A free "Breakfast With Santa" is being held at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at Norwood United Methodist Church.
Children, parents and grandparents can attend the free pancake and sausage or bacon breakfast while they sing Christmas carols with Susan Smith. Coffee, milk, juice and fresh fruit will also be available.
There will also be a visit with Santa and children will be able to get their picture taken with him.
Donations of children's hats, gloves, socks, blankets and coats will be accepted, with the items to be distributed to any child who needs them. Boots will also be distributed to children if the sizes and supply are in stock.
The event is free, but in order to determine how much food is needed seating will be by reservation only. Those planning to attend are asked to call by 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, to let organizers know how many children will be attending and their ages.
Anyone who would like to donate new or gently used children's hats, mittens, gloves, scarves, socks, coats, blankets or boots should call the church for details or arrangements to drop off items.
The church is at Oakwood Avenue and Colegate Drive. Parking is available off the alley.
For more information or reservations: 374-5606.
Annual Variety Show at Jefferson School
Music, comedy, choirs, children and multi-media will all be parts of the Liberty Street Church's eighth annual Variety Show, which will be presented at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, in the Jefferson School auditorium.
The show is an annual tradition that kicks off the Christmas season for the church and the community, according to Variety Show directors Cameron Kouns and Nancy Harrell.
The show has so many different elements to it and such a big crowd attending, that it has outgrown the church building and now must be held at Jefferson School.
"The school has been very gracious to allow us to use its facilities and it gives us opportunity to do so many more kinds of performances," Harrell said.
Each year the show features the outstanding talents of the church as well as guest performers.
"We have had everything from bluegrass, to rock, to choirs in terms of music," Harrell said. "We have also had remakes of 'Mayberry' episodes and other original material. It is fun, serious and spiritual all at the same time."
The goal of the show is to focus on getting everyone ready for Christmas, she said, adding that the church gives a free gift to all in attendance. The show is free and is open to the public.
For more information: (304) 428-4121.
PoWer Up worship service to be Sunday
Anthony Mossberg will be leading a PoWer Up worship service at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at Newport United Methodist Church.
PoWer Up is an evening worship service that involves worship, prayer and unity in spirit. The entire community is invited to come out and enjoy the evening with Mossberg.
Mossberg, a Frontier High School graduate, is gifted in music and plays guitar and leads worship.
Send church news to Janet Gossett in care of The Marietta Times, P.O. Box 635, Marietta, Ohio 45750. Information can also be e-mailed to jgossett@mariettatimes.-com, faxed to (740) 376-5475 or submitted through the Virtual Newsroom on the Times' Web site, www.MariettaTimes.com. Deadline for information for the Focus on Faith page is noon Tuesday each week for that Saturday's edition.
