Today,  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.

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

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

 

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Christmas presentations at Blackwelder Park

KANNAPOLIS — Blackwelder Park Baptist Church, 2204 Summit Ave., will host the play “Room For The Savior,” at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. The performance features 20 children and adults, directed by Shirley Hooper. The show will be followed by a dessert social.

“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.

Phil Goble is host pastor. For more information, call 704-932-4266 or visit www.blackwelderpark.org

 

Cooleemee UMC presents ‘God Is With Us!’

COOLEEMEE — Cooleemee United Methodist Church will host the Cooleemee Community Choir Christmas Cantata “God Is With Us!” and Love Feast on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.. There will be refreshments after the worship service in the fellowship hall. Cooleemee United Methodist Church is located at 197 Main St.

 

Christmas Extravaganza and Family and Friends day at A.T.C. Ministries

At The Cross (A.T.C.) Ministries host its Christmas Extravaganza and Friends and Family Day on Sunday Dec. 14 at 10 am. The youth department of A.T.C. will present its annual celebration and presentation of the birth and life of Jesus the Christ; which will include special music. A meal for all follows the church services. Host pastor is the Rev. Debra (Dee) Ellison.

A.T.C. is located a 1915-1917 W. Innes St (Weaver Building) with parking and entrance in the rear behind Community Thrift. Call 704-782-0072.

 

Christmas at Concordia Lutheran

CHINA GROVE — Concordia Evangelical Lutheran Church, 185 Concordia Church Road, will host a special Christmas service on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 11 a.m.

The chancel choir will present the Christmas cantata titled “A Ceremony of Lessons and Carols,” consisting of several all-time favorite Christmas hymns. Shirley and Joe Allen are the narrators. Jan Williams is the Choir Director. Accompanists are Sarah Brandt and Gene Britain. Soloists are Delana Davis and Ron Kirk.

The Rev. Kenneth W. Reed Jr. is the Pastor of Concordia.

 

Rowan 1 Church 1 Child Concert at Liberty

Gold Hill — On Sunday Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. is the Rowan One Church One Child Concert with Matthew Weaver and Some Appalachian Friends. A love offering for R1C1C and will be taking up of toys and adult and children clothes donations. The entire offering will go to purchase beds and cribs for children in Rowan County. Clothes and toys can be brought to the church any time before the concert or the day of the concert.

The event will be at Liberty United Methodist, 3885 Liberty Road, at Liberty and Stokes Ferry Roads beside Morgan Elementary.

Also at Liberty, on Dec. 24 at 7 p.m.  is the Christmas play “Jesus — The Christmas Gift.”

Host pastor is the Rev. Charlie Curtis. Call 704-633-4067 for more information.

 

Piedmont Choral Christmas concert

CONCORD — The Piedmont Choral Society will present its Christmas concert with orchestra on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. at Forest Hill United Methodist Church, 265 Union St. N. A reception will follow the performance. The concert is free. A love offering will be accepted. For more info call 704-699-6053 or email kayy2000@gmail.com

 

Piedmont Singing Men in 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 presents ‘The Glory of Christmas’

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 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.

 

Calvary Baptist Church presents childrens’ Christmas musical

On Sunday, December 14 Calvary Baptist Church will have its annual children’s musical Christmas program titled “The Craziest, Greatest Christmas Ever!” The service begins at 6 p.m. The musical presentation and drama will be performed by the children and youth. The drama recounts a little girl’s bedtime story passed down by her grandmother, a story passed down through the ages and written by Calvary’s own Phyllis Yarbrough.

Refreshments will be served afterward. Calvary Baptist Church is located on East Ridge Road, just beyond Ellis crossroads. Host pastor is Rick Cockerham. Call 704-633-2567 or visit www.calvarysalisbury.org

 

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Live Nativity at Salem Lutheran

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.

Tickets available for Christmas dinner theater

“Beautiful Star: An Appalachian Nativity” by Preston Lane, with original music by Laurelyn Dossett, will be performed as a dinner theater production at Stallings Memorial Baptist Church, 817 S. Main St., on Friday, Dec. 19 at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 21 at 5:30 p.m.

It is an “Appalachian style” Christmas program that depicts Bible stories from Adam and Eve to Abraham and Isaac to Noah’s ark, ending with the story of Christ’s  birth in the manger. Music will be provided by the Stallings Worship Choir and the Open Heart Pickers.

Admission is free (donations are accepted) but tickets are necessary for attendance. RSVP to the church at 704-636-2056.

 

Christmas party at 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 celebrations at South China Grove Baptist

CHINA GROVE — on Sunday, Dec. 21 at 11 a.m. the sanctuary choir will present the cantata “He Is Here,” written by Dennis and Nan Allen.

At 4:30 p.m. there will be a covered dish meal in the SCGBC family life center, followed at 6 p.m. by the children’s Christmas program. The church is located at 501 Haney St. (off Thom St. between Highway 29 and Main St.). For more information call 704-857-3611.

 

‘Silent Night’ at Outreach Christian Ministries

Outreach Christian Ministries Int,722 W. Horah St., will host a celebration of Christmas entitled “Silent Night” on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 5 p.m.

‘Believe!’ at St. Paul’s Lutheran

Saturday, Dec. 20, and Sunday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

It’s ten days before Christmas, and 15 year old Alex Norton is struggling. He’s always loved Christmas, but the shine has left his favorite holiday. He sees Christmas as nothing more than an overhyped, greedy, present grabbing time of the year. Where is the peace in this season that’s supposed to be all about the Prince of Peace? Alex wants to believe in something…but what?   Reluctantly, he participates in “Project Christmas” at his church, where members of his youth group are preparing items for the homeless. First, we get a glimpse of the younger children’s adorable Christmas pageant rehearsal in the church sanctuary, including a child as headless donkey, little angels bickering over who’s the lead angel, and a herd of adorable sheep complaining about their itchy wool costumes. Still not warming up to the season, Alex is finally convinced by Angela, a friend, who Alex discovers is homeless, to realize that everything comes to pass. Alex learns that if you work to make this world a brighter better place, the peace grows. “It doesn’t help to curse the darkness, it only helps when you light a candle. That’s what God did for us that lovely, silent night.”

Filled with warmth and plenty of laughter, this Christmas play features favorite carols of the season and a tremendous cast of members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 205 St. Paul’s Church Road. Believe! will take place on Saturday, Dec. 20, and Sunday, Dec. 21, at 7 p.m. in the fellowship hall. A reception will follow Sunday’s night presentation. Admission is free and a love offering will be collected at both presentations. All proceeds collected will assist in offsetting the cost of this large scale production. DVD’s will be $5 each and available upon request following each presentation.

 

Service of Lessons & Carols at St. Paul’s

The Service of Lessons & Carol program at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 205 St. Paul’s Church Road, is Sunday, Dec. 21, at 10:30 a.m.

Dating back to the early 1900s this worship service has become a tradition among Protestant churches worldwide. Using various Scriptures, this service tells of the purpose and story of Jesus’ birth including the Isaiah’s prophecy of a Savior and the fulfillment of the prophecy according to St. John’s Gospel. The original service included nine lessons. An abbreviated seven lessons was adapted to better fit Sunday morning worship settings.

Following the abbreviated version, members of St. Paul’s congregation will present seven Scripture lessons followed by a carol or special music presented by the Senior Choir, Men’s Choir, Women’s Choir, The Bells of St. Paul’s Handbell Choir, with an appearance by the Children’s Choir and Youth Choir #SWAG. The carols will also feature a wind quintet and concert percussion to accompany the ensembles.

 

First Presbyterian Christmas music program

First Presbyterian Church Salisbury, at the corner of S. Fulton and W. Innes Streets, will host a musical program ked by the children and youth on Sunday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. in Lewis Hall.

 

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.

 

South China Grove celebrates Christmas

China Grove — A Christmas celebration at South China Grove Baptist Church includes the following activities on Sunday, Dec. 21:

At 11 a.m. the sanctuary choir will present the cantata, “He Is Here,” written by Dennis and Nan Allen.

At 4:30 p.m. — covered dish meal in the SCGBC family life center

At 6 p.m. — children’s Christmas program

The church is located at 501 Haney St., off Thom St. between Highway 29 and Main St., 704-857-3611.

 

Longest Night Service

LANDIS — First United Methodist Church, 209 E. Mill St., is hosting a Longest Night service on Sunday, Dec. 21 at 6 p.m. This is a time for those who may not be feeling the joy of the season to have some quiet reflection and prayer away from the hustle and bustle. Everyone is welcome.

 

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Sacred Heart Christmas Mass schedule 

The Christmas Mass schedule at Sacred Heart Catholic Church includes Masses on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Christmas Eve, 5 p.m., children’s Mass; 7 p.m., Mass; 9 p.m., Mass in Spanish.

Christmas Day, Mass at midnight; 8:30 a.m., Mass in the Extraordinary Form; 10:30 a.m., Mass.

The Rev. John Eckert is pastor; the Rev. Noah Carter is parochial vicar. Dr. Jim Mazur is deacon. Music will be provided by director Flora Lester and the choirs.

 

First Presbyterian Christmas Eve services

First Presbyterian Church Salisbury, corner of S. Fulton and W. Innes Streets, will hold services on Christmas eve at noon in the sanctuary: worship with communion.

5 p.m. in Lewis Hall: contemporary service

7 p.m. in the sanctuary: an Appalachian service

9 p.m. in the sanctuary, candlelight service. Music begins at 8:30 p.m.

 

 

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

 

 

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