BUTLER CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE

Dress rehearsal for the Christmas musical will be held at noon Saturday at Butler Church of the Nazarene, 4410 Oakdale Road and Route 68.

The musical "Just Believe" will be performed during the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service. Children and teens should meet at the church by 9:30 a.m. for costuming and warm-up. Adult performers should arrive by 10 a.m. Additional music for the service will be provided by Chrisann Green.

There will be no Sunday school classes, children's church or junior Bible quizzing this Sunday.

The women's Christmas lunch and prayer pal revealing has been rescheduled to Jan. 16.

CHRIST COMMUNITY U.M.

The fourth week of Advent will be observed at Christ Community United Methodist Church, 205 N. Duffy Road, with services at 6:30 p.m. Saturday and 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday.

The young adults of the congregation are invited to attend a breakfast at 9:45 a.m. Sunday during the Sunday school hour. They will leave from the church.

The youth group Christmas party will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday. Youth should bring a wrapped gift item they currently have at home for exchange. Friends are invited to attend. Snacks will be served.

Care package items are being collected for soldiers in Afghanistan. A list of need articles is available in the bulletin or by contacting ArIene Sutton. Donations should be placed in the collection box in the narthex.

CHRIST'S OUTREACH

The Caravan badge ceremony and cookie reception will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Dec. 21 at Christ Outreach Church, 120 Walker Ave. The ceremony is open to parents, relatives and friends of Caravan students.

The praise team, Innerchange band and the Christ's Outreach Church choir and orchestra will present "Shine on Us," a Christmas presentation, at 7 p.m. Saturday and 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Don Hixon will direct the performance.

Bill and Deb Smith will light the advent candle at the 7 p.m. Saturday service.

COVENANT PRESBY

David Hahn, baritone soloist, (accompanied by Jessica Sanzotti) and Nicole Turley McAllister, harpist, will present a Festive Christmas Concert at 3 p.m. Saturday in the sanctuary of Covenant Presbyterian Church, 230 E. Jefferson St.

Beverly Antis will be the guest organist for the 11 a.m. Sunday service. The children of the church will present a Christmas program for family and friends during the 11 a.m. service.

A Special Fellowship Hour, hosted by the Fellowship and Outreach Committee, will be held after the Sunday service. At 1 p.m. church members and friends will participate in Christmas caroling.

Kung-Yup Na, professor of religion at Westminster College, will conclude his three-part series for the Seekers Class on Sunday. The class meets at 9:45 a.m. in the Assembly Room.

FAITH FELLOWSHIP

The youth group of Faith Fellowship Alliance Church, 200 Faithway-Fared Drive, will present the play "The Gate at the Inn" at 6 p.m. Sunday. Refreshments will be available after the performance.

FIRST BAPTIST

Orchestral and choral groups from First Baptist Church, 221 W. New Castle St., will perform from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the J.C. Penney Court at Clearview Mall.

The adult choir will repeat the Christmas cantata during the 11:55 a.m. Sunday service, broadcast on radio station WISR.

The church will conduct a Christmas service from 2 to 3 p.m. Monday at Sunnyview Nursing Home.

FIRST U.M.

Scott Neff will be the guest musician during the God's Country Service at 7 p.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church, 200 E. North St.

The youth ensemble will perform during the 8:20 and 10:50 a.m. Sunday services.

Red Sunday will be observed this Sunday. Members in attendance are asked to wear red in celebration of Christmas.

Reservations are now being accepted for the church's Christmas Day dinner to be held from noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 25. For reservations, call 724-287-3889 or 724-283-2086.

FIRST ENGLISH LUTHERAN

The junior youth group of First English Lutheran Church, 241 N. Main St., will meet at 6 p.m. today at the church.

The fourth Sunday in Advent and Holy Communion will be observed at the 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday services.

GLADE RUN U.P.

The Christmas Joy offering will be received at both Sunday services at Glade Run United Presbyterian Church, 1091 Pittsburgh Road, Valencia.

There will be a meeting at 1 p.m. Saturday for referees of the Upward Basketball program.

The Men's Fellowship breakfast will be held at 7 a.m. Saturday at King's Restaurant in Gibsonia.

The Preschool Place will hold its Christmas pageant at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday.

GRACE @ CALVARY LUTHERAN

The older youth group of Grace @ Calvary Lutheran Church, 123 E. Diamond St., will meet from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the church to bake pies. Whole pies and individual slices will be sold after the Sunday service.

HILL U.P.

The Christmas cantata "Emmanuel! God with Us!" will be performed at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service at Hill United Presbyterian Church, 501 Second St., Butler.

The Christmas dinner will begin at 6 p.m. Sunday. The children's Christmas musical and carol sing will follow at 7 p.m. An offering will be accepted to support the children's ministry in the church.

Dress rehearsal for the children's musical will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday. Instrumental ensemble will follow at 12:30 p.m. and Cantata rehearsal at 3:30 p.m.

Musical practice for Christmas Eve will begin at 7 p.m. Dec. 22. Guitar ensemble will practice at 6:30 p.m.

Sunday school classes will not be held on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Classes for children and adults will resume at 9:15 a.m. Jan. 8.

MERIDIAN U.P.

The children of Meridian United Presbyterian Church, 4150 Highland Ave. will sing during the 11 a.m. Sunday service.

At 6 p.m. Sunday, the deacons will host a family church Christmas dinner. Participants should take their favorite Christmas dish.

Monday is the deadline for articles for the "Light of Meridian."

MT. CHESTNUT PRESBY

Members of the congregation of Mt. Chestnut Presbyterian Church, 727 Old West 422, Franklin Township, will share "Gifts of the Heart," by performing gifts and talents at the 8:45 and 11 a.m. Sunday services. Food and fellowship will follow each service in Fellowship Hall.

The food cupboard will be open at 7 p.m. Monday. This will be the last day for the food cupboard before Christmas. For information, call the church office.

NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES

The children's Christmas Eve choir of New Life Christian Ministries, Knoch School Auditorium, 345 Knoch Road, Saxonburg, will rehearse following the Sunday service. For details, contact Kathy Dickson at 724-255-1241 or Amy Brown, 724-898-3566.

Persons interested in serving on the East Liberty Food Kitchen team are asked to meet at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at The Bridge, 102 Bay St., Penn Township. For details, contact Rich McCarthy at 724-766-9047.

The middle school and senior high youth will hold a progressive dinner and Christmas party on Sunday. Both groups will meet for appetizers at 5 p.m. at the home of Mark and Wendy Kovach, 189 Love Road, Valencia. Parents are asked to pick up youths at 9 p.m. at the home of Jim and Amy Brown, 447 Overbrook Road, Valencia. For information, contact the Rev. Tim Fulkerson at 724-586-1111 or tim©newlifexn.org

A free showing of the movie "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday at the South Pike Cinema, Sarver. Complete details are available at www.NewLifeXn.org or by contacting the Rev. Fulkerson.

NIXON U.M.

The choir of Nixon United Methodist Church, Airport Road, Penn Township, will present the cantata "The Gift Goes On," during the 11 a.m. Sunday service. The performance will feature the children's band and solos.

Sunday school participants will present a program at 7 p.m. Sunday. The event is open to the public.

NORTH MAIN ST. CHURCH OF GOD

The Christ birthday offering will be received during the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service at North Main Street Church of God, 1201 N. Main St. Ext. The offering will support the Church of God World Ministries.

The fourth Sunday of Advent will be observed during the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service. Jason and Melissa Mangel will light the Advent Candle. New faces will also be welcomed during the service.

In observation of the Christmas season, there will be no regularly scheduled activities on Wednesday.

OLD UNION PRESBY

A meeting for those interested in planning a church soup sale for January will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Old Union Presbyterian Church, 200 Union Church Road, Mars.

A prayer offering will be held this week. Use the bulletin insert to make a request and place it in the basket before worship or during the offering next week.

The choir will present its cantata, "The Gift Goes On," during worship this week.

The Church Growth Team will meet after worship this week.

The church is providing desserts for Meals on Wheels this month. To help, sign up in the back of the church.

"Church Buddies" are children and adults who are paired up for the year to develop friendships. A new list of buddies is posted in the back of the church.

Old Union, Crestview and Westminster Churches will offer the service "The Longest Night" at 7 p.m. Dec. 25 at Westminster Church in Evans City.

RIDER LUTHERAN

Dress rehearsal for the children's Christmas play at Rider Lutheran Church, 189 Rider Church Road, West Sunbury, will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday. A cast pizza party will follow from 4 to 5 p.m. Christmas caroling for youth will be held at 5:15 p.m.

The children's Christmas play will be performed during the 10 a.m. Sunday service.

PARK U.P.

The children of Park United Presbyterian Church, 115 E. Grandview Ave., Zelienople, will participate in the Sunday service. Harp music will be provided by Nicole Turley McAllister.

Regular services will be held at 9 and 11 a.m. Dec. 25.

ST. PETER'S EPISCOPAL

The Hanging of the Greens will take place after the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 218 E. Jefferson St.

The deadline for January newsletter information is Monday.

A healing service with Holy Eucharist will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

The Order of St. Luke will meet at 8 p.m. Wednesday.

ST. JOHN U.C.C.

New Consistory members will be installed during the 11 a.m. Sunday service at St. John's United Church of Christ, 501 E. Main St., Evans City.

The Praise Team will lead the 8:35 Alive morning service in Fellowship Hall.

SPRINGDALE LUTHERAN

A fellowship time with coffee, tea and refreshments will be held after the 9 a.m. Sunday service at Springdale Lutheran Church, 1061 Mahood Road, Concord Township.

TRINITY LUTHERAN

The Lord's Supper will be shared at the 6:30 p.m. Saturday and 8:30 a.m. Sunday services at Trinity Lutheran Church, 120 Sunset Dr., Center Township.

The children of the church will present their Christmas program at 9:40 a.m. Sunday.

The Youth Ministry will present "Journey to Bethlehem" from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday in the church. Refreshments will follow in Fellowship Hall. Admission is free.

Volunteers for Katies Kitchen will be selling quarts of soup from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday in the Fellowship Hall of St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church.

The final Advent soup and salad meal will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday. The Holden Evening Prayer will follow.

Items suitable for Christmas dinner are being gathered for the food cupboard this month.

TRINITY PRESBY

The children's choir will perform at the 11 a.m. Sunday service at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 107 Staley Ave. The Coventri Choir will present the Christmas Cantata "The Gift Goes On."

Volunteers from the church will serve from 9 a.m. to noon Monday at the Covenant Food Cupboard.

WEST SUNBURY U.P.

The children of West Sunbury United Presbyterian Church, 215 East Church St., West Sunbury, will gather for a Christmas Celebration at 9:30 a.m. Sunday in the social hall. Games and refreshments will be available. Adults are invited to attend.

The fourth Advent candle will be lit and the Chancel Choir will perform a Christmas cantata during the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service.

The Moniteau Food Pantry is in need of crackers, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo and plastic grocery bags. Donations can be placed in the narthex.

The Ladies' Aide Circle will host a Christmas tea from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday in the social hall. Participants should take a salad or dessert to share and a donation of shampoo, toothpaste or toothbrushes for the food pantry. Participants are also asked to take glue guns if possible for a Christmas craft.

Monetary donations are needed to purchase fruit for food pantry recipients during the Christmas season. Checks can be made payable to the Moniteau Food Pantry. A collection jar is located in the narthex. Donations sent directly to the food pantry will benefit pantry operations, not the fruit purchase.

A Christmas joy offering will be received during services on Sunday and Dec. 25. Proceeds will be given to the eight racial and ethnic schools and colleges in covenant with the Presbyterian Church and to the Board of Pensions.

WHITE OAK SPRINGS PRESBY

The choir of White Oak Springs Presbyterian Church, 102 Shannon Road, Renfrew, will present the Christmas cantata "Birthday of the King" at the 9:45 a.m. Sunday service. Members of the senior high and primary Sunday school classes will also perform, using the new hand chimes. A Christmas joy offering will be received.

ZION LUTHERAN

The youth of Zion Lutheran Church, 266 Zion Church Road, Chicora, will present a Christmas play during the 11 a.m. Sunday service

Participants should take a dish to share for a Christmas dinner following the service. Meat, rolls, beverages and place settings will be provided.