishop, will celebrate Holy Eucharist at 11 a.m. Dec. 11 and will receive two new church members, Carol Bruno and Elizabeth Watson. A reception will follow.
Mt. Zion CME
A mortgage burning ceremony will be held in conjunction with Mt. Zion Christian Methodist Episcopalís 65th anniversary and Founderís Day on Sunday at 11 a.m.
Senior Bishop Thomas Hoyt Jr., presiding prelate, 7th Episcopal District, is guest speaker. The church is located at 120 Lloyd St.
First Presbyterian
First Presbyterian Church will host Advent Festival of Music worship services Sunday, Dec.11 at 8:30 and 11 a.m.
The services feature First Kids, Youth Ensemble, Sanctuary Choir, the Bell Tower Ringers and the Resurrection Brass Ensemble in sounds of the season with musical styles from chant to gospel.
Advent Gatherings continue this Sunday in the fellowship hall from 9:30-10:15 a.m.
South Iredell
TROUTMAN ó On Sunday, Dec. 11 at 3 p.m., South Iredell AME Zion Church, 201 Winford Road, presents the Featuring Reunion of Westmoreland Singers, The Original Gospel Express, The Messengers for Christ, Nu Revelations and the Mighty Pilgimaires.
United Baptist Church
The United Baptist Church gospel choir will celebrate its anniversary on the second Sunday, Dec. 11, starting at 3 p.m.
New Shepherd Baptist
COOLEEMEE ó New Shepherd Baptist Church, 108 Wall St., celebrates its 114th anniversary Sunday at 3 p.m.
The Rev. Dr. Coker Stewart and his congregation, Cedar Creek Missionary Baptist Church, will lead the service. Dinner will be served afterward.
Third Creek AME Zion
CLEVELAND ó The Stewardess Board of Third Creek AME Zion Church, 415 E. Main St., observe annual Family and Friends Day on Sunday,Dec. 11 at 3 p.m.
The Rev. David Rankin and congregation of Pharr Chapel AME Zion Church of Old Fort will speak. Dinner will be served in the Glen G. Grayson Fellowship hall at 1:30 p.m.
Ordination service
The Presbyterian Church USA will ordain Timothy Bates on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 4 p.m. The Sessions of Trinity, Calvary, and Cameron Presbyterian Church, USA announce the ordination service, which is to be held at Trinity Presbyterian Church USA, 300 S. Caldwell St.St. Matthewís
St. Matthews Lutheran Church, 9275 Bringle Ferry Road, will host its monthly second Sunday singing at 6 p.m. Note the change in time: the singing was previously held at 7 p.m. Entertainment will be presented by Church Glasco.
First Presbyterian
KANNAPOLIS óFirst Presbyterian Church will hold its annual Advent Celebration Sunday, Dec. 11, beginning with a covered dish supper in the fellowship hall at 6 p.m.
Following supper the Kidz Khoir and Youth Choir will present ěChris-Myth Busters,î a musical created by Dennis and Nan Allen, under the direction of Dr. Don Simmons.
Call 704-938-4623 or visit www.FirstPresb.org
Journey@first service
Journey@first, an informal and interactive worship service, is now every second and fourth Sunday at 9 a.m. in the First United Methodist Church chapel. Enter from Fisher at the corner of Fisher and Church Streets. There will be special music for the season. Holy Communion is celebrated at each service. Call 704-636-3121.
Mt. Zion fundraiser
Mt. Zion Baptist Church will hold interest meetings for the first annual Angelic Elegance Pageant to raise funds for the churchís mentor and after-school programs at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 13 and 15 at the church, 1912 Shirley Ave.
Contestants and a parent or guardian are required to attend a meeting. Proceeds go to the mentor and after-school program of the church. Call704-637-0954 or email angelice.pageant@ gmail.com
Poor manís supper
Fairview Heights Baptist Church will host a poor manís supper Saturday, Dec. 17 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. for $5 a plate, $1 for sides: pinto beans, cabbage, corn bread, stewed potatoes, fatback meat, soda and bread.
AML benefit program
EAST SPENCER ó Love Christian Center, 102 N. Long St., hosts a benefit, ěWin the Battle of AML,î for Santoria Jordan Friday, Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. In January she will have a bone marrow transplant to treat her acute myeloid leukemia. This event will consist of singing and giving in support of Santoriaís s fight.
Grace UMC
Grace United Methodist Church offers church-made Christmas cookies and other treats by the pound, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17. Proceeds benefit missions activities. The church is located at 846 Faith Road at the corner of Jake Alexander Blvd. Call 704-637-7343 for details.
Concerts, programs
World Hope
World Hope Worship Center, 2203 Mooresville Road, will hold two performances of the illustrated sermon ěThe Gift,î with live drama, costumed characters, dancing angels, multi-media, music and a sermon. Services are today at 6 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 11 at 10:30 a.m. Doors open 30 minutes before service. There is no charge for admission.
Immanuel Lutheran
ROCKWELL ó ěLead Me Back to Bethlehemî will be performed by the Immanuel Lutheran adult choir Sunday, during the 11 a.m. service. The cantata is written by Pepper Choplin, a minister of music at Greystone Baptist Church, Raleigh. The choir is led by Nettie Loflin, guest violinist is Adelina Cato, and flutist is Dominique Karriker. Billy Goodman is narrator. Judy Harwood, Christy Trexler and Woody Weddington will perform solos.
Following is a baked spaghetti luncheon. Call 704-279-3737 for reservations. Immanuel Lutheran is located 2 miles southeast of Rockwell on Emanuel Church Road. St. Lukeís Episcopal
On Sunday, Dec. 11 at 4 p.m., St. Lukeís Episcopal Church, 131 West Council St., hosts the annual ěGlory of Christmasî concert featuring the Salisbury Ecumenical Choir accompanied by orchestra, piano and organ.
Mooreís Chapel
Mooreís Chapel AME Zion Church, 500 Partee St., will present its annual holiday program, ěA Soulful Christmasî on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 5 p.m.
The program features singing, instrumental music, liturgical dance and spoken word. A reception will follow.
Kimball MemorialLutheran
KANNAPOLIS ó Southern Piedmont Singers present ěEchoes of Peace: Winter Around the World,î on Dec. 11 at 5:30 p.m. at Kimball Memorial Lutheran Church, 101 Vance St. at the corner of Main, Kannapolis.
Blaise Baptist
MOCKSVILLE ó The adult choir of Blaise Baptist Church presents ěDown From His Glory,î created and arranged by Mike Speck, on Sunday at 6 p.m. and Monday at 7 p.m. in the Blaise Family Life Center.
Jerry Fugate, director of missions for the Yadkin Association, will be guest narrator and soloist. The Jpak childrenís choir will be featured along with youth and children providing interpretive movement.
Live Nativities:
Oak Grove Methodist
MOCKSVILLE ó Oak Grove Methodist Church, 1994 Hwy 158, will host a live nativity from 6-9 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Dec. 9-11. Hot chocolate and roasted marshmallows will be served.?
Jerusalem Baptist
MOCKSVILLE ó On Dec. 16 and 17 from 6-8 p.m., Jerusalem Baptist Church, 3203 US Hwy 601 S., will have a live nativity drive-through with three scenes, live, pettable animals and free hot chocolate and coffee.
IReligious art
ěArt of Faiths, Religions of the Worldî is on view at Waterworks through Feb. 11, 2012. It is a multi-year program exploring the diversity of faiths practiced worldwide. This year, the Christian art of Ed Byers, the late Robert Doares and Michele Wood is featured. For more information, go to www.waterworks.org