Congregations, ministries, and organizations all around our synod are celebrating the birth of Jesus - and you are invited to join in those celebrations! If you have any questions, or for the most updated information available, please check websites, Facebook pages, other online resources, or directly with the host group.
This newsletter is organized by type of event: Special Services, Community Events, Concerts, Nativities, and Markets & Bazaars. You can scroll through the whole newsletter or click on one of the icons below to be taken directly to that section.
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Special Services
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Keysville Lutheran Church (7301 Keysville Road, Keymar, MD 21757) will hold their Christmas Program and White Gift Service on Sunday, December 4 at 6 p.m. The evening begins with the children’s program, "The Smallest Christmas Tree." Everyone will also enjoy Christmas music performed on the newly-installed digital Allen organ. The program will end with the collection of donations for patients of Springfield Hospital, followed by a time of fellowship with cookies and punch. Donations for patients should be wrapped in white paper and are such things as clothing, toiletries, books, and knitting yarn. Monetary donations will also be accepted.
Christ Lutheran Church (8249 Jumpers Hole Road, Millersville, MD 21108) invites you to join them for their Blue Christmas service on Wednesday, December 14 at 7 p.m., both in-person and online. In this Advent season, many of us experience all the ways this time is not always merry. All will gather with prayers, scripture, and music to support each other even when pain and loss make our holiday celebrations a challenge. You are welcome wherever you are in your journey.
On Saturday, December 17 at 3 p.m., Calvary Lutheran Church (16151 Old Frederick Road, Mt. Airy, MD 21771) invites everyone to a German-language Christmas service. Come and sing beloved Christmas carols in their original language, enjoy the brass group, and stay for a coffee hour with German goodies afterwards. They will collect a free-will offering for Lutheran World Hunger Relief. The church is handicap accessible.
Epiphany Lutheran Church (4301 Raspe Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21206) will hold a Blue Christmas service on Sunday, December 18 at 7 p.m. Dwell in the deep mystery of Christmas in the midst of so much loss and uncertainty.
On Saturday, December 31, Epiphany will hold a New Year's Eve Worship & Celebration at 7 p.m. with a sparkling cider and champagne reception afterward.
On Friday, January 6, join a city-wide Epiphany Celebration at Epiphany. Dinner is at 5:30 p.m. and worship follows at 7 p.m.
St. Paul's Lutheran Church (14 W Pennsylvania Avenue, Walkersville, MD 21793) will be hosting a Blue Christmas service on Wednesday, December 21 at 7 p.m. Come for this meditative service which will also be livestreamed on Facebook.
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Community Events
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Everyone is welcome at Mar-Lu-Ridge (3200 Mar Lu Ridge Road, Jefferson, MD 21755) for their annual Advent Family Gathering on Sunday, December 4 from 1-4 p.m. They will have fresh greens for wreaths, crafts for all ages, a community meal and Advent devotional. Enjoy the afternoon on the beautiful mountain and take home some Christmas cheer! You can learn more and register online.
On Saturdays and Sundays, November 20-January 8, from 12-5 p.m., Epiphany Lutheran Church (4301 Raspe Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21206) will host a Winter Wonderland Christmas Train Garden (closed 12/24, 12/25 & 12/31). The garden features displays with O, HO and O27 trains. Great family fun! Admission is non-perishable food or monetary donations.
The 8th running of the St. Benjamin's (700 Kriders Cemetery Road, Westminster, MD 21158) Christmas Camel Canter 5k and one mile fun walk/run will be held on Saturday, December 10 at 8:30 a.m. You can lean more and register online. This event is a benefit for the Shepherd's Staff outreach.
On Saturday, December 10, come have Hot Cocoa with Santa at the Church of the Holy Apostles & St. Stephen (901 Courtney Road, Arbutus, MD 21227) from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there and you can enjoy a cup of cocoa with friends new and old. Santa and Mrs. Claus will take pictures with all those interested.
Come to Zion Church of the City of Baltimore (400 E Lexington Street, Baltimore, MD 21202) on Sunday, December 18 at 4 p.m. for Weihnachtssingen. Share German Advent and Christmas traditions, German Christmas songs and poems, and the Christmas story - all in German!
Epiphany Lutheran Church (9122 Sybert Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043) will host a night of Caroling and Hot Chocolate on Sunday, December 18 from 6-7:30 p.m. Join around a fire pit at the outdoor chapel and sing Christmas Carols and enjoy hot chocolate (provided by the Venture Crew).
New Hope Lutheran Church (8575 Guilford Road, Columbia, MD 21046) will be hosting their annual Christmas Morning Brunch for those in need in the community on Sunday, December 25 from 10 a.m.-noon. It is a potluck and open to anyone. If you are interested in coming and bringing food to share, sign up online.
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Concerts
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St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (201 Mt. Royal Avenue, Aberdeen, MD 21001) is hosting a Christmas Concert on Saturday, December 3 at 7 p.m., featuring the world-renowned singer/songwriter Charlie Zahm. Admission is $10 for adults. Children under 16 are free. Refreshments will be available before the Concert from 5:30-6:30, and again during the intermission. Refreshments will include cakes, pies and their now-famous crab soup, chicken noodle soup and Louisiana jambalaya! Enjoy the traditional family Christmas drink of warm Christmas wassail. There is no better way to start off your Christmas season. Tickets will be available at the door.
Grace Lutheran Church (8601 Valleyfield Road, Lutherville, MD 21093) will host a Christmas concert at 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 4 with special music, singing of Christmas carols, cookies, and punch.
On Sunday, December 11 at 3 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church (38 W Baltimore Street, Taneytown, MD 21787) presents Candlelight and Carols: A Christmas Concert. This program of music for the Christmas season is presented within the beautiful candlelit sanctuary, featuring the members and friends of the Trinity Lutheran and St. Mary’s Lutheran Church Choirs, and the Trinity JuBELLation Handbell Choir and Quartet. Admission is free and there is ample parking behind the church.
Please join St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church (1301 N Broom St. Wilmington DE 19806) for a Holiday Extravaganza on Sunday, December 11 at 4 p.m. The Delaware Women’s Chorus, combined with Cantabile Women’s Chorus, will perform along with the Small Wonder Jazz Singers and other faculty ensembles for an afternoon of wonderful holiday music. Admission is a non-perishable food item to help support St. Stephen’s Food Pantry.
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Nativities
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On Sundays beginning in Advent, you can experience a Fontanini Nativity Village at Epiphany Lutheran Church (9122 Sybert Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043). Immerse yourself in the Christmas Story as depicted in the figurines and sets of Fontanini. The village is open to the public on Sundays from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the church fellowship hall.
Grace Lutheran Church (2033 Graves Road, Hockessin, DE 19707) will host a Live Nativity on Saturday, December 17. There will be two outdoor performances with live animals at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., and indoor crafts, music, fellowship, and treats in between.
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Markets & Bazaars
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Christus Victor Lutheran Church (9833 Harford Road, Carney, MD 21234) will hold a Holiday Bazaar and Bake Sale in the fellowship hall on Saturday, November 12, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Santa and the Mrs. will be attending! All items sold are donated by individuals, so all proceeds go to the church.
St. John’s Lutheran Church (8808 Harford Road, Parkville, MD 21234) will hold a Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, November 12 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Some things you can expect to find at the bazaar are food, crafters, a jewelry table, a bake table, homemade candies, jelly and jams, a quilt raffle, white elephant sale, handmade items and more.
Calvary Lutheran Church (16151 Old Frederick Road, Mt. Airy, MD 21771) is hosting their Christmas Market on November 18 from 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. There will be baked goods, a silent auction, cheese balls, craft vendors and their famous white elephant room. Lunch is from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and a crab cake or fried chicken dinner from 4-7 p.m. Santa will visit during the dinner hour.
Epiphany Lutheran Church (4301 Raspe Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21206) will hold an Old Fashioned Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, November 19 from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. There will be photos with Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Grinch; food and baked goods; handmade crafts; attic treasures; train garden; and breakfast and lunch available for purchase.
Zion Church of the City of Baltimore's (400 E Lexington Street, Baltimore, MD 21202) annual Christkindlmarkt will be held November 26 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) and 27 (11 a.m.-4 p.m.). There will be imported German goods and authentic German refreshments. Admission is $2 for ages 12 and up. For more information, visit their website.
The Colgate Community Ministry @ St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church's (7834 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21224) Christmas Bazaar will be held on Saturday, December 3 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Join us in the Fellowship hall (Bank Street Entrance) for crafts, bake table, food & vendors. Please see the Facebook page for the event details, as there will be select bakery items by pre-order only to be picked up at the bazaar.
Nuestro Bazar de Navidad se llevará a cabo el sábado 3 de diciembre de 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Únase a nosotros en el salón de la Fraternidad (entrada de la calle Bank) para las artesanías, mesa de pasteles, alimentos y vendedores. Por favor, consulte nuestra página de Facebook para los detalles del evento, ya que tenemos artículos de panadería seleccionados por pre-orden sólo para ser recogidos en el bazar.
St. Mark's Lutheran Church (501 Duncan Road, Wilmington, DE 19809) will host a Christmas Bazaar: "Love Endures for All Time," on Saturday, December 3 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. St. Mark's invites you to come shop for handmade crafts, soups, and baked goods. This year, they will also have a train display designed by Pastor Robbie Ketcham! Admission is free.
Evangelical Lutheran Church (35 East Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701) will hold their Winter Market on Saturday, December 3 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) and Sunday, December 4 (9-11:30 a.m.). The Winter Market will be held on Saturday and the Silent Auction will end on Sunday at 11:30. Proceeds this year will go to Sleep in Heavenly Peace, which provides beds and bedding for local children in need. There will be ELC Vendors, Yarnspired Angels, Twin Spires Quilters, Crafts, and a Silent Auction. Check out the website for details about the silent auction and our designated charity.
St. Mark's Lutheran Church (1373 North Main Street, Hampstead, MD 21074) will be hosting their first ever Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, December 10 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Come browse and purchase quality crafts from professional vendors, enjoy breakfast and lunch, and participate in a Cookie Walk! If you are a vendor and would like to be a part of the Craft Fair, please contact the church office by email or at 410-374-6944 for more information.
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