Faith Briefs Saturday, Dec. 16

Published 12:00 am Saturday, December 16, 2017

Today: Clothing giveaway

Annual clothing and small item giveaway begins 8 a.m. Saturday at Hall’s Chapel Primitive Baptist Church, corner of South Clay and East Monroe Streets. Light lunch served 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sponsored by the Men’s Fellowship.

Today: ‘Glory Train’

“Glory Train,” a religious play, will be presented today at 5 p.m. at Soldier’s Memorial AME Zion Church’s Enrichment Center, 306 N. Church St. Refreshments will be served.

• Bethlehem prayer service simulcast today at 9:30 a.m. Join Christians around the world for the 11th annual simulcast worship service between Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem and the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

• A Service of Lessons and Carols at the 11 a.m. service on Sunday with carols and anthems led by the Chancel Choir, St. John’s Men’s Chorus, St. John’s Women’s Ensemble, soloists and Instrumental Ensemble.

Milford Hills cantata 

The Chancel Choir of Milford Hills United Methodist Church, under the direction of Dustin Shelton, Director of Music, will present the cantata “Peace Has Come” on Sunday at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary.

Advent at Mt Zion UCC

CHINA GROVE — Today at 9 am Mt. Zion UCC hosts its rescheduled Breakfast with Santa.

On Sunday at the 10:30 a.m. service at Mt. Zion UCC, 1415 S. Main St., the Fred and Bonnie Corriher family will light the Third Advent Candle of Love. After worship, the Youth Fellowship will deliver Christmas songs and glad tidings.

Mark L. Burns is host pastor. www.mtzionchinagrove.com

Stallings Memorial cantata

The Christmas cantata “Bethlehem’s Child” will be performed Sunday at 10:30 a.m. by the SMBC Worship Choir and Handbell Choir directed by Dr. Steve Etters.

Mt. Moriah Lutheran program

CHINA GROVE — The Christmas music presentation by the chancel choir, children’s choir and handbell choir will be during worship on Sunday, at 10:30 a.m. Organist/choir director is Michael J. Kotish. Children’s directors are Alice Stephens and Janet Parsons.  Host pastor is Joseph Tallent.

CHINA GROVE — A Christmas celebration will be held at South China Grove Baptist Church, 501 Haney St., 1 block off Thom St. between Hwys. 29 and 29A, on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. The choir will present “The Greatest Story Ever Told,” also have our annual Lottie Moon international mission walk. A covered dish mealis at 4:30 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Afterward, the celebration will continue in the sanctuary.

Host pastor is Rev. Tony Wagoner. www.scgbc.com

Cantata at St. Luke’s Lutheran

MT. ULLA — On Sunday at 10:30 a.m. is a service of music and narrated readings from scripture at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 11020 NC Hwy 801, with special guests and gifts of vocal and instrumental praise. www.stlukesmtulla.org

Upcoming at Faith Lutheran

FAITH — Programs at Faith Lutheran Church, 205 S. Main St.:

10:30 a.m. Sunday, Christmas Cantata “Sing Joy to All the World,” a service of lessons and carols;

7 p.m. Dec. 21, “Service for the Longest Night” a short service of word, prayer, and silent meditation as for those grieving a loved one or a hard season in your life. Info 704-279-2500.

Program at Henderson Grove Missionary Baptist

The Youth Department of Henderson Grove Missionary Baptist Church will present its annual Christmas program on Sunday during the 11 a.m. service. It will include an original play, “The Senior Moment,” written by Brenda Rice McNeely. Refreshments will follow. Host pastor is the Rev. Perry J. Dye.

Gloria Dei to visit shut-ins

Members of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 1908 Statesville Blvd., will Christmas carol to shut-in members following the 11 a.m. service. The final mid-week Advent service is Dec. 20, at 7 p. m. Host pastor is Rev. John Tucker.

Confirmation at Ursinus UCC

ROCKWELL — Ursinus United Church of Christ is celebrating the confirmation of Isaac Cawley, Haven Jackson and Kameron Jackson on Sunday morning, followed by a reception.

A Christmas program by the youth will be performed at 6 p.m.

Annual Cornelius memorial service

MOORESVILLE — The annual memorial service for the late Rev. Frank L. Cornelius will be held at Sills Creek AME Zion Church, 3165 Bradshaw Road, on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

Special guest will be Joe Wilson and Redeem from South Carolina. Proceeds from the program will go to the scholarship funds of the church.

Rose Maxwell Green trial sermon

Rose Maxwell Green will give her trial sermon, “Be Watchful And Prayerful,” on Sunday at 3 p.m. at The Potter’s House Outreach Ministries , 119 A&B Clancy St.

Mrs. Green was born in Salisbury, and as a freelance musician, has been in two Broadway Musicals: “CATS” and “Your Arms Are Too Short To Box With God.” Green has traveled down some dark paths and found herself in dark places, where she eventually cried out to God.

She is married to Michael L. Green and h as two children, Richard and Clarice, and two grandchildren.

Musical appreciation service

CLEVELAND — For the musicians of Antioch Baptist Church, 968 Triplett Road, featuring area groups, church choirs and congregations. On Sunday at 3 p.m. call 704- 528-3123 to RSVP or for more information.

On Sunday the children and youth of Ebenezer Lutheran Church will present the Christmas play “Room at the Inn” at 4 p.m. in the fellowship hall, with snacks and finger foods to follow.

Cantata at Trinity Presbyterian

The Senior Choir at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 300 S. Caldwell St. presents “Bethlehem’s Child” by Victor C. Johnson and Lloyd Larson, on Sunday at 4 p.m. Featured soloists are Monica Green, soprano, David Boger, tenor and Guam Reid, bass. Narrators are Rev. Olen Bruner, pastor of Trinity and Fonda Kirk, session member. Michael Brooks, minister of music at John Calvin Presbyterian Church and music instructor at North Rowan High and Middle Schools is the accompanist.

Bethel UMC candleight service

MOCKSVILLE —On Sunday at 5 p.m. is the Candlelight Service at Bethel United Methodist Church, 353 Bethel Church Road. Refreshments will be served afterward. Host pastor is Rev. Tony Owens.

Jubilee Community Choir

The Jubilee Community Choir annual Christmas concert is Sunday at 5 p.m. at Soldiers Memorial AME Zion Church, 306 N. Church St. This year’s concert features traditional carols plus a gospel-influenced arrangement of “Sweet Little Jesus Boy” by Horace Scruggs III, the Christmas spiritual “Here’s a Pretty Little Baby” and “Shout for Joy,” arranged by André Thomas. Also featured will be guest saxophonist Gavin Crisp plus liturgical dance renditions by Natalia House. Concert soloists are Doris Goodman, Sarah J. Norman and Rebecca Stinson. Kay Wright Norman is the music director for the Jubilee Community Choir.

Refreshments will follow. A free will offering will be received.

First United Methodist Church, 17 S. Church St., hosts its annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols Sunday at 5 p.m., presented in the same format as the Christmas Eve service held at King’s College, Cambridge, England in 1918. The format of the service alternates readings from the Bible with carols for choir and congregation. Accompanying the choirs of First Church will be a brass quintet, organ, harp, and flute. Lectors include representatives from Rowan Helping Ministries, Hood Theological Seminary, Meals on Wheels, and Salisbury Symphony. The choirs are conducted by Matthew Michael Brown.

A prelude for harp and brass precedes the service at 4:30 p.m. An offering will be received for the Music Memorial Fund. www.fumcsalisbury.org

Cooleemee UMC candlelight service

COOLEEMEE — The Christmas Cantata and Candlelight Service at Cooleemee United Methodist Church, 197 Main St., is Sunday, at 5 p.m., followed by refreshments. Host pastor is Rev. Tony Owens.

North Kannapolis Baptist cantata

KANNAPOLIS — The adult choir of North Kannapolis Baptist Church, 312 Locust St., will present the musical “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” on Sunday, at 5:30 p.m. under the direction of Patrick Hunter. Info at 704-933-2125.

The Piedmont Singing Men

CHINA GROVE — The Piedmont Singing Men will present a Christmas Concert at Pine Ridge Baptist Church, 880 Old Linn Road, on Sunday at 6 p.m.

Trading Ford Baptist cantata

Trading Ford Baptist Church, 3600 Long Ferry Road, presents the Christmas Cantata “What Kind of Throne is This?” on Sunday at 6 p.m.

Organ Lutheran children’s play

Sunday at 6:30 p.m. is the children’s Christmas play at Organ Lutheran Church, 1515 Organ Church Road. Following the play there will be a Birthday Party for Jesus in the fellowship hall.

East Rowan Choral holiday concert

The East Rowan Choral Department will present its Holiday Concert on Monday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium, 175 St Luke’s Church Road. Approximately 140 students will come together in this concert which is free and open to the public. The choirs are directed by Dean Orbison.

‘A Biblical Perspective on Contemporary Culture’

The Dec. 19 Christmas program of the Rowan County Tea Party features Salisbury’s Dr. James Pittman speaking on “A Biblical Perspective on Contemporary Culture.” Dr. Pittman attended Morgan Elementary and Salisbury High, received his masters from Dallas Theological Seminary and his doctorate from The Reformed Theological Seminary.

There will be special music and treats along with dinner at 6 p.m., followed by the program at 7 p.m. at BlueBay on Statesville Blvd.

Live Nativty at Luther’s Lutheran 

RICHFIELD — Luther’s Lutheran Church, at the corner of Stokes Ferry and Richfield Roads, will present a live nativity on Saturday, Dec. 23 from 6-8 p.m.

At New London UMC

NEW LONDON — 206 S. Main St., 704-463-5669

• Welcome to the Table, a community meal, rescheduled for today, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.;

• Chancel Choir’s Christmas cantata “Everlasting Joy!” is part of the 11 a.m. service on Sunday. Directed by Suzie Martin, accompanied by Daniel Dickens and Danny Harris. A nursery is provided;

• Children’s Christmas play “New Star,” Sunday at 7 p.m., directed by Karen Morris, assisted by Jackie Almond, Julie Wittman, Daniel Dickens;

• Fundraising concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 19. Daniel Dickens (church pianist) and Kelly Newsome (organist at First Lutheran Church, Lexington) provide a program of Christmas music. An offering will be received to support Habitat for Humanity.