Santa at Mt. Zion UCC
CHINA GROVE — Saturday begins at 9 a.m. at Mt. Zion UCC, 1415 S. Main St., with Breakfast With Santa in the new building. At the Sunday 10:30 a.m. service Anne and Clark Corriher will light the second Advent Candle of Peace.
For more information visit www.mtzionchinagrove.com

Hall’s Chapel banquet
On Saturday at 4 p.m., Hall’s Chapel Primitive Baptist Church, 611 E. Monroe St., will host a Coming Home For Christmas Banquet for Elder Richard L. Johnson. Guest speaker will be pastor Renwick Fisher of True Holiness Church of Kannapolis.

John Calvin welcomes new pastor
John Calvin Presbyterian Church welcomes Rev. Kate Morrison on Sunday, Dec. 9 as the new minister at the church. Everyone will have the opportunity to meet Rev. Morrison at an 8:30 a.m. church breakfast.
The church choir will present the annual Christmas Cantata, “Sing Christmas.” at the 11 a.m. service. The cantata is under the direction of Michael Brooks. Following the cantata, the church will host a reception for Rev. Morrison.
Rev. Morrison’s first Sunday to lead the worship service will be Sunday, Dec. 16.

First homecoming at Resurrection Life
Resurrection Life Church, 627 Newsome Road, hosts its first homecoming service on Sunday, Dec. 9 beginning at 10 a.m. with a covered dish luncheon to follow the s service. Resurrection Life was a church plant that began meeting in Dec of 2001, and finally achieved a permanent home with the purchase of the property on Newsome Road in 2016.
Guest speakers for the homecoming service are Dr. Joseph and Mennie Morrison from Fort Mill, S.C., founders of BTBA (Blessed To Be A Blessing) Outreach Ministry, serving the needs of the homeless and poor. Dr. Morrison is part of the Billy graham Rapid Response Chaplains; Mrs Morrison works in the Billy Gram Evangelistic Association Charlotte headquarters.
Host pastor is Rev. Jerry Snipes, 704-433-8776 or 704-638-0002.

United Baptist Church celebrates 45 years
KANNAPOLIS — The Gospel Choir of United Baptist Church, 3001 Clermont Ave., will celebrate its 45th anniversary on Sunday at 3 p.m. Host pastor is Rev. John Edward Jones.

Twelve Tribes at Cedar Grove
Cedar Grove AME Zion Church hosts a Twelve Tribes Rally at on Sunday, at 3 p.m. Evangelist Cathye Marlin, associate pastor of Fairview Heights Missionary Baptist Church and wife of Fairview Heights pastor Rev. Clarence Marlin, will be the guest speaker. Rev. Bertha Pittman is host pastor.

Blessing of the Children service
The FACT (Families and Communities Together) Blessing of the Children Worship Service annual Christmas program is Sunday at 3 p.m. at Soldiers Memorial AME Zion Church, 306 N. Church St.
The program, “Choices and One’s Future,” is a parenting workshop connecting with the celebration of Advent/Christmas, with presenters Dr. Mary A. Love, Hood Theological Seminary and Margaret Stridick, Terrie Hess House/Prevent Child Abuse Rowan. There will concurrently be a separate workshop for children/youth age 0-18).
Open to the public; refreshments served. Rev. Dr. Derrick Anderson is host pastor.

Deacons Alliance hosts Rainbow Tea
The Rowan and Davie County Deacons Alliance will host a Rainbow Tea on Sunday at 5 p.m. Proceeds from this fundraiser will go to those in need. Held at Salisbury Civic Center,l 315 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. Program chair is Deacon Reginald C. Weeks Sr.

Gloria Dei Advent services
Each Wednesday until Christmas, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 1908 Statesville Blvd., will host an evening candlelight Advent worship service at 7 p.m. with prayer time and hearing the reason for the season. Host pastor is Rev. John Tucker.

Prayer and Praise at Jackson Park
KANNAPOLIS — Jackson Park United Methodist Church, 715 Mable Ave., hosts a Prayer and Praise Service at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 12. 704-932-0501

Purpose Driven Life classes
Purpose Driven Life classes are hosted by In My Father’s House, led by Rev. Roosevelt Jenkins. They are held from 10-11 a.m. on the first and second Thursday of each month, at Brookdale Assisted Living, 2201 Statesville Blvd. The next study date is Dec. 13.

St. Luke’s hosts Blue Christmas worship
MT. ULLA — St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 11020 NC Hwy 801, hosts a Blue Christmas service Thursday, Dec 13 at 7 p.m. for those for whom grief, illness, job loss or broken relationships have made hearts and spirits heavy. The Blue Christmas service is a bit quieter, with softer Advent and Christmas hymns, Scripture readings, special prayers and experiences where we can give God our burdens that are hard to carry.
Host pastor is Scott Swix, 704-278-2710, www.stlukesmtulla.org

Save the date: Watoto Children’s Choir
Watoto Children’s Choir from Uganda East Africa will be returning to Outreach Christian Ministries, 722 W. Horah St. at 7 p.m. on Dec 19. These children, who range in age from 7-14, will warm your heart and usher in the Christmas season. Free admission, come early.