Briefly

Christmas happenings scheduled in the area

• St. John's United Church of Christ, 781 Route FF in Jackson, will present a Christmas cantata at the 10 a.m. service Sunday and a Christmas Eve candlelight service at 10 p.m. Monday. The church will be open for personal Communion and prayer from 4 to 6 p.m. Jan. 31.
• New Bethel Congregational Methodist Church will have a Christmas program at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
• The Christmas musical"Rejoice and Celebrate" will be performed at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Grand Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church; at 2 p.m. Sunday at Shiloh Missionary Baptist church; at 6 p.m. Dec. 28 at Mercy Seat Missionary Baptist Church, and 2 p.m. at St. Matthew's Missionary Baptist Church, all in Charleston, Mo.; and at 6 p.m., Dec. 29 at New Deliverance Missionary Baptist Church in Sikeston, Mo.
• A Christmas musical will be presented at 7 p.m. Sunday by the Chancel Choir of Grace United Methodist Church, at Broadway and Caruthers Avenue. Fellowship will follow.
• The youth of New Life Gospel Center, 401 Oak St. in Scott City, will present a program of special Christmas music at the 11 a.m. service Sunday. The Rev. Jack Owens will speak on "Who is Santa Claus?"
• St. Paul United Methodist Church will have its annual Christmas pageant at 9 a.m. Sunday morning. The congregation will sing Christmas hymns while the Nativity comes to life. Santa will greet the children after the service. Christmas Eve service of Lessons and Carols and Candlelight Holy Communion will be at 5:30 p.m. Monday. Families and visitors are welcome to attend this service. The UMC practices open communion, so all faiths are open to receive the sacrament. The church is on the corner of Cape Girardeau and Washington streets in Commerce, Mo.
• First Church of God, 500 Emerald St., will have a Christmas candlelight service at 6 p.m. Sunday.
• Bethany Baptist Church will have a "Candle Light Service" at 5 p.m. Monday. As part of the service, Bethany will also be celebrating the Lord's Supper. The service will be conducted by senior pastor Shawn Wasson.

First Baptist Church announces activities

Rev. Mike Shupert's special message for this fourth Sunday of Advent will be "Christmas Vacation" at 10:45 a.m. First Baptist will have a special Christmas Eve candlelight communion service at 4 p.m. The public is invited. The church office will close at noon Christmas Eve and will be closed Christmas Day. There will be no evening activities Wednesday. The church will reopen at 8:30 a.m. Thursday.

Holiday schedule set for First Pentecostal Church

Sunday school for all ages will be at 10 a.m. Sunday at First Pentecostal Church. Super Church will be at 11 a.m. for ages 3 through 10. Morning worship will be at 11 a.m., and evening service will be at 6 p.m., with nursery provided. There will be no service Tuesday.

Hanover women's retreat set for Feb. 9

Hanover Lutheran Women's Retreat will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Drury Lodge. Seating is limited, so early registration is encouraged. This year's speaker is Teresa Griggs, who will tell how people can be lights shining brightly to all around them so they may see the love of God. There will be food, music, fun and learning. The retreat is open to all women. There is a cost. Lunch will be provided. Mail payment to Pat Renner, 3124 Laurel Lane, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63701. For information, e-mail patrenner@brick.net.

Love INC to open Jan. 7 at St. Andrew Lutheran

Love INC will begin taking client calls at 10 a.m. Jan. 7. There will be an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 6, with a dedication service at 2:30 p.m., at the headquarters at St. Andrew Lutheran Church.

-- From staff reports