Churches Plan Many Christmas Celebrations

By Kim Kincaid, The Lima News, Ohio, The Lima News, Ohio

Dec. 17–A variety of church services will be offered around the area on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Everything from musical programs to candlelight services will be available. Below is a list of the special services that area churches submitted to The Lima News: Beaverdam and Rockport United Methodist Churches will hold several services over Christmas. On Christmas Eve, a service will begin at 10 p.m. at the Beaverdam United Methodist Church, 211 S. Mill St., Beaverdam. On Christmas day, a 9 a.m. service will be held at the Rockport United Methodist Church, 5505 Rockport Road, Bluffton. At 10:30 a.m., a Christmas Day service will begin at the Beaverdam United Methodist Church. Church of the Holy Nativity will offer Holy Communion at the 7 p.m. service on Christmas Eve at the church, 2495 N. Cole St., Lima. On Christmas Day, the 10:30 a.m. service will also offer Holy Communion. Crossroads First Church of God will present Christmas Eve services, “Aslan on the Move” at 5, 7 and 9 p.m. Saturday at the church, 775 S. Thayer Road, Lima. On Christmas Day, “Deeper Magic” will begin at 10:45 a.m. Dupont Church of the Brethren will offer a candlelight Christmas Eve service from 8 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the church. Elm Street Church of the Brethren will offer a Christmas Eve service with candles and carols at 7 p.m. Saturday at the church, 619 E. Elm St., Lima. On Christmas Day, a program with the children’s stick performance will begin at 10:30 a.m.

Faith Baptist Church will have a Christmas Eve candlelight service at 7 p.m. Saturday at the church, 4750 East Road, Elida. Family of Faith United Methodist Church will hold a Christmas Eve service at 7 p.m. at the church, 801 Bellefontaine Ave., Lima. The sermon for that will be “From the Crib to the Cross.” The service will include Holy Communion. On Christmas Day, Pastor Lynn Huffman will offer “What is Christmas?” at the 10:30 a.m. service. First Baptist Church will hold a Christmas Eve candlelight service at 7 p.m. Saturday at the church, 451 N. Cable Road, Lima. On Christmas day, an informal service, with casual dress encouraged, will begin at 10:30 a.m. The Rev. Cook will bring the message at both services. Grace United Methodist Church will host a family Christmas Eve service at 7 p.m. Saturday, and a traditional candlelight service at 11 p.m. Christmas Eve at the church, 125 W. Kibby St., Lima. The candlelight service will begin with music at 10:30 p.m., and singing at midnight. On Christmas Day, the morning worship service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Immanuel Lutheran Church will hold a service of Lessons and Carols at 6 and 8 p.m. Christmas Eve. On Christmas day, the 10 a.m. service will include the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. The church is located at 2120 Lakewood Ave., Lima. Maranatha Assembly of God will hold a Christmas Eve candlelight service at 9 p.m. Saturday at the church, 210 W. Auglaize St., Wapakoneta. On Christmas Day, the church will offer only a morning service, at 10:30 a.m. Market Street Presbyterian Church will host a 5 p.m. family worship service on Christmas Eve at the church, 1100 W. Market St., Lima. Also on Christmas Eve, organist Dwane Grace will present a 10:30 p.m. Christmas concert, followed at 11 p.m. by Lessons and Carols, with Holy Communion. On Christmas day, the worship service will begin at 11 a.m. and will include the sacrament of Communion. At Mendon First Church of God, a Christmas Eve service will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday. That church is located at 106 N. Wayne St., Mendon. New Hope Christian Centerwill hold a Christmas Eve service, with candlelight Holy Communion, from 10 to 11 p.m. Saturday at the church, 2240 Baty Road, Lima. On Christmas day, a Holy Communion service will be offered from 10 to 11 a.m. The Oasis on West Elm United Church of Christ will offer a Christmas Eve service at 5 p.m. on Saturday at the church, 1606 W. Elm St., Lima. Holy Communion will be offered 15 minutes prior to the service. There will be no service on Christmas day. St. Matthew Lutheran Church will hold a Christmas Eve candlelight Communion service at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the church, 5050 St. Matthews Drive, Lima. The music for that service will begin at 7 p.m. On Christmas Day, the worship service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Shawnee Presbyterian Church will hold a Christmas Eve service at 6 p.m. Saturday at the church, 2223 Shawnee Road, Lima. The candlelight service will include Holy Communion and special music by the Erickson family. There will also be a choir anthem, carol singing, Scripture reading, and a manger scene by the young people. The pastor of the church is the Rev. Sandra Liechty. Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church will offer a Christmas Day service at 10 a.m. Sunday at the church, 110 W. 11th St., Lima. A special Christmas play will be presented at that time. The regular morning worship will follow from 11 a.m. to noon. Trinity United Methodist Church will host a family service at 4:30 p.m. Christmas Eve at the church, 301 W. Market St., Lima. That will be followed at 8 p.m. by a Hispanic Christmas service. At 10:30 p.m., the prelude music will begin for the 11 p.m. traditional Christmas Eve service of lights. On Christmas Day, the 10:30 a.m. service will be a service of carols and lessons. Westside United Methodist Church will hold Christmas Eve services at 7:30 and 11 p.m. Saturday at the church, 604 Gloria Ave., Lima. Both services will conclude with a candle lighting celebration. Woodlawn Baptist Church will host a Christmas Day worship service at 11 a.m. Sunday at the church, 836 Judkins Ave., Lima. There will be no evening service that day. Zion Lutheran Church in Lafayette will hold a candlelight service on Christmas Eve, with special music beginning at 10:30 p.m. The service will be held from 11 p.m. to midnight. Following that service, Holy Communion will be offered. Zion Lutheran Church in St. Marys will host a Christmas Eve service with Holy Communion at 7 and 11 p.m. Saturday at the church, 210 N. Wayne St., St. Marys.

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