Religion Notebook: Church events offer holiday themes

Getting into the Christmas spirit will be easy this week, with several concerts and other events geared toward the holiday season.

“Connoisseur Concerts will offer a free holiday concert Sunday at 4 and 7 p.m. at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, 127 E. 12th Ave.

The doors will open an hour before each concert, and there will be pre-concert music provided by the ensembles of the Spokane Youth Orchestra.

The concert also will feature a skit, “Wassail,” written by Lydia Newell, and performances by local actor Patrick Treadway, the Spokane Area Children’s Chorus and the Cathedral Choir.

For more information, call the church office at 838-4277.

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1620 E. 29th Ave., will present its fifth annual Christmas Crèche Exhibit Saturday through Dec. 8 from 1 to 9 p.m. on weekends and from 4 to 9 p.m. on weekdays.

There are daily events, such as “The Nativity,” a 5-minute video that will air every 15 minutes throughout the exhibit, and there will be dress-up and crafts for children.

There also will be different concerts daily at 7 p.m., including the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Sunday via satellite. The concert Wednesday will be at 6:30 p.m.

Admission is free. For more information, call the church office at 533-0613.

“Covenant United Methodist Church, 15515 N. Gleneden Drive, will present “Joy – An Advent Concert for All” Saturday at 7 p.m.

Pianist Nathan Kennedy-Gibbens will perform with friends, and donations will be accepted to benefit the New Hope Resource Center which assists north Spokane residents in need.

For more information, call the church office at 466-1768.

“The Teen Challenge Men’s Center, 2400 N. Craig Road, will present “No Room in the Inn,” a Christmas celebration Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The event will feature over 100 nativities on display and a live nativity including animals from the stable.

There also will be music and skits performed by the students at Teen Challenge.

Admission is a suggested donation of $3 a person, or $5 for families. For more information, call 244-5610.

“Lincoln Heights Congregational Church, 3527 E. 29th Ave., will present its annual Carol Sing Saturday at 7 p.m.

The church will sing favorite Christmas carols, and everyone is invited to attend.

For more information, call the church office at 534-7821.

“The Catholic Daughters of America will present a Christmas luncheon at the Fairwinds Retirement Home, 520 E. Holland Ave., Wednesday from noon to 2 p.m.

Admission is $12. For more information, call Charlotte Batchelor at 489-7049.

“The Unitarian Universalist Church, 4340 W. Fort George Wright Drive, will offer its fifth annual alternative gift fair Sunday between services, 10:15 to 11 a.m. and noon to 2 p.m.

The sale features donations to different local, national and international charitable organizations to be purchased in the name of your family and friends. The organizations include Heifer International, Hospice of Spokane, Catholic Relief Services and Habitat for Humanity.

For more information, call the church office at 325-6383.

“Mission Community Presbyterian Church, 2103 E. Mission Ave., will present its annual Bazaar and Bake Sale Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Items for sale include crafts, hot dogs, chips, drinks and cookies.

For more information, call the church office at 534-4502.