Linda Dally, chairwoman of the annual Cookeez sale at First Lutheran Church, gets ready to change the date on the sign she quilted to advertise the sale each year. This year’s sale is 10 a.m. to noon Saturday in the Gathering Space at the church. A variety of homemade cookies, candy, breads and many Christmas items will be available. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — First Lutheran Church at 1701 19th St. will hold Advent services on Sundays and Wednesdays through Dec. 24.

Sunday services are at 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 am, with Wednesday services at noon and 7 p.m.

Candlelight Compline services will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesdays prior to Christmas on Dec. 6, 13 and 20. Compline services offer a time for quiet meditation in the candlelit setting of the sanctuary at First Lutheran.

The Rev. Ian B. Reid, senior pastor of First Lutheran, said the evening Compline services were originally designed as the last prayer service of the day and date back to the Benedictine era circa 480-550 A.D.

To this day, Compline services by candlelight last 30 minutes and preserve the ancient traditions of simplicity, restfulness and timelessness of text and song. They have become highly anticipated each Advent Season at First Lutheran.

All Advent and Compline services are open to the public. First Lutheran is handicap-accessible, and there is free parking adjacent to the church.

The annual Cookeez sale will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the church.

In addition to the huge selection of homemade cookies, other holiday treats and many new Christmas craft items will be available.

Homemade microwaveable bowl and plate cozies have become a favorite and quickly sell. Some of the crafters have also been making Chrismons, a white and gold Christmas ornament.

Event Chairwoman Linda Dally encourages shoppers to come early for the best selection.

Cookies, from plain to fancy, will be $7 per dozen. Other items will be similarly priced.

More information on services or the sale is available by contacting the church office at 304-428-6174.