Local churches shine true light on season

In celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, many area churches are providing special events to ring in this joyous season. This is just a partial list of churches that returned messages to be included in this listing.

Hillcrest Baptist Church will present a children's musical "Miracle on Main Street" Sunday, Dec. 10 at 6 p.m.

The contemporary adult choir and the poet voices will present the church's Christmas cantata Sunday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m.

Hillcrest Baptist Church is located on Highway 190 West, about three miles west of Jasper. For more information, call 384-3371.

First Baptist Church of Jasper will host a choir musical program Sunday,

Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. in their sanctuary. The musical, "Born a Savior, Born a King" will be performed by the sanctuary choir.

Christmas day services will begin at 10 a.m.

The First United Methodist Church has numerous events planned for the holiday season.

On Sunday, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. during the "Hanging of the Greens" service, First United Methodist members of the class of 2007 will decorate the sanctuary for Christmas. The service is a celebration of music and scripture.

On Sunday, Dec. 10 at 6 p.m., church members will present "The Sounds of Christmas" in the Wesley Center.

The Music Factory, FUMC's children's choir, will headline the celebration with their presentation of "Christmas Around the World."

Dinner will be served prior to the performances; tickets are $4 for adults, $2 for children and $12 max per family.

The First Church Cantata Choir and Orchestra will present "Let Heaven and Nature Sing Gloria!", a worship celebration for Christmas by John Parker and music by Mark Hayes on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 10:55 a.m. and 4 p.m.

In addition to regular morning worship services

at 8:30 and 10:55 a.m. on Christmas eve, Sunday, Dec. 24, FUMC will conduct two services of carols, communion and candlelighting at 5 and 7 p.m.

The 5 p.m. service will be tailored especially for children, with appropriate music, Bible stories and candlelighting.

First United Methodist Church is located at 329 N. Bowie St. in Jasper.

St. Michael's in Jasper and St. Raymond's in Rayburn Country will celebrate Christmas with services on Christmas eve and Christmas day.

On Sunday, Dec. 24, services will be held at 3:30 p.m. at Toledo Village Community Center. At 5 p.m., services will be held at St. Raymond's in Rayburn country. At 6:30 p.m., services are scheduled at St. Michael's in Jasper with midnight mass slated for St. Michael's in Jasper.

On Monday, Dec. 25, St. Michael's hosts services at 8:30 a.m. with a Spanish mass at 11 a.m. at St. Michael's and a noon mass at St. Raymond's.