Advent and Christmas Briefs
Contemplative Christmas service set for Dec. 19 at All Saints'
The Episcopal Parish of All Saints' Church & St. George's Chapel will host a Contemplative Christmas service of readings, prayers, meditation and music selected to bring comfort, healing and hope for those experiencing grief, loss, loneliness, or just feeling overwhelmed by the season. Pause in the midst of the holiday chaos at 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 19, at All Saints' Church, 18 Olive Ave. in Rehoboth Beach. For details, call 302-227-7202 or go to www.allsaintsandstgeorges.org.
Solid Ground Church sets Christmasfest Dec. 20
Solid Ground Church will host Christmasfest 2015 at 10:30 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 20. This special Christmas party is open to everyone. The fun begins with a special Christmas service and kids' Christmas pageant. Then there will be free pictures with Santa and the Grinch, hot cider and homemade Christmas cookies. There will also be games and crafts for kids. Solid Ground Church is in Toddy’s Business Plaza at 33739 Marsh Road No. 2 in Lewes. For more information, go to www.solidground.church
Trinity Faith Christian sets musical nativity celebration Dec. 20
Trinity Faith Christian Center will present "The Christmas Buffet," a musical celebration, and the nativity at 3 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 20. The celebration will be fun for the entire family. A free-will offering will be taken.The church is at 15516 New Road in Lewes. For more information, call 302 302-236-9201 or 302-745-7295.
Unity to look at Christmas from metaphysical view Dec. 20
Unity of Rehoboth Beach will look at Christmas from a metaphysical point of view at 10 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 20. Nine members of the congregation each have a part to play in this narration of the Christmas Story. Unity will light the Advent candle representing joy. For more information, go to www.unityofrehobothbeach.org.
Goshen UMC sets Christmas Cantata Dec. 20
Goshen United Methodist Church will have its annual Christmas Cantata at 10 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 20, at the church at 103 Mulberry St., Milton. The Goshen United Methodist Church Choir will perform the cantata, "Sing The Glory." For more information, call 302-684-3328.
Midway Baptist Church sets Christmas services Dec. 20, 24
Midway Baptist Church will present "The Night Before Christmas," a cantata praising the Lord's birth, at 10:30 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 20. The church will hold a Christmas Eve candlelight worship service at 7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 24. All are invited to come and bring family and friends. The church is on Route 24, a mile west of Peddlers Village, Lewes. For more information, call 302-947-9543.
Saint James posts Christmas services
Saint James Anglican Church will celebrate Christmas Eve at 7:30 p.m., with Christmas Day services at 10 a.m. The Feast of Saint Stephen will be celebrated at noon, Saturday, Dec. 26, with regular Sunday, Dec. 27 services at 8 and 10 a.m. Saint James is affiliated with the Independent Anglican Church Canadian Synod and uses the American Book of Common Prayer 1928, and the King James Bible AV1611. The church is located at 23269 Park Ave., Georgetown. For more information, Contact Father John Gains at 302-238-7364.
River City Church at Sand Hill to hold Christmas Eve services
River City Church will offer two Christmas Eve services at the Sand Hill Church (corner of Sand Hill and Huff roads, Georgetown) at 5 and 8 p.m. Contact Pastor Joel Hitchcock at 302-858-0887 or email joel@joelhitchcock.com
UUSD to celebrate Christmas Eve service Dec. 24
The Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware will hold a Christmas Eve service at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 24, at 30486 Lewes-Georgetown Hwy., west of Lewes. The Rev. Paula Maiorao will address the theme of Beneath the Winter Snow. The warmth of candlelight, the gladness of song, and reflections on the promise of love will celebrate this very special holiday. For details, call the church office at 302-313-5838 or visit uussd.org.
All Saints' and St. George's set Christmas season services
The Episcopal Parish of All Saints' Church & St. George's Chapel in Rehoboth Beach and Harbeson will host a variety of Christmas season services. A Festival Holy Communion family service featuring carols and special music by the children of the community will be held at 4 p.m., Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24, at both All Saints' Church, 18 Olive Ave. in Rehoboth Beach and at St. George's Chapel at 20274 Beaver Dam Road (Route 23) near Harbeson. These family services are followed by a peaceful 7 p.m. Candlelight Service at St. George's Chapel featuring gifted violist Alicia Mickenberg. Beginning at 9:30 p.m. at All Saints' Church, the parish choir will lead the congregation in singing Christmas carols accompanied by viola and pipe organ selections played by the talented Jackson Borges. A Festival Holy Communion service follows at 10 p.m.
Holy Communion services with carols will be at 9:30 a.m., Christmas morning, Friday, Dec. 25, at St. George's Chapel and at 10 a.m. at All Saints' Church. The parish is fully inclusive, and everyone is invited to receive Holy Communion, without restrictions.
The parish concludes the Christmas season at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 6, at St. George's Chapel with a traditional candlelit Epiphany Evensong service celebrating the visit of the Three Magi to the infant Jesus. For more information, call 302-227-7202 or go to www.allsaintsandstgeorges.org.
Conley's UMC sets concert Dec. 20, Christmas Eve services at two locations
The sweetest music this side of heaven will be heard at Conley’s United Methodist Church at 3 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 20. The Christmas Cantata will be performed by the combined choirs.
Conley’s UMC will have four candlelight worship services on Christmas Eve. Services will begin at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 24, at the new church at 33106 Jolyns Way off Camp Arrowhead Road. There will also be 8:30 and 11 p.m. services at the old Conley's Chapel at 22150 Robinsonville Road, one-half mile from the Angola traffic light on Route 24. For more information, call 302-945-1881, or go to www.ConleysChurch.com.
Coolspring Presbyterian Church sets candlelight service Dec. 24
Coolspring Presbyterian Church, USA, will hold a Christmas Eve candlelight worship service at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 24. The church's regular worship time is 9:30 a.m., Sundays. Coolspring Presbyterian Church is at 28843 Log Cabin Hill Road, Lewes. For more information, call 302-703-2545.
St. Edmond's sets Christmas and New Year's service schedules
St. Edmond's Church in Rehoboth Beach announced the schedule for Christmas and New Year's services. Christmas Eve services will be held at 4 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 24, in the church, in the parish hall and at Rehoboth Elementary School. A midnight service is set for 12 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 24, in the church. Christmas Day services will be held at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m., Friday, Dec. 25, in the church. A New Year's Eve service will be held at 4 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 31, in the church. New Year's Day services will be held at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. in the church. For more information, call 302-227-4550.
St. Jude the Apostle sets Christmas and New Year's service schedules
St. Jude The Apostle Church announces the following Mass schedule for Christmas and New Year's services. Christmas Eve masses celebrating the Solemnity of Nativity of The Lord will be held at 4, 6 and 10 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 24, in the church. The 4 p.m. mass will be the family liturgy. Christmas Day masses will be held at 8:30 and 10 a.m., Friday, Dec. 25. On New Year’s Eve, vigil masses celebrating the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God will be celebrated at 4 and 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec 31. New Year's Day masses celebrating the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God are scheduled for 8:30 and 10 a.m., Friday, Jan. 1. St. Jude The Apostle Church is on the northbound side of Route 1, Lewes just north of the Five Points intersection.
St. Peter's Episcopal Church sets services Dec. 24, 25 and 27
St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Lewes announced its Christmas services schedule. Christmas Eve services will be held at 4, 7:30 and 11 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 24. The children's Christmas pageant and Eucharist will be at 4 p.m. The Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson, retired bishop of New Hampshire, will be the guest celebrant at the 7:30 and 11 p.m. services. Holy Eucharist with carols and hand bells will be at 7:30 p.m. Festival Holy Eucharist with carols and choir will be at 11 p.m. Christmas Day Holy Eucharist will be held at 9 a.m., Friday, Dec. 25. The First Sunday of Christmas lessons and carols with Eucharist will be held at 9 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 27. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church is at Second and Market streets in Lewes. For more information, go to www.StPetersLewes.org or call 302-645-8479.
Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist sets Christmas Eve services
The Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist in Milton will host Christmas Eve candlelight masses at 7 and 11 p.m. with carol singing beginning at 10:30 p.m. The church is at 302 Federal St., Milton.
Long Neck UMC sets Christmas and New Year's schedules
Long Neck United Methodist Church announced its service schedule for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve. Christmas Eve services will be held at 7 and 11 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 24. The 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. services will both be family oriented with Holy Communion and a candlelight service.
A Christmas covered dish dinner will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Dec. 25, at Long Neck UMC. For this dinner everyone is asked to bring a covered dish that will feed six to eight people. The main course and beverages will be provided by the church. All are welcome to come to the church, share a meal, make new friends and have a time of fellowship.
Long Neck UMC will have a Watchnight Service at 11 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 31. A light meal including black-eyed peas will be served at 10 p.m. This late-night New Year's Eve church service will end after midnight. This provides the opportunity for Christians to review the year that has passed and make confession and prepare for the year ahead by praying and resolving. This service follows the lead of a small Christian denomination called the Moravians in what is now the Czech Republic that began having watch services in 1733. The founder of the Methodist Church, John Wesley, originated watch night services in 1740, sometimes calling them Covenant Renewal Services. Today, a Methodist watchnight service includes singing, spontaneous prayers and testimonials, and scripture readings. For more information, call 302-945-9453 or email longneckumc@msn.com.
