DECEMBER 16

WOODSON CHAPEL BAPTIST CHURCH will have their Pastor and Mrs. Robert E. Collins 14th Anniversary and Appreciation Program at 2 p.m. Rev. C.A. Wallace, Pastor of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church in Gaffney will be the speaker. The public is invited.

THE MITCHELL CHAPEL CHRISTIAN CHURCH ADULT CHOIR will have their choir anniversary at 2:30 p.m. Pastor Tony and Laquita Griffin are the pastors at MCCC.

THE JONESVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH CHILDREN’S CHOIR will present the musical “The Great Gift Exchange” at 6 p.m. in the church sanctuary.

DECEMBER 23

THE JONESVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH ADULT CHOIR will present the musical “The Name…Jesus” at 11 a.m. in the church sanctuary.

DECEMBER 25

REV. DR. ELIJAH SUTTON AND THE THOMAS CHAPEL AME CHURCH FAMILY will host Christmas Day at 11 a.m. The speaker will be Rev. Oglesby, past of Bethesday Baptist Church.

CHRISTMAS EVENTS AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

CHRISTMAS is the day on which Christians celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ. No one knows exactly when Jesus was born, but most Christians observe Christmas on December 25.

Christmas is the happiest and busiest time of year for millions of Christians all over the world. They observe the holiday with religious ceremonies, prayer, and special seasonal music. They unite in their feelings of joy on Christ’s birthday.

The word “Christmas” comes from the early English phrase “Christes Masse,” which means “Christ’s Mass.”

On January 6 we observe Epiphany or “Little Christmas,” which is a holy festival in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Eastern, and other Christian churches. Originally it celebrated both the birth and the baptism of Jesus. Since the 300s, it has honored especially the meeting of the Three Wise Men with the infant Jesus.

First Presbyterian Church, located at the corner of South and Pinckney streets, will have its annual Community Christmas Dinner on Thursday, December 20, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Christmas caroling will be provided by members of the congregation.

Then on Sunday, December 23, the Chancel Choir and soloists will present special Christmas music during the 11 a.m. worship service. Soloists will include Carol Creach, Sybil Crow, Deborah Flint, Kathleen Read, and Jim Vaughan. The service will also feature music for the harpsichord on loan by Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Hill.

On Christmas Eve, the church will have a candlelight communion service at 7 p.m. This service will feature special vocal duets by Ann White and Caitlin White, along with music for harpsichord.

The public is cordially invited to attend all of these events.

Rev. Keith Morrison is Interim Pastor, Thomas E. Bishop is Organist/Director of Music, and Lori Todd is Director of Programs.

DECEMBER 31

REV. OGLESBY AND THE BETHESDAY BAPTIST CHURCH FAMILY will host New Year’s Eve Service from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. The speaker will be Rev. Dr. Elijah Sutton, pastor of Thomas Chapel AME Church.

JANUARY 6

RICE CHAPEL AME ZION CHURCH will celebrate Family and Friends Day at 3 p.m. The speaker will be Rev. J.B. Robinson, pastor of Saint Matthew AME Zion Church of Whitmire. We are looking forward to make a joyful noise in the name of the Lord.

JANUARY 26

THE CHOSEN FEW INC. (Mary Owens) will present “God Can Turn It Around” gospel play at 5 p.m. at the Pacolet River Association Building on Lovers Lane Road, Union, S.C. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children over the age of five. Come out and join us and see how God can turn it around. For information contact cast members.

JANUARY 27

RICE CHAPEL AME ZION CHURCH will hold its Usher’s Program at 3 p.m. The speaker will be Minister Eva Thompson from the House of Reconciliation Church in Union. We look forward to you joining us to make a joyful noise in the house of the Lord.

ONGOING

A MOMS IN PRAYER group is now meeting on Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m. in the Family Ministry Center of Bethel United Methodist Church, 1705 Lockhart Highway. All interested persons are invited to participate.

THE MISSIONARY AUXILIARY OF THE PACOLET RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION has opened an Emergency Food Pantry in the rear (annex) of the town hall in Jonesville. The pantry is open Friday from 9:30 a.m. to noon and other times by calling the numbers posted on the sign at the entrance of the annex. Please bring identification and proof residence. Rev. Malachi Rodgers, moderator. Minister Brenda Byrd, president.