Religion briefs 12/10/05

Briefly

Local churches schedule events to celebrate Christmas season

Local churches have planned holiday-related events for the coming weeks, including:

* Annual cookie walk at Grace United Methodist Church from 9 a.m. to noon today.

* Christmas Canticles concert at Centenary United Methodist Church, 8:45 a.m. Sunday.

* Christmas concert with the Lesters at First General Baptist Church in Jackson at 6 p.m. Sunday.

* Treasures of Christmas musical at Lynwood Baptist Church, 6 p.m. Sunday.

* Bollinger County Community Choir Christmas concert, 3 p.m. Sunday at Sedgewickville United Methodist Church in Sedgewickville, Mo., and 7 p.m. Sunday at Hobbs Chapel United Methodist Church in Cape Girar- deau.

* Christmas luncheon for Christian Women's Clubs, 11 a.m. Monday at Elks Lodge.

* Away in the Manger Christmas banquet at Grace United Methodist Church, 6 p.m. Tuesday.

* Live Nativity pageant a Hanover Lutheran Church, 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 17.

* Christmas program at New Salem United Methodist Church in Daisy, Mo., 5 p.m. Dec. 18.

* Messiah Sing-in at First Presbyterian Church, 3 p.m. Dec. 18.

* Children's Christmas pageant at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 6 p.m. Dec. 18.

* The Heart of Christmas musical at St. John's United Church of Christ, 10 a.m. Dec. 18 and 7 p.m. Dec. 22.

Season of Giving

FISH food pantry collections at Grace United Methodist Church through the month of December, including canned meats (tuna, ham, chicken).

Safe House for Women collection at First Christian Church in Cape Girardeau, including detergent, paper products, pre-paid phone cards, pajamas and backpacks.

-- From staff reports