CHRISTMAS EVENTS
» Breakfast With Santa: Families are invited to a free breakfast and storytelling with Santa and Mrs. Claus 9:30-11 a.m. Saturday at Grace United Methodist Church, 9833 Hixson Pike in Soddy-Daisy. Pancakes, bacon and sausage will be served. Bring your camera for photo-ops.
» Christmas at the Farm: Boynton United Methodist Church and Boynton Baptist Church have postponed Christmas at the Farm, originally scheduled Saturday, to 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 welcome for Christ Chapel Share and Care Mission and cleaning supplies for Family Crisis Center. 706-866-2626, 952-1551, www.boyntonumc.org, www.boyntonbaptist.com.
» Live Nativity: The annual event, scheduled 6-8 p.m. Saturday 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. Saturday 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 community sing-along of Handel’s “Messiah” choruses, 3 p.m. Sunday. 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. The event includes a chamber orchestra and professional soloists, including Cynthia Johnson (soprano), Julie Becker (mezzo-soprano), Andrea Dismukes (contralto), James Frost (tenor) and Tony Deaton (bass). Admission is free; an offering will be received. Refreshments will follow the program. 423-605-2468.
» 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. Sunday. The concert features adult and youth choirs, instrumental ensemble, handbells and some selections as audience sing-alongs. Preconcert music of organ, brass and bells begins 15 minutes before performances. 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. Sunday 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. Wednesday. 423-842-4219.
» 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 Jericho Brass on Dec. 12 and the children’s program “From Heaven Above” on Dec. 19. 423-629-4661.
» “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 Wednesday and Thursday. Performances will take place every 10 minutes between 6 and 8 p.m. Local church choirs will provide music each evening. Children’s activities and refreshments will be provided.
» Community Christmas Concert: Thursday Music Study Club and Etowah Area Chamber of Commerce present 14th annual performance featuring Etowah Town Band, Central Harmony Chorus and Keyboards at Christmas at 7 p.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church, 824 Washington Ave., Etowah, Tennessee. Free admission, but bring a nonperishable food item for the Etowah Cooperative Food Pantry.
» A Ceremony of Carols: Choral Arts of Chattanooga sings carols from classic and current composers 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Second Presbyterian Church, 700 Pine St. Reception will follow. $15 general admission, $10 students, free for ages 11 and younger. http://choralartsofchattanooga.org.
» Chloe’s Christmas: Award-winning singer Chloe Agnew, a founding member of Celtic Woman, is joined by guest Irish tenor Dermot Kiernan for a holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Red Bank Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 115 Morrison Springs Road. Tickets are $25-$45 (for military discount, use code Military18). Purchase on Ticketleap or www.chloeagnewofficial.com
» Lessons and Carols: The Roueche Chorale and Orchestra will present the 20th annual Chattanooga Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Ridgedale Baptist Church, 1831 Hickory Valley Road. Admission is free.
» Live Nativity: Soddy-Daisy First Presbyterian Church, 10622 Dayton Pike, will present a live Nativity 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday and Dec. 15.
» Breakfast With Santa: Signal Crest United Methodist Church, 1005 Ridgeway Ave., Signal Mountain, will host Breakfast With Santa 9-11 a.m. Dec. 15. Visitors may drop in for breakfast, games, crafts, photo booths and an interactive story of the first Christmas. 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. Contact: Kim Pringle, director of music, 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. This is the program the choir performed with 26 other ensembles at New York’s Carnegie Hall in November. 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.
PROGRAMS, EVENTS
» Entry Sunday service: Stanley United Methodist Church, 501 Dodson Ave., will present an Entry Sunday worship service at 11 a.m. Sunday with the theme “For Such a Time as This: Facing Challenging Times With Courage, Faith and Prayer.” Lunch will follow.
» 2nd Wednesdays at Second: Members and guests gather 6-7:15 p.m. second Wednesdays at Second Presbyterian Church, 700 Pine St., for a community meal and short program combining fun and faith (next is Dec. 12). Meal cost is $6 per person, which includes drink and dessert. Parking is free after 6 p.m. in the lot off West Seventh Street behind the church. Enter through the back door.
» SCWN luncheon: Reservations are due by noon Tuesday for the Scenic City Women’s Network’s monthly luncheon, set for noon Thursday 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. RSVP at http://scwn.org.
» Veterans memorial: Donations and volunteers are sought to place a wreath on all 43,000 headstones at Chattanooga National Cemetery. A 20-minute ceremony will be held at the pavilion on Dec. 15.
» 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.
» Women’s Bible study: “The Shepherd With Me,” a study of Psalm 23 prepared by Jennifer Rothschild, is held 6:30-7:30 Wednesday nights at Hickory Valley Baptist Church, 2320 Hickory Valley Road. 423-892-1916.
» Habitat homeowners: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area, a faith-based nonprofit that builds homes for those in need, is accepting applications from families and individuals interested in becoming Habitat homeowners. To obtain a prequalifying questionnaire, visit www.habichatt.org. or call 423-756-0507.
» Community Clothes Closet: Open 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesdays at 1015 Laura St. across from Dodson Avenue Health Center. Free clothes and small household goods available; donations appreciated. Contact: R. Ludy at 423-933-6314.
» Kidz on the Rock: Groups for kids in kindergarten through sixth grade meet at 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sundays as well as 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays at White Oak Baptist Church, 301 Memorial Drive in Red Bank.
» AWANA Clubs: Groups for children age 3 through sixth grade meet 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Hickory Valley Baptist Church, 2320 Hickory Valley Road. 423-892-1916.
» Exercise class: Northside Presbyterian Church, 923 Mississippi Ave., offers an exercise class focusing on strength, energy and balance 10:30-11:30 a.m. each Tuesday and Thursday. Open to all ages and skill levels. $5 per class. 423-266-1766.
» 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.
» Brainerd Celebrate Recovery, a 12-step Christ-centered recovery ministry that focuses on healing hurts, habits and addictions, meets every Thursday at Brainerd Baptist Church’s East Ridge campus, 1203 Blocker Lane. Dinner at 5:45 p.m., large group at 6:45 and small/open share groups following. Child care provided. 423-313-8888, brainerdbaptist.org/celebrate-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, Georgia. Refreshments and child care are provided.
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