CALENDAR

SPECIAL EVENTS

Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 815 W. 16th St., will host a free performance of Handel’s Messiah by the Art Porter Singers at 5 p.m. Dec. 17. (501) 374-2891.

Bethlehem Methodist Church, 2540 Bethlehem Road, Lonoke, has put on display its “Christmas Road to Bethlehem” set of hand-painted scenes and signs that tell the Christmas story now until Jan. 1. The church will also have music programs and candlelight services from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Dec. 16-17. (501) 438-2272 or (501) 454-0183.

Evangel Temple, 1110 S. 12th St., Fort Smith, will present its annual Christmas message and children’s Christmas play at 9:01 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Sunday. excitingET.com or (479) 782-9121.

First Christian Church, 1500 N. Mississippi St., will hold “Inviting a Friend Sunday” with opportunities to create family portraits and children’s photos for ornaments, treats, crafts and a Christmas Carol service at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. (501) 225-5656.

First United Methodist Church, 723 Center St., will present the free concert “A First Christmas” at 6 p.m. Sunday in the sanctuary. www.fumclr.org or (501) 3722256.

Liberty Hill Baptist Church, 1215 S. Schiller St., will hold its 70th annual candlelight Vesper Service at 5 p.m. Sunday. (501) 374-8060.

McAlmont Church of Christ, 1824 E. 46th St., North Little Rock, will host a Christmas worship service and free meal at 10 a.m. Dec. 17. (501) 945-7331.

Morning Star Baptist Church, 105 N. Smothers St., North Little Rock, will celebrate the pastor’s wife, Jewel Jenkins, at 3 p.m. Sunday. (501) 376-3575.

Musician Jason Truby will perform at Parkway Place Baptist

Church, 300 Parkway Place Drive, at 6 p.m. Sunday. (501) 224-3003.

Reed Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, 3101 S. Izard St., will co-host a free Christmas Concert with Pleasant Hill Christian Methodist Episcopal Church at 3 p.m. Sunday. (501) 375-8687.

Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church, 4106 John F. Kennedy Blvd., North Little Rock, will host the free performance “Christmas Is for Children” by ARmusica in its sanctuary at 7 p.m. Tuesday with a meet-the artists reception afterward. (501) 753-4281.

Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1000 N. Mississippi St., offers meditation with the Rev. Patricia Matthews and Deacon Joanna Seibert from 9:15-10 a.m. Sundays during Advent, and will host a Choral Advent procession at 5 p.m. Sunday. st-marks.com or (501) 225-4203.

Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Drive, will host its Advent Festival Celebration from 9:50-10:50 a.m. Sunday and Dec. 17. Activities for all ages will include carols, crafts, movies and stories. Contact Jeannie Ford at jeannieford@secondpreslr.org or (501) 227-0000.

St. Scholastica Monastery, 1205 S. Albert Pike, Fort Smith, will hold its annual Holiday Bake Sale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. today in the east wing of the retreat center’s Trinity Junior High School. Baked goods, candies, bread and rolls will be available, along with crafts, homemade jam and spreads and used books. Admission is free; attendees will receive a coupon to use at the monastery’s gift shop. (479) 783-4147.

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 310 W. 17th St., will hold “Lessons and Carols” at 4 p.m. Sunday. Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Magnificat will be performed with soloist Susan Schafer Hayes. trinitylittlerock.org or (501) 372-0294.

Trinity Presbyterian Church, 4501 Rahling Road, will hold a children’s Christmas program during its 10:30 a.m. service Sunday. (501) 868-5848.

Winfield United Methodist

Church, 20100 Cantrell Road, will host its annual drive-through Living Nativity from 5:30-8:30 p.m Sunday. Rain date is Dec. 17. wclr. org or (501) 868-4225.

The deadline for Religion calendar submissions is 5 p.m. Monday for Saturday publication. Addresses are in Little Rock unless otherwise indicated. Items must have an address and a phone number and be open to the public. To submit a news release, fax (501) 372-4765 or email the information to: