Country Christmas celebration planned
The Mount Vernon Church Preservation Society will be hosting its "Country Christmas Celebration" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, at the Mount Vernon Church on Ohio 26 in Rinard Mills.
This year's speaker will be the Rev. Madlynne Webber. Specials will be performed by members of the community and Holy Communion will be observed. Refreshments will be served after the service.
The church does not have electricity so the service will be by candlelight. It is suggested that people bring a flashlight with them.
For more information: Dawn Gutberlet at 473-9123.
Anniversary Mass at St. Mary's church
St. Mary's Catholic Church will be having a special Anniversary Mass at 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, in observance of the 100th anniversary of the consecration of the church building at Fourth and Wooster streets, Marietta.
There will also be an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. the same day at the church. Refreshments will be served in the church social hall and guided tours of the newly renovated church will be offered every half hour.
Caroling event set for Norwood area
A Community Christmas Caroling event in the Norwood area is being held Saturday, Dec. 19, by Norwood United Methodist Church.
Anyone interested in singing Christmas carols, both religious and secular, throughout the Norwood residential area is invited to meet at 6:30 p.m. at the church at Oakwood Avenue and Colegate Drive, Marietta. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served at the church after caroling.
Participants should bring a flashlight, wear comfortable shoes or boots, and dress appropriately for the weather.
Come-and-go event features characters
"A Night in Bethlehem" will be presented from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, at First Presbyterian Church, Fourth and Wooster streets, Marietta.
This intergenerational, come-and-go event, will feature biblical characters in costume roaming about telling the story of the young family from Nazareth that has just given birth to their first child, a son. A group of shepherds will lead groups of guests to the stable where they can interact with this very special but weary couple and their newborn.
Those attending will explore the marketplace where they can experience the feel, taste, sounds and smells of what life was like in Bethlehem. This event is free and open to the public.
For more information or to register: 373-1800.
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.
