Craig churches schedule Christmas Eve services
CRAIG COUNTY – Craig Valley Baptist Church will have candlelight services at 4 and 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 24. The choir, led by Bobbie Winstead, will present special music.
Services held around sundown are family-centered while traditional late services usually include Holy Communion and often a program of sacred music. In denominations such as Roman Catholic, conservative Anglican, Episcopal and Lutheran, where a liturgical year is followed, Christmas does not occur until the evening before. It is then celebrated until Jan. 6, Epiphany, which recalls the visit of wise men to the infant Jesus.
Craig Valley Baptist Church young people sing for residents and give out stuff animals at the Richfield Retirement Community's Recovery and Care Center in Salem on Dec. 19. With them are Stephanie Grindstaff, Jim and Karen Looney, Rick and Donna Francisco, Diane Brown, Sharon Frango and other members of the church. DeLuca Photography
Other churches that will have Christmas Eve services in the Roanoke Valley include:
• Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic, Turner Road in Salem – On Christmas Eve two Masses are scheduled at 6 and 10 p.m. An additional Mass will be on Christmas Day at 10 a.m. as well as on New Year’s Eve at 7 p.m. followed by a fellowship period.
• Locust Grove United Methodist, Locust Grove Lane, Glenvar–A candlelight service will begin at 7 p.m.
• Salem Presbyterian, Main at Market Streets, Salem – Two services are scheduled with one for children at 5 p.m. followed by candlelight Communion at 11 p.m.
• St. Paul’s Episcopal, Main at Market Streets, Salem – Special music will begin at 4 p.m. followed by the Christmas Eucharist at 4:30. The music and service will be repeated at 10 and 10:30 p.m.
• First United Methodist, 125 W. Main St., Salem – Family worship with Communion is scheduled at 5 p.m. with children bringing gifts and a nursery staffed for those three and under. The Festival of Lessons and Carols with Sanctuary Choir starts at 10:30 p.m.
• Unitarian-Universalist of Roanoke, Grandin at Brandon Southwest – A candlelight service is scheduled beginning at 8 p.m. for the family.
• Good Shepherd Lutheran – Missouri Synod – 1887 Electric Road SW–Worship will be held on Christmas Eve at 7 p.m. by candlelight followed by Christmas Day liturgy at 10:15 a.m. This church also sponsors a New Year’s Eve service starting at 7 p.m.
• St. John Lutheran, 4608 Brambleton Ave. SW – Children’s choirs will sing at the 5 p.m. service followed by contemporary-style worship at 7:30 and candlelight Communion in traditional style at 10 p.m. with music by the Chancel Choir and organ.
• Windsor Hills United Methodist, Windsor and Mudlick Roads, SW – A musical prelude at 7:30 p.m. will precede candlelight Communion at 8 p.m.
• St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal, 2339 Grandin Road SW – Pre-service music begins at 6:40 p.m. followed by Christmas Communion at 7 p.m. The Christmas Day simple worship at 10 a.m. will be followed by a fellowship brunch.
• Rosalind Hills Baptist, 2712 Brandon Ave. SW – Family service especially for children will begin at 4 p.m.
• Mill Creek Baptist, Lee Highway north of Troutville – Beginning at 6 p.m. music will be by the childrens’ choirs followed by candlelight Communion.
• Troutville Baptist on Main Street – Carols, Scripture, candlelight and Communion will be featured at the family service at 5 p.m.
• Bonsack Baptist, 4845 Cloverdale Road–At 5 p.m. a service will include music and drama especially for children. Later at 8 Communion, lessons and music will be by candlelight.
• Trinity Ecumenical Parish, 40 Lakemount Drive, Smith Mountain Lake–Two services are scheduled with one at 5 p.m. tailored for children and including music by a folk group. A second starting at 9 p.m. will include traditional candlelight Communion.
• Cave Spring United Methodist,4505 Hazel Drive–A childrens’ service featuring special music and message will start at 4:30 p.m. to be followed by a Chancel Choir program at 5:30. A later service at 8 will include a soloist and music by the Brass Five instrumental ensemble.
• Transfiguration Catholic, US 220,south of Fincastle–Evening Mass will begin at 5 p.m. A Christmas Day Mass is scheduled at 10 a.m.
• Peters Creek Church of the Brethren, 5333 Cove Road NW–A candlelight service with lessons and carols will begin at 6 p.m. for families.
• The Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, 4909 North Lake Drive NW–Music of Christmas will begin at 10:30 p.m. followed by Communion by candlelight.
– Frances Stebbins
THANK YOU so much for publishing this list of Christmas area church services! I looked around a lot in google before finding yours. Merry Christmas to you and yours, Sincerely