Christ Community U.M.Baked goods, such as cookies, brownies, pies and cakes, are needed for the Food Cupboard Holiday Reception and should be taken to the kitchen at Christ Community United Methodist Church, 205 N. Duffy Road, before 5 p.m. Friday. Members donating gift cards should return them to the church by Friday.Orders for Christmas poinsettias in honor or memory of loved ones are due Friday to the church office. The cost is $6.75 per potted plant.The Little Red Church will be on the altar during weekend worship services. Collections will support Meals on Wheels.Blood pressure screenings will be available following all weekend worship services.The Youth Group will leave the church at 12:30 p.m. Sunday for an afternoon outing at Ross Park Mall to shop for the Christmas Angel program. Parent drivers are needed for this event. The group will return by 5 p.m.The adult Christmas dinner will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Reservations are required and cost is $7.50 per person. A white elephant gift exchange will follow. Child care will be provided by the youth group for a donation,Members who have adopted a child for Christmas through Children and Youth Services should deliver their wrapped gifts to the church by Sunday.Come and Get It will celebrate Red and Green Night from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday.Peanut butter and jelly is being collected for the food pantry during December. The extra effort food collection of food pantry staples will continue throughout December.Those wishing to honor Sunday school teachers, friends, volunteers or others in church service are invited to provide gifts for the Giving Tree. Needed gift items include children's socks, hats, pajamas, underwear and toiletry items. "To and From" gift tags should be filled out and hung on the tree. The collected items are donated to Children and Youth Services.

Christ's OutreachA selection from "A Christmas Prayer" will be the music for the Sunday service at Christ's Outreach Church, 120 Walker Ave."The Joy of Christmas," a homecoming-style concert featuring The Tom Walker Family, Hearts to Heaven, Sweet Spirit and other performers will be presented at 7 p.m. Saturday at North Street Christian Church. Call 724-654-7096 for more information.

Community AllianceThe Glory of Christmas celebration will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 17 at Community Alliance Church, 800 Mercer Road, Center Township.

Community LifeCommunity Life Church, McQuistion Elementary School, is collecting paper products during December for the St. Vincent DePaul Food Cupboard.The youth group is collecting teddy bears and other stuffed animals to donate to children in the hospital.Awomen's Christmas party open house will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Geibel residence. Those attending should take a $5 to $10 wrapped gift to exchange.A missions service featuring missionaries Scott and Krista Fletcher will be held Dec. 17.The new LifeGroup Series, "This New Life," will begin Jan. 4 at the YWCA. Registration is now being accepted. Cost is $5.

Covenant LifeA live Nativity play that will be performed during the 10 Dec. 24 service at Covenant Life Church, 220 New Castle Street.

Covenant PresbyLinda Day, editor of the Catholic Biblical Quarterly, will lead the Seekers Class Sunday at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 230 E. Jefferson St. The class meets at 9:45 a.m. in the Assembly Room.The Christmas Reception and Gift Program for families who use the Covenant Cupboard will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday.The Pictorial Directories have arrived and are available in the Narthex and Assembly Room.The Covenant Cupboard Food Bank is requesting donations of noodles and tuna during December. Donation baskets are in the Jefferson Street hallway.

Faith U.P.The members of Faith United Presbyterian Church, 1329 N. Main St. Ext., will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the church fellowship room for the Christmas Program and Pot Luck Dinner.

First BaptistA women's Bible study, sponsored by First Baptist Church, 221 W. New Castle St., will be conducted at 7 p.m. today at the home of Judy Hemphill.Members of the Faith Sunday school class and their guests will take part in a progressive dinner beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday at the home of Ken and Lenna Calairi.Baptisms will take place during the 10:55 a.m. Sunday service.The church choir will perform a Christmas cantata at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Newhaven Court.

Glade Run U.P.Karen and Trace Bender will have a Minute for Missions at both Sunday services at Glade Run United Presbyterian Church, 1091 Pittsburgh Road, Valencia. The Christmas Joy offering also will be taken at both services.There will be no Youth Group meetings until the beginning of the new year.Christmas cookie baking will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the church kitchen. Volunteers are welcome.Poinsettia orders are due Sunday. Cost is $6 per plant. Poinsettias can be placed in honor of or in memory of loved ones. Plants can be picked up after the Christmas services or left to be given to a shut-in.A fellowship luncheon will follow the 11 a.m. Sunday service. Soup, sandwiches, dessert and drinks will be provided.

Grace @ Calvary LutheranA Catacombs Show will be held at 6 p.m. Friday at Grace @ Calvary Lutheran Church, 123 E. Diamond St.A Faith Shapers Christmas party will be held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. A Youth Group Appreciation Night will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 15.

Graceway CommunityBeth Yost and Heather Fencil will provide music for the 10 a.m. Sunday service at GraceWay Community Church, Center Township Elementary School, Mercer Road. GraceWay Youth Group member Tim West will provide a Christmas reading during the service. Patrick and Amy Parker will lead the congregation in the lighting of the third Advent candle and Karen Godot will lead a reading commemorating "Joy."GraceWay children are rehearsing Sunday mornings for musical presentation they will be performing on Christmas Eve. For information, call Pastor Dave West at 724-290-7007.Sunday is the deadline for ordering Poinsettias. To order flowers, fill out an order form or call 724-290-7007. The poinsettias will be used to decorate for the Christmas Eve service. Each flower is $6.GraceWay Youth will hold a Servants Day Saturday. They will be ringing the Salvation Army Christmas collection bells at Pittsburgh Mills mall. Participants will depart from the Target parking lot in Butler Township at 9 a.m.A youth family lunch with youth leaders is scheduled Sunday.The steering committee meeting has been switched to 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Panera Bread.

Hill U.P.Hill United Presbyterian Church, 501 Second St., will host its annual Christmas dinner at 6 p.m. Sunday. The dinner will feature music by the Instrumental Ensemble. Members with last names starting with A through M should take a casserole. Those with names beginning with N through Z should take a vegetable or salad.The Chancel Choir will perform its cantata at the Dec. 17 service.The Guitar Ensemble will perform at the 4 p.m. Christmas Eve service and Jesus' Birthday Celebration.

Mars U.P.Mars United Presbyterian Church, Crowe Ave., Mars, will celebrate the second Sunday of Advent with the lighting of the HOPE candle Sunday.

Meridian U.P.The children of Meridian United Presbyterian Church, 4150 Highland Ave., will sing during the 11 a.m. Sunday service.The deacons will host a family church Christmas dinner at 6 p.m. Sunday. Attendees should take a favorite Christmas dish.

Mt. Chestnut PresbyThe youth group will lead the Sunday service at Mount Chestnut Presbyterian Church, 727 Old West 422, Franklin Township. The second Sunday of Advent will be observed.The church will hold Prayer Ministry at 7 p.m. Tuesday.The cantata, "A Hometown Christmas Service" will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 15th and at 11 a.m. Dec. 17.

New Life Christian MinistriesThe middle school and senior high youth group of New Life Christian Ministries, Knoch Senior High School, 345 Knoch Road, Saxonburg, will go Christmas caroling Sunday. The group will meet at 1:30 p.m. at Outlook Pointe, Bella Court, Saxonburg. Caroling will continue until 3 p.m. Following the caroling time, they will visit members' homes for a progressive meal. For information, contact senior pastor Chris Marshall at 724-898-1940 or chris@newlifexn.org.The annual meeting of the elders and the corporation of New Life Christian Ministries will be held at 8 p.m. Wednesday, at The Bridge, 102 Bay St., Penn Township.Those interested in serving at the East Liberty Food Kitchen Dec. 16 should contact elders Rich McCarthy at 724-766-9047 or Dean Burtner at 724-352-5328.The Christmas Eve undesignated offering will be shared with the children at the RongKor School in Cambodia. This is a ministry sponsored by South East Asia Prayer Center.

North Main Street Church of GodThe Living Christmas Tree Choir and the Children's Sonshine Choir of North Main Street Church of God, 1201 N. Main St. Ext., will present "Christmas is Forever" at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. No tickets are required for the performance.

Old Union PresbyOld Union Presbyterian Church, 200 Union Church Road, Mars, will have a fellowship dinner after worship this week. Participants should take a dish to share.Donated gifts for residents of Mars Home for Youth are due next week to the church. Gift tags area available on the tree in the lobby.A volunteer is needed to remove aluminum siding from the Brush house. For information, see John Cashdollar.Dessert donations for Meals on Wheels are needed during December. Desserts feeding about 40 people are needed. Asign-up sheet is posted at the church. Desserts should be delivered to Glade Run Church, Route 8, Valencia, between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. For information, contact Linda Millson at 724-898-3191.The annual cookie sale will be held Dec. 16 to raise money for the building project. Trays of four dozen cookies will be sold for $14 each. Volunteers are needed to donate cookies and assemble trays. To pre-order cookies, call 724-538-4965 or 724-538-8672.

Saint Andrews U.P.The Children's Christmas Program "Angels Aware" will be held during worship Sunday at Saint Andrews, United Presbyterian Church, 201 E. Jefferson St.Members will meet at 6 p.m. Dec. 15 for caroling to shut-in church members. Drivers are needed. For information, see Lori Haughey.The Covenant Food Cupboard is requesting donations of canned veggies, yams, stuffing mix, pie filling, pie crusts, and gift certificates from local markets for perishable items only.The December Highlander newsletter is now available. To be added to the mailing list, call the church office.

St. John U.C.C.The "Very Important Christmas Pageant" produced by the children of the church will be presented at 6 p.m. Sunday at St. John's United Church of Christ, 501 E. Main

St., Evans City. A Cookies and Crafts get-together for families will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Dec. 16 in fellowship hall.A Christmas by Candlelight event for the women of the church will be held at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 17. For information on Christmas programs, call the church office at 724-538-8124.

St. Mark's Evangelical LutheranThe sanctuary of St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 201 W. Jefferson St., will be decorated for Christmas at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Volunteers are needed.The Christmas program will be presented at the 11 a.m. service Dec. 17. A live nativity will be held in the courtyard from 9 a.m. to noon. Areception will follow in the chapel.If you would like to become a part of the worship ministry or no longer want to participate in this ministry as a reader, communion assistant, nurse, usher, PA operator, hospital visitor, etc., please call the church office at 724-287-6741. Many assistants are needed for Saturday and Sunday worship services.

St. Peter's EpiscopalAt 6 p.m. Sunday, the church school of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 218 E. Jefferson St., will present "God's Angels," a Christmas pageant. A soup-and-sandwich meal will follow in Fellowship Hall.The ECW Christmas Luncheon will be held at noon Dec. 14 at the home of Nancy Zadernak. All women of the church are invited.

St. Richard R.C.The Prayer Group of St. Richard Roman Catholic Church, 3841 Dickey Road, Gibsonia, will sell cookies following all weekend Masses.The Life Teen group is sponsoring a "Morning with Santa" from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday.- There will be games, crafts, refreshments and the opportunity to have pictures taken with Santa.There will be a Baptism preparation class at 7:45 p.m. Tuesday for parents planning to have their children baptized.To celebrate the feast day of Saint Lucy, there will be a blessing of eyes at 11 a.m. Wednesday Mass at St. Barnabas Nursing Home.An Advent General Reconciliation will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 14. A number of priests will be available for private reconciliation following the general service.

Summit PresbyA congregational meeting will be held at 9:45 a.m. Sunday at Summit Presbyterian Church, 181 Caldwell Drive.A carpool will be held Sunday to view the movie "The Nativity Story." The carpool will leave the church at 4:15 p.m. Admission is $5.50.

Trinity LutheranHoly Communion will be observed at all weekend services at Trinity Lutheran Church, 120 Sunset Drive, Center Township. Services are at 6:30 p.m. Saturday and 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday.There will be a caroling mentor/confirmation student event on Sunday. Mentors and students are to sit together at the 11 a.m. service, enjoy lunch together in the fellowship hall after service, and then go Christmas caroling. A sign-up sheet is on the youth bulletin board.Donations of baked desserts for Meals on Wheels are due to the church by Monday. Items should be packaged for freezing.Sunday is the last day to order Christmas poinsettias. Cost is $5 per plant. Orders should be placed in the offering plate or left in the church office.Donations of Christmas dinner items are sought for the food cupboard during December. Donations should be placed in the shopping cart in the narthex.

Trinity PresbyTrinity Fellowship of Trinity Presbyterian Church, 107 Staley Ave., Butler Township, will hold a dinner meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Fellowship Hall. Debbe Picerno will provide musical entertainment. Reservations are due Sunday. Members should take boxes of cereal for the Covenant Food Cupboard.Items for Operation Reindeer are due to the church Friday.December food items for the Covenant Food Cupboard are spaghetti or spaghetti sauce. Other non-perishable donations are welcome.

Valencia PresbyBlood pressure screenings will be held after the Sunday service at Valencia Presbyterian Church, 80 Sterrett Street, Valencia.A community Christmas dinner will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday in fellowship hall. Entertainment will be provided by the Bakerstown Praise Band and a play will be performed by the VPC children and youth. The dinner is free. Those attending should call 724-625-2002.

Zion LutheranSunday school students will present their Christmas program Sunday at Zion Lutheran Church, 266 Zion Church Road, Concord Township. This year's program is "The Life of Christ." The program and service will begin at 9 a.m. A Christmas fellowship brunch will follow the service.

Zion UMCThere are still a few angels left on the Angel Tree at Zion United Methodist Church, 438 Bear Creek Road, Sarver. Those unable to shop can make a monetary donation to the Hope Center. Gifts are due Sunday.Paper products and stocking stuffers are being collected for the Cabot Food Bank and are due Sunday.Church members will meet at 2 p.m. Sunday to go caroling at the Lund and Oertle Care Centers at Concordia. Pizza and cookies will be served at the church after caroling.The Gathering Place will feature Zion's musicians performing their favorite Christmas songs at 7 p.m. Saturday. Food, coffee and soft drinks will be served.The flower calendar for 2007 has been posted with directions for use.