First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 901 Penn Ave., will celebrate the third Sunday of Advent with a baptism ceremony. After the children are baptized, Pastor Don Dunn will share a message concerning the hope found in baptism, “Redefining Greatness,” from Matthew 11:2-11.

The church’s children and the adult choir will present the Christmas musical, “Gloria Hallelujah, Amen,” written and directed by Cheryl Hudson, at 6 p.m. Sunday. As a special offering, food items, toilet paper and Kleenex will be collected for the Neighbor to Neighbor Ministries food pantry.

God strengthens faith to walk the walk

ENTERPRISE – The traditional service at Grace Lutheran Church in Enterprise begins at 9 a.m. Sunday with Pastor Wayne Haas presiding. Holy Communion will be celebrated.

The prayer of the day on this third Sunday of Advent begins, “Stir up the wills of all who look to you, Lord God, and strengthen our faith in your coming, that we may walk in your way.”

The third candle of the Advent wreath will be lit. The candle of “Joy” is lit to remind Christians that when Jesus is born in them they have joy.

A Bible study series “How Lutherans Interpret the Bible” will continue at

11:30 a.m. Thursday with Pastor Colleen Nelson.

Church lights candle for Advent Sunday

COVE – Grace Community Lutheran Church will light the third Advent candle this week at its 10 a.m. worship service. Pastor Carl’s sermon title Sunday is “The ‘R’ Words.” Sunday school for all ages begins at 9 a.m. Fellowship follows the service. Men’s breakfast and Bible study continues the study of Romans at 7:30 a.m. every Thursday. All activities are held at the Cove Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Episcopal church offers morning prayer

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church will observe the third Sunday of Advent with Holy Eucharist at 9 a.m. The Rev. Kathryn Macek will preside and preach.

The vestry will meet after the service. Morning prayer is offered at 8:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in the chapel.

A midweek Eucharist is offered at 12:15 p.m. Wednesdays, also in the chapel.

Church celebrates communion Sunday

COVE – On the Third Sunday of Advent, the Cove United Methodist Church will have communion. The 9 a.m. service will be led by John Shukle, Lay Person Assigned.

The Christmas Vesper Service will be at 4 p.m. the same Sunday, followed by punch and cookies in the Fellowship Hall.

A Toys for Kids distribution will run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 20 and from 1 p.m. to

4 p.m. Dec. 21.

A Bible study has started and is held in the church basement at 6:30 p.m. each Wednesday. All are invited.

Cove Food Pantry is from

9 a.m. to noon the third Saturday of the month in the UMC Fellowship Hall. The weekly Fresh Food Alliance is held from 11 a.m. to noon Tuesdays in the Fellowship Hall.

Zion celebrates Third Sunday of Advent

Zion Lutheran Church will celebrate the third Sunday of Advent with Pastor Colleen Nelson. The worship service begins at 9:30 a.m. with Holy Communion.

A fellowship time follows at 10:30 a.m. with youth classes at 11 a.m.

The Zion Lutheran Church women’s Bible study is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Zion. The Wednesday Advent Holden Evening Prayer service begins at

6:15 p.m. Zion Lutheran Church is an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America congregation.

‘Heartbeat of Justice’ is worship focus

ENTERPRISE – The “Heartbeat of Justice,” based on Matthew 11:2-11, is the focus of worship at Enterprise Community Congregational Church Sunday. The Bible study class, “Collaboration with God,” will complete its look at the life and challenges of Jesus. Bible study begins at 9:30 a.m. with worship at

11 a.m.

Works, words assure people about Jesus

The sermon at Faith Lutheran Sunday will expound upon thoughts in Matthew Gospel Chapter 11.

In this passage, Jesus assures John the Baptist’s disciples that he is the Messiah.

Jesus proclaimed his miraculous works and words of good news to those disciples. People today are also to be assured about Jesus Christ according to his works and words.

The Midweek Advent Service at 7 p.m. Wednesday will highlight the peace that is believers with Jesus’ advent in the flesh into this world.

‘End of an Era’ is message title

UNION – The Rev. Steven Wolff, lead pastor of the Northeast Oregon Cooperative Circuit, is the guest speaker at 11 a.m. Sunday at the United Methodist Church in Union. His message is titled “End of an Era.” Fellowship and a potluck dinner will follow the service.

This is the last week to donate mittens, scarves and hats to the giving tree prior to delivery to Union School.

This week, the church plays host to fresh food alliance from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. Monday. Senior lunch is at noon Tuesday for the last time in 2013.

Christmas Pageant unfolds Sunday

The Spontaneous Christmas Pageant will be held during the 9:30 a.m. worship service Sunday at the First Presbyterian Church. The pageant is an all inclusive, no rehearsal event that is loads of fun, organizers said.

Children may come in costume, or they may borrow a costume from the church. They can be any nativity character they want to be.

Parents should have their child upstairs in the main church building in the Sunday School wing by 9 a.m.

The pageant is during the sermon time – and what better sermon message than the coming arrival of the savior.

After the worship service, the church will have its annual Star Man Party. The Star Man is the fourth wise man – the not-so-wise man who decided not to follow the star of Bethlehem. The Star Man comes each year to remind us to “Follow the Star.” There will be a star given to each child with refreshments to follow.

Choir practice will be at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Christmas Cantata unfolds Sunday

The Summerville Baptist Church plans to celebrate Christ’s Day at 10 a.m. Christmas Day.

The church will also have a Christmas Cantata at 6 p.m. Sunday.