Several area churches will hold Christmas Eve services tonight.

Archdale United Methodist Church will hold a Christmas Eve communion service at 6 p.m. For more information, call 431-7111. The church is on the corner of Main and Petty streets in Archdale.

Gospel Tabernacle Church will hold a Christmas Eve candlelight service at 6 p.m. The church is at 2007 Fuller Mill Road in Thomasville.

Mt. Gilead United Methodist Church will hold a Christmas Eve service of candlelight and communion at 9:30 p.m. The church is at 4736 Mt. Gilead Church Road in Sophia.

Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church will celebrate Jesus’ birth with a drop-in communion service at 4 p.m. An informal time of worship with children, carols and candles will be held at 5 p.m. The church is at 9429 Archdale Road in Trinity.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church will host a Christmas Eve candlelight communion service beginning at 11 p.m. The service will include special instrumental and vocal music. The Rev. Henry R. Sink, the new vicar at St. Paul’s, will preach on “Christmas Presence” and will celebrate the Holy Eucharist. The church is at 108 Salem St. in Thomasville.

Area churches holding New Year’s Eve or Watchnight services include:

Archdale United Methodist Church will hold its New Year’s Eve service at 7 p.m. to pray for the upcoming year. For more information, call 431-7111. The church is on the corner of Main and Petty streets in Archdale.

Cedar Lodge Baptist Church, Christian Life Center, Thomasville Friends, Thomasville Nazarene and several other Thomasville area churches will hold “Time Square at the Chair,” a New Year’s Eve event for families, singles, youth and seniors.

The downtown square will be closed off at dusk and a ceremonial cross-raising will be held at midnight. Several groups will perform live music and food will be available. For more information, e-mail Janice Spainhour at janice.spainhour@gmail.com.

New Heights Baptist Church will hold a Watch Night service from 8 p.m. to midnight. The Watkins Family will perform. The church is at 5082 Meadowbrook Drive in Trinity.

Trindale Community Church will host musical groups Trinity Quartet, His Choice and Zach and Rodney in concert from 7 p.m. to midnight. A love offering will be taken to help the groups to further their ministries. Also, a spaghetti dinner will be served at 7 p.m. Cost is $5 per person. For more information, call 861-7269 or 431-3515. The church is at 5934 Surrett Drive in Archdale.

Cantata, luncheon Dec. 27

Archdale Friends Meeting will hold its cantata at 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 27, followed by a luncheon. The cantata was rescheduled due to inclement weather.

The meeting is at 114 Trindale Road in Archdale.

Children’s program Dec. 27

Old Union United Methodist Church rescheduled its children’s Christmas program for 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 27.

A barbecue meal will be served in the fellowship hall immediately following the service. There is no cost for the lunch, but those attending should bring a dessert.

The church is at 5077 Walker Mill Road in Sophia.

Epiphany service Jan. 6

The churches in the Northern Conference of the ELCA Lutheran Church will celebrate the Epiphany Service at Tuesday, Jan. 6, at New Covenant Lutheran Church, 10445 N. Main St. in Archdale.

Choir rehearsal will begin at 5:45 p.m. followed by a barbecue pork potluck dinner. The Epiphany Service will begin at 7 p.m. with the burning of the branches from Christmas trees and wreaths.

Children will depict the story of the Three Wise Men in pantomime.

This is an occasion for feasting in some cultures, said church members, including the baking of a special King’s Cake. The evening will end with the serving of this cake.

Pageant rescheduled for Jan. 9

The Christmas pageant for Miss COAT Princess and Miss COAT Queen has been rescheduled from Dec. 19 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, said its organizers. The location will remain at John Lawrence Elementary School.

Practice will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8.

The pageant is still accepting entrants. Anyone who wishes to enter is welcomed with an entry fee of $20.

The pageant is a fundraiser for the food pantry ministry housed in First Baptist of Archdale at the corner of Main and Frazier streets. Supporters of the ministry and of the pageant entrants are encouraged to attend the pageant. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for children 12 and under.

Divorce Care begins Jan. 20

Trinity Baptist Church will begin holding Divorce Care classes at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20. The classes will run 13 weeks and then repeat.

The class is designed for those who are grieving and need a support group, and for those who are looking to be informed on the subject of separation and divorce by experts.

Call the church at 434-1998 to sign up. Leave your full name and complete contact information, including e-mail, with the church secretary.

The church is at 6499 N.C. Hwy. 62 in Trinity.

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BIBLE QUIZ

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Question: Who were the first visitors to visit baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph in the stable?

Last Week’s Question: In what city did the virgin Mary live when the angel Gabriel announced that she would be the mother of Jesus?

Answer: Nazareth, a city of Galilee (Luke 1:26-27).

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