MUSIC, DRAMA
-“The Greatest Story Ever Told”: Christmas musical presented by Sanctuary Choir, Praise Band and special guest Alicia Dennis at First Baptist Church, 306 Fifth St. in South Pittsburg, Tenn., 7 p.m. CST today and Sunday. 423-837-7455.
-“The Greatest Story Ever Told”: The choir of Hickory Valley Baptist Church, 2320 Hickory Valley Road, presents Christmas musical at 6 p.m. Sunday. Light refreshments. 423-892-1916.
-Christmasfest: Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church, 612 James Blvd., presents annual concert of vocal and instrumental music featuring Sanctuary Choir, Youth Choir, Westminster Singers and Orchestra, plus carol sing-alongs, 6:30-8 p.m. Sunday. Free admission. Child care provided. www.signalpres.org, 423-886-2190.
-“Home for Christmas”: Concert by Elisabeth Von Trapp, from the family whose story inspired “The Sound of Music,” 6 p.m. Sunday at Falling Water Baptist Church, 523 Roberts Mill Road in Hixson. 423-842-5924.
-“First Christmas: Home”: Fort Oglethorpe First Baptist Church, 2645 Old LaFayette Road, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., presents an original drama with music 6:30 today and 10:45 a.m. Sunday. Free admission. 706-866-0232, www.fbcfo.org.
-Candlelight Service: Roueche Chorale and Orchestra present Chattanooga Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Christ United Methodist Church, 8645 East Brainerd Road. Free admission. 423-855-2981, therouechechorale.org.
-Gospel concert: Janet Paschal, featured in Gaither Homecoming events, will be joined by Sheila Sloan, Kay Loftis and Jeff Mitchell for a free Christmas concert at 7 p.m. CST Dec. 16 at Jasper First Baptist Church, 108 W. Third St. in Jasper, Tenn. Seating is first-come, first-served; the theater can accommodate 325. billmccully@bbmemail.net.
-“Christ Was Born for This”: Christmas cantata, created by Dennis and Nan Allen and led by Minister of Music Lukas Littrell, at 10:45 a.m. Dec. 17 at White Oak Baptist Church, 301 Memorial Drive.
-“The Love of God at Christmas”: The choir of Lookout Baptist Church, 8645 Highway 193, presents Christmas musical during the 11 a.m. service Dec. 17.
-“The Christmas Story”: Music Ministry of Rivermont Presbyterian Church, 3319 Hixson Pike, presents Christmas cantata, featuring Chancel Choir, seasonal singers and guest musicians, at 11 a.m. Dec. 17. kimprpc@gmail.com.
-“A Christmas Celebration With Jesus”: The Mass Choir of Orchard Knob Missionary Baptist Church, 1734 E. Third St., presents Christmas concert at 3:45 p.m. Dec. 17. Free admission. 423-629-6115, www.orchardknob.org.
-“A Christmas Story”: The Chancel Choir of Burks United Methodist Church, 6433 Hixson Pike, presents Christmas cantata, written and arranged by Tom Fettke and Thomas Grassi, 5-6 p.m. Dec. 17. Free admission. 423-842-4219.
-Gospel singing: Dave Raby and Chris Van Alleman are guests for gospel singing at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 18 at White Oak United Methodist Church, 2232 Lyndon Ave. Refreshments at 5:30 p.m. 423-504-9283, 423-268-0837.
CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES
-Christmas at the Farm: Boynton United Methodist and Boynton Baptist churches host free holiday event 5:30-7:30 p.m. today at Willow Tree Farm, 607 Post Oak Road, Ringgold, Ga. Includes petting zoo, caroling, children’s activities, hot dogs and cookies. 706-866-2626.
-Teen “toy” drive: Collection barrels are set up through Sunday at five Morning Pointe Senior Living centers to accept gifts for teens to be distributed by The Samaritan Center. Suggestions: sports equipment, board games, wallets, fitness trackers, instant cameras, karaoke microphones, keyboards, manicure sets, drones, Bibles, puzzle and coloring books, coats and bikes with helmets. Locations: 7719 Shallowford Road (423-296-0097), 7620 Shallowford Road (423-551-4190), 5501 Old Hixson Pike (423-847-1370), 9650 Leyland Drive in Collegedale (423-396-6999) and 9300 Messinger Lane in Ooltewah (423-396-4700).
-Live Nativity: Burks United Methodist Church, 6433 Hixson Pike, presents drive-through live Nativity, complete with animals and narration, 6:30-8:30 p.m. today (Monday, if raining). 423-842-4219.
-Aglow Christmas brunch: Event, with $5 (or less) gift exchange, is 10 a.m. Dec. 16 at the home of president Genendal Fratantuono, 31 Woodlawn Drive. Reservations: 423-698-1764 or 423-697-9866.
-Dinner and a movie: Free family event includes a meal followed by screening of “The Nativity Story,” 5-8 p.m. Dec. 17. 706-858-0976.
FUNDRAISERS
-Christmas trees: The Ministry Center, 2929 Hamill Road in Hixson, is open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. today, final day of its TMC Trees for Hope missions campaign, benefiting children of Colombia and in Chattanooga. Trees range from $40 to $85. 423-877-5171, info@theministrycenter.org, facebook.com/TheMinistryCenter.
-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.
PROGRAMS, EVENTS
-Evangelist visits: Evangelist Steve Brock will be at Faith Life Center Church, 2401 Antioch Road in Dalton, Ga., today for services at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. 706-618-6248.
-Church anniversary: New Emmanual Missionary Baptist Church, 139 E. 25th St., celebrates 102nd anniversary in Sunday. Speaker at 11 a.m. is the Rev. James E. Calhoun. Speaker and guests for 3 p.m. service will be Pastor Kenneth Simpson Sr. and congregation of First Baptist Church of Bridgeport, Ala.
-Women’s luncheon: Scenic City Women’s Network’s December Marketplace Luncheon is Thursday at Mountain City Club, 729 Chestnut St. Networking at 11:30 a.m.; lunch noon-1 p.m. RSVP by noon Tuesday to reservations@scwn.org or 423-698-6262.
-Blue Christmas: Signal Mountain and Signal Crest United Methodist churches host service acknowledging holiday grief for anyone who has experienced loss, 5 p.m. Dec. 17 at Bachman Community Center, 2815 Anderson Pike.
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