Mormons pack, send 2,000 `comfort kits' for children in N.Y.C.
The Columbia Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4100 St. Johns Lane, Ellicott City, packed and provided boxes and transportation last week for about 2,000 "comfort kits" for New York City schoolchildren.
More than 100 church members worked at the church's Welfare Center in Upper Marlboro on Nov. 30 and Saturday to assemble the kits, which contained books, art supplies, a sketch pad, photo album, a flashlight and a stuffed animal.
The program was organized by Mercy Corps International, a relief organization.
Choir to present `Messiah' as charity fund-raiser
The Columbia/Laurel Community Choir will present Handel's Messiah as a fund-raiser for charities that help feed the hungry at 8 p.m. Monday at Mount Zion United Methodist Church in Highland.
Singers from 25 local churches and choral groups and Cheverly United Methodist Church Choir will perform. The choir and soloists will be accompanied by an orchestra.
The concert will be dedicated to the memory of Emma J. Miles, the mother of director Ray Miles who died Dec. 11, 2000, at the age of 97.
Admission is free. Those who attend are invited to give cash or checks to one of several charities.
Information: 301-604-0703.
Youth groups to present a Nativity program
St. Paul Lutheran Church's junior and senior youth groups will present a live Nativity program at 7 p.m. Sunday and Dec. 16.
Refreshments will be served after each performance. Everyone is welcome. The church is at 2001 Old Frederick Road, Catonsville.
Information: 410-747-1897.
Lutheran church continues Advent Vesper Services
First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3604 Chatham Road, Ellicott City, will continue holding Advent Vesper Services to prepare for Christmas at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, next week and Dec. 19. Each one-hour service will include hymns, prayer liturgy and a homily. The final service will include only lessons and Christmas carols.
The church will celebrate four Christmas Eve services. A children's service at 5 p.m. will include lessons, carols, and performances by the puppet group Christian Critters and the youth orchestra. Communion services will be held at 7 p.m., 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.
The church's worship space is wheelchair accessible, and large-print hymnals and worship bulletins are available, as are sound enhancers for people who are hearing-impaired.
Information: 410-465-2977.
The Journeys Community has nontraditional setting
The Journeys Community, for people who want to pursue a spiritual path but have not found what they're seeking in traditional forms of worship, offers services at 10 a.m. Sundays at Clemens Crossing Elementary School in Columbia.
The community, which is open to people of all denominations and faiths, draws on teachings from many faiths and is sponsored by St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Glenwood.
Information: the Rev. Harry Brunett, 410-489-4035, www.journeyscommunity.org or StAndrew Hc@aol.com.
`Sharing Hope' services on 11th of each month
St. John Baptist Church, 8910 Old Annapolis Road, Columbia, is planning "Sharing Hope" services on the 11th of each month.
The gatherings will offer an opportunity for prayer related to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.
