Live Nativities and creche displays highlight Christmas story
In the midst of a sometimes hectic holiday season, local churches and faith-based organizations are once again asking people to pause and remember the Christmas story through live Nativities and creche displays.
Here is a list of those known to be scheduled in the area:
n Central Christian Church, 23 S. Gallatin Ave., Uniontown, will host its live Nativity at 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. Dec. 16. Viewing of creche displays in the sanctuary opens at 6 p.m. The church will serve refreshments. For more information, call 724-438-6821.
n Community United Methodist Church, 1264 W. Penn Boulevard in North Union Township, will have a live Nativity at 8 p.m. Dec. 24, just before its Christmas Eve service. For more information, call 724-437-4740 or 724-434-2271.
n Connellsville Area Community Ministries, 110 W. Crawford Ave., Connellsville, will host a live Nativity from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, in a lot beside its building as part of It’s A Connellsville Christmas. For more information, call 724-626-1120.
n Connellsville Presbyterian Church, 711 S. Pittsburgh St., will hold its ninth annual “Oh! Come Let Us Adore Him” Nativity and angel display from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday as part of It’s A Connellsville Christmas. Exhibits can be viewed in the sanctuary where a large, stained-glass window of the Nativity is located. For more information, call 724-628-4401.
n First Baptist Church of Fairchance, 17 N. Morgantown St., will present a live Nativity from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 16-17. Refreshments are available. Participation is open to the community. For more information, call 724-564-2080.
n First United Methodist Church, 430 W. Main St., Monongahela, hosts a Creche Show and Festival of Trees from 3-8:30 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, featuring more than 300 Nativity scenes and themed Christmas trees on display. Jim Sykes will perform a concert on the organ at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Admission is free. Refreshments are served. For more information, call 724-258-7054.
n Grace United Methodist Church in Coal Center is hosting its 10th annual community Christmas Eve barn service at 5 p.m. Dec. 24 at the Waleski Barn, 38 Emory Road, Richeyville, off Route 40. The 25-minute service includes a live Nativity. For more information, call 724-330-5350 or visit www.come-to-grace.org.
n Mount Macrina Manor will hold its 23rd annual drive-through live Nativity on the grounds of Mount St. Macrina, located along Route 40 in North Union Township, from 5-7 p.m. on Dec. 11. The Nativity will be set up along the Friendship Circle, adjacent to the facility, with live animals. Sisters of St. Basil the Great and the Church of God in North Union Township will sing Christmas carols. Girl Scouts from Grace Community Church in Uniontown will serve as angels and pass out candy canes. Five hundred luminaries will line the driveway that leads to the Nativity. More information is available by calling 724-430-1021.
n Mount Pleasant offers a Nativity scene for the 60th year during the holiday season on Smithfield Street at the site of the former Transfiguration Roman Catholic Church.
n Pleasant View Presbyterian Church, 533 Royal Road, Smock, will offer “Living Nativity — A Walking Tour of Bethlehem” from 7-9 p.m. Dec. 9 and 6-8 p.m. Dec. 10-11. The event takes visitors back in time via a reconstructed first-century Bethlehem that includes a street scene, the Nativity and live animals. Visitors will meet Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, shepherds, wise men, merchants and others. Hot chocolate and treats await in the church dining room after visitors return from their journey. Visitors should allow one hour for all of the activities. For more information, call 724-677-2149.
n United Christmas Church, 499 E. Malden Drive, Coal Center, will hold its 27th annual “Journey to Bethlehem: A Drive-Thru Nativity” from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 10-11. The presentation includes nine dramatic scenes and a revolving spotlight that serves as a star. More information is available at 724-938-2098 or at www.ucccdoc.org.
n Upper Middletown United Methodist Church, 506 Old Route 51, Smock, will have a live Nativity, starting at 6 p.m. on Dec. 17. For more information, call 724-437-4740 or 724-434-2271.
n The Bruderhof communities in Farmington are offering events to enjoy the season. New Meadow Run, 101 New Meadow Run Drive, and Spring Valley, 100 Spring Valley Road, will have carol singing and Christmas dinner at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10. Spring Valley will present Handel’s “Messiah” at 6 p.m. on Dec. 18 with guests invited to join in the singing. Call New Meadow Run at 724-329-8573 or Spring Valley at 724-329-1100.