MUSIC
-Hixson United Methodist Church, 5301 Old Hixson Pike, presents the Chancel Choir’s Lessons & Carols With Brass, a Christmas cantata, at 7 p.m. Sunday. Free admission.
-St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church will offer Holy Eucharist with carols at St. Augustine’s Chapel at Alexian Village, 100 James Boulevard, Signal Mountain, at 11 a.m. Sunday.
CHRISTMAS MEALS
-Free Christmas dinner: Harvest Outreach Ministries in Dalton, Ga., will present its annual Christmas dinner to feed the homeless and less fortunate today. All are welcome to enjoy the food and gospel music by Debby Faye East, Shelia Reed, Craig Kirk Tyndall, Calvary’s Way and others. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. at the American Legion, 118 N. Glenwood Ave. in Dalton. 706-280-0883, rharvest87@gmail.com.
-Christmas Eve brunch: The Salvation Army will feed the homeless and others in the neighborhood at a 10 a.m. brunch Sunday in the ReCreate Cafe, 800 McCallie Ave. Christmas presents will be given to the homeless. Monetary donations are needed for lagging red kettle collections. Visit www.csarmy.org; call 1-800-SAL-ARMY; text “donation” to 91999; or mail to The Salvation Army, 822 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37403. The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in 1865. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from the agency each year.
-Community Christmas dinner and toy giveaway: Providence Ministries expects to feed between 3,000 and 6,000 people and give away 15,000 to 30,000 toys to children 12 and younger from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Christmas Day, at its headquarters at 711 S. Hamilton St. in Dalton, Ga. There is no charge, and all are welcome. Providence Ministries is a faith-based Christian nonprofit that operates shelter programs in Dalton and Calhoun, Ga.; addiction recovery programs in Georgia and Tennessee; a community kitchen in Dalton; and thrift stores in Georgia and Tennessee. For more information, call 706-529-5903.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
-Anglican Church of the Redeemer, 104 McBrien Road. Lessons, carols and Holy Communion, 5:30 p.m.
-Burks United Methodist Church, 6433 Hixson Pike. Candlelight Communion services, 5 and 11 p.m. 423-842-4219.
-East Ridge United Methodist Church, 1601 Prater Road. Candlelight worship service, 8 p.m.
-Faith Community Wesleyan Church, 7725 Shallowford Road. Candlelight service, 6 p.m.
-Grace United Methodist Church, 9833 Hixson Pike. Candlelight Communion services, 5 and 11 p.m.
-Middle Cross Baptist Church, 4009 Norcross Road. Communion service, 11 a.m. (no Sunday School or evening service).
-Northside Presbyterian Church, 923 Mississippi Ave. Candlelight Communion service with lessons and carols, 5 p.m.
-St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 630 Mississippi Ave., Signal Mountain. Family-friendly Christmas Eucharist with pageant and children’s choirs, 4 p.m.; Festival Holy Eucharist with adult choir and guest musicians, 7 p.m.; Festival Holy Eucharist with guest musicians (incense used), 10 p.m.
-Sale Creek United Methodist Church, 14909 Dayton Pike. Candlelight service, 5 p.m.
-Soddy United Methodist Church, 255 Depot St. Candlelight Communion service, 9 p.m.
-Wildwood United Methodist Church, 436 Old Birmingham Highway, Wildwood, Ga. Candlelight Communion Service, 6:30 p.m.
FUNDRAISERS
-Operation Christmas Child: This annual Samaritan’s Purse project ended Nov. 20, with more than 14,800 shoebox gifts collected locally for children in need. Families who still wish to be involved may pack a shoebox online (or present the opportunity as a gift card) at SamaritansPurse.org/occ. Shoeboxes are filled with school supplies, hygiene items and toys to share God’s love in a tangible way with children in impoverished countries.
-Lyerly cookbook: Lyerly United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 152, Lyerly, GA 30730, has published its third cookbook, “Feeding the Flock.” To order, send $10, plus $3 shipping and handling. Call JoAnn Mitchell, 706-895-2636, for information on buying from a church member or a Chattooga County business.
-Payne’s Chapel cookbook: Payne’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Lookout Mountain, Ga., has a new cookbook, “Payne’s Chapel Cooks,” a collection of recipes from members. Proceeds will go into the church building fund. Cost is $12, plus $4 shipping/handling if mailed. To order, email debroskyp@gmail.com or leave a message at 706-820-2095.
PROGRAMS, EVENTS
-Old Christmas celebration: Cleveland Storytelling Guild revives the traditions and folklore surrounding Old Christmas, which resulted when Pope Gregory reformed the Julian calendar in 1582, removing 11 days between Dec. 25 and Jan. 6, making Dec. 25 the “official” Christmas Day. The British Empire and American colonies adopted the new calendar in 1752, but many communities, especially in Appalachia, continued to celebrate what became known as Old Christmas, in addition to New Christmas. Songs, stories and simple treats will evoke the tradition at 6 p.m. Jan. 5 at the Museum Center at Five Points, 200 E. Inman St. Cleveland, Tenn. Admission is $5 (free for museum and guild members and children under 5). 423-479-7887, tellone@bellsouth.net.
-Forward: First Baptist Church, 401 Gateway Ave., will host an ecumenical group offering mutual support for those who have lost a spouse, no matter how recent or long ago. The first of four sessions starts Jan 6, meeting 1-4 p.m. in Room E213 in the Church Education Building. Attendees will share experiences and find ways to step “Forward” into the future. There is no charge, but call 423-265-2257 to register.
-Clubs for Kids: AWANA Clubs for children age 3 through 6th grade meet 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Hickory Valley Baptist Church, 2320 Hickory Valley Road. 423-892-1916.
-Recovery, a Christ-centered 12-step program for anyone struggling with addictive issues, compulsive behaviors, loss and life challenges, meets each Thursday at Ooltewah United Methodist Church, 6131 Relocation Way. Dinner at 5:30 p.m., worship at 6:15 p.m., open share groups at 7:30 p.m. Child care provided. 423-238-9216, oumclive.org/recovery.
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