Religion Notes
Cape Coral
Abiding Love Evangelical Lutheran Church
Abiding Love Lutheran Church, offers a “Christmas for Kids” program today, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Parents may drop off children between the ages of 3 and 11 at the church for a safe, adult supervised, day of crafts, songs and activities. Lunch is also provided. Parents return at 1 p.m. to watch the children perform a short Christmas pageant they have prepared. There is no charge for the event.
Call the office at 945-2122 to enroll.
Abiding Love Lutheran Church is located on the corner of Chiquita Boulevard and Gleason Parkway, one mile south of Veterans Parkway.
Abiding Love offers worship services on Sundays at 8 and 10:30 a.m. and Wednesday evenings at 6:45. The congregation operates State-licensed pre-school, child care and VPK programs.
Abiding Love also provides ministries for children, youth, women, men and seniors. For more information call 945-2122.
Cape Christian Fellowship
“A Season of Hope” message series continues this Sunday. Pastor Dennis Gingerich will be speaking on “Hope for the Tainted.” The Christmas story reminds us that everyone, regardless of their past or present, is invited to be a part of this ongoing narrative of redemptive hope, peace and joy.
Sunday contemporary worship times are 9 and 11 a.m. There are classes for children and youth and a safe and caring nursery provided during all worship gatherings. The EDGE High School gathering is held on Wednesdays 7-9 p.m.
Cape Christian Fellowship is located at 2110 Chiquita Blvd., 1/3 mile north of Veteran’s Parkway. For more information, call 772-5683; www.capechristian.com
Cape Coral
Community Church
Traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will be three services, 4, 5:30 and 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 24.
Experience the sights and sounds of the season with carols, music, and candle lighting while singing Silent Night. Bring a canned food item to support Cape Coral Caring Center.
Cape Coral Community Church is located at 811 Santa Barbara Blvd. For more information call 574-1148.
Christ
Lutheran Church
Nabbie’s, Inc. will present “The Promise of Christmas” at Christ Lutheran Church on Sunday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m i.n the Sanctuary.
Admission is free will donation and food items will also be accepted for the Cape Coral Caring Center.
Christ Lutheran Church is at 2911 Del Prado Blvd. For information call 239-945-4204 or 239-826-5311.
First Baptist Church of
Cape Coral
Ring in the holidays with the Southwest Florida Symphony Chorus “Messiah & More” Sunday, Dec. 14, at First Baptist Church, 4117 Coronado Parkway, in Cape Coral. On Dec. 13, the chorus will perform at Faith United Methodist Church, 15690 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers.
Call 418-1500 for details.
Kehilat Aish Chodesh
Kehilat Aish Chodesh,the Ysharim Jewish congregation in Cape Coral, will be holding its annual Chanukah Party/Drum Circle Saturday Dec. 27, at 6:30 p.m .in the Fellowship Hall at King’s way Christian Center, 2016 Kismet Parkway.
Included in the evening’s activities will be the traditional telling of the Chanukah story of the Maccabees defeating the Assyrian Greek army and king, the lighting of the Chanukah, the nine-branched menorah representing the Miracle of lasting of the oil in the Temple for eight days when it should have only lasted one, the frying of latkes(potato pancakes with applesauce or sour cream topping), the spinning of dreidels, and singing Chanukah songs, as well as the Drum Circle. Anyone with a hand drum or congas, bongos, Tjimbe(or similar drum item) should bring theirs ready to join in.The event is open to the public.There is no charge to attend. Attendees are asked to bring a covered dish(for five) to share, following the no-pork, no-shellfish rule.
For more information or directions, call 239-574-9257 or e-mail saberkowitz@ embarqmail.com
Hope United Methodist Church
The Hope choir will present its cantata, “The Winter Rose,” on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 10:30 a.m. The public is invited to join us as we celebrate the coming of Christ this Christmas season.
After the potluck family dinner on Wednesday, Dec. 17, there will be a special treat as the Act 4 Him drama ministry presents its Comedy Fellowship Night.
Christmas Eve services will include a family-oriented candlelight service at 6:30 p.m. and a meditative, Holy Communion service at 11:30. Come home to Hope for the holidaysand beyond!
For more information, contact the church office at 574-5570. Hope is located at 2006 Chiquita Blvd South, Cape Coral, just north of Veteran’s Parkway.
Messiah Lutheran Church
Members of Messiah Lutheran Church, 2691 N.E. Pine Island Road, Cape Coral, will be
“Ringing the bells” for the Salvation Army again this year. They will be stationed at the
Sears Essentials store in the Merchants Crossing Mall the weeks of Dec. 15-20 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. Support this very worthwhile cause.
“Adeste Fidelis,” Messiah Lutheran Church’s Christmas Concert, will be presented Sunday, Dec. 21, at 3 p.m. The program will include selections by the Chancel Choir, the Messiah Quartet and the Handbell Choir.
Messiah Lutheran is located at 2691 N.E. Pine Island Road,on the border of North Fort Myers and Cape Coral. Call 731-0384 for details.
Trinity Church and School
Trinity Lutheran Church and School invites everyone to celebrate the coming of Jesus at Christmas with Advent Worship Service Wednesday, 17, at 7 p.m. A free will offering dinner, sponsored by Thrivent Financial For Lutherans will be served from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.. All proceeds will go to the Cape Coral Caring Center.
Trinity Lutheran School has openings for Pre-K 3, State Accredited free VPK to all 4 year olds. Full and Part time programs are also offered.
Trinity Lutheran Church and School is located at 706 S.W. 6th Ave. To reach Trinity, take Skyline to S.W 12th Terrace to S.W 6th Ave., or either Pine Island Road or Santa Barbara Boulevard to Nicholas Parkway to S.W 6th St. to S.W 6th Ave. For more information, call the church, 772-0172 or school at 772-1549.
Church E-Mail: TrinityCapeCoral@embarqmail.com
Web site Church: www.trinitylutheranchurchcc.org
Turning Point Church
The Turning Point Church of God in Cape Coral, which meets at 315 S.W. 3rd Ave on Sundays at 10 a.m. for Praise and Worship, followed at 10:40 a.m. with a message from Senior Pastors Dennis and Belinda West. The church has made plans following the service this Sunday to have fun and fellowship at PlayHouse in Cape Coral also. The church sponsors a co-ed softball team, a Ladies Study, and Children’s Clubs.
For more information,contact the church at 281-5350. The church temporary meets in the Cape Coral Youth Center.
North Fort Myers
All Saints Byzantine Catholic Church
All Saints Church is hosting an Ethnic bake Sale on Saturday, Dec. 20, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
The church is located on Bayshore Road, exit 143 East off I-75 toward the Lee Civic Center.
Call 239-543-6363 for more information.
Fort Myers
Buckingham
Presbyterian Church
Buckingham Presbyterian Church at 4241 Buckingham Road, Fort Myers, invites all to a Christmas gift wrap event. Bring the presents in to the church for the youth group volunteers to wrap. donations will be taken and all proceeds directly benefit the summer youth mission trip to Appalachia. Have hot coffee while waiting.
Cypress Lake
Presbyterian Church
Cypress Lake Presbyterian Church invites the community to the annual Christmas music celebration Sunday, Dec. 14, at 4 p.m. This event is free to the public.
The musical program will include the children’s choir, adult choir and a performance for the puppet ministry. Light refreshments will be provided.
Cypress Lake Presbyterian Church is at 8250 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers.
For more information call 239-481-3233.
Southside Christian Church
Live drive-through nativity, live with people and animals at Southside Christian Church on College Parkway. This event continues Dec. 13 and 14 from 6-9 p.m. Free to everyone.
For more information, contact Julie Yates at 239-481-1802.
The Village Church
The Village Church at Shell Point Retirement Community will present a Christmas Celebration with The Village Church Choir and special guest artist Ken Medema, singer, pianist and composer. The concert will be held on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 6:15 p.m., and is part of the 2008-2009 Season of Praise Concert Series.
To purchase tickets, ($10 each) or receive additional information about this concert or others in the 2008-2009 Season of Praise Concert Series, call 454-2147 or go to www.shellpoint.org/villagechurch/events.htm
The Village Church at Shell Point is located in Fort Myers just off Summerlin Road, two miles before the Sanibel Causeway. Shell Point is a nationally recognized leader in the retirement industry.
La Iglesia de Jesuscristo de Los Santos de Los Ultimos Dias
3105 South Broadway, Fort Myers.
Clases para adultos, jovenes de 12-18 aos, y la organizacion de los nios comienza a las 11:20 a.m. Escuela Dominical a las 12 p.m. Reunion Sacramental, 1:10 p.m.. Las actividades para los jovenes de 12 a 18 se llevan acabo los Miercoles a las 7 p.m. Para mayor information favor de llamar al 443-9630, o 823-5395 en Ingles o Espaol.