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Great Island Presbyterian Church to hold Blue Christmas Service Dec. 19

LOCK HAVEN — Great Island Presbyterian Church, 12 W. Water St., Lock Haven, will be holding a Blue Christmas Service on Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Blue Christmas service provides a quiet and contemplative worship service as an alternative to the more traditional gatherings. A 2014 National Alliance on Mental Illness study reveals 64% of respondents with mental stress found that holidays make their conditions worse. Christmas can be hard for many, who are supposed to be happy and joyful, but have the memory of a lost one, someone who is missing. And it’s beneficial to ...

The reason for the season

There are many traditions associated with Christmas. But if we peel away all the trappings we discover that, at its core, Christmas is a celebration of the coming of Jesus Christ into the world God created. This He did to redeem all who believe in him by giving his life for their lives. This is the message the apostle John presents in the introduction to his gospel. I encourage you to read John 1:1-18. John captures the essence of Christmas in his phrase, “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” He makes clear that the Word about whom he was writing is none other than Jesus of ...

Church holds annual Hanging of the Greens service in Mill Hall

PHOTOS PROVIDED Bald Eagle United Presbyterian Church in Mill Hall recently held its annual Hanging of the Greens service. Every year the congregation, during the service, decorates the sanctuary. Items are brought forth, explained and set out for display. Some of the decorations include the ...

Local church briefs

December Services LOCK HAVEN — Great Island Presbyterian Church will celebrate Advent in worship every Sunday at 10 a.m., including Christmas Eve morning, Dec. 24. The church will also have its annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7:30 p.m. On Tuesday, Dec. 19, members will have a “Blue Christmas” service which is "a survival guide for the holiday season. A contemplative service with gentle reminders to self-care, setting sensible boundaries and expectations." Community Christmas Party LAMAR — All are invited to join the fun at The Community Christmas Party and ...

Finding our faith

I was searching for a topic for this article and ideas were not coming, when the actual words, “Finding Faith” leaped up. These can be very grievous times for finding our faith. It reminds us of the children’s books, “Where’s Waldo?” Each page is full of pictures of people or ...

Local church briefs

Worship in the Woods LOCK HAVEN — Members invite everyone to join a Christmas Worship in the Woods at Big Woods Bible Church, 241 S. Hanna St., Lock Haven, that will be running every Friday and Saturday night in December starting at 6 p.m. every 30 minutes until 9 p.m. This outdoor display of lights has over 8,000 LED lights that are synchronized to music. Volunteers will help park you and bring you hot chocolate and cookies. You will stay right in your car and will be given instruction on how to tune in so that you can listen and enjoy the music depicting the true meaning of ...