WASHINGTON COUNTY
Elmdale Baptist Church in Springdale, 1700 W. Huntsville Ave., offers the "Celebration of Light," a Christmas service, at 10:15 a.m Sunday.
Information: 751-9746, elmdale.org.
Rolling Hills Baptist Church in Fayetteville, 1400 E. Rolling Hills Drive, hosts the ninth local event of the Worldwide Candle Lighting Day at 7 p.m. Dec. 11. Families and friends around the globe light candles to honor and remember children who died at any age of any cause. The local ecumenical service includes live music, prayers and readings, with moments of candle light and the release of "prayer balloons."
Information: 521-2660, rhbcdove.org.
Temple Shalom of Northwest Arkansas in Fayetteville, 699 N. Sang Ave., holds a Shabbat service at 6:30 p.m. Friday, led by Rabbi Jacob Adler.
Before the service, from 5 to 6 p.m., Adler leads a "Service Warmup." Attendees will be able to learn about the structure of the Shabbat service, the meaning of the prayers and the tunes of some of the new and old songs included in the service.
Information: 973-2702, templeshalomnwa.org.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, 224 N. East Ave., sponsors an alternative gift market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Representatives from about 30 local and international nonprofit organizations will be represented.
The Theology on Tap group meets from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Emelia's Mediterranean Cafe in Fayetteville. The group will begin discussion of a new book, Learning to Walk in the Dark, by Barbara Brown Taylor.
The church plans a special visit from St. Nicholas during a service at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday. As tales of the fourth-century Bishop Nicholas of Myra are shared during Eucharist, St. Nicholas will fill children's shoes left in the Narthex with surprises.
Information: 442-7373, stpaulsfay.org.
First United Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville, 695 E. Calvin St., sponsors an alternative gift market from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 11. Items available include art from LifeStyles clients, jewelry from Africa and South America, warm items by the church's Hooks and Needles group and quilts made by member Ann Roberts. Credit cards now accepted.
Information: 442-4411, fupcfay.org.
First United Methodist Church in Springdale, 206 W. Johnson Ave., sponsors an alternative Christmas market beginning at 8 a.m. Sunday. Nonprofit agencies that address social issues on local, national and international levels will be represented, and "gifts" purchased will relieve hunger, poverty and homelessness.
The United Methodist Women gather for their Christmas luncheon at noon Tuesday. Guest speaker is Maggie Beeler with Methodist Family Health.
The church sponsors a family movie night, showing How the Grinch Stole Christmas, at 7 p.m. Friday in the Youth WhereHouse.
The church presents a "Service of Lessons and Carols" during the 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. worship services Dec. 18. The service will feature the Chancel Choir and the First Praise Band.
The United Methodist Women sponsor a bake sale beginning at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 11 and Dec. 18. Proceeds benefit the UMW senior scholarship.
Information: 751-4610, firstchurchspringdale.org.
REGION
St. Scholastica Monastery in Fort Smith, 1301 S. Albert Pike Ave., holds its annual bake sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 10 and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 11 at the retreat center. The gift shop also will be open.
Information: 783-4147, stscho.org.
Evangel Temple Assembly of God in Fort Smith, 1110 S. 12th St., holds its 27th annual candlelight communion service at 9:01 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Sunday.
Information: 782-9121, excitinget.com.
BENTON COUNTY
Village Bible Church in Bella Vista, 1591 Forest Hills Blvd., presents its annual Christmas program at 6 p.m. Dec. 11. The program features the cantata, A Noel Celebration, and is followed by a pie dessert fellowship.
Information: 876-5764, villagebibleefc.org.
Highland Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Bella Vista, 1500 Forest Hills Blvd., sponsors the Disciple Women in a breakfast at 10 a.m. Dec. 10. The women are reading "The Christmas Story" by Sara Denning.
The church offers a candlelight Christmas Eve service at 6 p.m. Dec. 24, and a Christmas day service at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 25.
Information: 855-2780, highlandchristianchurchbv.org.
Christ for the World Church in Rogers, 1221 E. New Hope Road, celebrates Miracle Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.
Information: 420-5962, bobbyhogan.org.
First Presbyterian Church in Bentonville, 901 N.E. J St., presents an informal Service of Solace at 4 p.m. Dec. 11. The church offers this quiet service of reflection, remembrance and comfort during the season that can be stressful and difficult. Childcare is provided for infants through 5-year-olds.
Information: 273-5450, fpcbentonville.org.
New Life Christian Church in Bella Vista, 103 Riordan Road, sponsors its Women's Ministry in "Mugs, Muffins 'N Mittens" from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 10. Beth Walker of Bella Vista will speak. The Men's Ministry hosts a Christmas party and potluck dinner at 6 p.m. Dec. 13 in the church atrium. Women and families welcome to attend.
New Life Students hold a family Christmas service at 6 p.m. Dec. 14 in the Student Center.
Identical services will be offered for the Christmas weekend at 5 and 7 p.m Dec. 24 and 10 a.m. Dec. 25. No kids programming is planned for the services.
Information: 855-1616, newlifenwa.com.
Unity Church of the Ozarks, 902 S.W. Second St., Suite E, presents the Rev. Kim Burgner, speaking on "The Gifts of Peace," at 10 a.m. Sunday. The prayer team meets following the service for those who have requested prayer support.
Information: 721-2752, unityozarks.org.
United Lutheran Church of Bella Vista, 100 Cooper Road, offers Advent soup suppers and services at 6 p.m. Wednesday and Dec. 14.
Information: 855-1325, unitedlutheranbv.org.
The Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista, 1880 Forest Hills Blvd., gathers for sing-a-long with residents at 2:30 p.m. Friday at the Highlands Health Care and Rehab in Bella Vista.
The church holds a Christmas tea for all Presbyterian Women at 2 p.m. Dec. 10 in the church fellowship hall. Each lady is asked to bring one dozen cookies to share, with extras delivered to home-bound members.
Information: 855-2390, pcbv.org.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Rogers, 1101 W. Hudson Road, offers Advent services at 10 a.m. and again at 7 p.m. each Wednesday during Advent. The theme is "Advent Advice."
A supper will be served before each service, from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m., in the church's Life Center.
Information: 636-1135, holytrin.org.
Bella Vista Lutheran Church, 1990 Forest Hills Blvd., offers a special worship service at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 6 for those unable to attend a regular worship service. Transportation is available.
The church offers an Advent service at 6 p.m. each Wednesday until Christmas.
The church presents its Celebration choir and orchestra in a Christmas concert, Joy, Joy, Joy, at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 11. Donations will be collected to purchase items for the Shepherd's Food Pantry. Pantry staff currently collect items that will be given away during December for Christmas. The pantry is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Friday.
The church also collects caps and mittens for children in the Gravette school district. A collection box sits in the Narthex through Dec. 11.
Information: 855-0272, bvlutheran.com.
Forest Hills Church in Bella Vista, an American Baptist congregation, 1702 Bella Vista Blvd., presents "One Bethlehem Night" on Dec. 16-18. The event showcases 200 Nativity scenes from around the world, and homemade cookies and cocoa are served. The display runs from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 16, 2 to 5 p.m. Dec. 17 and 2 to 5 p.m. Dec. 18.
Information: 855-3555, foresthillschurch.info.
New Wine Ministries, 8030 La Croix Road, Decatur, 2262 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, presents Mario Murillo, an international evangelist and speaker, at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Dec. 10 and at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at Word of Life Fellowship, 808 S.W. 14th St. in Bentonville. Pastors Bill Rogers of Word of Life, Xavier Vincent of New Wine and Kin Maddox of Gateway Church in Fayetteville will participate in the healing ministry.
Information: (858) 864-8712, tabernacles2013@gmail.com.
Village Bible Church in Bella Vista, 1591 Forest Hills Blvd., plans its annual Christmas program for 6 p.m. Dec. 11, featuring the Christmas cantata A Noel Celebration. A pie dessert fellowship follows the service.
The Oasis Food Pantry is open from 10 a.m. to noon each Wednesday.
Information: 876-5764, villagebibleefc.org.
Unitarian Universalists of Benton County, 1110 S.E. Evergreen St., celebrate the "Festival of the Greens" on Sunday. Congregants will learn why evergreens are associated with Christmas and make live holiday decorations to take home.
Information: 855-1485, uubcar.com.
REGION
Holiday Island Community Church, 188 Stateline Dr. in Eureka Springs, offers a DVD Bible study series, "A Clear View of the Birth of Jesus" by Kenneth Bailey. Classes meet at 2 p.m. every Wednesday to Dec. 21. Topics include, the manger and the inn, Jesus's ancestors, salvation and the Wise Men and Herod's atrocities and Simeon's welcome.
Information: 253-8200, hicchurch.com.
NAN Religion on 12/03/2016