CHURCHES

Howard Eisel

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Father Howard Eisel will celebrate 50 years as an ordained priest at a Golden Jubilee. The parishioners of St. Joseph's Catholic churches of Crosby and Deerwood invite everyone to a 2 p.m. Mass followed by an open house until 5:30 p.m. Sunday at St. Joseph's Church in Crosby.

First Baptist services

First Baptist Church in Baxter will have Christmas cantata 6 p.m. Sunday. The Christmas Eve service will be 5 p.m. Dec. 24.

Dueling pianos

The public is invited to attend a concert 4 p.m. Sunday at Crosslake Evangelical Free Church (the Log Church) featuring the piano artistry of Sue Clair and Debbie Hintermeyer.

'A Christmas Tale'

"A Christmas Tale," a musical drama that will put a fresh twist on the ageless story of Christmas, will be 6 p.m. Sunday at Washington Middle School, Tornstrom Auditorium. A freewill offering will benefit the Sharing Bread Soup Kitchen.

Heritage Assembly of God opens

The first service at Heritage Assembly of God in Baxter will be 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Sunday school will be 9 a.m. Following the church service, a cornerstone, donated by Halvorson-Johnson Funeral Home, will be placed. Heritage Assembly of God, formerly Brainerd Assembly of God, is at the corner of College Road and Berrywood Drive in Baxter.

Santa Lucia festivities

Bethlehem Lutheran Church in northeast Brainerd recently celebrated Santa Lucia Day. Festivities included a meatball dinner with traditional holiday desserts and breads. This occasion marked a milestone in Bethlehem's efforts to raise funds for building expansion. Architectural plans include an elevator and additional space for ministry.

'O Christmas Tree'

The Sunday school Christmas service at Zion Lutheran Church of Brainerd, on the corner of Kingwood and Eighth Streets, will be 4 p.m. Sunday. The Board of Christian Education will serve a supper for all friends and families following the service.

Christmas Eve services

The Zion Lutheran Church of Brainerd adult choir will lead in worship with the cantata "Gloria Deo!" by Benjamin Harlan at the 4 and 6:15 p.m. services Christmas Eve. This is a service of lessons and carols in which the congregation will join the choir in singing many favorite Christmas hymns. The handbell choir will play Christmas music.

Christmas caroling

People will gather at 9 a.m. Saturday at Zion Lutheran Church to deliver fruit baskets and to sing Christmas carols to shut-ins.

For more information contact Peter Keyes at 829-4317.

Christmas Eve service

Light of the Cross Lutheran Church in Garrison will have a candlelight Christmas Eve service at 5 p.m. Dec. 24. For more information, call the church office at (877) 406-9101.

UCC to give last forum

First Congregational United Church of Christ, Brainerd, will present its last forum at 11:15 a.m. Sunday. Renee Steffen, a nurse educator of St. Joseph's Medical Center, will update participants about HIV and AIDS in the Brainerd lakes area, as well as in the world.

The church is at 415 Juniper St. across from the southwest corner of Gregory Park.

Iron Range Christian Center awards diplomas

The Iron Range Christian Center recently awarded Dwight Semler and Mabel Semler diplomas of biblical studies from the International School of Ministry. Two others, Alexia Goble and Diane Mailhot, also received diplomas for the successful completion of the International curriculum.

'One Star'

The choirs of Zion Lutheran Church, 411 N.E. Third Ave., Little Falls, will present "One Star," a Christmas concert of sacred music, at 4 p.m. Sunday. There will be a complimentary supper after the concert.

Greening of the Church

Following the 10 a.m. service Sunday, the congregation of St. Paul's Episcopal Church will have the "Greening of the Church," the traditional decorating for the Christmas season. A chili lunch will be served after the "greening" is completed and the entire congregation is invited to go caroling at area nursing homes. This will be followed by ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery. Participants can car-pool from the church for the caroling and ice cream.