Kettle drive

The Tamaqua Salvation Army's annual Christmas Kettle Campaign will kick off at noon this Friday at Depot Square Park at the Five Points Intersection.Volunteers are needed to spend two or more hours ringing the traditional bells at designated kettle locations. Funds collected are used to support local needy residents in the Schuylkill-Carbon area.For more information or to volunteer, call the Tamaqua Salvation Army at 570-668-0410.Cookie contestCookie lovers are invited to take part in the Spirit of Christmas Cookie Contest. Cookie entries will be judged in four categories: drop, bar, decorated and filled cookies.Baked entries are to be taken to the Tamaqua Chamber of Commerce Office, 114 W. Broad St., on Dec. 6 between 2 and 3 p.m. A minimum of two dozen cookies are needed for each entry. Judging will then be done at 3 p.m. that day.Winners will be announced at the tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 7, which will be held at 6 p.m., in Depot Square Park. The goodies will then be shared with the community.For more information, or to register, call 570-668-3268 or 570-668-1880.Tree festivalThe Tamaqua Spirit of Christmas Festival will include a tree decorating contest. Individuals, businesses and organizations are welcome to decorate a Christmas tree with lights and ornaments, which will be donated to deserving families following the festival.Decorated trees will be on display throughout the Spirit of Christmas weekend festivities at the Tamaqua Community Arts Center, 125 Pine St. The public will vote for a "People's Choice" award. The trees will be on display from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 5; from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. Dec. 6; and from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 7.For more information, contact Jean Towle at 570-668-3268. For those who feel creatively challenged, tree sponsorships are available.St. John UCCThe Rev. Kevin Duffy Guy will officiate at the 9:30 a.m. worship service this Sunday in St. John United Church of Christ. The service will include the observance of Totenfest and be followed by a time of fellowship. Sunday school will begin at the end of the junior sermon.Activities for next week include: Monday, choir rehearsal at 7 p.m.; Tuesday, community Thanksgiving service, 7 p.m., at Trinity United Church of Christ.Calvary EvangelicalThe Rev. Dr. Edward Bean will officiate at the 10:25 a.m. worship service Sunday in Calvary Evangelical Methodist Church in the Lewistown Valley. The service will include a Thanksgiving celebration. Sunday school classes are held at 9:15 a.m.Also on Sunday, an old-fashioned harvest and thanksgiving service will be held at 6:30 p.m.Zion LutheranZion Evangelical Lutheran Church offers a contemporary-style service, at 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays. The service is held in the church social hall. This Saturday's service will be followed by a time of food and fellowship, including a free, light lunch.Sunday worship services are held at 9 a.m.