Quick Hits: Religion 12/24/11

Lindsay

Christmas Eve pageant at First Presbyterian

The First Presbyterian Church in Lindsay will be continuing the tradition this year of inviting every child who comes to the 6:30 p.m. service on Christmas Eve to participate in this pageant. The church is located at 351 E. Hermosa, Lindsay.

Each child will be given a simple costume to wear designating him or her as an angel, shepherd or king. When it is time to go forward toward the nativity, a senior angel, shepherd, or king will be the lead and usher the group in the right direction. This will be a special time of celebration. No doubt there will be some confusion, chaos and pure delight -— an atmosphere much like the original event. There will also be a candlelight ceremony and Christmas carols. All are welcomed.

Plan a late dinner and make this a memorable time for all of us.

For more information, call the church office at 562-4966.



Porterville

Congregational celebrating the Advent season

The First Congregational Church, led by pastor John Eby, is in the midst of celebrating the Advent season. Various families of the church will be lighting the Advent candle at each Sunday service. The church is located at 165 E. Mill St.

The Porterville strings will enhance the season with a concert on Sunday. The Christmas Eve service on Saturday, Dec. 24. will begin at 5 p.m. with music and will be led by our minister of music, David Hensley. Christmas day, there will be a worship time that will close with the congregation singing Christmas carols to the baby Jesus, held by His mother Mary, portrayed by Caitlin Laux.

New Years Day’s service will feature communion as a way of beginning the new year. This celebration will continue through Friday, Jan. 6, which is traditionally the time that the arrival of the wise men is celebrated. This year the event will be commemorated by a drama “A Virtual Christmas,” directed by Bill Jameson. Worship services begin at 10:30 a.m.

For more information, call the church office at 784-5340.

Porterville

Caring and sharing for less fortunate

The children and adults from the Church of Christ at 1000 N. Newcomb St. have been contributing to the Caring and Sharing program every Sunday morning for the last six months. The contributions made are being used to help two families that are less fortunate during this Christmas season. This spirit of giving goes on throughout the year as the children give to a special need every six months.


Porterville

Foothill Church having Christmas Eve in the stable

Foothill Presbyterian Church will be celebrating Christmas Eve in an old barn behind the church, reminding us that the king of kings was not born in a cathedral, or a palace, but a place where animals were fed and sheltered.

Luminaries will lead everyone to the place where we will sing familiar carols and share the story of God’s love. Following the service we will have a time of fellowship together in the church house.

The service begins at 7 p.m. The church at 1162 W. Merrill Ave. From North Grand Avenue, turn north on Maston Street. At the end of the street you will see the star at the luminaries next to a parking lot.

For more information, call Jim Rogers at 359-0039.


Porterville

Growth, recovery classes at Church of the Nazarene

Resources for personal growth and recovery classes to be offered. All sessions will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. beginning Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012  at the Porterville Church of the Nazarene, located at 2005 W. Olive Ave.

Sessions are open to men and women. The last day to enroll is Sunday, Jan. 8. There is limited enrollment for each class. The cost for materials is $25 per participant, per class.

There will be an Anger Management class. Dr. Elizabeth Jackson will facilitate 14 sessions on how to manage anger with the interactive resource, The Anger Workbook.

Boundaries  will be another class. Kristy Johnson, MA. IMFT, will lead seven sessions on developing appropriate life boundaries: “When to say yes and when to say no.”

Divorce Recovery will be the third class offered. Lachele Edwards, MA., will facilitate nine sessions utilizing the resource, A Time for Healing: Coming to Terms with Your Divorce.

If you would like to enroll or for more information, call the church office at 784-3305 during regular office hours, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.


THE RECORDER