Sunday School’s third annual Pajama Day will be held on Sunday, December 27 from 9:30-10:30 am. Children are welcome to come to church in their jammies and slippers for a morning of games, songs, crafts, and treats. Donations of cookies are appreciated.

Thursday, December 24^th in celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

3:00 p.m. Candlelight Communion Service

7:00 p.m. Candlelight Service presented by all choirs and orchestra

Our services will recall the birth of the Christ Child and provide the opportunity to sing beloved carols. The afternoon service will be a traditional service with candlelight and communion, and will feature solo instrumentalists and vocalists. The evening service will be a traditional service with candlelight, and feature an orchestra, our bell choir, plus our adult and children’s choirs. Come to remember the spirit of Christmas in word and song as we celebrate the gift of our Savior!

Date: Saturday, December 19
Time: 5-8 pm

Do you need to buy Christmas gifts without having to take your child(ren) with you? The Youth Group will be holding a babysitting and gift-wrapping fundraiser to raise funds to attend next year’s National Youth Event. Snacks will be provided in the Fellowship Hall. The cost is $10 per child, or $25 for three or more siblings. Childcare providers are CPR/First-Aid certified with completed background checks.

Gift-wrapping services by the youth will be available in room 305 for a suggested donation of $5.

An interfaith vigil will be held on Thursday, December 17 from 6-7 pm at the Penn Square/Fulton Bank Quadrant in Lancaster City. Local clergy from various denominations, the Lancaster Islamic Center, and Mayor Rick Gray will host the vigil with members of the community who are also committed to reminding our Muslim brothers and sisters that they are valued as a part of Lancaster’s interfaith community.

The schedule of events will be as follows:
* A Buddhist Singing Bowl will be rung by a Buddhist Priest
* Welcome and lighting of the candles
* A Reading by a member of the Islamic Center
* A reading by Rabbi Paskoff
* A reading by The Reverend Kathy Kuhn
* Mayor Gray’s closing comments

Please join us for what will surely be a powerful event.

A “Blue Christmas” service will be held in our sanctuary on Wednesday, December 16 at 7 pm. If Christmas is difficult because of the loss of a spouse or loved one, come to this quieter Christmas service to still remember the wonder of God’s gift in Jesus Christ and acknowledge that Christmas no longer feels the same.

Apostles Community Preschool will be holding its annual Children’s Shopping Room on Saturday, December 12, in conjunction with the church Santa Breakfast. Children will have the opportunity to shop for inexpensive gifts for their family members secretly, with the help of Preschool parents. Times are 8:30 am-12:00 noon. Come and join the fun!

Bring the little ones to have breakfast with Santa on December 12 from 8:30 am–10:30 am with story time at 9:30 a.m. Breakfast will include pancakes, sausage, juice, milk, and fruit. The cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children ages 2-10. Bring your camera for a picture with Santa!

Come join us for a long-time Christmas tradition and carol singing. A “Christmas Banquet” will be held on Friday, December 11^th at 12 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The cost is $20 per person. Please make checks out to COA and write “Christmas Banquet” in the memo portion. Checks must be given to Bill Higgs or placed in the “New Beginnings” mailbox in the church office by December 6^th. Transportation for Homestead attendees will be provided by the Homestead van. If transportation is needed, please indicate so with your check.