Christmas has once again come to the Fayette-Coweta community and churches all over the area are eagerly planning to celebrate one of the holiest Christian holidays, the birth of Jesus Christ. From the huge outdoor Christmas Eve service hosted by Rolling Hills Baptist in Fayetteville to the smaller, intimate services celebrated by the many small churches in the area, most will culminate this gala holiday season on Dec. 24 and Dec. 25. The following churches have announced their special Christmas events …
• Community Christmas in Fayetteville
Rolling Hills Baptist Church will celebrate Christmas with a special “Christmas by Candlelight” community event on Tuesday, Dec. 24, from 6-6:30 p.m. at the Fayetteville Town Square. The event will include singing Christmas carols at the Gazebo, reading the Christmas story, and singing Silent Night by candlelight. The event is open to the public.
“Our real motive here is to offer something to a community of people who sense there is something more to the holiday than what they’ve experienced previously” says Frank Mercer, senior pastor at Rolling Hills. “There are many who might feel cynical about attending a church service or hypocritical about attending only on Christmas Eve. This is a simple gathering for friends and neighbors who are looking for the hope, joy and love that Christmas promises.”
Rolling Hills regularly worships at the NCG Cinemas at Fischer Crossings just across the county line in Coweta County. For more information, visit http://WheresTheSteeple.org.
• All Saints Anglican
All Saints Anglican Church in Peachtree City will host Advent Lessons and Carols on Sunday, Dec. 22, at 10:45 a.m.
On Christmas Eve, the church will have a Family Service at 5 p.m. with nursery provided, Lessons and Carols at 10:30 p.m. and a Midnight Candlelight Mass at 11 p.m.
On Christmas Day, Holy Communion will be celebrated at 10 a.m.
The children’s Epiphany Pageant is planned for Jan. 5 at 10:45 a.m.
All Saints Anglican is at 225 S. Peachtree Parkway in Peachtree City.
• Brooks Christian
Brooks Christian Church will hold a Candlelight Communion Service on Christmas Eve at 6 p.m. in the historic sanctuary in downtown Brooks. The church is at 969 Ga. Hwy. 85 Connector, four miles east of Starr’s Mill. For more information, visit www.brookschristian.org.
• Brooks UMC
Brooks United Methodist Church will host a Christmas Eve service Tuesday, Dec. 24, at 6 p.m. The church is at 119 Morgan Mill Rd, Brooks. For more information, call 770-719-7593.
• Christ Our Shepherd
Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church will offer four services on Christmas Eve, and one on Christmas morning. The Christmas Eve services are at 4:30, 6:30, 8:30, and 10:30 p.m. The earliest service is especially family-friendly, and a children’s choir will sing. The 6:30 service features musical soloists and ensembles. At 8:30 the Flute Choir and Love Feast Consort are scheduled. Leading worship at the 10:30 service will be Sanctuary Choir and Joyful Noise Ringers. Pastor Fritz Wiese will preach. All are candlelight services and include beloved carols and Holy Communion. Childcare is provided at 4:30 and 6:30.
Worship on Christmas Day will be at 10 a.m. Pastor Miriam Beecher will lead a service of carols, readings, a Christmas sermon, and Holy Communion.
On Sunday, Dec. 29, worship at 8:30 and 11 a.m. are services of lessons and carols, with no sermon. A special children’s sermon will be offered, as well as Holy Communion. There are no services on Saturday or at 10:50 that weekend.
• Christ the King CEC
The Cathedral of Christ The King Charismatic Episcopal Church wil have two services on Christmas Eve. At 6 p.m. a “Kid Friendly Service” will feature a visit by Bishop St. Nicholas of Myra with a gift for the kids, songs of the season, Christmas scriptures and Holy Eucharist. At 9 p.m.. the church will host a Candlelight Service with songs of the season, Christmas scriptures and Holy Eucharist.
For more information, email ctkcec@aol.com or call 770-252-2428. The church is at 4881 Ga. Hwy. 34, East, west of Peachtree City.
• Cokes Chapel UMC
Cokes Chapel United Methodist Church will have two Christmas Eve worship celebrations, a contemporary service at 7 p.m. and a traditional service at 9 p.m. Both services will have candle lighting and the sharing of Holy Communion.
Cokes Chapel is on Lower Fayetteville Road near its intersection with Ga. Highway 154 in the Thomas Crossroads area of Sharpsburg.
• Cornerstone UMC
Cornerstone United Methodist Church will hold Candle Light Christmas Eve services on Dec. 24 at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. The 4:30 pm service is a more child/family-oriented service. The 6:30 p.m service is a more formal service with communion. Cornerstone is at 2956 Ga. Hwy. 154, Newnan, near the Thomas Crossroads intersection.
• Destiny Christian Center
Destiny Christian Center, International will hold a Christmas Eve service at 7 p.m. Tuesday evening.
A New Year’s Eve service is planned for Tuesday, Dec. 31, at 9 p.m. Breakfast will be served after worship.
The church is at 182 N. Glynn St (Ga. Hwy. 85), Fayetteville. For more information, call 770-719-8521 or visit www.destinycci.org.
• Dogwood Church
Dogwood Church in Tyrone will have Christmas Eve services at 3:30 and 5 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. The church is on Ga. Hwy. 74 North between Peachtree Pkwy. and Dogwood Trail. For information, call 770-487-6691 or visit info@dogwoodchurch.org.
• Evergreen Church
Evergreen Church will host a community-wide classic Christmas Eve Service at 5:30 p.m. at the Starr’s Mill High School auditorium, 193 Panther Path, Fayetteville. The service will feature musical performances by Jay and Abby Akins and Dr. John Odum.
• Fayetteville First UMC
Fayetteville First United Methodist Church will offer a Candlelight Concert Sunday, Dec. 22 at 6 p.m. featuring Rick Massengale, Sonia Squires. Alison Kirkland, Eric Lindsey and the Candlelight Orchestra.
Christmas Eve services are planned for 4,6, and 11 p.m. Tuesday evening, with childcare available at the 4 and 6 p.m. services.
FFUMC is at 175 E. Lanier Ave. (Ga. Hwy. 54 W.), Fayetteville. For more information, call 770-461-4313 or visit fayettevillefirst.com.
• First Presbyterian, PTC
The Christmas Eve service at First Presbyterian Church in Peachtree City will begin with a pre-service organ concert by nationally recognized organist Bill Pasch starting at 6 p.m. At 6:30, the service will begin with the First Presbyterian Kindergarten Children’s Choir performing “Away in a Manger” accompanied by David Stivers on guitar. The First Presbyterian Chancel Choir will also perform Christmas Lullaby by John Rutter. The Rev. Morgan Hay will read the Christmas Story with congregation participation, and the service will conclude with the beloved song “Silent Night” accompanied by a candlelight service. This is a family-friendly service with something for all ages. The church is on Willowbend Rd., just off Ga. Hwy. 54 in Peachtree City. Call the church office, 770-487-7757, for more information.
• Heatherwood Baptist
Heatherwood Baptist Church will celebrate Christmas Eve with a service at 5 p.m. Heatherwood is at 721 Shenandoah Blvd. in Newnan. For more information, call the church office, 770-304-0091.
• Hopewell UMC
Hopewell United Methodist Church in Tyrone invites the community to participate in its Christmas Eve Services on Dec. 24. There will be a kid-friendly Candlelight and Communion Service with family participation at 5 p.m. and a traditional Candlelight and Communion Service at 7 p.m. Childcare will be available at both the 5 and 7 p.m. services. The church is at 351 Jenkins Rd., directly across from Sandy Creek High School. Contact the church office for more information at 770-306-7537.
• Nativity Episcopal
After the 10 a.m. service on the final Sunday in Advent, Dec. 22, the congregation of the Episcopal Church of the Nativity will decorate the sanctuary for the Christmas season, a process known as “the greening of the church.” A manger scene will be placed at the entrance to the worship space, and a tree will be erected inside.
Christmas Eve services on Dec. 24 will include a 7 p.m. service featuring Tableau and holiday music presented by children of the parish. At 11 p.m., the church will host Choral “Midnight Mass” and a sermon.
A Christmas Day service is planned for 10 a.m. and will feature Holy Eucharist, no music.
The church is at 130 Antioch Rd., Fayetteville. For more information, call 770-460-6390, email info@nativityepiscopal.org, or visit http://nativity.episcopalatlanta.org.
• New Beginnings
New Beginnings Praise and Worship Center will host its annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service on Dec. 24 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The service will feature traditional Christmas songs, candle lighting and family prayers of blessing. New Beginnings is at 1091 South Jeff Davis Dr., Fayetteville. For information, call 770-460-1346.
• Peachtree City UMC
On Dec. 22, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Music by the Contemporary Worship Team will be presented at the 9:30 and 11 a.m. at Peachtree City United Methodist Church.
On Dec. 24, Christmas Eve, the church will host three services: a Family Candlelight Worship at 5 p.m. with childcare provided for infants through pre-K; a Candlelight and Communion service at 7 p.m. with childcare provided for infants through pre-K and a Candlelight and Communion service with no childcare provided at 9 p.m. The church is at 225 Robinson Rd, Peachtree City. For more information, call 770-487-6499.
• Prince of Peace Lutheran
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Fayetteville will have four services on Christmas Eve. At 4 p.m., a family-friendly, less formal service will be offered, featuring live animals along with Chester the Camel and his friends.
At 7, 9 and 11 p.m., a traditional Christmas Eve service will be offered with pipe organ, special music and Communion.
The church is on Ga. Hwy. 314 between Lowe’s and The Pavilion. For more information, call 770-461-3403 or visit www.princeofpeacefayette.com..
• Providence UMC
Providence United Methodist Church invites the community to experience the true meaning of Christmas through three different worship services. The 4 p.m. Family Service will have child-friendly Christmas carols, a short message by Senior Pastor Diane Parrish and child-friendly candles.
Parrish explains, “We want even the youngest children to be able to understand the true meaning of Christmas. Through the skits, message and special music, the children will feel the joy of the Savior.” All prayers, scripture readings and skits will be done by the older children.
During the 6 p.m. Contemporary Service the Providence praise band, led by Adam Holt, will play updated versions of Christmas carols. This service includes a message, “All That I Have,” by Parrish, Holy Communion and candlelight. During the traditional worship at 8 p.m. the Providence choir will be featured singing favorite Christmas hymns, along with Parrish’s message, Holy Communion and candlelight.
The church café is open for free coffee and a free nursery is offered during all worship services. Providence is in southern Fayette County at 592 Bernhard Rd. between Ga. Hwy. 85 and Bernhard Road. For more information call the church office, 770-719-8800, or visit www.provumc.com
• St. Andrew’s Episcopal
St. Andrew’s in the Pines Episcopal Church will have Christmas Services beginning with a Children’s Pageant and Holy Eucharist on Tuesday, Dec. 24 at 4:30 p.m. This is a no-rehearsal pageant and all children are welcome to participate.
A traditional Christmas Eve service with a full choir and Holy Eucharist Rite II will begin at 10 p.m. with carols and instrumentals on Tuesday, Dec. 24.
On Christmas Day the church will have Holy Eucharist Rite I at 10 a.m. On Sunday, Dec. 29, the church will have a service of Lessons and Carols with Eucharist beginning at 10 a.m.
St. Andrew’s is located at 316 N. Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree City. All are welcome.
• St. Christopher’s
St. Christopher Hellenic Orthodox Church invites the community to celebrate the following Christmas events:
Sunday, Dec. 22, Orthros, 7:45 – 9 a.m.; Divine Liturgy. 9 – 10:15 a.m.; Community Christmas Program and Lenten Luncheon, 10:15 a.m. – noon;
Tues. Dec 24: Great Hours of the Nativity of our Lord, 4 – 5:15 p.m.; Vespers for the Nativity of our Lord, 5:15 – 6 p.m.; Divine Liturgy of St. Basil for the Nativity of our Lord, 6 – 7:30 p.m.;
Wed. Dec. 25: Orthros, 8 – 9 a.m.; Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom for the Nativity of our Lord, 9 – 10:15 a.m.;
“Feed the Homeless” at St. John the Wonderworker Church in Atlanta, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
St. Christopher’s is located at 313 Dividend Dr. in Peachtree City.
• St. Mary Magdalene
St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Coweta County will celebrate several Masses during the Christmas weekend and beyond. A Vigil Mass will begin the Holy Mass Schedule on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 5 p.m. On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Dec. 22, Masses will be celebrated at 9 a.m. and noon. A nursery will be available for all Sunday Masses.
On Christmas Eve, a Children’s Vigil Mass with liturgical dance will be celebrated at 6 p.m. (nursery available) and a Midnight Mass with musical prelude and liturgical dance will be celebrated at 11:30 p.m.
On Christmas Day, only one Mass is scheduled at 10 a.m.
The Feast of the Holy Family will be celebrated with a Vigil Mass at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, with Masses at 9 a.m. and noon on Sunday, Dec. 29 (nursery available).
A Vigil Mass celebrating Mary, Mother of God, will be celebrated Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 5 p.m. with Mass following on Wednesday, New Year’s Day, at 12:10 p.m.
The church is at 3 Village Road near the Ga. Hwy. 154 – Lower Fayetteville Rd. intersection in east Coweta County. For more information, call 770-253-1888 or visit www.smmcatholic.org.
• St. Paul Lutheran
St. Paul Lutheran Church in Peachtree City will hold its final Advent service tonight, Dec. 18, with the St. Paul Lutheran School’s Christmas program at 7 p.m.
On Sunday, Dec. 22, the church will have a Happy Birthday Jesus Party and Christmas Carol Singing during the Sunday School hour. No Bible classes will he held at 9:30 a.m.
On Tuesday, Dec. 24, the church will host a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 6 p.m.
On Wednesday, Dec. 25, the church will hold a Christmas Day Service with Holy Communion at 10 a.m.
On Tuesday, Dec. 31, St. Paul’s will hold a New Year’s Eve Service with Holy Communion at 6 p.m.
The church is at 700 Ardenlee Pkwy., Peachtree City. For more information, call 770-486-3545.
• The Summit
The Summit Church (PCUSA) will have a Christmas Eve service at 7 p.m. Tuesday evening. The church is at 1373 Ga. Hwy. 92 South, Fayetteville. For more information, call 770-460-3335 or visit TheSummitPC.net.
• Turin UMC
Turin United Methodist Church will have a Candlelight Christmas Eve service at 11 p.m. Tuesday night. Turin UMC is at 20 Longstreet Ave. in Turin.
• Word of God Lutheran
Word of God Lutheran Church in Peachtree City will have Christmas Eve Candle Light services with Holy Communion on Dec. 24 at 4 and 7 p.m. .
On Christmas morning at 10:30 a.m. there will be a Christmas Family Style service featuring the sharing of Christmas memories, singing carols, and fellowship.
Word of God is located at 303 Kelly Drive, Suite 10, Peachtree City. For more information, call 770-897-4508, or visit www.woglutheran.org.
