PARKERSBURG - A number of local churches in the Mid-Ohio Valley will be holding special Christmas Eve services on Monday to mark the holiday.
Some churches will also be holding Christmas Day programs, including one community breakfast and three free community dinners on the holiday.
The services and programs on Monday will include:
* In Marietta, First Congregational Church will hold a Christmas Eve worship service for members and friends at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the church at 318 Front St.
The candlelight service features Lessons and Carols patterned after the tradition of Kings College, Cambridge, England. Lay readers will present the scriptures. Special music for Christmas Eve will feature organist-choir director Scott Hobson, other instrumental musicians and the Chancel Choir singing "Manger Song" by L. Dengler. The congregation will join in the carols. The service concludes with the everyone singing "Silent Night" as the sanctuary is bathed in candlelight. The meditation for the evening, " All? " will be presented by the Rev. Linda Steelman.
* In Parkersburg, First Christian Church will hold a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7 p.m. Monday at the church at 1400 Washington Ave. in Parkersburg.
* In Marietta, Gilman United Methodist Church will celebrate Christmas Eve at 7 p.m. Monday with a Service of Carols, the Christmas Story and Group Candlelight Lighting at the church at 312 Gilman Ave. The message will be "A Different Kind of Christmas: Jesus' Wish List" delivered by Pastor Diann O'Bryant.
* In Marietta, Fairview Heights Chapel will hold its candlelight service at 6 p.m. Dec. 24 at the church located at 115 High St. on Harmar Hill. Everyone is welcome. For more information, contact Pastor Woody Pryor at (740) 373-4026.
* In Lowell, St. John's Evangelical Church will hold its Candlelight Service at 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The service is open to the public. The church is located at 312 Fourth St. in Lowell.
* North Parkersburg Baptist Church will hold its annual Candlelight Service at 6 and 7:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve at the church on Emerson Avenue in north Parkersburg.
* In south Parkersburg, the combined choirs of the Edgelawn/Epworth United Methodist Church Charge will present their Christmas cantata followed by candlelight communion at 6:30 p.m. Christmas Eve at the church at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Myrtle Street. The event is open to the public.
* In Marietta, a Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship service will be 7 p.m. Monday at Christ United Methodist Church at Third and Wooster streets.
* In south Parkersburg, the 14th Avenue Gospel Mission Church will have a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service from 7-8 p.m. Monday at the church at 4124 14th Ave. There will be special music, traditional carols and a message from Pastor Tim Burch.
* Macfarlan Community Church will hold its 2012 Christmas Program at 6 p.m. Dec. 23 at the church in Macfarlan. The event is open to the public. The church will also hold its Christmas Eve candlelight service at 6 p.m. Dec. 24. Everyone is welcome.
* In Williamstown, Christ Memorial Episcopal Church will celebrate Christmas Eve at 5 p.m. Dec. 24 with a candlelight service celebrated by the Rev. Richard Heller.
* In south Parkersburg, Southside Southern Baptist Church will have a Christmas Eve Service at 6 p.m. Dec. 24. There will be selected scriptures read and special singing. Pastor is Paul Drake. The church is located at 2004 Gihon Road.
* Near Marietta, Tunnel United Methodist Church will hold a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7 p.m. Dec. 24. The public is invited to attend.
* In Devola, Putnam Congregational Church will hold a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7 p.m. Monday at the church at 707 Masonic Park Road. There will be songs, a special message and praise.
There will also be some activities on Tuesday for Christmas Day:
* In south Parkesburg, First Evangelical Methodist Church, at 1906 Gihon Road, will hold its free community Christmas Breakfast. from 10-11:30 a.m. on Christmas Day. Pancakes and sausage will be served.
* In Parkersburg, First Presbyterian Church, at 1341 Juliana St., will be hosting its 22nd annual Christmas Day dinner in its fellowship hall from noon-2 p.m.
The traditional dinner will include salad, turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, roll, beverage and dessert. Prior to the dinner, First Presbyterian will open at 9 a.m. on Christmas Day and offer a hospitality room, with coffee and doughnuts, for people who come to the church early.
* In Coolville, a Christmas Day dinner will be 1 p.m. at Coolville United Methodist Church beginning at 1 p.m.
There is no charge. The meal will include ham, turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, macaroni and cheese, cole slaw, rolls, dessert, coffee and tea.
* In south Parkersburg, Tri-City Baptist Church, on Grandview Street, is offering the community a free Christmas Day Dinner that will begin at noon on Tuesday.
