Live Nativity scenes take place at area churches

Trinity Lutheran Church at Egypt Mills, off County Road 635, will host a live Nativity scene from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 21 at the church. The children's groups at the church are involved in the production. For information, call the church at 334-4549.

Hanover Lutheran Church will hold a living Nativity pageant from 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 21 at the church parking lot. The event will include music, carols and a narration of the Christmas story. Each performance lasts about 20 minutes. Refreshments will follow in the church's family room.

Mount Auburn Christian Church in Cape Girardeau will host a living Nativity from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 20 and 21 in front of the church. There will be live animals, shepherds, angels and a manger scene. For information, phone 335-9264.

Christmas concerts fill churches with songs

First Baptist Church is presenting its Christmas musical at 10:45 a.m. Soloists, instrumentalists and ensembles will be featured.

The Children's Choir of Red Star Baptist Church will present "A Charlie Brown Christmas" at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

The First Church of God in Cape Girardeau will host a Christmas concert with New Wind Ministries in its evening services Sunday. For information, call 335-7865.

First Baptist Church in Jackson will host a concert of Christmas music at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 22 with performances by the Sanctuary Choir and the Youth Choir.

The choir of First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau will present a Christmas cantata at 10:45 a.m. Dec. 22.

First General Baptist Church will hold its Christmas musical at 6 p.m. Dec. 22.

Red Star Baptist Church will present its Christmas cantata "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing" at 4 p.m. Dec. 22.

Candlelight service set for church near Tilsit

The annual Christmas candlelight service will be at 4 p.m. Sunday at St. James United Church of Christ near Tilsit. The service will include selections by the Heartland Victorian Voices, whose members include Jane Oehl, Janell Hinkebein, Karen Benefield, Mike Craig, Don Miles and Dan Brown.

Refreshments will be served in the church's fellowship hall after the service.

Pilgrimage service planned at St. Andrew

St. Andrew Lutheran Church will open its sanctuary from 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 21 for a pilgrimage service. The event is open to anyone who wants to come and reflect on the coming holiday. Carols and hymns will be sung during the afternoon.

-- From staff reports