Here’s a listing of special Christmas activities planned by area churches:

Live nativity at Mt. Moriah

CHINA GROVE — A Live nativity performance, “The Light of the World,” will be presented by Mt. Moriah Lutheran Church, 750 Mt. Moriah Church Road, today from 6 until 9 p.m.

Combined choirs present ‘Noel’

KANNAPOLIS — “Noel,” a Christmas cantata, will be presented twice by the combined choirs of Memorial Baptist and Centerview Baptist Churches:

• Today, at 6 p.m. at Memorial Baptist Church, 1785 Dale Earnhardt Blvd.

• Sunday at 6 p.m. at Centerview Baptist Church, 415 Walter St.

All are invited to a reception following each performance.  For more information, visit mbchurch.org and centerviewbaptist.com

‘I Believe’ at Kann. Church of God

KANNAPOLIS — Kannapolis Church of God, 2211 West A St., will present “I Believe,” a special time of worship and reflection, today at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 6 p.m. Janet Paschal will be performing with the church’s Music and Fine Arts Department.

Call 704-932-6582 or visit www.KCOG.com for more information.

Christmas with Kyle Matthews

KANNAPOLIS — First Baptist Church, 101 N. Main St., presents “Christmas with Kyle Matthews” tonight at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m. The concert will feature the award-winning singer-songwriter Kyle Matthews along with the Sanctuary Choir, Adult Handbells and Kingdom Kids Choir.  Admission is free. The church is located across from the Gem Theater.

For more information  call 704-938-4697.

St. John’s Men’s Christmas concert

The St. John’s Men’s Chorus and Handbell Ensemble will present “Sing We Now of Christmas,” a free concert, at 4 p.m. Sunday at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 200 W. Innes St.

An offering will benefit Rowan Helping Ministries.

Special guest will be narrator Dr. Karl Hales, well known in the community as a performer and speaker. The concert includes several instrumentalists and a percussion ensemble, as well as the St. John’s Inner Voices. Rosemary C. Kinard directs The St. John’s Men’s Chorus. Janie R. Rollins serves as accompanist for the group.

St. Mark’s Lutheran cantata

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Christ Choir will present “Were You There On That Christmas Night?” a Christmas cantata by Lloyd Larson, Sunday during the 10:30 a.m. worship service. St. Mark’s is located at 5202 Mooresville Road. The choir is under the direction of Susan Stone and accompanied by Tina Brown.

Musical ‘Bethlehem Morning’

The adult Celebration Choir of Calvary Baptist Church will present the musical “Bethlehem Morning” on Sunday at 6 p.m, the premiere musical celebration in the church’s new worship center.

Rev. David R. Hutchins, minister of music, has revised the script to create a worshipful as well as evangelistic appeal. Member Andie Foley has written a drama with three scenes, weaving the action of everyday life into the flow of the musical.

Calvary Baptist Church is located at 2255 East Ridge Road, just beyond Ellis Crossroads. Rick Cockerham is pastor; 704-633-2567.

Planet Kidz: ‘All I Want for Christmas’

Planet Kidz, the children’s ministry of Cornerstone Church, presents “All I Want For Christmas” Christmas Musical today at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m.

The musical features Lindsay, who says all she wants for Christmas is … everything she sees. While she’s pouting over her mother’s true words about why we celebrate Christmas, Lindsay finds cool “toy” friends that come alive to her.

The events are free and open to the public. Cornerstone Church is located at 315 Webb Road. For more information, please visit www.cornerstone-church.net or call 704.855.1218.

Events at Blackwelder Park

KANNAPOLIS — Blackwelder Park Baptist Church, 2204 Summit Ave., will host two musical performances and a children’s play this Christmas season.

The church’s choir will present the cantata, “Bethlehem Morning,” directed by church music leader Josh Welch, at 6 p.m. Sunday.

The play, “Room For The Savior,” to be presented 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, features 20 children and adults, directed by Shirley Hooper. The show will be followed by a dessert social.

The final performance, “The Hope of Christmas,” will be performed twice: Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 14 at 4 p.m. The performance will feature church and community musicians and singers, led by Amanda and Steven Harper.

All events are free and open to the public. Phil Goble is host pastor. For more information, call 704-932-4266 or visit www.blackwelderpark.org

Fridays@First series and Chrismons

The Fridays@First annual Advent series continues,  with Martha Bassett performing Appalachian ballads and carols on Dec. 12 and concert pianist Jacob Hahn performing music of Liszt, Bach, Wang, and Schubert on Dec. 19. All concerts will be held at noon in the church nave and are free and open to  the public.

On Saturday, Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the church will open its doors for the public to come inside to see the Chrismons on display as well at the liturgical banners. Light refreshments will be available.

First United Methodist Church is at 217 S. Church St. For more information, call 704-636-3121, or go to www.fumcsalisbury.org

Piedmont Choral Christmas concerts

The Piedmont Choral Society will present its Christmas concert with orchestra twice:

• Friday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 201 Vance St., Kannapolis.

• Sunday, Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. at Forest Hill United Methodist Church, 265 Union Street N., Concord.  A reception will follow the Sunday performance.

The concerts are free. A love offering will be accepted. For more info: 704-699-6053 or kayy2000@gmail.com

Piedmont Singing Men concert

KANNAPOLIS — St. Enoch Lutheran Church will host the Piedmont Singing Men on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 4 p.m. The Piedmont Singing Men, a group of 35 musicians from 23 churches in the Kannapolis-Concord area, will perform their Christmas concert “Gloria In Excelsis Deo.” A reception will follow in the church fellowship building at 701 Campbell Ave. The event is free.

Ecumenical Choir
of Salisbury

On Sunday, Dec. 14 at 4 p.m., the Ecumenical Choir of Salisbury under the direction of Dr. Phillip E. Burgess will present “The Glory of Christmas” at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

This annual holiday event draws choristers from over 30 churches in the Salisbury/Rowan community and has quickly become a community tradition.

The hour-long performance will feature choral selections, holiday readings and vocal solos featuring Teresa Moore-Mitchell, Dr. Grant Harrison, Phyllis Partee and Rebecca Stinson. The choir and soloists will be accompanied by a chamber orchestra.

A reception will follow in the church parish hall. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church is located at 131 W. Council St. For more information, call 704 633 3221

Live Nativity at Salem

Salem Lutheran Church, 5080 Sherrills Ford Road, will be having a live nativity scene on Dec. 18 and 19 from 6 to 8 each night. For more information, call 704-202-4664.

St. John AME Zion

MOCKSVILLE — The St. John AME Zion Church trustee/steward board is sponsoring a Christian Christmas Party on Saturday, Dec. 20 at the Clemmons Civic Center, 2870 Middlebrook Drive. For ticket info call 336-692-7104.

Christmas program
at Sills Creek

MOORESVILLE — The annual Christmas musical program held in memory of the late Rev. F. L. Cornelius will be held Sunday, Dec. 21 at Sills Creek AME Zion church, 3165 Bradshaw Road. The program will start at 3 p.m. Various groups are invited to attend. The Rev. Morgan Glenn is host pastor.

Submit your church’s special Christmas events to faith@salisburypost.com by Thursday before the Saturday publication.