Spirit of Christmas

The annual Tamaqua Spirit of Christmas Festival, scheduled for the first full weekend in December, will conclude with the lighting of the community Christmas Tree in Depot Square Park, at the Five Points Intersection. Festivities will begin at 6 p.m. Dec. 8 and will include Christmas carols with the Tamaqua High School Jazz Chorale, words from Mayor Chris Morrison and announcements of the winners of the cookie, tree decorating and gingerbread house competitions.After the tree is lit, hot cocoa and cookies will be served at the Tamaqua Ambulance Station on Railroad Street.West Penn ChristmasThe Seventh Annual West Penn Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony will be held Nov. 30 at the township annex building. Festivities will begin at 5 p.m. and will include caroling, cookies, hot cocoa and a visit from Santa.The event is open to the public and is sponsored by the West Penn Lions Club.St. Peter's UnionSunday worship services are held at 9 a.m. in St. Peter's Union Church, Mantzville. This Sunday's service will include the observance of the First Sunday of Advent, with Holy Communion. Sunday school classes will meet at 10:15 a.m. to decorate the doors and trees.Also on Sunday, the bell choir will rehearse at 10:15 a.m., the Confirmation class will meet at 11:30 a.m. and Daisies, Brownies and Cub Scouts will meet at 6 p.m.Activities for next week will include: Monday, Eagle Board of Review at 7 p.m.; Tuesday, junior choir rehearsal at 7 p.m., senior choir practices at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, prayer group meets at 4:45 p.m., cherub choir rehearses at 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, Queens of Crop meet from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. with the youth group providing baby-sitting service.The Women's Association of St. Peter's Family Christmas party will be held at noon on Dec. 1.A congregational meeting, with election of officers, is scheduled for Dec. 8.St. John LutheranThe Rev. Phyllis Wolford will officiate at the 9:15 a.m. worship service Sunday in St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church. The service will include Holy Communion. Sunday school meets at 10:30 a.m.Next week's activities include: Monday, worship and music committee meets at 6:30 p.m.; Thursday, angel choir rehearsal at 6 p.m., shepherd choir rehearses at 6:30 p.m., chancel choir rehearses at 7:30 p.m.Zion LewistownThe Rev. Jim Williams will officiate at the 10:30 a.m. service this Sunday in Zion Church in the Lewistown Valley. Sunday school classes will meet at 9:15 a.m.Also on Sunday, the youth group will meet at 9:15 p.m., in the social hall.The church has a new web page at

www.zionchurchlewistownvalley.com.Christmas luminariasThe Tamaqua Area Faith Fellowship is offering luminaria for use during the Advent and Christmas season. Kits containing five luminaria are available from TAFFN members, local church offices and the Tamaqua Chamber of Commerce office, 114 W. Broad Street. Each kit contains assembly instructions and a history of the luminaria. For more information, call 570-668-2775.