LAKE COUNTY — Various local congregations are honoring the Christmas holiday. Upcoming activites include:
Dec. 22-23:
* The First Baptist Church of Clearlake is presenting an outdoor drama, “One Night in Bethlehem,” 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, and Saturday, Dec. 23.
The church is located on the corner of Pearl and Mullen in the town of Clearlake. The event is free; the church is presenting this as a gift to the community. It is recommended that people arrive early for seating as large groups are expected.
The drama will feature uplifting music, outstanding scenery, beautiful costumes and live animals to recreate the sights, sounds and smells of the actual night in Bethlehem.
Hot chocolate and Christmas cookies will be served in the fellowship hall immediately after the performance.
Dec. 24:
* The Clearlake Methodist Church will hold special Christmas Eve services, 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24, at 14521 Pearl Avenue in Clearlake. A special Christmas buffet will follow the evening service. All are welcome. For more information, call 994-2134.
* The Clearlake Nazarene Church, pastured by Richard Bean, will offer two worship services on Sunday,, Dec. 24. Morning service will be presented at 10:45 a.m., preceded by Bible study for all ages at 9:30 a.m.
An evening “Celebration of Light” candlelight service will be presented at 7 p.m. The Clearlake Nazarene Church is located at 15917 Olympic Drive at the corner of State Route 53 in the City of Clearlake. It is a family-oriented church seeking to know, love and serve God and make him known to all. Call 994-4008 for more information.
* Galilee Lutheran Church will hold a Christmas Eve candlelight service that is open to all, 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24, at 8860 Soda Bay Road in Kelseyville. Call 279-4832 for more information.
* Kelseyville Presbyterian Church will hold worship and Sunday School at 10:30 a.m. on Christmas Eve Day, Sunday, Dec. 24. Candlelight and communion service takes place at 7 p.m., refreshments following. The offering will go to the KPC Deacons to be used for community ministries.
* At 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 24, the children of Lakeport Christian Center will give a Christmas performance. A traditional Christmas Eve service takes place at 6 p.m. Sunday. The public is invited to attend. LCC is located at 455 S. Forbes St. in Lakeport. Nursery and child care will be provided. Information: 263-4514.
* A candlelight Christmas Eve service will be held beginning at 10:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24, at St. John”s Episcopal Church. The public is invited to join the congregation in celebrating
Holy Eucharist at the historic church located at 1190 N. Forbes St. in Lakeport.
Father Harry Allagree, regional missioner of the Redwood Episcopal Cluster, will be the celebrant and preacher and Marilyn Johnson will play the organ.
“The candlelight service is unique for Lake County,” Chaplain Ron Martin reported. “St. John”s is built from redwood in the carpenter gothic style. When the church is lit by candles, it is especially beautiful, creating a wonderful atmosphere for worship.”
Refreshments and fellowship will follow the service in the meeting hall immediately after the service.
St. John”s is known throughout the community for its food closet and thrift store outreach.
* The Upper Lake Community United Methodist Church, located on the corner of First Street and Clover Valley Road, across from the Upper Lake High School, will hold two services on Christmas Eve Day.
The regular Sunday worship service at 11 a.m. will be officiated by Certified Lay Leader Gary Lewis. The Christmas Eve Candlelight service will start promptly at 7 p.m.
The evening service this year will be a joint service with the Upper Lake Baptist Church and will be officiated by Pastor Reynaldo Letana and Pastor Greg Holmes. This service will be a combination of bible readings and Christmas carol singing. There will be music by the Baptist church under the direction of Associate Pastor John Dye, accompanied by his wife Bonnie Dye on the piano; and a brief devotional by Pastor Holmes.
The Methodist Church will have guest soloists and the choir, under the direction of Doris Harville, and accompanied by pianist Michelle Wells, will perform various selections of music.
Refreshments will be served after the service in the fellowship hall adjacent to the sanctuary.
Everyone is welcome. The Methodist church motto is “Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors.”
Dec. 25:
* Free dinners will be served from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Christmas day, Monday, Dec. 25, at First Baptist Church, located on First and Lake streets in Clearlake Oaks. For information, call 998-3632.
