Saturday, December 20, 1997

Variety of services available on Christmas Eve

By LORETTA FULTON / Abilene Reporter-News

Candlelight services, a Broadway-type production, and singing of carols are all a part of the Christmas Eve services scheduled in Abilene Wednesday.

Some churches also will have services on Christmas Day.

While most churches are holding traditional services, SpringBrooke Church is presenting its annual "Christmas Eve at the Paramount" performance billed as Broadway quality show for the whole family.

All churches holding Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services invite and visitors.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES

A PARAMOUNT CHRISTMAS EVE

SpringBrooke Church will once again host "Christmas Eve at the Paramount," featuring Broadway-style music, drama and choreography.

The one-hour show begins at 7 p.m. Admission is free and dress is casual for the family outing.

Kelly Pigott, pastor, said a full house is expected. Call early for free tickets at 676-1977.

This is the fourth year that SpringBrooke, which meets on Sunday mornings at the Paramount, has hosted the event. It has grown from about 200 the first year to more than 800 last year.

The story this year is based on a series of Christmas cards which are delivered by a postman named George, who discovers that each card has a touching story behind it.

ZION LUTHERAN

The Service of lessons and Carols will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, 1011 Briarwood, at 7 p.m.

BELTWAY PARK BAPTIST

The Lord's Supper and candlelight service will be held at Beltway Park Baptist Church, 4009 Beltway South, at 6 p.m.

ST. MARK'S EPISCOPAL

The Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 3150 Vogel, at 7 p.m.

BROOK HOLLOW CHRISTIAN

The Christmas Eve candlelight service at Brook Hollow Christian Church, 2310 S. Willis, will begin at 7 p.m.

HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC

Christmas Eve masses at Holy Family Catholic Church, 5410 Buffalo Gap Rd., will be at 5:30 p.m. and a midnight.

ST. PAUL UNITED METHODIST

Two services will be held at St. Paul United Methodist Church, N. 5th and Beech, on Christmas Eve.

The Nativity and Holy Communion service will begin at 7 p.m. The children of the church will wear costumes and crate a live nativity during the reading of the Christmas Story.

The 11 p.m. service will include Holy Communion, carols and candlelight. The Chancel Choir will perform Handel's "Messiah," featuring soloists Richard Burke and Jane Guitar.

The service will be telecast live on KTXS-TV.

ALDERSGATE UNITED METHODIST

A candlelight and Holy Communion service will be held at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1741 Sayles Blvd., at 6:30 p.m.

WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN

Two Christmas Eve services will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4515 S. 14th, at 7 and 11 p.m.

Both services will include the Lord's Supper and candlelight.

FIRST UNITED METHODIST

Holy Communion will be celebrated at First United Methodist Church, 1318 S. 2nd, at 6 p.m.

A service of Carols and Candles, including a drama, will begin at 6:30.

HEAVENLY REST EPISCOPAL

Two services will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander, on Christmas Eve.

The Holy Eucharist, carols and candles will be featured at 5:30 p.m. At 10:30 p.m. the adult choir will sing, followed by celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 11.

OUR SAVIOUR LUTHERAN

A children's program, candlelight service and Holy Communion will be held at 7 and 11 p.m. at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 4933 S. 7th.

FIRST CHRISTIAN

A candlelight service with communion will begin at 7 p.m. at First Christian Church, 1420 N. 3rd.

FIRST CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN

A service of Holy Communion begins at 6:30 p.m. at First Central Presbyterian Church, 400 Orange.

FIRST BAPTIST

Two services will be held at First Baptist Church, 1333 N. 3rd. A family-oriented service begins at 6 p.m. At 11 p.m. a candlelight service with Holy Communion will begin and will be televised on KTAB-TV.

WYLIE BAPTIST

The Lord's Supper will be celebrated at 6 p.m. at Wylie Baptist Church, 6097 Buffalo Gap Rd.

WYLIE UNITED METHODIST

A Holy Communion and candlelight service will be held at 7 p.m. at Wylie United Methodist Church, 3130 Antilley.

CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICES

ST. MARK'S EPISCOPAL

The Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Christmas Day at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 3150 Vogel.

HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC

Christmas Day mass at Holy Family Catholic Church, 5410 Buffalo Gap Rd., will be at 11:30 a.m.

HEAVENLY REST EPISCOPAL

The Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest at 10:30 a.m. Christmas Day.

Other church activities this week:

Religion section deadlines will be early the next two weeks.

Stories need to be in by noon Tuesday, Dec. 23 and 30, because of holiday schedules.

Please fax articles to 670-5242 or call 676-6778.

CHILDREN'S PAGEANT

A children's Christmas pageant will be presented at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest at 9:30 a.m. Sunday.

Also, an all parish Christmas party, hosted by St. Margaret's Guild, will be held following the 10:30 a.m. Eucharist.

No 12:15 p.m. Eucharist will be held Sunday.

ORDINATION SERVICE

The Rev. Kelly Schneider will be ordained to the priesthood at 10 a.m. today at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 3150 Vogel.

The Rt. Rev. Wallis Ohl, bishop of the Northwest Texas Diocese, will preside. A luncheon will follow in the parish hall.

BAKE SALE

Bethel AME Church, 725 Plum, will have a bake sale from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. today.

POTOSI BAPTIST

The adult choir of Potosi Baptist Church will present "A Festive Celebration of Christmas Joy" at 6 p.m. Sunday.

LUTHERAN SERVICES

Christmas services for the week will begin Sunday at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 4933 S. 7th, with Bible study for all ages at 9:15 a.m. Holy Communion will be celebrated at the 10:30 a.m. service.

ADULT CANTATA

St. James United Methodist Church, 3100 Barrow, will feature its adult choir in its annual cantata, "Christmas Is Calling You Home -- the Call of Christmas," at 10:45 a.m. Sunday. There will be no children's church on that day.

During Sunday School on Sunday, the children of the church will have a birthday party for baby Jesus. Everyone is asked to bring a toy or baby gift (including diapers) for the Noah Project.

LIVING NATIVITY

Heritage Baptist Church invites Abilenians to its inaugural Living Nativity at 10:50 a.m. Sunday.

For more information, call 691-1118. Heritage Baptist Church is located at 3050 Buffalo Gap Rd.

CELEBRATION

Holy Family Catholic Church, 5410 Buffalo Gap Rd., announces that Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer, O.M.I, will celebrate his 33rd Priestly Ordination on Sunday.

Send news of your church or religious organization to Religion Editor, Abilene Reporter-News, P. O. Box 30, Abilene, 79604. Deadline is 4 p.m. Tuesday, December 23.