BUTLER CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE

Dee Boland and Chrisann Green will provide music for the Sunday service at Butler Church of the Nazarene, 4410 Oakdale Road and Route 68, Butler Township.

The Rev. Barry Mohney of Butler will be the guest speaker for the 10:45 a.m. Sunday service.

The Senior Adult Ministry will take a trip Tuesday to Hermitage Tuesday to visit Kraynak's craft store and Daffin's Candy. The group will leave the church at 10 a.m. Cost is $5 for each person. Participants should take a lunch and spending money. For reservations, contact Darlene Johns.

There will be no Caravan Kids Club meeting today. The club will resume regular meetings at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 30.

Music practice for all children will be held at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 30.

CHRIST COMMUNITY U.M.

The first Sunday of Advent will be observed at the 6:30 p.m. Saturday and 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday services of Christ Community United Methodist Church, 205 N. Duffy Road, Butler. An offering will be received in observance of United Methodist Student Day.

A fellowship breakfast will be held at 9:45 a.m. Sunday. Christmas ornaments will be made and hallways and bulletin boards decorated.

Gift cards of $10 are being accepted for families in need. Donations are due to the adult Sunday school classes by Dec. 4.

Donations of new gift items are being collected for a Holiday Shoppe for victims of Hurricane Rita.

The Chancel Choir is seeking members to participate in the Christmas Cantata on Dec. 24. Practices are held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

Tryouts for the production of "Rest in Peace" will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 1.

Church members are needed for the Adopt a Child for Christmas program through the Butler County Children and Youth Agency. For information, contact Lill Griffith.

CHRIST'S OUTREACH

The Rev. Steve Dillaman, Pittsburgh District Superintendent, will conduct installation services at 7 p.m. Saturday and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Christ's Outreach Church, 120 Walker Ave. The Palmers will be installed during the services. A coffee and cookie fellowship will follow the Saturday service, and a potluck dinner will follow the Sunday service.

The first Sunday of Advent will be celebrated at the 7 p.m. Saturday and 10:30 a.m. Sunday services. Mike and Michelle Menees will light the first Advent candle on Saturday evening and Paul and Helen Riemer will light the Advent candle on Sunday.

COVENANT PRESBY

Mary Ann Zeigler will be the guest organist for the 11 a.m. Sunday service at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 230 E. Jefferson St.

The Seekers Class will meet at 9:45 a.m. Sunday in the Assembly Room for a discussion of the presentations made by guest speakers throughout the year.

Members and friends of the church are asked to purchase $10 gift certificates to local stores for the Christmas Gifts and Dinner program on Dec. 10. The donations will be given to families that use the Covenant Cupboard Food Bank.

The food bank is requesting donations of peanut butter and jelly through the end of November. Donations can be placed in the East Jefferson Street Entrance.

FAITH FELLOWSHIP

The Single Ladies group of Faith Fellowship Alliance Church, 200 Faithway-Fared Drive, will gather for a holiday meal at 6 p.m. Dec. 10. The event will include a performance by Sing Hosanna! To attend, call 724-283-5092 by Friday. A tureen dinner will also be held on Dec. 8. Reservations are due by Dec. 4.

A Ladies Christmas Tea will be held at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2. Participants should take a dish to share. Friends of members are welcome. Cheryl Sears, pastor's wife from East Brady Alliance Church, will be the speaker. Reservations are requested.

A Christmas party will be held for the 50 Plus group on Dec. 16. The meal will be catered by Jen Seybert. Cost is $5 per person. Dan Schall will perform. Participants should take a $10 grab bag. For tickets, see Joy Kummer by Sunday.

The fall kickoff of the annual turkey bowl flag football game will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the East Butler Baseball Field. The event is open to men age 16 and older.

FAITH UP

Deacons and friends of Faith United Presbyterian Church, 1329 N. Main St. Ext., Center Township, will gather to decorate the church at 2 p.m. Saturday.

FIRST U.M.

In observance of Thanksgiving, the office at First United Methodist Church, 200 E. North St., will be closed Thursday and Friday.

Rehearsal for the Christmas musical will be held from 12:15 to 2 p.m. Sunday and from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in Epworth Center.

FIRST ENGLISH LUTHERAN

Members of First English Lutheran Church, North Main Street, are invited to attend a performance of The New Castle Music Club Chorus at 3 p.m. Sunday at St. James the Apostle Roman Catholic Parish in New Bedford.

The event will include a performance of Handel's Messiah.

GLADE RUN U.P.

In observance of the first Sunday of Advent, communion will be celebrated at both Sunday services at Glade Run United Presbyterian Church, 1091 Pittsburgh Road, Valencia.

The church offices will be closed Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday.

There will be no youth group on Sunday.

Church members who did not have their picture taken for the church directory should see Donna Heindl between services on Sunday.

The Boy Scouts/Cub Scouts are sponsoring a Toys for Tots program for needy children in Butler County. Unwrapped toys can be brought to the church at 7 p.m. Dec. 13. Canned items for the food bank also will be collected that night.

Donations of new socks are being collected for patrons of the soup kitchen. Donations can be placed in the designated basket in Heritage Hall. All donations must be received by Dec. 4.

GRACE @ CALVARY LUTHERAN

An Advent dinner will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday in the social room at Grace @ Calvary Lutheran Church, 123 E. Diamond St. Those attending should take a covered dish to share, their own table service and items to be mailed to servicemen. Harpist Nicole Turley McAllister, who has studied for 10 years under two harpists from the Pittsburgh Symphony, will provide entertainment.

Advent midweek services will begin at 7 p.m. Nov. 30 at the church. Services will continue at 7 p.m. each Wednesday through Dec. 21. The theme for the services will be "Advent Through the Prophet's Eyes."

A Break Away Day will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 3 in the church social room. Church members will be available to watch children during this time so their parents and guardians can shop for Christmas presents. Lunch will be provided. The program is open to the community, but all children must be pre-registered. Registration forms are available in the church office or by calling 724-822-7789. Donations will be accepted.

Christmas gift donations for the children of Glade Run Lutheran Services will be accepted through Dec. 4.

GRACEWAY COMMUNITY

Beth Yost and Tracy Hack will provide music for the 9:30 a.m. Sunday service at GraceWay Community Church, Center Township Elementary School, Mercer Road, Center Township.

There will be no Deli-Devotions today. Devotions will continue at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 30 at the Rocky Mountain Deli, Main Street, Butler. A meal will be served at 5:30 that evening.

Beginning Nov. 30, the youth group will meet Wednesdays at the Rocky Mountain Deli. Quiz practice will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. and P.U.N.K.S. from 6 to 7 p.m.

A youth trip to the Family Christian Book Store and Ichiban Steak House is planned from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Family and friends of GraceWay members are invited to the Christmas Party at 6 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Meridian Fire Hall. Kelly Leggens and Clockwise Scarlett will provide entertainment.

HILL U.P.

The Reverse Offering will be received and the first Sunday of Advent celebrated at the 6 p.m. Saturday and 10:30 a.m. Sunday services at Hill United Presbyterian Church, 501 Second St.

The Holiday Craft festival will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. More than 25 local artisans will offer handcrafted items and baked goods for sale. A used book sale will also be held. Admission is free and lunch will be available.

Orders are now being accepted for poinsettias in memory or in honor of loved ones. Cost is $6 each. Orders are due Dec. 18.

A sign-up sheet is available in the narthex for members who plan to participate in the 2006 flower ministry.

Reservations for the Christmas Dinner are due Dec. 4. The dinner will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 18. The Christmas musical and a carol sing will follow. Donations will be accepted to defray the cost of the meal.

MERIDIAN U.P.

The Sarah Elizabeth Circle of Meridian United Presbyterian Church, 4150 Highland Ave., will have their Christmas Luncheon at noon on Dec. 1 at the church. Bring your special Christmas tureen. Table service and beverage will be provided.

MT. CHESTNUT PRESBY

The annual Hanging of the Greens will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday at Mt. Chestnut Presbyterian Church, 727 Old West 422. Members will gather to decorate the church. A pizza luncheon will follow. Following the luncheon, a bus will be available for Christmas caroling to the community.

The first Sunday of Advent will be celebrated during the 8:45 and 11 a.m. Sunday services.

NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES

The office of New Life Christian Ministries, Knoch High School auditorium, 345 Knoch Road, Saxonburg, will be closed Thursday and Friday in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Due to Thanksgiving, there will be no middle school or senior high Bible fellowship on Sunday.

NIXON U.M.

A tureen dinner will be held after the 11 a.m. Sunday service at Nixon United Methodist Church, 334 W. Airport Road, Penn Township. Participants should take a covered dish to share. Following the fellowship meal, participants will decorate the church for Advent and Christmas.

The Sunday School classes are collecting new toys, wrapping paper, and bows to be distributed and used by the Butler Salvation Army. Deadline for donations is Dec. 4.

Today is the last day to submit reservations for the Christmas Dinner.

NORTH MAIN STREET CHURCH OF GOD

The office at North Main Street Church of God, 1201 N. Main St. Ext., will be closed Thursday and Friday in observance of Thanksgiving.

There will be no choir or orchestra rehearsal on Sunday. The orchestra will recess for the month of December.

Regular Wednesday evening activities will resume at 6 p.m. Wednesday beginning with the Fellowship Dinner.

Youth in grades six to 12 will meet at 7 p.m. Nov. 30 in the gymnasium for games. There will be no M.A.D. House event at The Haven.

A rehearsal for the Living Christmas Tree Choir will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.

OLD UNION PRESBY

The Worship Committee of Old Union Presbyterian Church, 200 Union Church Road, Mars, will meet after worship this week.

Christmas caroling will be held on Dec. 3.

The church will hold an Open House on Dec. 4. A dinner will follow the worship service. Volunteers are needed to donate door prizes, help with the dinner and make phone calls to guests after the Open House.

Orders for poinsettias will be taken until Dec. 3. The flowers are $6.50 each.

PARK U.P.

A service in memory of William Rapp will be held Dec. 1 at Park United Presbyterian Church, 115 E. Grandview Ave., Zelienople.

ST. JOHN U.C.C.

An Open House for pastoral candidate the Rev. Joshua Blakesley will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday in the narthex at St. John's United Church of Christ, 501 E. Main St., Evans City. The Rev. Blakesley will deliver the sermon at the 8:35 Alive and 11 a.m. Sunday services.

A congregational meeting will follow the 11 a.m. Sunday service.

ST. PETER'S EPISCOPAL

An Advent teaching series on spiritual growth entitled "Seven Keys to Spiritual Renewal," will begin Dec. 1 at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 218 E. Jefferson St. Meetings will be held from 7:30 to 9 p.m.

TRINITY LUTHERAN

The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper will be shared at the 6:30 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday services at Trinity Lutheran Church, 120 Sunset Drive, Center Township.

There is a trip planned Sunday evening to Heinz Chapel for the Compline Service. To participate, call the church office at 724-287-1977.

A tree is located in the narthex to collect caps and mittens for the children of Trinity Lutheran Church on the North Side of Pittsburgh.

A soup and salad supper and vespers service will begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Suppers and services will be held each Wednesday during Advent.

Volunteers are needed Thursday mornings to pick up and deliver produce to Katie's Kitchen at St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church.

TRINITY PRESBY

A hymn sing will be held before the Sunday service this week at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 107 Staley Ave.

Donations are being accepted to purchase gifts for the Mars Home for Youth. To donate a gift or money, contact Brenda Pyle. A wish list is located in the narthex.

The Trinity Fellowship group will meet at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 30 to decorate the sanctuary. All church members are welcome.

Gift donations for Torrance State Hospital's Operation Reindeer are due Dec. 7. A donation box is located in the narthex.

The deacons are now conducting an inventory of the loan closet. Those who currently have items from the closet should notify the deacons or return it to the closet.

VALENCIA PRESBY

Valencia Presbyterian Church, 80 Sterrett St., Valencia, announces a sermon series beginning Dec. 4 based on the moral principles and struggle of good versus evil from the classic tale and upcoming moving, "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe."

WEST SUNBURY U.P.

The first Sunday of Advent will be celebrated during the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service at West Sunbury United Presbyterian Church, 215 E. Church St., West Sunbury. The first candle of the Advent Wreath will be lit.

WHITE OAK SPRINGS PRESBY

The first Sunday of Advent will be observed at the 9:45 a.m. Sunday service at White Oak Springs Presbyterian Church, 102 Shannon Road, Renfrew. The Lord's Supper will be celebrated.

Church members will gather at 10 a.m. Saturday for the Hanging of the Greens. Participants will decorate the church for Advent and Christmas.