Fallsnewspress.com - Worship News (Dec. 13)

First United Methodist Church of Akron

Everyone is invited to a spaghetti dinner Dec. 18 from 5 to 7 p.m. In addition to spaghetti with meat sauce, there will be salad, bread, beverage and dessert. Tickets for the dinner are $6 for adults and children ages 3 to 12 will cost $3.

The church hosts these dinners on the third Friday of each month. The church is located at 263 E. Mill St., two blocks north of the University of Akron campus. Everyone is welcome.

The church will also host a Choir Festival on Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m. in its sanctuary. Attendees will hear four church choirs (First Presbyterian, Family of Faith, High Street Christian Church and First Methodist) performing Christmas anthems along with the First Presbyterian Handbell Choir. The last piece, “Hallelujah! Chorus” from The Messiah, will be sung by all choirs and the congregation. A cookie and punch reception will take place after the concert.

For more information, call the church office Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., at 330-376-8143.

First United Methodist Church

Enjoy beautiful music of the season and singing of carols at the Festival of Carols at First United Methodist Church, 245 Portage Trail in Cuyahoga Falls on Dec. 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. The evening features music from the children's, youth and adult choirs accompanied by a variety of instruments and the Chancel Ringers. That same evening, enjoy a home-cooked meal at the church beginning at 5 p.m. Bring a covered main dish to share and table service. The church will provide rolls and beverages. All are welcome to this dinner and musical celebration of the birth of Christ.

The Ensembelle, Chancel Ringers and New Life Ringers from First Church will be performing holiday bell music at the Cuyahoga Falls Library on Dec. 16 at 7 p.m.

First Church Epworth youth choir, Chancel adult choir and the Chancel Ringers will be performing in the music room at the Deck the Hall Festival at Stan Hywet on Dec. 20. The ringers will perform at 5:30 p.m. and the choirs at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. For more information regarding this festival, visit stanhywet.org or call 330-315-3287.

First Church invites everyone to celebrate the birth of Christ at any one of its candlelight services on Christmas Eve at 6, 8 and 10 p.m. There is child care for the 6 and 8 p.m. services. The children's choirs will be offering music at the 6 p.m. service, our adult Chancel choir at 8 p.m. and the Epworth youth and youth alumni choir at 10.

United Presbyterian Church

The theme for the service on the Third Sunday in Advent will be "The Promise of Joy."

The traditional service starts at 8:30 a.m. and the New Creation contemporary service starts at 11 a.m. The Educational Hour, including "Amazement Park" for elementary school-age children, is from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. Child care for babies and toddlers is available throughout the Sunday morning activities. Parking is available on church property. All are welcome.

On Dec.13, from 7 to 8 p.m., the U. P. C. Youth Groups will meet at the church for both Middle School and High School groups.

U.P.C. is participating in an inter-church bowling league at Tallmadge Lanes, Monday evenings, beginning at 6:45 p.m.

PrayerLab will meet Dec. 15, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. PrayerLab is ministry that focuses in on participants' prayer needs and helps participants grow in effective prayer. No agenda or liturgy so as to be Spirit-led.

The Men's Breakfast will meet Dec. 19, beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the Silver Swan on Front Street in Cuyahoga Falls. The resource the men are using this year is: "Man Does Not Live By Sports Alone" by Dennis Swanberg.

The U.P.C. Food Pantry will be distributing food from 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 19.

Later on Dec. 19, the Women's Brown Bag Lunch and Discussion Group will meet in the Church Library from noon to 2 p.m.

"Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving," a VeggieTales production, will be shown in the Youth Room Dec.19, beginning at 3 p.m. This is an activity for the entire family, including arts, crafts, seasonal activities and snacks.

The church is located at 2819 Hudson Drive. For more information, call 330-923-9735 or e-mail office@cfupc.org.

Bethany United Church of Christ

The All Church Christmas Caroling, led by the Chancel Choir, will be on Dec. 16. Meet in the gathering area at 6:15 p.m.; the group will leave at 6:30 p.m. Hot chocolate and cookies will await participants upon their return to the church. The Men's Breakfast is a great time for men of the church to get together to share faith, food, and fellowship together; as well as a few chores with which the custodians could use some help. The men gather the third Wednesday of the month at 8 a.m. (Next breakfast is Dec. 16.) Bethany Kitchen provides a free luncheon for those in the community who need a meal. Help is always needed for food preparation, serving and cleaning up. All are welcome to join the congregation. Sunday worship times at Bethany UCC are 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. with Church School for all ages at 9:15 a.m. For information call 330-923-5277. Bethany United Church of Christ is located at 1235 Broad Blvd.

St. John's Episcopal Church

There will be a Vestry Meeting Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.

The retiring class of Vestry members will be seeking individuals to run for election at the Jan. 17 annual parish business meeting. Anyone who is interested in helping to facilitate the "business end" of the parish for the next three years should contact Mick Carmichael.

On the third day of Advent, the Rev. Julie Fisher preach on loving service, and at the children's chat, Arlene Jiamboi will talk about the Christmas tree.

St. Theresa's Guild will meet Dec. 21 at Heidi Myers' house for their Christmas party.

The Altar Guild is now taking donations for poinsettias. They are used to decorate the church at Christmas, and on Christmas Day, they will be given to the parish's shut-ins. The cost is $10. All payments are due by Dec. 31.

For more information, call Carol Weitzel.

The church is located at 2220 Second St. A handicapped entrance and elevator is available.

Grandview United Methodist Church

Santa Claus is coming to Grandview United Methodist Church, 2315 Phelps Ave., on Dec. 19 from 9 to 11 a.m. Everyone is invited to enjoy breakfast treats with Santa. Children can make crafts, color pictures, get their faces painted and give their "wish list" to Santa. Attendees should bring their camera along to get a picture with Santa to remember this day. All are welcome to attend.

Northminster Presbyterian Church

The Northminster Presbyterian Church, 104 W. Portage Trail Extension, invites community members to join the congregation for its Sunday morning worship services at 10:30 a.m., as the church celebrates the Advent season. During Advent, the Rev. Stephanie Crossland will center her worship themes around "Unwrapping the Christmas Gifts of God. The Sundays in Advent will include "The Christmas Gift of Affirmation," "The Christmas Gift of Acts of Service," and "The Christmas Gift of Affection."

The church invites community members to join the congregation for the church's Christmas Eve candlelight service on Dec. 24, at 7 p.m. The Rev. Stephanie Crossland will focus on "The Christmas Gift of Sharing in Gift-Giving."

The service will include Scripture readings from Isaiah, Luke and Titus, along with candlelight and special music in songs and bells from the adult and children's choirs. The worship service offering of Northminster Church on Christmas Eve is given to the church's Board of Deacons.

The Bell Choir will be performing a Holiday program for Cardinal Retirement Village, 171 Graham Road, on Dec. 14, at 7 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

The Northminster Book Club continues to meet each month. Their next meeting is on Dec. 21 at 1 p.m. Anyone who is interested is encouraged to come.

The Pioneer Club, the church's non-denominational youth club for ages 4 through seventh grade will continue to meet on Thursday evenings at 6 p.m. through Dec. 17. They will begin meeting again in the new year, on Jan. 28, 2010.

For further information, call the church office at 330-928-8885.

Pilgrim United Church of Christ

Calling all youth in grades 9 through 12: There's a new youth class beginning with new teachers and a new study. "No Easy Answers: Take Two Tablets" is a study about Christian moral decision making. All youth are invited to come and discover their own style of decision making and how God's word given to people through the Ten Commandments can help people in making Christian ethical decisions. The Youth Class will meet in the ATTIC (Attitudes Turning Truthful in Christ) at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays.

The Pilgrim Youth and Evangelism are sponsoring an all-church Christmas Caroling Event on Dec. 13. Contact the church office at 330-928-4847 for further details.

The church is located at 130 Broad Blvd.

First Congregational Church of Tallmadge

The church invites the public to enjoy a children's Christmas musical Dec. 20 at 11:30 a.m., followed by lunch. Those interested in attending are asked to call the church office at 330-633-4931.

On Dec. 24, the church offers two services. The first service is a family service offered at 5 p.m. This is a short enactment of the shepherd's story of Christmas, candlelight, and carols. The church also offers its service of Lessons and Carols at 11 p.m. which will include a harp and flute with traditional readings of the Christmas Story.

The church is located at 85 Heritage Drive.

Bailey Road Christian Church

Fall to Spring hours run through May: 9:30 a.m., Sunday School for all ages; 10:45 a.m., worship service; 7 p.m., Praise Service. Nursery care provided during these services for ages infant through 3 years of age.

First and third Tuesday: 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., Happy Hands, crafts and sewing.

Fourth Tuesday of each month: 7 p.m., Christian Women's Fellowship business/book study: "Behold Your God."

Wednesdays: 12:30 p.m., chair dancing, a seated exercise program; 6:30 p.m., hand chimes practice; 7:30 p.m., choir practice.

Thursdays: 7 p.m., Praise Team practice.

Bailey Road Christian Church is located at 3200 W. Bailey Road.

For more information, call 330-929-2527.

Broadman Baptist Church

Broadman Baptist Church "A church that makes a difference," is located at 350 E. Bath Road. For more information, call the church at 330-923-6127.

The worship schedule is as follows (Note: Child care available):

On Sundays, 9 a.m. - Prayer in sanctuary; 9:30 a.m. - Coffee and fellowship; 9:45 a.m. - Life Impact classes for all ages; and 11 a.m. - service.

On Wednesdays, from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Dinner available - menu varies - reasonably priced, 6:30 p.m. - Gather in Sanctuary, 7 - 8 p.m. - Studies - ages grouped.

The Kent Le Mar (Nat King Cole) Christmas Concert will take place Dec. 13 at 6:30 p.m.

Many of Nat King Cole's songs will be sung by this tribute singer.

Cookies with Santa and Caroling will take place Dec. 16 at 6:30 p.m. Participants will start off in the Fellowship Hall and make their way to Cardinal Village.

Dec. 19 is Secret Sister Reveal. TBD

On Dec. 20 is White Christmas at 6:30 p.m. Come and celebrate the peace and calmness of a candle lit worship.

There are no Wednesday classes or service Dec. 23. The Youth Christmas party is Dec. 30.