BY SUSAN RUMBLE

Special to The Press

Pastor Matt Breger of The Vine Church, Route 873, Schnecksville, reports the congregation has officially affiliated with Calvary Chapel, a nondenominational network of “like-minded pastors” who teach the Bible verse-by-verse and “hold the word of God high.”

Breger said The Vine Church was already following those ideas but the connection with Calvary Chapel will help people of the community find it, if that is what they are looking for in a church.

Breger says Calvary Chapel started in California with the Jesus Revival in the 1960s and 1970s and has 1500-1700 churches included in its association.

The pastor stated a movie to be released in February 2023, “The Jesus Revolution,” will tell the story of Calvary Chapel.

The new name for the Schnecksville congregation is The Vine Calvary Chapel.

There will be worship services on Christmas Eve at 3 p.m. and at 11 p.m., this one with candlelight.

Breger noted the holiday worships will be “heavy on music” with a short message to celebrate the Christmas season.

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St. John’s United Church of Christ, 1415 Rising Sun Road, Laurys Station, will offer a family oriented service with a children’s message at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

At 7:30 p.m., the choir directed by Donna Henninger, will provide special Christmas music.

The traditional candlelight service begins 8 p.m. with Pastor James Gottwald choosing the theme, “Good News of Great Joy.”

On Dec. 25, St. John’s will have a service at 10:15 a.m. with reference to the gospel of John and the Longfellow poem, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.”

The church begins the new year with a service and communion on Jan. 1, 2023.

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Union United Church of Christ, Neffs, will offer Christmas Eve services at 3 p.m., 5 p.m., and 8 p.m. All will have candlelight.

On Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, worship services will take place at 10:30 a.m.

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Union Lutheran Church, Schnecksville, will feature the Sunday School’s virtual Christmas play at the 3 p.m. service Dec. 24.

Children have been working on the play for weeks in advance of the “grand reveal” on Christmas Eve.

Union Lutheran will also present candlelight and communion services on Christmas Eve at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

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Faith Wesleyan Church, 3356 Route 309, Orefield, will have candlelight services at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 24.

“We invite you and your family to join us for either of these Christmas Eve services,” Pastor Brenda Smith said.