Churches announce Christmas schedules

Area churches invite the public to a variety of special services designed to help congregations celebrate Christmas.

Kulpmont Methodist

At 10 a.m. Sunday, the church will present "A Season for Singing" led by the pastor, Rev. Joanne Young, at Kulpmont Methodist Church, Spruce and Ninth streets.

Participants are Julia Stefovic, pianist; Charles Rosetta and David Freed, ushers; Charles Rosetta, greeter; Sharon Locoloski, Christi Rosini and Melissa Benedict, who will light the Advent candle; Barb Strable, Christy Rosini, Melissa Benedict and John Stefovic, readers, and Barbara Smith and Linda Negy, who will sing a special duet.

A covered dish luncheon will be served in the social hall following the service. All are welcome.

The Christmas Eve candlelight service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday.

St. John's UCC

This year will mark the 76th annual presentation of the candlelight service at St. John's United Church of Christ, 117 N. Eighth St., Shamokin, to be held at 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

Since 1933, the adult choir and the young people of the church have gathered on the Sunday before Christmas to play out the birth of Christ in music and pageant.

The choir sings traditional Christmas music as the youth portray the Christmas story in pageantry and beautiful costumes. They bring to life Mary, Joseph, the Wise Men, shepherds, angels and villagers. Portraying these Biblical figures has become a family tradition; at least four generations have participated in this program.

The adult choir is directed and accompanied on piano and organ by Margaret Morris. The pageant is directed by Susan Haas and Cheryl Sherman, and Gary Christ provides make-up services. Lisa Newton, Caitlin Sherman and Cheryl Sherman provide costume and prop services. Mike Newton will handle the spotlight and special lighting.

Michael W. Stasney will be the lector for the service, and Jazz Levan and Chelsea Nolter will serve as acolytes. The pastor of the church is the Rev. John W. Silliman.

Cast members in the pageant and their roles are Abriel Newton, Mary; Brandon Greco, Joseph; Jill Britton, the Angel Gabriel; Jimmy Britton, Thomas Campbell and Michael Newton, shepherds; Tyler Candelora, Nick Davis and Mack Greco, wise men, and Alexandra Campbell, Chloe Frost and Kayla Shaffer, candlelight angels.

Adult choir members are Barbara Durdock, Margaret Morris, Ann Nowaskie and Barbara Silliman, sopranos; Kathi Christ, Carol Lachenmayer, Martha Lynch and Marily Stasney, altos; Eugene Boughner, tenor, and Thomas Christ, bass.

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

The "Longest Night Service" will be held at 7 p.m. Monday at Our Lady Of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, Market Street, Mount Carmel, with the Very Rev. Frank Kawacki presiding. Light refreshments will be served following the service.

The church will also feature special New Years Day masses, holy days of obligation, at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31, and at 9 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 1.

The church invites the congregation to come together and gather strength from one another for each other. On the longest night of the year, Christians gather to acknowledge that, yes, darkness is present both in the world and in life, but true children of God know they will be illumined by the light of the Christ Child.

Let the light of the Christ Child, born an outcast in a lowly stable, bring comfort, peace and joy this holiday season.

Grace Evan. Lutheran

The community is invited to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child on Thursday at Grace Lutheran Church, West Chestnut Street, Shamokin.

The first Christmas Eve family service of Word and Sacrament will be held at 4:30 p.m. to accommodate families with small children, those who would rather not venture out at night and those who have a conflict of interest and cannot attend the evening service.

The Rev. David M. Byerly, pastor of Grace Church, said the service will have lessons, carols and a message especially with children in mind. Byerly will also preside during Holy Communion. David Kopitsky Sr. is the worship assistant, Casey Henninger is the guest pianist and John Wondoloski Jr. is the acolyte/crucifer.

The traditional Christmas Eve service of Carols. Candlelight and Communion will be held at Grace Lutheran at 9 p.m. with guest pianist Casey Henninger, choir director Krista Breeding and cantor Shelly Faust.

Participating in the service are Bruce Romanic, worship assistant; Austin and Eric Joraskie, acolytes; Adam Joraskie, crucifer; the Joraskie family, communion bearers; Judith and David Shade, altar care, and Arthur Martin, Mark Cupp, Gene Faust, Tom Fiorey, J. Richard Miller, Bill Joraskie and Ron Weller, ushers.

The community is invited to join the congregation as it celebrates the Nativity of our Lord.

First Presbyterian

The Christmas Eve candlelight service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at the First Presbyterian Church, Sunbury and Liberty streets, Shamokin. The Rev. Ted Plott will conduct the service. Advent readers and lighters will be Wendy, Brian, Brianna and Kaitlyn Wary. Candle lighters for that evening will be Judy Reed, Joelle Reed, Julissa Reed, Danielle Reed, Cindy Lorenz and Chelsea Lorenz.

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