St. Mary's to host service for Our Lady of Guadalupe

The Hispanic Ministry at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 728 Ellsworth St. S.W., will host a celebration of "Our Lady of Guadalupe" starting at 10 p.m. today. The event will include a march, a Mass, and refreshments and a talent show.

Lutheran churches to present cantata

Immanuel Lutheran Church in Albany and Calvary Lutheran Church in Stayton will present a combined Christmas cantata again this holiday season. The performances will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Immanuel Lutheran, 154 Madison St. S.E., Albany; and at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at Calvary Lutheran, 198 Fern Ridge Road S.E., Stayton.

Albany's women's group plans holiday meeting

Women of Grace, a non-denominational full-gospel fellowship of Christian women, will meet at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Comfort Suites, 100 Opal Court N.E., Albany. The guest speaker will be teacher Mary Carter. There is no charge for admission. The event will begin with refreshments at 9:30 a.m. The program will start at 10 a.m.

National prayer event comes to Albany

Dutch Sheets and Chuck Pierce of the United States Strategic Prayer Network will host two meetings next week at the Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Albany, 2110 Santiam Highway S.E., Albany. The sessions will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 15, and from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, Dec. 16. Sheeets and Pierce are well-known Christian leaders and authors.

Methodists to host 'Blue Christmas' event

The First United Methodist Church, 1115 28th Ave. S.W., Albany, will host a "Blue Christmas" service at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. The service is for those who are struggling with illness, depression, grief or other significant problems this holiday season.

Christmas programs

LEBANON - The First Baptist Church, 211 East Vine St., will host a performance of the three-act play "Sunrise!" at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. The play is produced by the Independence-based Dramatic Difference Ministries and tells the story of Zacharias and Elizabeth, the parents of John the Baptist.

LEBANON - The First Presbyterian Church, 145 West Ash St., will present its annual musical production at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. The concert will feature performances by the 11-member Carillon Memorial Handbell Choir, the 18-member chorale ensemble, the Mid-Valley Girls Choir, and several soloists. A reception will be held in Harden Hall following the concert. There is a suggested $5 donation for adults, with children welcome free of charge. Child care is available for infants and preschoolers.

LEBANON - The Sodaville Evangelical Church, 38200 Middle Ridge Drive, has scheduled three performances for "Christmas in Hawaii." The first performance is at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at the church. The program will also be performed at The Oaks in Lebanon at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20 and at the Willamette Manor at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21.

Fairview Mennonite Church, 35100 Goltra Road S.E., Albany, will present "You Are There…Jesus Christ, His Birth," at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19 and again at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21. The musical drama depicts the events surrounding the birth of Christ, with participation by a choir, actors and live animals. There is no charge for admission.

LEBANON - The Lebanon Mennonite Church, 2100 S. Second St., will host its Christmas celebration and soup supper from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19. Stories will be presented in four Nativity settings with live animals and actors in costume. There will also be crafts, food and the opportunity to take a family picture at a Nativity scene.

The students at Standard Christian School will perform "O Holy Night: A Christmas Drama," at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19 and at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at The United Pentecostal Church, 230 Pine St. S.E., Albany. The drama tells the story of the three wise men and their journey to Bethlehem.