Centenary United Methodist

The eighth annual Festival of Nativities begins today at Centenary United Methodist Church, 245 N. Fourth St. The festival will be held from noon to 4 p.m. today and Sunday, as well as Dec. 14-15 and Dec. 21-22.

The event, which features hundreds of nativity sets from around the world, is open to the public and free of charge.

There will be a children’s corner of hands-on activities, a craft shop and light refreshments. Group tours are also available by appointment.

The church is handicap accessible.

For more information, call the church at 843-1756.

Clearfield United Methodist

Clearfield United Methodist Church will be host to its annual German Christmas Festival Dec. 14. Festivities will begin at 4 p.m. with the tree lighting, featuring a real tree and candles.

A German bratwurst dinner will be served from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The craft bazaar and bake sale also will start at 4 p.m.

Musical performances will be presented by the Eudora High School Choir, Glory Generations and The Jeannie Furst Group.

The event is open to the community. The church is located seven miles south of Eudora on Douglas County Road 1061.

Corpus Christi Catholic Church

To prepare for the coming of Christmas, evening prayer will be offered at 4:30 p.m. Sundays at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 6001 W. 15th St.

Evening prayer utilizes the use of the Psalms and scriptural readings, as well as the offering of intercessions.

Coffee and doughnuts will be available after both Sunday Masses in the social hall.

A Communal Reconciliation Service will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

First Church of the Nazarene

The Pool Boys, a band that plays contemporary, Christian praise music, will be in concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday at First Church of the Nazarene, 1470 N. 1000 Road.

The performance is open to the community. There is no admission fee. A freewill offering will be accepted.

First Presbyterian Church

The installation worship service for the Rev. Emilee Whitehurst, associate pastor for college ministry and adult education, will be at 5 p.m. Sunday in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, 2415 Clinton Parkway. A reception will follow the service.

The community is invited to attend the installation, during which the Presbytery of Northern Kansas will formalize Whitehurst’s relationship with First Presbyterian and the Presbytery.

Whitehurst is a native of Austin, Tex., and a graduate of Stanford University and the Harvard Divinity School.

First United Methodist

A pancake feed will be from 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sunday at First United Methodist Church, 946 Vt. A breakfast of pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee or milk will be prepared by the United Methodist Men.

Cost is $4 for adults, $3 for children.

A service of Healing and Reconciliation will be held from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday in the sanctuary. During this service, there will be an anointing of oil, Scripture readings, prayers and special music.

An original hymn by Donald Frederick will close the service.

Lawrence 1st Ward

Elizabeth Schumann has returned from serving an 18-month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Quebec Montreal Mission. She is the daughter of Charles and Christine Schumann, formerly of Lawrence, now living in Provo, Utah.

Elizabeth Schumann will speak during 9 a.m. worship services Sunday in the Lawrence 1st Ward, 3615 W. 10th St.

Lawrence Free Methodist

The God’s Kids, Kingdom Kids and Jubilate Choirs will present Hal Hopson’s “The World Sings Noel” at 6 p.m. Sunday at Lawrence Free Methodist Church, 3001 Lawrence Ave.

The program, which is open to the community, will include the traditional recital by instrumental and vocal soloists.

For more information, call the church at 842-2343.

Mustard Seed Christian Fellowship

Mustard Seed Christian Fellowship, 700 Wakarusa Drive, will hold its Children’s Christmas program, “Angels Aware,” at 10 a.m. Dec. 15.

Plymouth Congregational

The Chancel Choir will present “Gloria” by Francis Poulenc at the 9:30 a.m. service Sunday at Plymouth Congregational Church, 925 Vt. The choir will be accompanied by an orchestra, organ and harp. The director of the choir and the orchestra is Helen Hawley.

At 5:30 p.m. Sunday in room 202N, guest speakers Kathy Guthrie and Tim Barner of Friends Committee on National Legislation in Washington, will discuss “Peacemaking :quot; Local and Global.”

St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church

The topic of adult education class Sunday at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 1234 Ky., will be a presentation of Christmas traditions of the different cultures represented in the parish. The class meets from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

Parishioners are asked to bring nonperishable foods to weekend liturgies for the community food pantry. These gifts will be carried to the altar during the presentation of gifts procession.

St. Margaret’s Episcopal

St. Nicholas will visit children of all ages during the 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Sunday worship services at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 5700 W. Sixth St.

The St. Margaret’s Madrigals Group will perform during the annual Hanging of the Greens, which follows the 5:30 p.m. Sunday service.

Trinity Episcopal Church

Rite I Holy Eucharist will be at 8 a.m. Sunday at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1011 Vt. A service of Advent Lessons and Carols will be held at 10:30 a.m., followed by the Holy Eucharist.

There will be a special celebration commemorating Saint Nicholas at 9:30 a.m. in the church nave.

The Trinity Children’s Choir and the Bell Choir will present a Christmas concert at 5 p.m. in the nave. The choirs are directed by Gwen Klingenberg.

A reception will follow in the parish hall.

Unity Church of Lawrence

The Rev. Sherry Schultz will discuss “Christmas Present: The Message Beyond the Mall” during the 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday worship service at Unity Church of Lawrence, 900 Madeline Lane. Also at the 11 a.m. service, guest musicians of the Prairie Band will offer bluegrass music.

On Dec. 15, Unity Church will have an all-music service, featuring community members.

Unitarian Fellowship of Lawrence

Unitarian Fellowship of Lawrence, 1263 N. 1100 Road, will hold its spiritual celebration from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Sunday. A talk by member Graham Kreicker, “The Synthetic Life vs. The Authentic Life: Africa 2000,” is scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Sunday.