Wilkerson to deliver initial sermon at New Zion Baptist
New Zion Baptist Church, 2785 Dunn’s Mountain Road, announces the initial sermon of Brother Ronald Lamar Wilkerson will take place on Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
Brother Wilkerson serves at New Zion as youth department advisor, chief administrator of the New Zion Rock Academy Youth Summer Camp, and Vacation Bible School instructor.
Rev. Vincent Patrick Jones Sr. is host pastor.

Weaver, Lunsford to play at Christmas event
The Maupin Ave. Presbyterian Church Women are having their annual Christmas party on Sunday, Dec. 1 at 5 p.m. at 100 Maupin Ave.
Matthew Weaver and Clay Lunsford will provide musical entertainment with refreshments to follow. The public is invited.

Greenery service at United Baptist Church
KANNAPOLIS — United Baptist Church, 3001 Clermont Ave., hosts its Candlelight & Hanging of the Greenery service on Sunday at 6 p.m. Rev. Clayton Ruggs of Prayer Harvest Church, Salisbury, will preach. Rev. John E. Jones is host pastor.

Gethsemane Usher Ministry
The Usher Ministry of Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church thanks those who participated in its successful fundraiser. The winner of a Thanksgiving dinner was Joe Ellis.

Christmas church events coming up

Service of Lessons and Carols
This traditional service tells the prophecy and birth of Jesus Christ as it unfolds in scripture, carols, anthems and special readings.
Origins of the service are attributed to Truro Cathedral in Cornwell, England, dating to 1880. The bishop, the Rev. Edward White Benson, was concerned at the excessive consumption of alcohol in Cornish pubs during the festive season. He sought a means of attracting revelers out of the pubs and into church by offering a religious celebration of Christmas with Christmas music interspersed with Bible readings. The first service was held on Christmas Eve at Truro Cathedral with 400 people attending.

St. Luke’s Episcopal — 5:30 p.m. Dec. 1
Based on the Great “O” Antiphons. 131 W. Council St. https://stlukessalisbury.dionc.org

Catawba College — 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2 and 5
Omwake-Dearborn Chapel, 2300 W. Innes St.
32nd annual Service on two evenings; tickets are not required.
Prelude music begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by the service at 7 p.m.
A shuttle van service is available for those who park at the Robertson College-Community Center or Abernethy Physical Education.
A live stream broadcast of the Dec. 5 service will be on the College’s YouTube channel beginning with prelude music at 6:30 p.m.
Info: 704-637-4345 or catawba.edu

St. John’s Lutheran — 11 a.m. Dec. 15
St. John’s Lutheran Church, 200 W. Innes St.
Carols and anthems will be led by the Chancel Choir, St. John’s Men’s Chorus, St. John’s Women’s Ensemble, soloists and Instrumental Ensemble.
The music of Handel, Forrest, Rutter and other composers will be featured.
Choirs are directed by Rob Durocher with associate parish musician Rosemary Kinard, Deanna Boksleitner accompanying and Jason Harwood directing the Men’s Chorus, accompanied by Janie Rollins.
Pastor Rhodes Woolly, Pastor Laura Henrik, and readers will narrate.
See https://stjohns-salisbury.org/ event/lessons-and-carols/

Annual Bethlehem Marketplace
4- 8 p.m. Nov. 30
Dec. 1 and Dec. 7-8 4
North Main Baptist Church, 1501 North Main St.
Go back with us 2000 years to the tiny village of Bethlehem and spend time in a carefully recreated 1st century marketplace, bustling with customers and merchants; see the fulfillment of ancient prophecy and angelic visitations; look in on shepherds tending their sheep by the fire; learn of the majesty of the manger birthplace of Jesus.
Totally free, handicap accessible and indoors
704-637-2929, www.northmainonline.com

Pregnancy Support Center Christmas Open House
5-7 p.m. Dec. 3
Take selfies with Santa, have refreshments, tour the Pregnancy Support Center at 847 S Main St. 704-633-7695.

Tree of Hope Lighting Service
5-6 p.m. Dec. 5
Novant Health Rowan Medical Center Auxiliary’s Tree of Hope lights up in the courtyard at the main entrance on Henderson St. Info at 704-210-5000.

Living Christmas Tree at First Baptist
Dec. 5-9
First Baptist Church, 223 N. Fulton St., will present its 28th annual Living Christmas Tree.
Services Thursday, Friday, Monday are at 7 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday at 5 and 8 p.m.
The choir will be joined by orchestra and narration, telling the story of how God keeps His promises and celebrating the birth of Jesus.
To check ticket availability, visit www.fbcsalisbury.org

Piedmont Choral Society Christmas concerts
7 p.m Dec. 6 • 4 p.m. Jan. 4
CONCORD — 75-voice Piedmont Choral Society’s annual free Christmas concerts accompanied by 22-piece professional orchestra. Forest Hill UMC, 265 Union St North. Familiar carols and songs of the season. 704-699-6053 or kayy2000@gmail.com

David Phelps: ‘It Must Be Christmas’ Tour
7 p.m. Dec. 5
WINSTON-SALEM — Multi-Dove and Grammy Award-winning recording artist David Phelps comes to Oaklawn Baptist Church, 3500 Kernersville Road.
Find ticket information at 1-800-965-9324 or www.imcconcerts.com or www.davidphelps.com

Fridays@First: An Advent Series
Noon Dec. 6
Matthew Michael Brown, organist. First United Methodist Church, 217 S. Church St.

St. John’s Men’s Chorus Christmas Concert
4 p.m. Dec. 8
“And a Little Child Shall Lead Them,” directed by Jason Harwood, accompanied by Janie Rollins. Features St. John’s Luther Ringers, instrumentalists, meditations and readings from children. A freewill offering benefits a local charity.

FirstARTS presents Bel Canto Company
8 p.m. Dec. 12
NC’s premier professional chorus in concert at First United Methodist Church, 217 S. Church St.

Living Christmas Cards
6:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 12-13
KANNAPOLIS — Blackwelder Park Baptist Church and Kingdom Kids Preschool, 2299 N. Main St., presents life-size Christmas Cards come to life. Stop for a free cup of hot chocolate or hot apple cider. Rain date Dec 19-20.

Fridays@First: An Advent Series
Noon Dec. 13
David Hamilton, tenor, in concert with Matthew Michael Brown, pianist. First United Methodist Church, 217 S. Church St.

‘Christmas in the City’
6-9:30 p.m. Dec. 13, 15
KANNAPOLIS — Stunning variety show featuring creative arts to entertain and inspire the soul with the beautiful message of Christmas. $10. He’s Alive Church, 1310 N Cannon Blvd., 980-781-4920 or www.hesalivechurch.org

Fridays@First: An Advent Series
Noon Dec. 20
Deborah Busby Coclanis, pianist, in concert at First United Methodist Church, 217 S. Church St.

Bethlehem Prayer Service
9-11 a.m. Dec. 21
Live broadcast of the Advent prayer service simulcast with Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem and National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Held at St. John’s Lutheran, 200 W. Innes St., stjohns-salisbury.org

Fifth annual Adopt-a-Child program
Prevent Child Abuse Rowan is sponsoring its 2019 Adopt-a-Child program. Tags for children the agency serves are now available at its offices, 130 Woodson St.
All unwrapped gifts should be brought to the agency by Dec. 16. Donations of wrapping paper and tape are also welcome.
This year, the agency is also suggesting other ways to help besides buying gifts:
• Making monetary donations.
• Preparing baked goods.
• Donating gift cards for food, clothing and $5 gas only cards.
• Donating tickets for movies, bowling, or other activities.
For more information call the Terrie Hess House at 704-639-1700.

Send your church’s Christmas program information to faith@salisburypost.com