Churches plan special events for holiday season

By MARIAN HOUSER, Community editor

Zion to celebrate Advent Sunday

Zion United Church of Christ will be celebrating Advent Sunday with its annual Advent Carol Dinner to be held in the church fellowship hall, 139 N. Fifth St., Steubenville. A baked ham dinner will begin at noon following the 11 a.m. worship service. Cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under.

Call the church at (740) 282-1793 for reservations.

Preparing for the dinner are committee members Marie Brobston, Bertha Edgar, Lisa Foster, Carole Kirkendall, Carol Rabe, Betty Sparr, LaDonna Weinman, and Jeff Knauff, chairman. Recitations will be by Elijah Foster, Vaughn Foster, Jr, Miracle Hunt, Sirius Hunt, Katlin Pownall, Katlin Rayl, Natirah Turner and Nyari Turner.

Choir director John Diekmann and organist Charles Maffett will lead group singing. There will be a piano solo by Hannah Ross.

Dec. 24 at 7:30 p.m., the Rev. Vaugn Foster will conduct a Christmas Eve service starting a 7:30 p.m. It will include Carols and Communion. Security will be provided.

"Messiah" performance planned

The Christmas Portion of Handel's "Messiah" will be performed at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1443 Belleview Blvd., Dec. 19 at 7 p.m.

It is the 13th-consecutive year the work has been presented at Covenant.

The Chorus is composed of singers representing various local churches, and high schools, as well as returning college students.

The 20-piece orchestra includes professional and semi-professional musicians from throughout the Tri-State Area.

Soloists are Susan Bullard and Dani Carroll, sopranos; Cathie McDaniels, altos; Tifton Graves, tenor; and Scott Wolodkin, bass.

The concert is under the direction of George Melhorn, Covenant music director.

An offering will be taken.

Quinn to have Rolling of the Scrolls

Melinda Guy Missionary Society of Quinn Memorial AME Church will present its annual Christmas Rolling of the Scrolls Sunday at 4 p.m.

The observance honors the memory of loved ones during the holiday season.

Participants include Eileen Reeves, Lela Poole, Darlene Alexander, Sons of Second of Second Baptist Church, Sharon Cooper of McIntrye, Myron Seals of St. Clairsville, the Quinn Senior Choir and Delores Wiggins, minister of music at Emmanuel Church of God in Christ.

Christmas music will be featured.

'Blue Christmas' service slated

A "Blue Christmas" worship service will be held Dec. 21 at 6 p.m. at Bloomingale United Methodist Church, 113 Main St., Bloomingdale.

The service is sponsored by the Bloomingdale and Unionport United Methodist churches and Valley Hospice.

A spokesman said the public is invited to join in a quiet, meditative time of worship that makes time for remembering, sharing hurting places with God and preparing hearts for the celebration of Christ's birth.

Church of the Cross to have cantata

East Springfield's United Methodist Church of the Cross will present the cantata, "The Gift Goes On" Sunday at 7 p.m.

Prelude music will be presented by Rudy Hawk on the steel guitar.

A fellowship period will be held after the performance.

Academy plans Christmas program

Tri-State Christian Academy, Burgettstown, will hold its Christmas program, "Christmas County Spelling Bee, at 1 p.m. Dec. 17 and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 18.

An offering will be taken. Refreshments will be served after the Thursday program..

Music ministry planned at Two Ridges

Two Ridges Presbyterian Church will have a "Ministry in Song," featuring Luke Wilson at its 9:30 a.m. community open house Sunday.

Those attending are asked to bring a sweater to be distributed in the community.

A brunch reception will follow the service.

Mercy Baptist to offer free concert

Mercy Baptist Church, Weirton, will host a free Christmas concert featuring Jonathan White Christmas Eve at 6 p.m. in the R.J. Buch Center behind the church. Light refreshments will be served.

Live nativity to be held in Follansbee

Follansbee United Methodist Church, Virginia Avenue and Raymond Street, will have a live nativity Dec. 20 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

There will be Scripture readings and carol singing and free cookies and cocoa.