Fallsnewspress.com - Worship News (Dec. 20)

First United Methodist Church

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

The church invites community members 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, the adult Chancel choir at 8 p.m. and the Epworth youth and youth alumni choir at 10. The church will have a 5 p.m. worship service Dec. 26 and one worship service Dec. 27.

On Dec. 28, youth in grades 7-12 are invited to an evening at Laser Quest. Those interested in going should meet at the church at 245 Portage Trail at 5:30 p.m. to travel via the church bus to Laser Quest. The bus will return to the church at 8 p.m. The cost is $14 to cover two games. A permission slip is a must and can be obtained through the church Web site, firstchurchcf.com.

United Presbyterian Church

The theme for the Dec. 20 service, the fourth Sunday in Advent, will be "The Promise of Love."

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. 20, the Junior High and Senior High Youth Groups will meet for their Christmas parties.

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

PrayerLab will meet Dec. 22, 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.

U.P.C. offers two Christmas Eve services. The contemporary New Creation Service will begin at 7 p.m. Dec. 24. The traditional service will begin at 11 p.m. Both services will feature Communion and the lighting of candles as "Silent Night, Holy Night" is sung.

The church office will be closed Christmas Day.

On Dec. 27, guest speaker Kristin Stroble will conduct the services that morning. Miss Stroble is a member of the congregation currently studying for ministry in the Presbyterian Church (USA) at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Ga.

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

Journey Covenant Church

The church serves a free, hot dinner (Christ Kitchen Dinner) to local residents on the last Wednesday of every month from 6 to 7 p.m. Christ Kitchen Dinners are open to the public.

The church is located at 2679 North Haven Blvd. at the corner of 17th Street. Worship services take place Sundays at 10:15 a.m. For more information, call 330-923-8021 or visit the church on the Web at www.journeycov.org.

Bethany United Church of Christ

On Dec. 24, Christmas Eve worship times at Bethany UCC are: 7:30 p.m. with the children's pageant "The Miraculous Christmas Wish Radio Show" and at 11 p.m. with a candlelight service with the Chancel and Contemporary choirs. All are welcome. The next Youth Fellowship Donato's Night is Dec. 30 from 5 to 8 p.m. Join the congregation for fun, food and fellowship (State Road). 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. The church is located at 1235 Broad Blvd.

St. John's Episcopal Church

The church's former priest, the Rev. John Elledge, had a heart attack and died Dec. 13. The Eucharist was dedicated to his memory.

Annual reports are due as soon as possible from all committees, Ministry or Guild chairs. All reports are requested by Dec. 20.

2010 Flower and Candle sign-up charts are now available downstairs in the undercroft.

Christian Formation classes meet Sundays at 9 a.m. The Wednesday morning Bible Study meets in the library at 9:30 a.m. on the first, third, fourth and fifth Wednesdays each month.

The children's Christmas Eve service is at 5 p.m., a carol sing is scheduled at 10:30 p.m. and the Eucharist Service will be at 11 p.m. The Christmas Day Eucharist Service will be at 9 a.m.

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

For more information, call Carol Weitzel.

The church is located at 2220 Second St.

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Akron, 989 N. Portage Path, Akron, will have a traditional Lutheran Liturgy candlelight service on Christmas Eve at 10:30 p.m., and traditional Lutheran Liturgy on Christmas Day at 10:30 a.m.

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.

Northminster Presbyterian Church

The church, located at 104 W. Portage Trail Extension, 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.

Traditionally, the worship service offering of Northminster Church on Christmas Eve is given to the church's Board of Deacons to support their work of caring and compassion in the local community throughout the year.

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

For further information, call 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.

Rehearsals have resumed for Bell Choir on Wednesday evenings at 8. All are welcome to attend. The Bell Choir meets for the first half of the season through December.

Beginner's Bible Study meets each Wednesday at 7 p.m. Contact the church office at 330-928-4847 on how to receive more information or for a book.

The church is located at 130 Broad Blvd.

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.

On the first Friday of the month at 10 a.m. is the Feed My Sheep program. Members of the church volunteer to serve lunch at Redeemer Methodist Church.

On the last Friday of the month at 10 a.m. is the Altercare program. Members of the church serve cookies, doughnuts, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate to the residents of Altercare.

On the second Saturday of the month at 8 a.m. is the Men's Christian Group meeting. All men are invited to join this new men's group.

Visit the church's Web site at www.baileyroadchristianchurch.org.

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.

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

No service Dec. 23. Youth Christmas party is Dec. 30.