Live Nativity at Zion is Dec. 20-23

Lord of Life Lutheran Church will host a Service of Remembrance on Tuesday to honor loved ones who are missed during the holidays.

The service starts at 7 p.m. and will include carols, a brief message and roll call of those who have died. As the names are read, family members will come forward to light a candle and hang a Christmas ornament that they have brought for each person they wish to remember on the Tree of Remembrance in their honor.

The tree will remain on display in the sanctuary until Epiphany as a reminder to the congregation.

A reception of cider and Christmas trees will follow the worship in the fellowship hall. Anyone who would like to remember a loved one, whether they died in the recent or distant past, is welcome to participate. Ornaments will be returned to the families in January.

Lord of Life is at 1143 N. 26th St. For more information, call 223-2986.

Joel Finnesgard will perform a trumpet concert of Christmas music and worship songs at the 10:30 a.m. service Sunday at Grace Lutheran Brethren Church in Bismarck.

Finnesgard graduated from Divide County High School in 1983, studied music at Eastern Montana College and farmed with his family in North Dakota before moving to California in 1987 to volunteer with Victoria Community Church. He worked in commercial construction until 1999, when he began devoting his full-time attention to his music, “Sound of the Trumpet.”

He has recorded four albums and played at more than 600 performances across the U.S. and Canada.

Grace Lutheran Brethren Church is at 503 N. 24th St.

Messiah Lutheran Church in Mandan will present its annual Classical Christmas Concert, “Come to Bethlehem,” at 4 p.m. Sunday.

Choral works by the Messiah Lutheran Chancel Choir include “O Come, All Ye Faithful,”"Hark, the Herald Angels Sing,”"I am So Glad Each Christmas Eve” and “What Child is This?” Choral arrangements include organ, handbells, strings and harp.

Gayla Sherman, local harpist, and Jeremy Overbeck, cello, will be featured soloists. Other guest performers include a string quartet, the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Handbell Choir and Messiah Sunday School. The concert includes organ works performed by the Rev. James Baneck, Rebecca Baneck, violin; Pierette Johnson, flute; and Renae Hoggarth, piano.

Messiah Lutheran is at 1020 Boundary Road, I-94 Exit 152, directly north of SCCI Hospital. A freewill offering will be taken. The public is invited.

Zion Lutheran Church in Bismarck will have its 47th annual live nativity at the church, Avenue D and Fourth Street, from Dec. 20 – 23. Hours are 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The live nativity includes a straw stable, live animals – sheep, goats and a donkey – and Zion parishioners in costume as Joseph, Mary, shepherd, wise men and angels.

The public may either drive through the parking lot and view the nativity from their vehicles or walk through for up-close viewing. Hot cider will be served.

For more information, contact Zion at 223-8286.

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