Centenary United Methodist Church

The ninth annual Festival of the Nativities, featuring more than 300 nativity sets gathered from around the world, will be from noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 6-7, 13-14 and 20-21.

The event, which is free and open to the public, is at Centenary United Methodist Church, 245 N. Fourth St. Group tours are available by appointment.

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

First Christian Church

There will not be a 9 a.m. Sunday worship service at First Christian Church, 1000 Ky. Instead, the congregation will gather at 11 a.m. for the church’s fifth Sunday celebration.

First Presbyterian Church

Oskaloosa Presbyterians will have a fund-raiser three-soup dinner from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church in Oskaloosa. The menu is chili, chicken-noodle and vegetable-beef soup, with desserts.

First United Methodist Church

The annual Memory Tree Service will be at 4 p.m. Sunday in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church, 946 Vt.

During this service, worshippers are invited to place ornaments on the tree in memory of a loved one or friend.

Advent studies will begin at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Advent Reflections begins Wednesday. A music and Communion service will be from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Lisa Aul will play the piano selections.

The United Methodist Men will be host to a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 7 at the church. Cost is $4 per adult and $3 per child. All proceeds go to the Adopt-a-Family Christmas and Boy Scout projects.

The second Advent Reflections will begin at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 10. This music and Communion service will feature Greg Hildenbrand on guitar and Abby Huckvale on flute.

Heartland Community Church

“Faith, Film & Culture” will be the theme of an event at 7 p.m. Sunday at Heartland Community Church, 619 Vt.

Hollywood screenwriter, author and film critic Craig Detweiler will be the guest speaker. He is chairman of Biola University’s film department and teaches “Faith, Film & Culture,” a semester-in-Hollywood program for college students, at the Los Angeles Film Studies Center.

Detweiler also serves on the board of the City of the Angels Film Festival and co-directs Reel Spirituality, a think-tank for pastors and filmmakers.

Detweiler is the author of “A Matrix of Meanings: Finding God in Pop Culture.”

Admission to his talk at Heartland is free.

Plymouth Congregational Church

Shannon Howard, executive director of Esperanza in Action in Managua, Nicaragua, and a social and economic justice educator, will preach at 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Sunday worship services at Plymouth Congregational Church, 925 Vt.

Her sermon is titled, “Liberating One Another: One Woman’s Journey of Faith.”

The first candle of Advent will be lit at both these services. The Mayflower and Pilgrim Hand Bell choirs will ring “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” as an introit, and the Chancel Choir will sing a Michael Praetorius arrangement of “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming at 9:30 a.m.

The Gathering of Grace Band will sing “Better is One Day” at the 11:15 a.m. Sunday service.

Redeemer Lutheran Church

A family has been adopted by Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2700 Lawrence Ave.

Those wishing to donate may place non-perishable items in the food barrel in the east lobby or contribute cash for clothes and toys for the children.

The annual Christmas dinner will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday. Members are invited to help decorate the church at 4:30 p.m.. Dec. 13.

A children’s program will be at 9:45 a.m. Dec. 14 between services in the east fellowship hall.

St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church

The Advent kickoff will take place at the 7:45 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Sunday services at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 5700 W. Sixth St.

The theme will be “It’s a Wonderful Life,” using lessons from the classic holiday movie. Children will receive take-home Advent packs during each service.

A spiritual gifts workshop called “How Am I Wired?” will be led by Steve Ilardi, professor of psychology at Kansas University, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 5 and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 6. Childcare will be provided.

For more information, contact the church at 865-5777.

Trinity Episcopal Church

The Sunday morning adult fellowship forum at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1011 Vt., will be presented by Deacon Carolyn Graham and is titled “The Meaning of Advent.” It will be held at 9:30 a.m. in the parish hall.

Susan Tate and Mary O’Brien have gathered all the Advent wreath supplies and will be happy to help you make one for your home on Sunday after the 10:30 a.m. worship service. Peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches and cookies will be served.

Unitarian Fellowship of Lawrence

A spiritual celebration of Advent will be from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Sunday at the Unitarian Fellowship of Lawrence, 1263 N. 1100 Road.

Graham Kreicker will present a program, “Lessons from a Journey,” from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., followed by coffee and fellowship from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

West Side Presbyterian Church

The Women’s Association Coordinating Committee’s annual Holiday Tea, hosted by will be from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 6 at in the fellowship hall of West Side Presbyterian Church, 1204 Kasold Drive. Women of all ages are invited to participate.

The men’s luncheon is scheduled for noon Thursday at the Plum Tree Restaurant, 2620 Iowa.