CHRISTMAS EVENTS
* Bears of Hope: Chattanooga ministry Starting Point International is seeking donations for its Bears of Hope campaign to offer comfort to kids impacted by Hurricane Michael. Donations may be made through today on the ministry’s Facebook page to deliver teddy bears to students in four schools in the Panama City area. Cost of each teddy bear is $10.
* Ornaments and stories: Families are invited for ornament making and storytelling with Sarah Lord from 9:30-11 a.m. today at Second Presbyterian Church, 700 Pine St. Doughnuts will be served. Free admission. 423-266-2828.
* Christmas Village: New Hope Presbyterian Church, 7301 Shallowford Road, will host this vendors market featuring local crafters and small-business owners, including jewelry, books, Thirty-One Gifts, Pampered Chef, Vineyard Vines, sugar scrubs, essential oils and custom T-shirts, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. today. Proceeds from vendor rent benefit local missions.
* Holiday Market & Vendor Fair: The Youth Group of Red Bank United Methodist Church presents this annual event from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. today with 40-plus vendors in the church’s Christian Activity Center, 3800 Dayton Blvd. Funds go toward mission and outreach activities. 423-240-5342.
* Christmas concerts: First Presbyterian Church of Chattanooga’s Adult Choir, Bryan College’s Chamber Singers and the Tabernacle Praise Orchestra will present free Christmas concerts, “Alpha and Omega,” at 4 p.m. today and Sunday at First Presbyterian, 554 McCallie Ave. A nursery will be provided for children 3 and younger. For more information, call the church office at 423-267-1206 or music director Kelly Stultz at 423-648-7912.
* Christmas program: Fairview United Methodist Church, 3901 Hamill Road in Hixson, will present “God’s Gifts for the Season” at 6 p.m. Sunday. Refreshments will follow the program. fairviewumchixson.com.
* Moravian Love Feast: The 40th annual event, a ritual descended from the early centuries of Christianity, will be held Sunday at First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, 650 McCallie Ave., beginning with a performance by the University of Tennessee at Knoxville Trombone Choir at 5:30 p.m. The communal meal will follow at 6 p.m. The service ends with the lighting of candles representing the sacrifice of Christ for humanity and the flame of love. Information: http://firstchristian-chat.com, 423-267-4506.
* Christmas cantata: Northside Presbyterian Church, 923 Mississippi Ave., will present “Oratorio de Noel” at 11 a.m. Sunday. The Chancel Choir will be joined by guest musicians and vocalists for the performance.
* Choral festival: “Savior of the Nations Come,” a hymn festival by Michael Burkhardt, will be presented for the 37th annual Lutheran Advent Choral Festival by a mass choir from Good Shepherd, Cross of Christ and First Lutheran churches at 3 p.m. Sunday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 822 Belvoir Ave. A brass quartet and organ will provide accompaniment, and the audience will sing along. The program includes writings of theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer. A freewill offering will be collected. A reception will follow. 423-629-4661.
* Advent music: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 822 Belvoir Ave., East Ridge, will celebrate the Advent season with special music at Wednesday services in December. Services start at 6:30 p.m. Scheduled are the Chattanooga Girls Choir on Dec. 5, Jericho Brass on Dec. 12 and the children’s program “From Heaven Above” on Dec. 19. 423-629-4661.
* Citywide worship: Echelon, a group launched earlier this year by The Salvation Army of Greater Chattanooga for early to mid-career professionals, will host a citywide evening of worship 6-8 p.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church’s Rec Center, 535 McCallie Ave. “Welcome King Jesus” will feature contemporary songs led by the Brainerd Baptist house band and a devotion by Lt. James Harvin. Cost to attend the family-friendly event is a new pair of underwear to launch Echelon’s Drop Your Drawers campaign to provide underwear for the homeless. 423-756-1023.
* Holiday open house: Chapel Art Gallery at Second Presbyterian Church, 700 Pine St., has scheduled a holiday open house 5-7 p.m. Friday and extended the gallery’s hours during December (9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays). The gallery features locally created paintings, sculptures, photos, jewelry and handcrafted gifts and ornaments. A portion of proceeds support church missions. 423-667-1564.
* Music at St. Paul’s: Early music ensemble Hesperus will present “Exulta Filia: A Candlelight Concert” of Renaissance, Baroque and traditional music for the Christmas season from England, France, Spain, Italy and the Americas, at 7:30 p.m. Friday at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 305 S. Seventh St. Tickets range from $10 to $40. They are available in advance at www.stpaulschatt.org/concert-season or at the door.
* “A Christmas Gift of Worship”: Heartwise Ministries is at capacity for both of its upcoming free concerts, Dec. 7-8, to introduce its new Biblical Prescriptions for Life mobile app, designed to offer simple daily worship moments that lead to healing through a restorative relationship with God. Find out more about the app at www.heartwiseministries.org.
* Breakfast With Santa: Families are invited to a free breakfast and storytelling with Santa and Mrs. Claus 9:30-11 a.m. Dec. 8 at Grace United Methodist Church, 9833 Hixson Pike in Soddy-Daisy. Pancakes, bacon and sausage will be served. Bring your camera for photo-ops.
* RESCHEDULED: Christmas at the Farm: Boynton United Methodist Church and Boynton Baptist Church will host Christmas at the Farm at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at Willow Tree Farms, 607 Post Oak Road in Ringgold, Ga. The event includes Santa, hayrides, children’s activities, music, gospel message, petting zoo, fire pit and hot beverages and snacks. Admission is free, but donations of canned foods are requested for Christ Chapel Share and Care Mission and cleaning supplies for the Family Crisis Center. 706-866-2626, 952-1551, www.boyntonumc.org, www.boyntonbaptist.com.
* Live Nativity: The annual event, scheduled 6-8 p.m. Dec. 8 at Burks United Methodist Church, 6433 Hixson Pike, includes a CD or audio file for visitors to hear the story of Christ’s birth as they drive past scenes enacted with people and animals. Carolers will be posted at the beginning of the journey, and candy canes will be passed out at the end. 423-842-4219.
* Holly Jolly Market: Indoor market with 16 to 20 artisans selling holiday crafts and foods will be 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Dec. 8 and Dec. 15 at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 7514 Hixson Pike. Contact: stalbansmarket@gmail.com.
* “Messiah” sing-along: Chattanooga First Seventh-day Adventist Church, 7450 Standifer Gap Road, hosts a community sing-along of Handel’s “Messiah” choruses, 3 p.m. Dec. 9. Dr. Lonnie McCalister, former dean of the School of Music at Lee University, will lead the chorus, which has drawn nearly 500 singers its two previous years. Bring your own score; a limited number of chorus books will be on loan. Admission is free; an offering will be received. Refreshments will follow the program. Call 423-605-2468 for more information.
* Christmas concert: Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church, 316 N. Bragg Ave., presents “Rejoicing in the First and Second Advent of Christ,” at 5 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9. The concert features adult and youth choirs, instrumental ensemble, handbells and some selections as audience sing-alongs. A nursery is provided at the 5 p.m. concert. Free admission.
* ChristmasFest: Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church’s Music Ministry presents “Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery: ChristmasFest 2018,” featuring Sanctuary Choir, Youth Choir, Westminster Singers, soloists and orchestra, at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 9 in the sanctuary at 612 James Blvd. Free admission. Child care up to age 5 provided. www.signalpres.org, 423-886-2190.
* Christmas musical: The youth and children of Burks United Methodist Church, 6433 Hixson Pike, will present “Manger Mania” 6-7 p.m. Dec. 12. 423-842-4219.
* “Nativity” pageant: The Signal Mountain Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1160 Ridgeway Ave., will present its annual reenactment of the scriptural account of the birth of Jesus on Dec. 12-13. Performances will take place every 10 minutes between 6 and 8 p.m. Local church choirs will provide music each evening, and children’s activities and refreshments will be provided.
* Lessons and Carols: The Roueche Chorale and Orchestra will present the 20th annual Chattanooga Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols at 7 p.m. Dec. 13-14 at Ridgedale Baptist Church, 1831 Hickory Valley Road. Admission is free.
* Breakfast With Santa: Visitors may drop in for breakfast, games, crafts, photo booths and an interactive story of the first Christmas 9-11 a.m. Dec. 15 at Signal Crest United Methodist Church, 1005 Ridgeway Ave., Signal Mountain. Children are welcome to come in their PJs. Free, but reservations requested at www.signalcrestumc.org/145.127 or 423-886-2330.
* Christmas dinner: Kelly’s Ferry Community Church, 11612 Mullins Cove Road in Whitwell, Tennessee, will treat the community to a free Christmas dinner noon-3 p.m. EST Dec. 15. 423-800-2665.
* Christmas cantata: The Music Ministry of Rivermont Presbyterian Church, 3319 Hixson Pike, will present “Joy to the World” at 11 a.m. Dec. 16. The service of word and song will feature the Chancel Choir, seasonal singers and guest musicians. kimprpc@gmail.com.
* Christmas musical: The adult and children’s choirs of Hickory Valley Baptist Church, 2320 Hickory Valley Road, will present the musical “The Cradle, the Cross, the Crown” at 6 p.m. Dec. 16. A dessert reception will follow. Admission is free. 423-892-1916.
* Christmas musical: The Worship Choir of St. Elmo United Methodist Church, 4626 St. Elmo Ave., will present Joseph Martin’s “The Winter Rose” at 6 p.m. Dec. 16. 423-490-7039.
* Christmas cantata: Composer Joseph Martin’s “Appalachian Christmas” will be presented twice by the combined choirs of Burks United Methodist Church and Red Bank United Methodist Church: 5-6:30 p.m. Dec. 16, at Burks, 6433 Hixson Pike (423-842-4219), and 6-7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 at Red Bank, 3800 Dayton Blvd. (423-877-2881). Child care for ages 6 months to 4 years is available.
MUSIC
* Let’s Sing From Memory: Free social gatherings for those affected by Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, along with their caregivers, to sing old songs and hymns that may reconnect them to old memories, are 1-2:30 p.m. first and third Tuesdays at Northside Presbyterian Church, 923 Mississippi Ave. Free. For more information: 423-266-1766, http://northsidepresbyterian.org.
FUNDRAISERS
* Cold-weather shelter: The Salvation Army is seeking assistance with overnight shelters for the homeless when temperatures dip below freezing. Operating cost is about $300 per night, which is not included in the agency’s budget. Donations of coats, blankets and money are accepted at 822 McCallie Ave. Monetary donations also may be made online at www.csarmy.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Volunteers who can help staff the shelter should email Lauren.Russek@uss.salvationarmy.org or call 423-505-9747.
PROGRAMS, EVENTS
* Free food pantry: St. Thaddaeus’ Episcopal Church, 4300 Locksley Lane (off Murray Hills Drive in the Highway 58 area), has begun a free food pantry, open 2-4 p.m. every Saturday. Those in need should bring their voucher from the Chattanooga Area Food Bank to receive a bag of food. 423-892-2377.
* Moments To Share: Erlanger Health System’s Never Forgotten program will present the 24th annual Moments To Share candlelighting service at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, 214 E. Eighth St. Families who have suffered the loss of a baby before, during or after birth are invited to honor the memory of their baby. Poems, pictures and other precious memories are welcome for display. The service will be presented in English and Spanish. Call 423-778-5149 for more information.
* 2nd Wednesdays at Second: Members and guests gather 6-7:15 p.m. second Wednesdays (next is Dec. 12) at Second Presbyterian Church, 700 Pine St., for a community meal and short program combining fun and faith. Meal cost is $6 per person, which includes drink and dessert. Parking is free after 6 p.m. in the lot off West Seventh St. behind the church. Enter through the back door.
* SCWN luncheon: Scenic City Women’s Network’s monthly luncheon will start at noon Dec. 13 at the Mountain City Club, 729 Chestnut St., with networking at 11:30 a.m. For this Christmas luncheon, those attending are asked to bring a donation of paper towels, facial tissue or 33-gallon trash bags for Shepherd’s Arms Rescue Mission. Guest speaker is Melonie Lusk of Karine Joncas Medi-Cosmetics. Luncheon cost is $20. Reservations are due by noon Dec. 11 at http://scwn.org.
* Wreaths Across America: Donations and volunteers are sought to place a wreath on all 43,000 headstones at Chattanooga National Cemetery after a 20-minute ceremony in the pavilion at noon Dec. 15. To sponsor a wreath or volunteer, go to www.ChattanoogaWAA.com.
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