Editor’s note: To submit a nonprofit announcement to The Sentinel’s Religion section, contact Erin Thompson at (717) 248-6741 or by email at ethompson@lewistownsentinel.com. Items also may be faxed to (717) 248-3481 or sent to The Sentinel, 352 Sixth Street, Lewistown, PA 17044. Items should arrive to The Sentinel by Wednesday afternoon for publication in the Saturday edition. Submissions will be published as space allows. The editor reserves the right to edit all submissions.

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Annual Christmas tea held today

McCOYSVILLE — McCoysville Presbyterian Church will hold its annual Christmas tea at 1 p.m. today.

The tea will feature Jodi Strawser, of McAlisterville, who will show wedding dresses and invite attendees to see them as symbols of our lives in Christ. The Women of the Church will serve teas and desserts. The event is free and open to the public.

Schrader UMC hosts special speakers

REEDSVILLE – Schrader United Methodist Church will host the following special speakers at 8:30 a.m. on the following Sundays:

¯Dec. 8 — Eric Packard

¯Dec. 15 — John Hughes

¯Dec 22 — Eric Packard with communion

¯Dec. 22 — “Mary on Trial.” Evening service is held at 6 p.m.

¯Dec. 29 — Eric Packard

Reedsville UMC to host movie night

REEDSVILLE — “The Christmas Shoes” will be shown at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Reedsville United Methodist Church during free movie night. Refreshments will be served. All are welcome.

Choir to perform at

St. Mark’s UMC

MILROY — Penns Valley Men’s Choir will perform at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, Havice Valley Road, at 3 p.m. Sunday.

Christmas tea offered at Lost Creek

MIFFLINTOWN — LIFT, Ladies in Fellowship Together, will meet from 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 11 at Lost Creek Mennonite Church for a Christmas tea.

Lift is a joy-filled time of fellowship. Attendees can bring a friend. Childcare is provided for infants to age 5, with activities for their age group. The church is located in Oakland Mills.

Messiah to offer

Christmas caroling

MIFFLINTOWN ä Messiah Lutheran Church of Mifflintown will host Christmas caroling at 6 p.m. Dec. 14 at the walking bridge for the Mifflintown Christmas Tree Lighting.

Grace Covenant to host special events

LEWISTOWN — Grace Covenant Church of Lewistown will host a worship service at 10 a.m. Dec. 15 and 22 to discuss “The Miracles of Christmas.”

Hide N’ Seek Christian Daycare and Grace Covenant Church Kids will present “The Barn,” a look into the animals prospective of the birth of Jesus at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 18. Hide N’ Seek Daycare will hold its Cookie Walk at 4 p.m. Dec. 18.

Counselor to speak on relationships

MIFFLINTOWN — LIFT, Ladies in Fellowship Together, meet 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 11 at Lost Creek Mennonite Church for the workshop, Hope in the Journey.

Counselor from Hope in the Journey Counseling Center, Diane Raudensky, will share with us Christ-centered guidance on relationships.

Bethlehem Village slated Dec. 14, 15

McVEYTOWN — McVeytown Presbyterian Church will host Bethlehem Village 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 14 and 2 to 7 p.m. Dec. 15. The interactive village includes a bustling marketplace with Middle Eastern food samples and wares. Visitors have the opportunity to visit Mary and Joseph as they register for Caesar Augustus census of the Roman Empire. There will be entertainment as visitors experience what Bethlehem may have been like on the night of Jesus’ birth. There will be self-guided tours that take between 30 minutes and an hour and include live nativity demonstrations every 30 minutes. A guest appearance by Roxie the camel will be available Saturday evening.

Christmas program slated Dec. 15

McALISTERVILLE — A Christmas program will be held at 9:15 a.m. and 6 p.m. Dec. 15 at Stony Run Mission, 2825 Evendale Hill Road, McAlisterville.

Calvary church hosts Christmas programs

LEWISTOWN — Calvary Bible Church, 100 Calvary Lane, will host a children’s Christmas program, “Once Upon a Starry Night,” at 9:45 a.m. Dec. 15.

At 7 p.m. Dec. 16, the church will host a preschool Christmas program, “Let’s Dress up for Christmas.”

At 10 a.m. Dec. 22, Calvary Bible will hold a combined Christmas service.

Church to host

Christmas cantata

MIFFLINTOWN — St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, 8489 Licking Creek Road, Mifflintown, will host a community and joint Lutheran Church Christmas cantata at 2 p.m. Dec. 15.

The cantata is under the direction of retired Juniata High School Band and Chorus Director Kevin Cunningham. The 53-voice choir will perform the cantata, Sing Joy to all the World, a Christmas Celebration by Lloyd Larson.

A free will offering will benefit the Juniata County Food Pantry. Refreshments will follow the performance. The snow date will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 19 at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church

A large parking lot is located behind the newer section of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church.

Beavertown church offers live nativity

MIDDLEBURG — Beavertown God’s Missionary Church will hold its annual live nativity at Middlecreek farms 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 19, 20, and 21 each evening.

Attendees can bring the family to become a part of the Christmas story as they journey through 10 interactive scenes in the nativity barn. The unique presentation of the Christmas story features a herd of live animals, including camels, more than 80 actors/volunteers, live music by the Bradford family and others and free refreshments.

There is no charge for admission but donations are accepted to cover the costs of the event. Guests should dress for the weather as portions of the barn are unheated.

Nativity barn is located at 134 Farmhaus Road, Middleburg. Information: (570) 658-2422 or text (570) 541-9538.

Dryhouse Farm hosts live nativity

BELLEVILLE ä A live nativity will be held 5 to 8 p.m., Dec. 19 and 5 to 8 p.m., Dec. 20 at Dryhouse Farm, 53 Dryhouse Farm Lane, Belleville. The event features animals and actors. It takes place in a last 1800s barn. There will be coffee and cookies for all.

Candlelight service held at UMC

BEAVERTOWN — Beavertown United Methodist Church, 128 N. Orange St., will host its annual Christmas Candlelight service at 7 p.m. Dec. 22 with scriptures, communion and carols. The event is open to the public. For information, call (570) 658-0206 or (570) 658-7461.

Church to host

caroling event Dec. 22

EAST WATERFORD –Upper Church Presbyterian Church, 589 Brick Church Road, East Waterford, on the back road between Blairs Mills and Waterloo will hold a Celebrating Christmas through Song event at 3 p.m. Dec. 22. The event is nondenomination and all are invited. Visitors are invited to sing carols, rejoice and reflect on the meaning of Christmas.

Messiah Lutheran hosts Christmas Eve service

MIFFLINTOWN ä Messiah Lutheran Church will host âLet us be your home for the holidays,ã a service of carols, communion and candlelight at 7 p.m. Dec. 24. A prelude concert will feature pianist Justin Aurand.

Service of carols slated Dec. 22

McVEYTOWN — McVeytown Presbyterian Church will hold Ye Old Christmas Service of Carols at 6 p.m. Dec. 22. The service will be held in the sanctuary by the tree. It will be followed with fellowship over cocoa and cookies in the fellowship hall. All are welcome.

UMC hosts Christmas Eve services

The following United Methodist churches will host Christmas Eve services:

óBeavertown United Methodist Church ä 7 p.m. Dec. 22

óLawverás United Methodist Church ä 5 p.m. Dec. 24

óBakers United Methodist Church ä 6:30 p.m. Dec. 24

óMcClure First United Methodist Church ä 8 p.m. Dec. 24.

Local pastors invited to submit messages

LEWISTOWN — The Sentinel invites area religious leaders to submit columns for “Professions of Faith” in the Sentinel’s weekly religion section. Interested individuals may contact Erin Thompson at ethompson@lewistownsentinel.com or (717) 248-6741, ext. 117. Sermons should be limited to 1,000 words; exceptions may be made at the editor’s discretion.