NOTICE
Is your church planning a Christmas Eve service? Send the details to life@timesfreepress.com for inclusion in next Saturday’s Faith Briefs.
MUSIC
-Gospel concert: Janet Paschal, a featured singer in Gaither Homecoming events, will be joined by performers including Sheila Sloan, Kay Loftis and Jeff Mitchell for a free Christmas concert at 7 p.m. CST today at Jasper First Baptist Church, 108 W. Third St. in Jasper, Tenn. They’ll sing traditional Christmas favorites and several songs written by Paschal. 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, will be presented at 10:45 a.m. Sunday at White Oak Baptist Church, 301 Memorial Drive.
-“The Love of God at Christmas”: The choir of Lookout Baptist Church, 8645 Highway 193, in the High Point community of Walker County, will present its Christmas musical during the 11 a.m. service Sunday.
-“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. Sunday. kimprpc@gmail.com.
-Christmas concert: James Rogers, the local entertainer who spent much of his career performing at Dollywood and headlining at Music Mansion in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., will present a concert of Christmas music at Cleveland Cowboy Church, 3040 Blythe Road, Cleveland, Tenn., at 11 a.m. Sunday. www.clevelandcowboychurch.com.
-“A Christmas Celebration With Jesus”: The Mass Choir of Orchard Knob Missionary Baptist Church, 1734 E. Third St., will present this Christmas concert at 3:45 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. 423-629-6115, www.orchardknob.org.
-“A Christmas Story”: The Chancel Choir of Burks United Methodist Church, 6433 Hixson Pike, will present this Christmas cantata, written and arranged by Tom Fettke and Thomas Grassi, 5-6 p.m. Sunday. Free admission. 423-842-4219.
-Gospel singing: Dave Raby and Chris Van Alleman are guests for a gospel singing sponsored by Lane Funeral Home at 6:30 p.m. Monday at White Oak United Methodist Church, 2232 Lyndon Ave. Refreshments are served at 5:30 p.m. 423-504-9283, 423-268-0837.
CHRISTMAS MEALS
-Aglow Christmas brunch: Event, with $5 (or less) gift exchange, is 10 a.m. today at the home of president Genendal Fratantuono, 31 Woodlawn Drive. 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. Sunday. 706-858-0976.
-Free Christmas dinner: Harvest Outreach Ministries in Dalton, Ga., will present its annual Christmas dinner to feed the homeless and less fortunate on Dec. 23. 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. Dec. 23 at the American Legion, 118 N. Glenwood Ave. in Dalton. For more information, call 706-280-0883 or email rharvest87@gmail.com.
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
-Blue Christmas: Signal Mountain and Signal Crest United Methodist churches will host a Blue Christmas service for anyone who has experienced loss at 5 p.m. Sunday at Bachman Community Center, 2815 Anderson Pike, Signal Mountain. The service is designed to acknowledge the grief and help participants move toward hope.
-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 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.
-Grief support: 5 p.m. every first Tuesday at Fort Oglethorpe United Methodist Church, 1733 Battlefield Parkway, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. Presented by PruittHealth Hospice. Free. For more information, call 706-602-9546.
-Not Alone, a support group for family and friends of a loved one who is incarcerated, meets at 11 a.m. the fourth Saturday of each month at LaFayette Presbyterian Church, 107 N. Main St., LaFayette, Ga. Refreshments and child care are provided.
To be included in Faith Briefs, send information to life@timesfreepress.com. Listings must be sent by Wednesday morning each week.