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Spiritual notes

Free lunch

– The Twenty-eighth Street Church of the Brethren, 2800 Union Ave., across from Tuckahoe Park, will serve a free lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Everyone is invited.

– Providence Presbyterian Church, 2401 Broad Ave., Altoona, will serve a free lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. The menu includes a variety of homemade soups, a sandwich, beverages, desserts and fruit. All are welcome.

– Second Avenue United Methodist Church will serve a free soup and sandwich lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. The meal includes soup, sandwich, drink and dessert. Everyone is invited. The church is at 130 Second Ave, Altoona (on the corner of Second Avenue and Second Street). Call 943-2072 for more information. The free lunch is held the third Saturday of each month.

Christmas cantata

Juniata United Methodist Church, 808 N. Fourth St., Altoona, will host the choir’s annual Christmas cantata “The Gift Goes On” at 10:45 a.m. Dec. 23.

For more information, contact the Juniata United Methodist Church office at 942-6065.

Christmas service

The Oasis of Love Church of Huntingdon will host a Christmas service at 10 a.m. Dec. 23.

At 3 p.m., the play “Shepherds and Kings” will be performed.

The church is located on Station Road, across from Southside Elementary School. For more information, contact the church office at 627-3819.

Christmas concerts

The following churches have scheduled special Christmas concerts:

– 3 FOUR ONE will present a concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Hollidaysburg. The trio, based in Hollidaysburg, features Julie Gicking Hanlon, Lisa Surkovich and Rebecca Culp.

– Claude Fabinyi will present a free concert of Christmas pipe organ music at 3 p.m. Sunday at Trinity Lutheran Church, 408 N. Sixth St., in the Juniata section of Altoona.

Fabinyi is the son of the late Dr. Geza Fabinyi, a native of Hungary, and Patti Fabinyi. He distinctly traces his interest in organ to watching his mother practice the organ at her church. Now, he has embodied this memory through his service at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Altoona as parish organist.

There is no charge for admission. Light refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the concert.

Christmas programs

Christmas programs will be presented by the following churches:

– “Waiting for the Promise” will be presented at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 23 at the Juniata Church of the Brethren, 306 N. Ninth Ave. Musical selections include “Come to the Manger,” “What Child Is This?” and “No Room” by Peterson.

Sunday school students will give speeches and readings on the Christmas theme “Prepare to Celebrate Christmas, You People of Bethlehem.”

– The Wehnwood Community Orchestra and the congregation of Wehnwood United Methodist Church will present “Caroling Around the World” at 9:15 a.m. Dec. 23. The church is at 2511 Juniata Gap Road, Altoona. There will be no 8 a.m. service on this day.

– The Lighthouse, Morning Star Ministries, 4886 Route 240 Highway, Cherry Tree, will present the Christmas drama, “From the Manger to the Cross,” at 7 p.m. Dec. 16-17. For more information or directions, call 814-948-5765 or 724-464-0693.

– St. John’s Reformed Church of Loysburg will present its annual Christmas program by children and the choir at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, in the sanctuary.

– Beavertown God’s Missionary Church will host a Christmas Live Nativity, “Hope is Here,” from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 20-22 at Middlecreek Farms, Middleburg. The Christmas story will be presented in an interactive way through 10 unique scenes in the Nativity Barn. This annual Christmas tradition features more than 75 volunteers and a variety of animals including camels, sheep, miniature pigs, goats, cattle, rabbits, donkeys and a peacock.

Guests are encouraged to dress warmly as portions of the barn are unheated. This event is free and open to the public; donations are accepted.

The Live Nativity is at 134 FarmHaus Road, Middleburg. Look for the lighted sign along 522 and turn onto Farmhaus Lane. Text 570-541-9538 or call 570-658-2422 for more information.

– Champion Life Church will present “The Christmas Show” at 7 p.m. Dec. 22-23 and 4 p.m. Dec. 24.

“The Christmas Show” features favorite seasonal and sacred Christmas songs brought to life by vocal talent and dancers from the community. The show is free to the public but tickets are required. To get free tickets, contact the church box office at 942-9400, ext. 4, or online at MyChampionLifeChurch.com /Christmas.

– A free pasta dinner will be served from 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 22 in Freedom Hall at the Oasis of Love Church of Huntingdon. Reservations are not necessary. There will be a gluten-free option.

At 6:30 p.m., the play “Shepherds and Kings” will be presented.

The church is located on Station Road, across from Southside Elementary School. For more information, contact the church office at 627-3819.

– The children’s department of Juniata United Methodist Church will present the children’s Christmas program, “Not Sold in Stores,” during the 10:45 a.m. Sunday service. The public is welcome. The church is at 808 N. Fourth St. For more information, contact the church office at 942-6065.

Deadline

Religious organizations are invited to submit upcoming events, special speakers and other items to be published free of charge in Spiritual Notes. Items can be emailed to religion@altoonamirror.com or call Holly at 946-7451. Items may also be submitted online through the Mirror’s virtual newsroom at vnr.altoonamirror.com.

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