The theology of Christmas carols
South Whidbey Community Church presents a series of Christmas sermons that teach about the “theology of Christmas carols.” Sunday morning, Pastor Darrell Wenzek will speak about the carol “What Child is This?” based on Matthew 1:18-25.
SWCC also presents its fourth annual Christmas Eve “Christmas by Candlelight” traditional carol sing and Christmas dinner, at 5:30 p.m. at the Deer Lagoon Grange. Visitors and guests are cordially invited.
Sunday worship at SWCC is from 10 to 11 a.m. and is preceded by adult learning forums at 9 a.m., with Stan Walker leading a study in the book of Ephesians. This is an open class and everyone is invited.
All SWCC sermons and special adult forum lectures are recorded, and copies on CD-R or e-mailed as Windows audio attachments may be obtained by calling the church at 221-1220.
SWCC is a local independent, non-denominational church that adheres to the National Association of Evangelical’s Statement of Faith. It is open to everyone and gathers for worship each Sunday at the Deer Lagoon Grange, 5142 Bayview Road.
For further information about the church and services, call 221-1220.
‘Songs of Christmas’ is the topic at UUCWI
“The Songs of Christmas” will be celebrated at the Sunday service for the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Whidbey Island.
Beloved carols will highlight the Sunday before Christmas; come share the joy of the season with stories and congregational singing.
All are welcome. Values-based children’s religious exploration classes and childcare will be provided. The service is at 10 a.m., and all are welcome.
UUCWI is located at 20103 Highway 525, just north of Freeland. Check www.whidbey.com/uucwi for more information.
Ugandan pastor returns to Whidbey
Ugandan Pastor Steve Mayanja, foreign mission director of World Outreach Ministry Foundation, will return to South Whidbey where he has long-standing relationships with individuals and area churches.
He will speak at House of Prayer, at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 19 service.
Through the years Pastor Mayanja, together with WOMF, has established 120 churches in Uganda, Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania, Rwanda and Congo, along with orphanages, schools/Bible college and a prison outreach. There are currently more than 500 children in the orphan program, and weekly visits are made to 60-some prisons, where blankets, food and medical care are provided. The ministry has also built a bush hospital in Wudabi, southern Sudan, a region once lacking medical services.
The House of Prayer is at the intersection of Highway 525 and Pioneer Park Place, across from Crawford Road. For more information, call 321-6070.
Rev. Gabriel is speaker at Unity
Rev. Joanna Gabriel will present “Here’s to Life!” at Unity of Whidbey on Sunday.
We are upon that magical, mystical time of year when there’s more dark than light, and yet the darkness is aglow with the light of celebration, the promise of renewal and the gathering of friends and families. Join Rev. Gabriel as we come together to acknowledge our light in the darkness with appreciation for all life and continued blessings.
Heidi Hoelting will provide the music, and the Unity platform assistant will be Donna Vanderheiden.
“A Course in Miracles” group meets from 3:30 to 5 p.m. All are welcome.
Unity of Whidbey is located in its new chapel at 5671 Crawford Road in Langley. Visit Unity of Whidbey’s website at http://www.unityofwhidbeyisland.org for more information.
Holiday offerings at Langley UMC
Langley United Methodist Church on South Whidbey has holiday offerings for many tastes and ages, and invites the community to participate.
The church’s Advent services are at 9:30 a.m. each Sunday.
There will be two Christmas Eve candlelight services, at 4:30 and 10 p.m., on Friday,
Dec. 24. The earlier time is especially for families, with a tableau of the birth of Jesus’ scene in the manger.
The evening service includes Communion.
A freewill offering for Good Cheer Foodbank will be taken at both services.
Christmas Eve service at UUWCI
All are welcome to a 4 p.m. Christmas Eve service of candles, carols and stories at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Whidbey Island.
Service centers on spiritual inheritance
“And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men,” (Luke 2: 12-14).
Spiritual peace is a promise that is kept today. “Undisturbed amid the jarring testimony of the material sense, Science, still enthroned, is unfolding to mortals the immutable, harmonious, divine Principle – is unfolding Life and the universe, ever present and eternal,” (Science and Health).
On Sunday, Dec. 19, the Christian Science service explores our connections today with the promises surrounding Jesus’ birth. Come join an acknowledgement of spiritual inheritance that can be claimed today. The service begins at 10:30 a.m. at 15910 Highway 525 (just north of Bayview and across from Useless Bay Road). Everyone is welcome.
Community sings carols at St. Peter’s
Kristor Hustad and Donald Vollema will present a program of Christmas music and Scandinavian songs at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Clinton. Audience participation in the Christmas carols and Scandinavian songs is encouraged.
Hustad, who has a doctorate in vocal performance and pedagogy from the University of Iowa, sings with opera companies in Germany and Austria. He will perform a few seasonal solos. Vollema, who holds a master’s degree in piano accompaniment from Arizona State University, is an accompanist with the Pacific Northwest Ballet and the music director of Pointe of Grace Lutheran Church in Mukilteo. All are welcome.
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church is at 6309 S. Wilson Place, a block north of Highway 525 and Cozy’s Roadhouse.
Sunday morning worship features Advent Lessons and Carols at 10:30 a.m.
St. Peter’s will have a Christmas Eve candlelight service at 9 p.m. Dec. 24.
On Dec. 26, Christmas Lessons and Carols starts at 10:30 a.m.
For information, call 341-4715 or 425-514-0465.
