Faith Alive Church in Bowmanstown is hosting an outdoor caroling event and inviting the community to join them.

Caroling will take place from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Sunday in front of the church. The church is located at 678 Pine St.

Pastor Rob Timlin said he came up with the idea, because the church couldn’t hold their usual Christmas party due to the pandemic. He wanted to do something that would bring people a sense of hope and encouragement.

“It’s been a pretty hard year,” he said. “We wanted to give people a chance to get together, sing and be encouraged.”

Masks are required and people will be asked to socially distance.

People are also welcome to join in the caroling from their cars or just listen to the music on 104.3 FM. The church can broadcast on a local frequency that extends to an area around the church.

Anyone who wants to attend should bring a light with them, either a flashlight, battery-operated candle or the light on their cellphones will do. The church will provide copies of songs that they will sing.

They will also be lighting a Christmas tree and the Nativity in front of the church.

“We wanted to focus on the real meaning of Christmas,” he said.

After the event, small groups are welcome to continue caroling to the shut-ins in Bowmanstown, Timlin said.

Faith Alive Church is planning Christmas Eve services at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. People can attend within the church or sitting in their vehicles. Sunday church services are at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. with attendance in the building and in their cars.

“I still go out and wave to them,” he said.

More information is available on their website at www.faithalive.net or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/faithaliveumc.