PARKERSBURG - A traditional candlelight Christmas Eve service will be held at 7 and 11 p.m. today at First Lutheran Church, 19th and Plum streets in Parkersburg.
The services are a tradition each Holy season. Both services will include featured vocalists, the Festival Choir and the Eastlawn Brass Quintet.
Special music will precede the 7 p.m. service beginning at 6:45 p.m. and at 10:30 prior to the 11 p.m. service. Holy Communion will be celebrated at both services. Everyone will be given a candle to join in the lighting of candles during the singing of Silent Night.
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First Lutheran Church, located at 19th and Plum streets in Parkersburg, prepares for its traditional candlelight Christmas Eve services at 7 and 11 p.m. today. Special music will precede each service beginning at 6:45 and 10:30 p.m. The public is invited.
Both services are open to the public.
First Lutheran Church is handicapped accessible. A nursery will be available during the early service. Call the church office at 304-428-6174 for additional information.
A number of other local churches in the Mid-Ohio Valley will also be holding special Christmas Eve services today to mark the holiday.
The services and programs today will include:
* First Congregational Church, 7:30 p.m., 318 Front St., Marietta.
* First Christian Church, 7 p.m., 1400 Washington Ave., Parkersburg.
* Gilman United Methodist Church, 7 p.m., 312 Gilman Ave., Marietta.
* Fairview Heights Chapel, 6 p.m., 115 High St. on Harmar Hill, Marietta.
* St. John's Evangelical Church, 7 p.m., 312 Fourth St., Lowell.
* North Parkersburg Baptist Church, 6 and 7:30 p.m., 3109 Emerson Ave., Parkersburg.
* Edgelawn/Epworth United Methodist Church Charge, 6:30 p.m., corner of Sixth Avenue and Myrtle Street, south Parkersburg.
* Christ United Methodist Church, 7 p.m., Third and Wooster streets, Marietta.
* 14th Avenue Gospel Mission Church, 7 p.m., 4124 14th Ave., south Parkersburg.
* Macfarlan Community Church, 6 p.m., MacFarlan, W.Va.
* Christ Memorial Episcopal Church, 5 p.m., 409 Columbia Ave., Williamstown.
* Tunnel United Methodist Church, 7 p.m., 65 Coffman Road, Warren Township.
* Putnam Congregational Church, 7 p.m., 707 Masonic Park Road, Devola.
Some churches will also be holding Christmas Day programs, including one community breakfast and three free community dinners on the holiday:
* In south Parkesburg, First Evangelical Methodist Church, at 1906 Gihon Road, will hold its free community Christmas Breakfast from 10-11:30 a.m. Tuesday.
* First Presbyterian Church Christmas Day Dinner from noon-2 p.m. Tuesday at 1341 Juliana St., Parkersburg.
* Coolville United Methodist Church Christmas Day Dinner at 1 p.m. Tuesday at 26460 Main St., Coolville.
* Tri-City Baptist Church Christmas Day Dinner, noon, Tuesday, 914 Grandview St. in south Parkersburg.
