`O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL': AREA CHURCHES PLAN AN ARRAY OF CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES

Eight churches in Jackson weren't deterred by a cold drizzle that fell as they came together Thursday night at Emmanuel United Church of Christ to tell the story of Christmas through a live Nativity scene and carols sung by a choir as they have for more than 20 years.

The live Nativity scene began at 6 p.m. and continued until 8 p.m. with different groups from different churches filling out the roles of Mary, Joseph, angels, the wise men and shepherds.

Exotic animals such as camels and horned sheep descended from Biblical times were furnished once again by the 5H-Ranch of Dave and Maxine Hale.

Inside the church carols were sung by the choir and plenty of food and drinks were available for those who chose to stop by and celebrate the birth of their Savior.

Cars drove down Adams Street to get a view of the live Nativity and many stopped and stood around the manger and took pictures and petted the animals in the fenced area. Every 15 minutes or so another church would send out representatives to take the place of the previous set of Nativity players.

Emmanuel United Church of Christ was there as well as New McKendree United Methoidst Church, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, First Presbyterian Church, First General Baptist, the Assembly of God and St. Paul Lutheran.

Here is a list of what area churches are doing special for the holiday season. This is by no means a complete list:

Jackson

Emanuel United Church of Christ located at 304 E. Adams St.

Dec. 14- "Carriers of the Light," Sunday School Christmas Program at 7 p.m.

Dec. 24- Christmas Eve Service at 10:30 p.m.

New McKendree United Methodist Church located at 225 S. High St.

Dec. 14- Choir presentation and Christmas gathering at 8 and 10 a.m.

Dec. 21- Children's Christmas Pageant "Angels We Have Heard on High," at 7 p.m.

Dec. 24- Luminary making and dedication at 10 a.m. and Candlelight and Communion services at 7 and 11 p.m.

No services on Christmas Day.

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church located at 208 S. Hope St.

Dec. 24- Vigil Mass where Santa visits the Nativity at 4 p.m. and Vigil Mass at 10 p.m.

Dec. 25- Christmas Day Mass at 8 and 10 a.m.

First Presbyterian Church of Jackson at 206 E. Washington.

Dec. 20- Christmas Family Night Potluck at 6 p.m.

Dec. 21- Christmas Cantata at 10 a.m.

Dec. 24- Christmas Eve services at 7 and 11 p.m.

First Baptist Church of Jackson at 212 S. High St.

Dec. 21- Combined choirs will sing at the 10:30 a.m. service. At 7 p.m. all choirs will perform a Christmas concert.

Dec. 24- Candlelight service at 5 p.m. with drama and music.

St. Paul Lutheran Church at 223 W. Adams St.

Dec. 17- Advent services at 3:30 and 7 p.m.

Dec. 19- St. Paul school Christmas programs, grades 1-4 at 12:30 p.m., grades 5-8 at 1:45 p.m. and 7 p.m. Programs in the sanctuary.

Dec. 20- St. Paul school Christmas program, grades 1-4 at 7 p.m. Programs in the sanctuary.

Dec. 24- Christmas Eve Candlelight services at 6, 9, 11 p.m.

Dec. 25- Christmas Day service at 9 a.m.

Dec. 31- New Year's Eve service at 6 p.m.

First General Baptist Church at 1506 S. Farmington Rd.

Dec. 14- "Bah, Bah, Bethlehem," Christmas program begins at 6 p.m.

Dec. 24- Candlelight Communion service at 6 p.m.

Shawnee Baptist Church at 1204 Brandom St.

Dec. 21- "Behtlehem: Everybody's Home Town," a Christmas program will begin at 6 p.m.

Immanuel Lutheran Church at 496 State Hwy. F (formerly Tilsit).

Dec. 17- Candlelight Advent Worship at 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 24- "Songs of Christmas," begins at 6 p.m. and Christmas Eve service begins at 6:30 p.m.-the worship will consist of the children's Christmas program.

Dec. 25- Festival worship with communion at 8:45 a.m.

Gordonville

Christ Lutheran Church at 248 Albert Street in Gordonville

Dec. 21- Lessons and Carols at 10 a.m.

Dec. 25- Christmas Day service at 10 a.m.

United Methodist Church of Gordonville located at 3658 State Hwy. Z.

Dec. 25- A Christmas Program at 7 p.m. to be put on by primary department of Sunday school. Carols will be sung.

Marble Hill and Bollinger County

Lutesville Presbyterian in Marble Hill on Railroad Lane

Dec. 14- Christmas evening potluck dinner at 5 p.m.

First Baptist Church of Marble Hill at 502 Broadway.

Dec. 14- Christmas Cantata at 5 p.m. "Home for the Holidays."

Dec. 15- Christmas Cantata at 7 p.m. "Home for the Holidays."

New Salem Baptist Church located four miles north of Marble Hill on Hwy. 51.

Dec. 14- "Jingles Christmas," at 6:30 p.m., a Christmas program.

Dec. 17- New Salem Baptist Academy Christmas program at 7 p.m.

Dec. 19- The congregation will be caroling in Marble Hill and the surrounding area.

Dec. 21- Music cantata begins at 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 31- Kent Hovind will sing to bring in the New Year.

Crossroads United Methodist Church on County Road 200 off Hwy. KK.

Dec. 19- a children's Passion play at 7 p.m.

Dec. 24- Candlelight service at 8 p.m.

Sedgewickville United Methodist Church at the intersection of Hwy. EE and Hwy. WW.

Dec. 21- "Country Christmas," begins at 7 p.m.

Dec. 24- Candlelight service and a baptism at 11 p.m. with a special singer.

Patton Junction Church of God at the junction of Hwy. 72 and Hwy. 51.

Dec. 14- "Grandma's Christmas," at 6 p.m.

Oak Ridge, Millersville, Daisy

First Baptist Church of Millersville on Hwy. 72

Dec. 14- "The King is Born," a Christmas program put on by the children at 7 p.m. Millersville United Methodist Church and Christ Gospel Pentecostal Church will also participate in this program.

Dec. 24- Candlelight service and Lord's Supper at 7 p.m.

New Salem United Methodist Church in Daisy on State Hwy. AA.

Dec. 19-20- Open House from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Dec. 21- Christmas Program, "Christmas comes to Lone Star Gulch," at 7 p.m.

Millersville United Methodist Church on Main St.

Dec. 24- Candlelight service at 11 p.m.

Pocahontas-New Wells

St. John's Lutheran Church at 158 Little St.

Dec. 24- Christmas Eve program- three different plays with carols in between.

Dec. 25- Christmas service-sermon and many carols will be sung at 9 a.m.

Immanuel Lutheran Church of New Wells at 304 County Road 516.

Dec. 24- Christmas Eve children's program at 6 p.m.

Dec. 25- Christmas Day service featuring German Christmas carols at 9 a.m.

Altenburg-Frohna

Trinity Lutheran Church in Altenburg on Church St.

Dec. 17- Advent service at 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 21- Choir Christmas concert at 7 p.m.

Dec. 24- Children's Christmas program service at 6 p.m.

Dec. 25- Christmas Day service at 9 a.m.

Dec. 31- New Year's Eve service at 6 p.m.

Jan. 1- New Year's Day service at 9 a.m.

Salem Lutheran Church in Farrar on County Road 328.

Dec. 14- German Christmas service at 2 p.m.

Dec. 17- Advent service at 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 21- Candlelight service at 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 24- Children's Christmas program at 6 p.m.

Dec. 25- Christmas Day service at 9:30 a.m.

Dec. 31- New Year's Eve service at 6 p.m.

Jan. 1- New Year's Day service at 9:30 a.m.

Zion Lutheran Crosstown located at the corner of County Roads P and C.

Dec. 24- Children's Christmas Eve program at 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 25- Christmas Day service at 8 a.m.

Dec. 31- New Year's Eve service at 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 1- New Year's Day service at 8 a.m.

Concordia Lutheran Church of Frohna at 10172 Hwy. C.

Dec. 24- Senior choir presents, "Christmas in Music," at 5:30 p.m. and at 6 p.m. the children present "The Heavenly Stranger."

Dec. 25- Christmas Day service of song and scripture at 9 a.m. The senior choir will present "The Miracle of God's Sun."

Dec. 31- New Year's Eve service with Communion at 6 p.m. Church service will be sung in a medley of Christmas carols.

Jan. 1- New Year's Day "New Beginning" service and installation of church officers at 9 a.m.

Grace Lutheran Church of Uniontown on Hwy. 61.

Dec. 24- Children's Christmas service at 7 p.m.

Dec. 25- Christmas Day service at 10 a.m.

Jan. 1- New Year's Day service at 9 a.m.

Immanuel Lutheran Church of Altenburg at 8201 Main St.

Dec. 24- Christmas Eve service at 6 p.m. the children's program "Christmas Mystery" will be presented.

Dec. 25- Christmas youth service at 9 a.m.

Dec. 31- New Year's Eve service at 6 p.m.

Jan. 1- New Year's Day service at 9 p.m.

Apple Creek-Biehle

St. Joseph Catholic Church of Apple Creek at 139 St. Joseph Lane.

Dec. 19- Christmas program put on by St. Joseph School at 7 p.m., several different skits will be performed.

Dec. 24- Christmas Eve services at 5:30 and 10 p.m.

Dec. 31- New Year's Eve service.

St. Maurus Catholic Church in Biehle on State Hwy. B.

Dec. 17- Parish school of religion Christmas Program at 7 p.m.

Dec. 25- Midnight Mass begins at midnight and Christmas Day service at 9:30 a.m.

Jan. 1- New Year's Day service at 9:30 a.m.

Any churches that were not included in this list that would like to have their special holiday services listed in next week's Jackson U.S.A. Signal please call 573-335-6611 ext. 171.