Ebenezer Mennonite Church is offering an opportunity to begin 2011 with a fresh resolve on person's financial lives.
Beginning on Sunday night, Jan. 16, and on Wednesday night, Jan. 19, the church will offer the 13-week program, Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University.
Twice-a-month community meals continue in 2011 thanks to the Bluffton Area Ministerial Association.
The next community meal is Thursday, Jan. 6. The meal is from 6 to 6:45 p.m. and has no charge. It is held at the Bluffton Senior Citizens Center. Persons may, however, provide donations to assist the Bluffton Community Assistance Program food pantry.
Special New Year's services will be held at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Jenera. The New Year's Eve service begins at 7 p.m. on Dec. 31 and the New Year's Day service is at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 1. Everyone is welcome and the church is handicapped accessible. More information is at http://tlcjenera.org
Here are the Christmas eve church services that area congregations provided to The Icon.
o First United Methodist Church Christmas Eve Service
Traditional Service of Lessons and Carols, 7 p.m.
Pre-service music starts at approximately 6:35 p.m.
o Emmanuel United Church of Christ Christmas Eve Service
There will be a special production by the children and lots of Christmas singing with the service starting at 6 p.m.
The Bluffton Area Ministerial Association's Longest Night service is at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 21, at Emmanuel United Church of Christ.
The service includes scripture, readings, music, candle lighting, prayer, and times of silence to be present with our pain before our loving God. All are welcome to attend.
Ebenezer Mennonite Church Disciple Singers choir, will be presenting a Christmas musical called "The Christmas Puzzle" on Sunday, Dec. 19, at 6 p.m.
"Join the four cousins who are snowed in and the power is out: no video games, no TV, no movies, no cell phones, and the list goes on!," said Renea Zimmerman. "All they can find to entertain themselves is an old puzzle. But the pieces of this puzzle each represent a different piece of the Christmas story. Come join the family as they discover God's picture perfect plan."
