CHRISTMAS MUSIC: First Baptist Church of Anchorage, 1100 W. Tenth Ave., hosts "Welcome to Our World, Celebrating Peace on Earth" at 6 p.m. today and 11 a.m. Sunday. For details, call 279-8481.
WONDERFUL LIFE: North Anchorage Church of God, 1711 S. Bragaw, presents the play "It's a Wonderful Life" at 7 p.m. today and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. For details, call 333-5279.
EXODUS MYSTERY: Probe into "The Exodus You Thought You Knew and Other Related Ancient Stories From Israel" at 7 p.m. today at Congregation Beth Sholom, 7525 E. Northern Lights Blvd. For details, call 338-1800.
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE: The Christian Science Radio Sentinel will broadcast at 8:30 a.m. Sunday on KBYR 700-AM. The topic is "Modern Day Prodigal Son." Join an interactive chat at 10 a.m. Tuesday at ww.spirituality.com on "For a Joyous Christmas." For details, call 272-0226.
CHRISTMAS SERIES: Join Trinity Presbyterian Church, 12310 Lorraine St., at 10:30 a.m. Sunday for the series "No Longer Adrift, Five Promises That Center Our Lives" through December. For details, call 345-4823.
YULETIDE JAZZ: Enjoy a concert by the Alaska Jazz Workshop, directed by John Damberg, 7 p.m. Sunday at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 12310 Lorraine St. Enjoy music and dessert. Nursery care is provided. $6. For details, call 345-4823.
CHRISTMAS STORY: Children and teens at Lutheran Church of Hope, 1847 W. Northern Lights Blvd., will present "The Christmas Story" with a contemporary Alaska twist from 10 to 11:20 a.m. Sunday. Holy Communion will follow. Nursery is provided. For details, call 279-7714.
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT: First Congregational Church, 2610 E. Northern Lights Blvd., hosts a Christmas pageant at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. A potluck dinner will follow. At noon the Oxymorons youth group will bake cookies for the Downtown Soup Kitchen's "Food for the Soul" project. For details, call 272-8363.
CANDLELIGHT MASS: St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 2111 Muldoon Road, will have a Candlelight Mass of Remembrance at 7 p.m. Monday to honor the memory of those who have passed away. For details, call 337-1538.
LIVING NATIVITY: Drive by and witness the manger scene re-enacted by actors in costume at Anchorage First Free Methodist Church, 4607 E. Sixth Ave., from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. For details, call 333-6085.
DEVOTION TO MARY: Join a presentation by the Rev. Francis-Hung Le at 7 p.m. Dec. 18 at Snow Goose Restaurant, 717 W. Third Ave., on why Catholics are devoted to Mary and how to cultivate and deepen your faith. For details, visit www.theologyandbrew.com.
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT: Join Anchorage Baptist Temple, 6401 E. Northern Lights Blvd., for a family event at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Dec. 20 and 6 p.m. Dec. 21. Enjoy a Christmas musical drama, live Nativity scene, pageantry of the wise men and flying angels. Take pictures with Christmas characters. For details, call 333-6535.
CHRISTMAS BLESSING: Revolution, the youth group for Wellspring Church, 2511 Sentry Drive, is offering free child care for ages 2 to 10 from 2 to 10 p.m. Dec. 20 for parents to do shopping without their children. Snacks and activities will be provided. For details, call 727-3311.
LONGEST NIGHT: The Prayer and Healing Ministry team of St. John United Methodist Church, 1801 O'Malley Road, will host a prayerful service at 7 p.m. Dec. 20 and 21. The focus will be on God as the true light who enters darkness during difficult times. For details, call 344-3025.
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM: Hear the Christmas message from the children of Central Lutheran Church, 1420 Cordova St., at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 21. For details, call 277-1622.
ECK WORSHIP: A panel of speakers will discuss God's love at work in their life at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 21 at Anchorage Pioneer School House, 437 E. Third Ave. Share insights and experiences with a HU chant and love songs. For details, call 764-9768.
KIDS DAY: Wrap up last minute holiday details while kids in Pre-K through fifth grade have fun at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 12310 Lorraine St., from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 22. Register at www.trinityalaska.org. $10. For details, call 345-4823.
FOOD DRIVE: Unity Church of Anchorage, 1300 E. 68th Ave., will have a food drive and stuffed animal collection at 10:30 a.m. Sundays to Dec. 21. Donate nonperishables for the Food Bank and new stuffed animals for the Children's Hospital at Providence. For details, call 356-2824 or visit www.unityofanchorage@gci.org.
JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM: Joy Lutheran Church, 10111 E. Eagle River Loop Road, hosts an exercise and eating healthy program. Participants add earned "miles" to reach Bethlehem 6,013 miles away. The program continues until Christmas. Check-ins are Sundays before or after service. For details, call 694-9601.
UPRISING: Faith Christian Community, 4240 Wisconsin St., offers "Uprising" from 6 to 8 p.m. Sundays to Dec. 28 for ages 18 to 26. Enjoy worship and teachings and have questions answered. For details, call 243-1777.
BUDDHIST SERVICES: Join the Rev. Yuho Van Parijs at the White Lotus Center for Shin Buddhism/Myoko-in Temple at Alaska Pacific University Chapel, Atwood Building, at 11 a.m. Sundays to Dec. 31. For details, call 306-0620.
FINANCIAL PEACE: Sand Lake Baptist Church, 7434 Jewel Lake Road, will have a seminar on how to manage finances from 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays to Dec. 29. For details, call 243-2168.
TUESDAY TOTS: Babies, tots and parents gather to learn and play from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays through Jan. 27 at Anchorage Lutheran Church, 1420 N St. Free. For details, call 272-5323.
KIDZONE: River of Life Lutheran Church, 21301 Voyles Blvd., offers KidZone Bible school from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays to Dec. 24 with games, crafts and fun for elementary kids. Free. For details, call 227-7501.
Ongoing
COME ON IN: Trinity Presbyterian Church, 12310 Lorraine St., offers "Come on In" Sunday school from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Sundays. This program for intensive/special-needs children meets during adult worship and is staffed by trained professionals. Birthday parties can be arranged. It's free, but registration is required. For details, call 345-4823.
SPECIAL NEEDS: St. John United Methodist Church, 1801 O'Malley Road, will have a special-needs Sunday school for pre-teens and teens from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Sundays. For details, call 344-3025.
DHARMA TALK: The Rev. Koun Franz speaks at 10:25 a.m. Sundays at the Anchorage Zen Community, 359 E. 24th Ave. Instruction, study groups and other activities are offered. For details, call 566-0143 or visit www.alaska-zen.org.
ZEN NEWCOMERS: Receive basic instruction in seated and walking meditation from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays at Anchorage Zen Community, 359 E. 24th Ave. A time to drink tea and ask questions will follow. Free. For details, visit www.alaska-zen.org.
HEALTH SCREENINGS: The parish nurse offers blood pressure screenings and health consultations at 9 a.m. Sundays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays at Joy Lutheran Church, 10111 E. Eagle River Loop Road. For details, call 694-9601.
COFFEE BREAK: Join an informal women's Bible study at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Trinity Christian Reformed Church, 3000 E. 16th Ave., and develop friendships with women from a variety of backgrounds. No previous Bible knowledge required. Meetings are also at 9:45 a.m. Wednesdays and include free child care through age 5. For details, call 272-8431 or e-mail trinitycrc@acsalaska.net.
MONDAY MEDITATION: Jitters Cafe, 11401 Old Glenn Highway, Eagle River, hosts Buddhist monk lectures and meditation classes at 7 p.m. Mondays. Sponsored by the Tilopa Buddhist Centre. Suggested donation is $5. For details, call 250-9454 or visit www.meditateinalaska.org.
ADVENTURE CLUB: Sand Lake Baptist Church, 7434 Jewel Lake Road, will have the Adventure Club children's program from 5:30 to 7:15 p.m. Wednesdays for ages 6 through sixth grade, beginning with a meal. The program is free. Meals are $2 for adults and $1 for children. For details, call 243-2168.
GRIEF AND DIVORCE SUPPORT: Muldoon Community Assembly, 7041 DeBarr Road, sponsors free support groups from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Grief Share is for people who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Groups offer healing for adults and children going through separation and divorce. 272-3212 or 338-6777.
24-HOUR PRAYER: The Alaska Center for Spiritual Living is sponsoring 24/7 prayer assistance by professionally trained prayer practitioners. All calls are confidential. Call 677-2937 or toll-free at 1-866-750-7729.
MOMS AND MORE: Mothers and their children are invited to join Faith Christian Community, 4240 Wisconsin St., for a weekly gathering at 10 a.m. Tuesdays for a time of worship, Bible study and small-group sharing. For details, call 243-1777.
SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE: Change Will Come consulting service provides faith-based guidance for believers who seek understanding of how to implement spiritual living and advice for crisis situations. Appointments are available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekly, 3300 C St., Suite 117. Call Apostle Bailey at 360-0102 for an appointment or visit www.mychange willcome.com.
GIRLS PROGRAM: Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior is a relationship-building program designed to meet the spiritual, social, physical and emotional needs of girls of all ages. GEMS meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Trinity Christian Reformed Church, 3000 E. 16th Ave. For details, call 272-8431 or e-mail trinitycrc@acs alaska.net.
BOYS PROGRAM: Cadets is a nondenominational international church-sponsored Christian youth program where Christian men work with boys to share their love for Jesus through exploring, merit badges, Bible study, projects and time together. Cadets meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Trinity Christian Reformed Church, 3000 E. 16th Ave. For details, call 272-8431 or e-mail trinitycrc@acs alaska.net.
SUPPORT GROUPS: Anchorage City Church, 1301 W. 100th Ave., offers prayer, study and support groups weekly. For details, visit www.anchoragecitychurch.org.
TIME WITH JESUS: King of Kings Lutheran Church, 1601 N. Lucille St., will have Bible stories, songs and activities for children, preschool age and younger on the first and third Tuesday of each month. A snack is provided. Free. For details, call 376-7771.
INFINITE WAY: Recorded lectures by Joel Goldsmith will be presented at 11 a.m. Saturdays. A 15-minute meditation period will precede and follow each lecture. For details and location, call 522-0508.
BIBLE STUDY: First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, 3031 LaTouche St., will host an adult Bible study on the Gospel of Matthew at 9:30 a.m. Sundays with worship at 10:30 a.m. For details, call 272-0615.
Matters of Faith is compiled by Joy Guest, who can be reached at 257-4315. To list an event visit events.adn.com, get registered (it's free) and submit your event. You'll get listed almost immediately in our searchable online calendar. Submit announcements by 5 p.m. Tuesday for publication on Saturday's Religion page.
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Chris Thompson visits local churches and evaluates them on their welcome, their teaching and their music.
Faith & values
An Alaska journalism professor writes a news blog about religion and values in Anchorage. adn.com/faithvalues