Mark your calendars for these Christmas musicals and dramas

Live recreation of Bethlehem Marketplace

4-8 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6: Travel back 2,000 years to an interactive Middle Eastern bazaar. Travel back 2,000 years as a Roman centurion guides your experience. Children are welcome. Free. North Main Baptist Church, 1501 N. Main St., 704-637-2929, email northmain@fibrant.com

The Messengers: Miracle on Monroe Street

7 p.m. Dec. 5: Christmas Extravaganza with Livingstone College Concert Choir, Theater & Dramatic Arts Department students, members of Salisbury Symphony, live animals. Varick Auditorium. $20 adults, free for age 6 and under.

FUCC Lessons and Carols

11 a.m. Dec. 6: A worship Service of Lessons and Carols will be presented by the chancel choir of First United Church of Christ, 207 W. Horah St. under the direction of Matthew Newton with Susan Trivette, organist.Selections include Felix Mendelssohn, Benjamin Britten, Dan Forrest, Volkmar Leisring, and Paul Wohlgemouth plus scripture readings. The Advent Candle of Peace will be lit with special litany, followed by a soup luncheon and Christmas Caroling to shut in members and nursing homes.

Piedmont Choral Society 

CONCORD — 3 p.m. Dec. 6: 50 voice choir presents free Christmas concerts with orchestra, Forest Hill UMC, 265 Union St. N., Concord. Reception to follow. Information: kayy2000@gmail.com or 704-699-6053.

Holiday and sacred music by Matthew Weaver

5 p.m. Dec. 6: Matthew Weaver will present a program of holiday and sacred music at Maupin Avenue AR Presbyterian Church at the Women of the Church’s annual Christmas party at 5 p.m. on Sunday. The music will be followed by food and fellowship. The public is invited. For more information contact Betty Sunding at 704-646-7756.

‘Light out of the Darkness’

KANNAPOLIS — 6 p.m. Dec. 6: The choirs of Blackwelder Park Baptist, Grace Baptist and Dayspring Community will present a worship musical centered on the light of the World in a 45-minute musical. Held at Blackwelder Park Baptist Church, 2204 Summit Ave. Call 704-932-4266 for details.

‘God Is With Us’

6 p.m. Dec. 6: The Christmas musical of the adult choir and drama group at Calvary Baptist Church, 2255 E. Ridge Road. Details at 704-633-2567. The Rev. David R. Hutchins is minister of music.

ROCOC Christmas Concert

6 p.m. Dec. 6: Southern Gospel and Christmas music by Raising Glory. Love offering to purchase beds for Rowan One Church One Child Ministry. Life Church, 708 Jake Alexander Blvd. West, www.rowancountync.gov/rococ

Living Christmas Tree

Through Dec. 7: First Baptist Church of Salisbury presents The Living Christmas Tree Choir. Though tickets are free, they are required. Visit www.fbcsalisbury.org to make reservations.

Christmas light and Nativity event 

FAITH — 6-9 p.m. Dec. 11 and 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.

Walk Thru Bethlehem, Mooresville

MOORESVILLE — 6-9 p.m. Dec. 11 and 2-9 p.m. Dec. 12: Free, lively, interactive, biblical-era drama and marketplace. Camp Wesley, 3090 Deal Road, Mooresville, www. walkthrubethlehem.org/

‘Amahl and the Night Visitors’

KANNAPOLIS — Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 13 at 2 p.m.: Amahl, a poor crippled shepherd boy, receives his Christmas miracle. First Presbyterian Church of Kannapolis, 201 Vance St. The adult and children’s choirs of First Presbyterian, community singers, actors and musicians. The character of Amahl will be sung by Fred Caskey and Banagher Hamilton. David Hamilton, director of music, will play King Kaspar. Free. Details at 704-680-8399.

‘Christmas Across the Pond’ 

7:30 p.m., Dec. 11: The Salisbury Rowan Choral Society concert at First United Church of Christ, 207 W. Horah St. Free, donations requested. Also please bring a toy to be donated. www. facebook.com/ Salisbury. Rowan.Choral.Society

‘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. Visitors may drive thru or park and come to the manger for a closer look at the animals and costumed characters. 704-857-5034. Rain date: Sunday, Dec. 13.

Candlelight Service of Remembrance

3 p.m. Sunday, Dece. 13: 22nd annual service in the Northcrest Chapel of Linn-Honeycutt Funeral Home’s China Grove location. Info at 704-857-2401.

4 p.m. Dec. 13: Christmas Concert by the 50+ member chorus to benefit Rowan Helping Ministries, The Inner Voices will also perform. A freewill offering will benefit 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 (with his blessing), bringing singers together no matter their denomination to celebrate Christmas with songs, anthems and stories. Alden Wright will play 30 minutes of organ music before the concert.

‘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.

‘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 Christmas concert under the direction of Rev. Mark Hill, minister of music. The concert includes traditional carols, narration, drama and songs of the season. Admission is free. Child care will be provided for ages 4 and under. For details, call 704-938-4697 ext. 17.

Unplugged/ acoustic 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/

Bible Missionary Baptist Church

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; see www.eventbrite.com/e/ the-ornament-a-musical- drama-tickets- 17967902480 or www.biblemissionary baptist.com or 704-640-7127.

‘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/ Held at Sills Creek AME Zion Church, 3165 Bradshaw Road, with guests The Chosen Disciples of Asheboro.

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

=============

ADVENT SERVICES

Mt. Zion UCC

CHINA GROVE – During the 11 a.m. service Mt. Zion UCC Church, 1415 South Main St., will celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent with the lighting of a candle. Alan Cress and Family will light the candle of Joy. In addition, Mt. Zion UCC is collecting gifts and donations for the Christmas with Dignity program on Dec. 12. For more information see mtzionchinagrove.com or call 704-857-1169. The Rev. Mark L. Burns is pastor.

First Presbyterian

First Presbyterian Church Salisbury observes the second Sunday of Advent and the lighting of the candle of Peace at 8:30 and 11 a.m. in the sancutary and in Lewis Hall at 8:50 a.m. During the 11 a.m. service, the new hymnals will be dedicated. The weekly Advent Gathering with fellowship and snacks is from 9:15-10:10 a.m. in the fellowship hall.

Fridays@First at Fumc

The FirstARTS series of First United Methodist Church continues its annual Advent Series on Fridays at noon. The Dec. 11 service features Juilliard-trained musical theatre artists Kathleen Jasinkas and Charles Hyland with pianist Deborah Hollis. Concerts in this free series are held in the nave of First United Methodist Church, 217 S. Church St., 704-636-3121, www.fumcsalisbury.org

=============

REGULAR SERVICES

Immanuel Lutheran celebrates first communion

ROCKWELL — Alex Freeman, Mack Freeman, Cortney Miller and Susie Trexler will receive the sacrament of Holy Communion for the first time on Sunday at Immanuel Lutheran Rockwell, with their family members joining them. The communion sacrament will be administered by their catechism teachers, Judy Harwood and the Rev. Bruce Sheeks, who will present gifts from the congregation.

Alex and Mack Freeman are the sons of Maria and Andy Freeman and the grandsons of Carolyn and Joel McDonald and Doris and Calvin Freeman. Cortney is the daughter of Brent Miller and the late Stephanie Wallace, and the granddaughter Mitzi and Ronnie Miller, JoAnn and David Wallace and Kim Bassett. Susie is the daughter of Tammy and Mike Trexler and the granddaughter of Wanda and Joe Wagoner, Sherry and James Stencil and the late Becky and Glenn Trexler.

Elks annual memorial service is Sunday

On Sunday at 2 p.m., a memorial service will be held downstairs for Salisbury Elks who have passed away. A 114-year tradition since 1901, it is a brief but memorable service acknowledging our common bond of brotherhood while celebrating their lives here on earth. Those who have passed since December of last year are: Ted Proctor, Nathan Douglas Kepley II, Harry Ward, Peggy Glasco, Billy Payne and John Eagle.

The service is open to the public and will be held downstairs at the lodge at 508 S Main St. Friends and family of departed Elks are especially invited. The speaker for the service is PDDGER Harry Agner and Miss Hannah Addair will sing several music selections. Snacks and refreshments will follow.

Blessing of God Ministry celebrates

LEXINGTON — The Blessing Of God Ministry, 412 Westside Dr., celebrates the 16th pastoral anniversary for Chief Apostle Vanessa Taplah on Sunday at 3 p.m.

Messengers for Christ anniversary concert

CLEVELAND — The Messengers for Christ will celebrate their 16th anniversary on Sunday at 3 p.m. at The Building, 140 Abington Lane. Advance tickets are $12/ DOS $15, children age 7-12 are $5. Featured guests include The Salemaires of Midway, The Leak Brothers, The Mighty Pilgrimaires of Salisbury, the Voices of Charlotte and Stellar Award Winners The Jackson Southernaires of Jackson, Miss. Food will be available for purchase. Call 704-640-1287 for details.

Hall’s Temple Usher program

The Usher Program at Hall’s Temple Church on N. Long Street will be at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. The speaker will be Bishp Terry Cherry, pastor of Mt. Moriah of Mocksville. Host pator is the Rev. E. Bruce Jr.

The North Rowan Connection Choir

The North Rowan Connection Choir Presents its Friends and Family Mass Choir in Concert/Rainbow Tea Fundraiser on Sunday at 5 p.m. at Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church, 719 S. Caldwell St. where Dr. Rev. Clary L. Phelps is pastor. The concert will cfeature gospel music from the ’70s to today. The choir is under the direction of Milton Griffith. Guest Directors include Eddie Brown, Emory Susong, Vonda Bruce and Angela Ford. There will be food served. All proceeds raised will go towards the North Rowan Connection Hope Scholarship Fund. This event is free.

United Baptist’s candlelight service

KANNAPOLIS — The annual candlelight service at United Baptist Church, 3001 Clermont Ave., will be Sunday at 6 p.m. Evangelsit Mark Williamson of Macedonia Baptist Church of Concord will be the preacher of the hour. The Rev. John E. Jones is host pastor.

Blue Christmas Service of hope 

A Blue Christmas Service of Light and Hope is Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at Participating churches include First Presbyterian, Soldiers Memorial, First United Methodist, St. Luke’s Episcopal and St. John’s Lutheran. This is a service to acknowledge that Christmas is not always a joyous time for everyone. First United Church of Christ, 207 W. Horah St., is hosting the service. For more information call 704-633-2723. The Rev. Carol Hallman is host pastor.

 Zumba glow party 

ROCKWELL — A Zumba Glow fundraiser at Grace Bible Church, 6725 Highway 152 E., on Saturday, Dec. 12 from 6-8 p.m. will benefit Tiffany Tolliver’s Project Send World Race mission trip. There is a $10 entry fee.

How to submit a Faith Brief: Free Faith Briefs are for special events (not the regular order of services), and run in the Faith Section every Saturday. Send submissions to: faith@salisburypost.com, subject line: Church News, deadline: 1 p.m. on Thursday. In order to make room for everyone, free Faith Briefs run once.

CORRECTIONS:

Last week’s column by Ann Farabee, “The battle is real,” included the wrong name under her photo. That was indeed Ann Farabee.

Also, regarding the Nov. 28 article on St. Luke’s, please note that the oldest part of St. Luke’s current nave was built in 1828. The current chancel and organ chamber were added in 1883. The narthex, baptistry and rear portion of the church were correctly noted to have been added in 1909.