Thegatewaynews.com - Worship News

St. Joan of Arc

* The church is offering the opportunity to buy a living memorial -- a poinsettia which will be placed in the sanctuary during the Advent and Christmas season. Forms are on the table outside the narthex.

* The Rev. Fr. Bishop George Murry, head of the Youngstown Diocese, will be the presenter at St. Joan of Arc's Generations of Faith sessions in December. For information on how to register to attend these meetings, call Sr. Gay Rowzie at 330-626-3424.

* Community Christmas is entering its sixth year this year.

The organization's goal is to fulfill the holiday wishes of children and families who might otherwise be without gifts this year.

Each year, the organization accepts gifts of toys, clothes, food -- anything a needy family would be thankful for -- and distributes items shortly before Christmas.

Families will be "shopping" for their gifts Dec. 17 this year at St. Joan of Arc's Fr. Stenson Center.

The program has grown each year: In 2004, Community Christmas served 96 children; in 2005, 124 children; in 2006, 178 children; in 2007, 210 children; and in 2008, 250 children.

Streetsboro United Methodist Church

* A Christmas Eve service will take place Dec. 24 at 7 p.m. and include a live Nativity. A candlelight service is set for 11 p.m. that night and will include Communion.

* The church will offer a free community dinner Dec. 22 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The first free dinner was served in April 2008. That year, 1,127 meals were served. More than 1,166 meals have been served in 2009.

* Holy Communion is offered the first Sunday of each month during the 9:15 a.m. service.

* Sunday School for all ages starts at 9:15 a.m. each Sunday.

* Office and sanctuary hours during the week are 9 a.m. to noon.

The church is located at 8940 Route 43.

St. Thomas
Lutheran Church

* St. Thomas Drama Team will present "A Christmas Medley" Dec. 18 and Dec. 29 at 8 p.m. The presentation will take a look at the funnier side of Christmas and feature soloist Bill Stewarts.

Volunteers are needed to provide cookies and other baked treats for a the reception each night of the play.

For information, call Ruth or Chuck Dennison at 330-626-1260.

* The church is setting up a Giving Tree to collect toys for boys and girls in support of Community Christmas. Pick a tag and purchase a gift for that boy or girl. Do not wrap the gift.

The Council on Ministries will collect polar fleece blankets and boxes of hot chocolate for each family that benefits from Community Christmas.

For more information, call Jane Teter at 330-626-3966.

* The church is forming a committee to help plan a reverse raffle. For information on how to volunteer, contact Rhonda Ondash or leave a message at the church office at 330-626-4945.

* Christmas Eve services will take place Dec. 24 at 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. at the church.

St. Thomas Lutheran Church is located at 9042 Route 43 near Seasons Road. For information, call 330-626-4945 or visit www.streetsborolutheran.org.

The Chapel
at Tinkers Creek

* Men's Group Holiday Break -- During the month of December, Dave's men's group will take a break. This includes the Tuesday afternoon group meetings at the Aurora Starbucks and the Thursday morning group meeting at Big T's.

Hope Lutheran Church

An Advent services wil take place Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. Women's Bible study will gather Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. and Crossways practice will be Dec. 23 at 7 p.m.

The church will offer a Christmas Eve service Dec. 24 at 7 and a Christmas service Dec. 25 at 10 a.m.

Free dinner planned

The Chagrin Valley Council of Churches will sponsor a free Christmas dinner Dec. 25 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Federated Family Life Center, 16349 Chillicothe Road in Bainbridge Township.

The dinner is open to anyone, including those who might be alone for the holiday. The menu will include turkey, mashed potatoes, vegetables, salad, rolls and dessert.

For more information, visit www.chagrinvalleycc.org. For delivery to the homebound or transportation to the dinner, call 440-708-0000 ext. 331.