Family movie night planned

The Well Ministry Center will host a family Christmas movie night at 6 p.m Friday, Dec. 13. The center is at 605 Burns Ave., Altoona. There will be pizza, popcorn, hot chocolate and cookies. “The Polar Express” begins at 6:30 p.m. Those attending are invited to bring pillows, blankets, bean bag chairs and more to create a cozy experience.

Journey to Bethlehem featured

The congregation of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 115 E. Penn St., Martinsburg, is bringing back Journey to Bethlehem.

The much beloved walk-thru of the events that make up the Christmas story will be presented on Sunday, Dec. 15. Walk-thru presentations, which take about 30 minutes, will be conducted from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.

Come to Bethlehem open house

Christ Community United Methodist Church, 5715 Roselawn Ave., Altoona, will host a Christmas open house from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. All are invited to drop in as we “Come to Bethlehem.” Stop at the census table to register for door prizes. Journey through the church looking for scavenger hunt clues and stop along the way to do fun crafts, play a game or have a snack.

Carols, cookies and cocoa

Christ Community United Methodist Church, 5715 Roselawn Ave., Altoona, will host a time of singing favorite Christmas songs at 7 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 15. Cookies and cocoa will be offered after the event.

Longest Night service planned

Llyswen United Methodist Church, 308 Coleridge Ave., Altoona, will host a Longest Night service at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21. This service is provided for those who might be struggling this Christmas season.

Food pantry distribution set

The food pantry at Twenty-eighth Street Church of the Brethren, 28th Street and Union Avenue, is available for those in need. Distribution will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 13, and Friday, Dec. 20, by appointment only. Call Deb at 814-946-0170.

Free lunch offered

The free community lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. At the Twenty-eighth Street Church of the Brethren, 28th Street and Union Avenue. The menu includes tomato soup and toasted cheese sandwiches, with Christmas cookies for dessert. The meal is available for dine in or take out.

Caroling planned

Twenty-eighth Street Church of the Brethren, 28th Street and Union Avenue, will be singing Christmas carols in the parking lot at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15. Everyone is invited to stop in. There will be a fire ring to gather round.

Clothing giveaway adds date

Grace’s Closet at Grace Lutheran Church, 1114 N. Cambria St., Bellwood, will host a clothing giveaway from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 14, and from 10 a.m. to noon Monday, Dec. 16. Winter clothing is available. Masks are optional. For more information, call the church at 814-742-7501 or 814-742-7416.

Concerts

ö Christmas carols with John Dennis McCoy on the piano will be held at Faith Baptist Church in Altoona. The Dec. 20 concert will begin at

6:30 p.m. There is no admission charge, but guests are asked to bring canned goods to benefit local residents in need. CDs will be available for purchase.

ö The Blair Concert Chorale will present the Saint-Saëns Christmas Oratorio and by welcoming the Hollidaysburg Area High School elite choir Fantazia at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 14th Street and 12th Avenue, Altoona.

General Admission tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students and are available at Thompson Pharmacy (Chestnut Avenue and Hollidaysburg) online at www.eventbrite.com, and at the door. Tickets for the concert are also available from any chorale member.

ö The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona, “Concerts Under the Dome” series will present the Raystown Woods Woodwind Ensemble in a concert of historical and contemporary classical and popular holiday music and carols. The concert will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, in the Cathedral nave. The concert is free; an offering will be accepted.

Food distribution set

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Eighth Avenue and 13th Street, Altoona, will hold its monthly food pantry distribution from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19.

Food distribution is done on a drive-thru basis to maximize social distancing, and the use of masks is encouraged for those on foot or getting out of their cars. More information is available on the church website or Facebook page, or call the church at 814-942-1372; leave a message and calls will be returned.

Donations to the food pantry, either in money or in food are always welcome.

Communal Penance services

The following is a schedule of Communal Penance Services at various Roman Catholic parishes in Blair County. A schedule of services elsewhere in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown is available on the diocesan website and Facebook page. Consult individual parishes for other Reconciliation opportunities leading up to Christmas.

ö Saturday, Dec. 14 — St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish, Altoona – 10 a.m.

ö Sunday, Dec. 15 — St. Joseph Parish, Bellwood – 5 p.m.

ö Monday, Dec. 16 — Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Altoona – 7 p.m.

ö Wednesday, Dec. 18 — Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona – 6 p.m.

ö Thursday, Dec. 19 — Sacred Heart Parish, Altoona – 5:30 p.m.

Live nativity featured

Greenwood United Methodist Church will hold a Live Nativity from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, in the Prayer Garden across from the church.

Advent services planned

Wehnwood United Methodist Church will host Advent services at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 15.

Chiz Rider will present a concert at 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 22. There will be only one service that day.

A candlelight service will be held at 4 and 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24 and a Carol Sing will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 29. This service will include an instrumental group playing favorite carols. A brunch and fellowship will be held after the Dec. 29 service.

Holden Evening Prayer

Holden Evening Prayers will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, at Zion Lutheran Church, Hollidaysburg. This vespers service is musically rich and easy to sing. The church is at 500 Allegheny St., Hollidaysburg. For more information, call the church office at 814-695-0091.

Drive-thru live nativity offered

The Faith Baptist Church of Altoona will hold a free drive-thru live nativity at Highland Park from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, through Saturday, Dec. 14. The journey will begin at The Faith Baptist Church of Altoona, 315 40th St., where each vehicle will receive a soundtrack and refreshments and be directed to Highland Park, where participants can experience the biblical account of the birth of Christ.

For more information, contact the church at

814-944-2894 or email fbc@fbcaltoona.org.

Tree lighting, party planned

A tree lighting with carols, games and fellowship will be held at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at Mardorf United Methodist Church, 3429 Juniata Gap road, Altoona. A covered-dish dinner will also be served.

Journey to Bethlehem staged

The children’s Christmas program, “The Journey to Bethlehem,” will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 22, at Mardorf United Methodist Church, 3429 Juniata Gap road, Altoona. The livestream will be available on the church’s Facebook page.

Joyful Noise quarterly service

A Joyful Noise Service will be held at 2 p.m.

Dec. 15 at Juniata United Methodist Church,

808 N. Fourth St., Altoona. This service is intended for children with Autism, PDD-NOS, ADHD, Down Syndrome, and any other developmental/physical challenges and families with young children.

The joy-filled service will bring together children with and without disabilities and give them the opportunity to learn from one another about God’s love for them: all in an atmosphere of understanding and acceptance.

The service will be lively with combinations of music, movement, prayer and Bible stories.

For more information, contact the church at 814-942-6065 or email juniataumc@atlanticbbn.net.

Choral society presents concert

The Clearfield Choral Society will present Candlelight Christmas at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at Presbyterian Church of Clearfield, 119 N. Second St., Clearfield.

Tickets are on sale at ClearfieldChoralSociety.org. Tickets can also be purchased at the door one hour prior to the concert using cash or a check written to Clearfield Choral Society.

The concert includes a singalong of both sacred and secular songs.

Blue Christmas services planned

ö Blue Christmas service will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19, at the Duncansville Evangelical Church, 1200 Fourth Ave., Duncansville.

ö A Blue Christmas service of comfort and hope for those who are hurting this holiday season will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20, at Zion Lutheran Church, 500 Allegheny St., Hollidaysburg.

ö Juniata United Methodist Church, 808 N. Fourth St., Altoona, will host a blue Christmas service at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21. It will be a service of quiet reflection and remembrance for the Christmas season. For more information, contact the church at 814-942-6065 or visit the website at juniataumc.net.

ö A special worship service will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at The Well Ministry Center,

605 Burns Ave., Altoona. People who are grieving, are dealing with a lot of stress, or are not feeling festive over the holiday season will find some comfort. Light refreshments will follow the time of worship.

Free lunch offered

Providence Presbyterian Church, 2401 Broad Ave., Altoona, will serve a free lunch from

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21. The lunch will include a sandwich, a variety of homemade soups, fruit and a dessert . All are welcome.

Advent hymn sing planned

Christ Reformed Church, 502 Main St., Alexandria, will hold an advent hymn sing at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15. Music includes favorite psalms, hymns and carols. There will be a time of fellowship and snacks after the hymn sing.

Church to distribute bags of food

Newry Lutheran Church, 1030 Shamrock Lane, will distribute bags of food from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, in the church social hall. Bags will be distributed while supplies last at no charge; no income guidelines exist to receive the bag of nonperishable food items. Bags are distributed monthly. For more information, contact the church office at 814-317-5287.

Christmas musical performed

Altoona Alliance Church will host a dramatic Christmas Musical written and directed by church member Kim Bennett. The Christmas musical titled “The Night He Came For Me” will be performed at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, and Christmas Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 24.

The Altoona Alliance Church is at 3220 Pleasant Valley Blvd., Altoona. For more information, call the church office at 814-944-0171.

Music, fellowship planned

Altoona First Southern Baptist Church, 902 N. Fourth St., Altoona, will celebrate the Christmas season with a morning of music and fellowship at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 22.

The service features a brass Christmas concert performed by the Altoona Community Band. A meal will be served after the service. This event is free.