In brief: Matters of faith

CHRISTMAS CHOIR CANTATA: 8:15, 9:30 and 11 a.m., St. John United Methodist Church, 1801 O'Malley Road. The Saint John Sanctuary Choir will present a collection of seasonal music at the morning worship services.

GUEST SPEAKER: 9:30-10 a.m. Sunday, Joy Lutheran Church, 10111 East Eagle River Loop Road. Alan Budahl, executive director of Lutheran Social Services of Alaska, will speak at the morning service. Lenten Service will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday. (694-9601, www.joy-lutheran.com)

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE: 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Christian Science Church, 1347 L St. Listen to the Christian Science Sentinel Radio Broadcast on KBYR AM-700 at 8:30 a.m. Sunday on "The Law of Love." The 10:30 a.m. Sunday service and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday meeting focus on healing ideas based on Scripture. Nursery care available. (272-0226, christianscience.com)

ADULT EDUCATION: 10:30-11:25 a.m. Sunday, St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 2222 E. Tudor Road. The Rev. Dr. Ted Cole II and Nancy Burke lead a "Safe Church" discussion about how to make the church safe for everyone, especially children and youth. "Discover St. Mary's and the Episcopal Church," led by the Rev. Michael Burke, is particularly suited to newcomers and inquirers. (563-3341, godsview.org)

THE GIFTS OF CHRISTMAS: 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Unity Church of Anchorage, 1300 E. 68th Ave. Rev. Paulette Hogan presents Part 2 of this special Christmas message. Unity Church of Anchorage welcomes people of all faiths to celebrate the Christ Spirit. (346-2824, www.unityofanchorage.org)

SUNDAY CELEBRATION: 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sunday, Alaska Center for Spiritual Living, 929 E. 81st Ave. Suite 106. Early-bird service is at 8 a.m.; meditation, 10:25- 10:45 a.m.; inspirational music, 10:45 a.m.; and service begins at 11 a.m. Youth Church also begins at 11 a.m. (522-0940, alaskasom.org)

CHRISTMAS MUSIC CELEBRATION: 11 a.m. Sunday, First Baptist Church, 1100 W. Tenth Ave. A special presentation by the Worship, Youth, and Children's Choirs. An enjoyable event for whole family. Free. (www.firstbaptistanchorage.org)

MOVING MEDITATION: 7:30-9 p.m. Monday, Oriental Healing Arts Center, 2636 Spenard Road. Weekly qigong, meditation and tai chi are offered for health, healing and spiritual wellness. Beginners are welcome. By donation. (279-0135, touchoftao.com)

ADVENT SERVICES: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Joy Lutheran Church, 10111 East Eagle River Loop Road. Christmas tree decorating will be Sunday after the 9:30 a.m. service. Wish List Gift Tags are available on the Joy Angel Tree for gifts to purchase for local families. Food for the Eagle River Food Pantry will be collected. (695-9601, www.joy-lutheran.com)

COFFEE BREAK BIBLE STUDY: 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m. Wednesdays, Trinity Christian Reformed Church, 3000 E. 16th Ave. An inductive small-group Bible study for women of all ages. The Tuesday group meets at the same time as the free school-aged children's programs, Cadets Boys' Club and GEMS Girls' Club. The Wednesday group has a free preschool and nursery program for ages 0-5. (272-8431, Trinitycrcalaska.com)

METAPHYSICAL DISCUSSION: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Unity Church of Anchorage, 1300 E. 68th Ave. Join a series of facilitated discussions regarding metaphysics. Free; love offering welcome. (346-2824, www.unityofanchorage.org)

OPEN HEART SERVICE: Wednesdays, Alaska Center For Spiritual Living, 929 E. 81st Ave. Suite 106. Doors open at 6 p.m. for individual prayer with practitioners. A peaceful meditation is held from 6:30-6:50 p.m. Service begins at 7 p.m. Free. (522-0940, alaskasom.org)

BIBLE STUDY: 10:15-11:15 a.m. Thursdays, Mat-Su Senior Services, 1132 S. Chugach St. (745-5454, palmerseniors.com)

TAIZE AND HOLDEN PRAYER: 7 p.m. Thursday, Central Lutheran Church, 1420 Cordova St. A candle-lit, quiet, and contemplative Taize service, using short readings from the Bible and simple, repetitive melodies will be held on the first, third, and fifth Thursdays of the month. Holden Prayer is a song-based liturgy, with short readings from the Bible, and the sharing of holy communion and will be held on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. (277-1622, centluth.org)

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION GROUPSIT: 8-9 p.m. Thursday, Snow Buddha Mindfulness Meditation and Yoga, 13910 Venus Way. Join a weekly groupsit and learn to focus attention on breathing and to let go of the mind's continuous chatter to become balanced, relaxed and happy. Register online. $5 donation. (www.meetup.com/snowbuddhayoga)

STAR SONG: A CHRISTMAS PLAY: 7 p.m. Friday, First Congregational Church, 2610 E. Northern Lights Blvd. A one-act Christmas play by Florence Ryerson about the night of Christ's birth. At only 35 minutes, even children will stay interested. (www.fccak.org)

CHRISTMAS PAGEANT: 7 p.m. Dec. 16-17 and 6 p.m. Dec. 18, Anchorage Baptist Temple, 6401 E. Northern Lights Blvd. Free admission. (333-6535, www.ancbt.org/Events/christmas.php)

Matters of Faith is compiled by Joy Guest. Reach her at 257-4315. To list an event, go to events.adn.com and click on "add to our listings." Submit announcements by 5 p.m. Tuesday for publication in Saturday's newspaper.