Pageants and plays... cantatas and caroling

~ Local churches offer a variety of events to attract the public during the holidays

It's their busiest time of the year.

Not toy stores or shopping malls -- churches.

Beginning this week, local churches have near-weekly Christmas-related events planned, many of them targeting the community in general.

There are pageants and plays, choir concerts and cookie walks.

At La Croix United Methodist Church, the congregation is gearing up for their annual "Cafe La Croix", a musical variety show with original drama, Christmas music and a "cafe" with hot drinks and sweet treats.

"It's what we do to help kickstart the holiday season," said Kelly Myers with La Croix. "We try to make it really friendly so if you don't usually go to church you won't feel weird."

That's the aim of many churches, pulling people in who may not attend regularly throughout the rest of the year.

Here's a a rundown of some of the events coming up over the next few weeks:

Cafe La Croix -- La Croix United Methodist's largest community event of the year. Tickets to the two hour show are $8.50 and the price includes treats from the cafe. Shows will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 1, at 7 and 10 p.m. Dec. 2 and at 8 p.m. Dec. 3 at the church. Call 339-0302 for more information.

Bollinger County Community Choir Christmas Concerts 2005 -- The 40-member choir will perform four concerts this year in Bollinger and Cape Girardeau counties. According to assistant director David Stewart, this is the 25th year for the choir.

"Most people don't realize we've got musicians in Bollinger County, but we do. Very good ones," said Stewart. "They're very inspiring. Some people ecome to several of the concerts. They can't get enough."

Concerts will be held at 3 p.m. Dec. 4 at Marble Hill United Methodist Church, 7 p.m. Dec. 4 at St. John's Catholic Church in Leopold, Mo.; 3 p.m. Dec. 11 at Sedgewickville United Methodist Church and 7 p.m. at Hobbs Chapel Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau.

Holiday with the Pops -- Lynwood Baptist Church will hold the Heartland Pops Orchestra and Chorus at 7 p.m. Dec. 1 for a Christmas concert. The Heartland Victorian Voices and Cape Girardeau Children's Choir will also be featured. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students. Call 573-238-4891 for more information or tickets.

Annual Cookie Walk/Bell Choirs Concert -- Grace United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau will hold its annual cookie walk to raise funds for a mission project and the church from 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 10. The event features crafts and treats. On Dec. 11, the church will hold its bell choirs Christmas concert for the public.

Walking in Winter Wonderland -- Saxony Lutheran High School will celebrate its one-year anniversary in a new building with a dinner, music and an art auction at 5 p.m. Dec. 3. There will also be a tree-decorating contest and tablescape contest. Proceeds will benefit the school. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children. Call 204-7555 for more information and reservations.

cmiller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128