Religion News: Community invited to sing Handel's 'Messiah'

Singers from the community are invited to attend rehearsals and participate in a communitywide presentation of the Christmas portion of Handel's "Messiah" at First Presbyterian Church on Hilton Head Island.

Rehearsals are from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16 and Dec. 17 in the church sanctuary.

Hosted by the First Presbyterian Church Sanctuary Choir, the event will be held at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 in the sanctuary. The program is free and the public is invited.

Participants are asked to contact Dr. S. Russell Floyd, minister of music at First Presbyterian Church, at 843-681-3696 for more information. Rehearsal music and study tapes are available. Floyd will direct the chorus, accompanied by Dr. Charles Farley, organist, and the chamber orchestra.

The church is at 540 William Hilton Parkway between mile markers 5 and 6 on Hilton Head Island.

Details: www.fpchhi.org, 843-681-3696

HISTORICAL CHURCH TOUR

In celebration of its 70th anniversary, the Beaufort County Historical Society is offering a Tour of Churches and Churchyards from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today.

The eight churches featured on the tour -- which are within walking distance of each other -- are: The Parish Church of St. Helena (Episcopal), 505 Church St.; Carteret Street United Methodist Church, Carteret and North Streets; The Baptist Church of Beaufort, 601 Charles St.; St. Peter's Catholic Churchyard, Carteret and Duke Streets; Tabernacle Baptist Church, 911 Craven St.; First African Baptist Church, 601 New St.; First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort, 1201 North St.; and Wesley United Methodist Church, 701 West St.

Volunteer docents and a member of the historical society will be at each church to answer questions.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for seniors and students. A $10 ticket discount will be provided to those who renew memberships or join the Beaufort County Historical Society. A one-year membership fee is $20. Tickets may be purchased from a historical society board member at any church on the tour.

Details: sail@singlestar.us, 843-785-2767, www.beaufortcountyhistoricalsociety.org

SERVANTS OF GOD MINISTRIES OF SEABROOK

Today is the final day to register for Jacqueline G. Harley School of Ministry, a division of Servants of God Ministries of Seabrook, Winter Biblical Studies Classes.

Details: 843-846-6017, www.servantsofgodministriesossc.org

ANGEL FOOD MINISTRY

Angel Food orders may be placed online at www.angelfoodministries.com and at area churches:

• Grace and Truth Gospel Chapel, 1161 Sea Island Parkway, St. Helena Island, from 10 a.m. -2 p.m. today

• St. John's Lutheran Church, 157 Lady's Island Drive, Lady's Island: 9 a.m.-noon today and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday

Orders are also taken Monday through Saturday at Life House church, 40 Faith Station, Beaufort.

Food may be picked up from 9-10:30 a.m. Dec. 19 at St. John's Lutheran.

Details: 843-379-9673

BEAUFORT COMMUNITY AGLOW

The Beaufort Community Aglow Lighthouse meets at 11 a.m. today at the Port Royal Medical Building (second floor) at 1320 South Ribaut Road, Port Royal.

In keeping with the group's Holiday Outreach Project, donations of a package of men's socks (white only) or a package of women's socks (white only) are requested. These socks will be distributed prior to the holidays to people residing at a local nursing home.

Details: 843-525-0525

MT. CALVARY MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

The Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Achievement School will host its annual holiday program featuring a performance by the Achievement School Choir from 4:30-6:30 p.m. today at the Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, 382 Squire Pope Road, Hilton Head Island.

Lavon Stevens, the school's music director, has entertained island residents and tourists over the years and works with the students weekly in music instruction and performance.

The festivities will begin with joyful music of the season and be followed by a community dinner featuring Lowcountry specialties. Both events are free.

Details: 843-681-3678, www.achievementschool.org

THE FELLOWSHIP CONCERT CHOIR OF BEAUFORT

The Fellowship Concert Choir of Beaufort will present its annual Christmas Concert in celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at 6 p.m. today at Spring Hill AME Church in Sheldon (across from the Sheldon Post Office).

The choir will render familiar Christmas spirituals with a twist. The concert is free.

Details: 843-524-7230

SHELL POINT BAPTIST CHURCH

Shell Point Baptist Church will present the Christmas musical, "The Gift Goes On," at 7 p.m. today and Sunday. The public is invited to attend.

The church is at 871 Parris Island Gateway, Beaufort.

Details: 843-522-5816

NAZARETH BAPTIST CHURCH

The Adult Choir of Nazareth Baptist Church will celebrate its 34th anniversary at 4 p.m. Sunday. The church is at 133 Seaside Road, St. Helena Island.

Details: 843-838-7473, nazarethbc@embarqmal.com

ST. FRANCIS BY THE SEA CATHOLIC CHURCH

The Women of St. Francis by the Sea Catholic Church on Hilton Head Island are sponsoring a Hard Hat Event from 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sunday.

All parishioners are encouraged to come to the Multipurpose Building work site to sign the subfloor of the soon-to-be-completed building. This event will be in conjunction with Fellowship Sunday in the Family Center and is a St. Francis 25th Anniversary event. Participants are requested to use the Hospital Commons parking lot.

Details: 843-842-4531

Also, the church will hold its third annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at 4 p.m. Dec. 13. This year's presentation will include a choir of approximately 60 singers representing choirs from a variety of denominations from Hilton Head, Bluffton and Beaufort. The group will be accompanied by a chamber orchestra of strings, winds and organ. Readings will be presented by St. Francis parish members. Admission is free. The church is at 45 Beach City Road, Hilton Head Island.

Details: 843-681-6359

MAYE RIVER BAPTIST CHURCH

The Christmas Cantata: "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!" will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday with refreshments to follow and at 11 a.m. Dec. 13 with a fellowship meal to follow at the church. The Live Nativity will be at 5 p.m. Dec. 19, featuring a children's choir, caroling and a reading of the Christmas story.

Details: 912-844-4631, 843-784-6868

CARTERET STREET UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Each Monday in Advent the following guest preachers will visit Carteret Street United Methodist Church for a 30-minute worship service at noon followed by a soup and sandwich luncheon: Monday, the Rev. Lou Lunardini, First Presbyterian Church; Dec. 14, the Rev. Richard Spearman, St. Helena Baptist Church; and Dec. 21, Lt. Cmdr. Marcus Lawrence, U.S. Navy chaplain.

Christmas Eve services at Carteret Street United Methodist Church include a 5 p.m. worship service and an 11 p.m. Candlelight Communion Service on Dec. 24.

The church is at 408 Carteret St., Beaufort.

Details: 843-524-3841, csumc@islc.net

ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH

All Saints Episcopal Church will sponsor two Madrigal Dinners on Wednesday and Thursday. The dinners at the church on Hilton Head Island will feature 90 members of the Effingham County High School Chorus.

The program, which will begin at 6 p.m., will include skits presented by players wearing period costumes, seasonal music and a medieval procession. An authentic Madrigal Dinner with butternut squash soup, beef stew, pork and chicken pie, champ (mashed potatoes with onions), Elizabethan salad and figgie pudding will be served. A limited number of tickets are available at $20 a person or $50 for a family of three or more.

Also, the church's Community Life Commission is seeking proposals from Hilton Head Island and Bluffton nonprofit charitable organizations with a mission effort. Projects must be for one year with clearly defined planning and timelines, and make a significant difference in the lives of recipients.

The deadline for proposal submissions is Friday. For more information or to request an application form, contact the church at 843-681-833 or allsaints@hargray.com.

The church is at 3001 Meeting St., Hilton Head Island.

Details: 843-681-8333

LUNCH HOUR OF POWER

The Lunch Hour of Power praise and worship experience is from noon-12:45 p.m. Wednesday in Helen Galloway's Memorial Chapel of Chisholm Galloway Home for Funerals, 808 Bladen St., Beaufort. Scottsville Baptist Church Pastor Jack Ladson will speak.

Details: 843-524-6634

GREATER PENTECOSTAL TEMPLE

Greater Pentecostal Youth Ministry will hold its Youth Revival at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Minister Gary Swindell, of Savannah, will speak. The church is at 5905 South Okatie Highway, Hardeeville.

Details: 843-784-6988, 866-708-3686

THE BAPTIST CHURCH OF BEAUFORT

The LowCountry Children's Chorus and Celebration Brass will offer a "Celebrating the Season" concert at 3 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Baptist Church of Beaufort. Admission is $5 at the door.

Details: 843-524-3197

OKATEE BAPTIST CHURCH

Okatee Baptist Church will present "Share the True Love Of Christmas at the Live Nativity" at 6 and 7 p.m. Friday through Dec. 13. The nativity will feature music, Scripture readings and candlelight prayer. Free coffee, hot chocolate and homemade cookies will be served. Admission is free. The church is at 991 Okatie Highway on S.C. 170, Okatie.

Details: 843-987-0885

LADY'S ISLAND BAPTIST CHURCH

Lady's Island Baptist Church Male Chorus Anniversary is at 5 p.m. Dec. 12. Lady's Island Missionary Society Anniversary is at 3 p.m. Dec. 13. The annual Sunday School Christmas Program is at 6 p.m. Dec. 20. The community is invited.

Details: Audrey Washington, 843-524-8528

LORD OF LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH

Lord of Life Lutheran Church is presenting a Christmas cantata titled "A Great and Mighty Wonder; Celebrating the Messiah's Birth" at the regular 9 and 11 a.m. services and at 6 p.m. Dec. 13. The program will feature the Lord of Life Cantata Choir, the Youth Choir and special guest musicians under the direction of Rebecca Sturgis, director of music ministries. The church is at 351 Buckwalter Parkway, Bluffton.

Details: 843-757-4774

NEW HOPE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

New Hope Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will hold an Old Fashioned Religion Service at 4 p.m. Dec. 13. The Disciples Women Fellowship will sponsor the event. Evangelist Wanda L. Glaze, of New Hope Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will speak. Those attending are encouraged, but not required, to wear old-fashioned attire.

Details: 843-521-0431