Faith briefs for Nov. 21

Faith briefs for Nov. 21

Editor's note: Send items about church events for the Faith section to: faith@nwfdailynews.com. Photos should be jpeg attachments. Regular deadline is 5 p.m. Saturday to be eligible for the next Saturday's section. Items are run on a space-available basis.

Thanksgiving event

FORT WALTON BEACH --- Wright Baptist Church invites the community to a Thanksgiving Celebration noon-2 p.m. today.

Turkey, dressing and completely the trimmings'll be served.

Music and fellowship included.

And it's all free. Call the church office at 862-4123.

12th annual Gift Fair

FORT WALTON BEACH -- Holy Trinity Lutheran Church will hold its 12th Annual Mission Gift Fair titled, "God's Work --- Our Hands" 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday in the early Christian Life Center, 363 Miracle Strip Parkway.

Shop for unique gifts such as goats, pigs or baby chicks as donations to support children and families across the world. Learn about the global and local missions supported by Holy Trinity Lutheran through this event.

Donations are accompanied by a gift card for the recipient. Prices range from $1 and up.

Admission to the fair is free.

Chili supper

FORT WALTON BEACH --- Holy Trinity Lutheran Church will host its annual family-style Thanksgiving Eve Chili Supper at 6 p.m. Nov. 25.

Members will bring their favorite pots of chili, soup, or stew to the new Christian Life Center. The annual Thanksgiving Eve worship service with communion will follow at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary.

Everyone is welcome.

The Season of Advent begins on Nov. 29 at the 8:15 and 11 a.m. services with the focus on the Second Coming of Christ. A series of mid-week Advent services will be held on Wednesdays, Dec. 2, 9 and 16 7-7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary.

Thanksgiving dinner

FORT WALTON BEACH --- Greater Peace Missionary Baptist Church will serve its annual Thanksgiving Day Dinner 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 26 at the church, 102 S.E. Fourth St.

The public is invited to worship. Call the church at 850-243-2024.

Thanksgiving Dinner

FORT WALTON BEACH --- Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, Trinity United Methodist Church will celebrate its 9th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner and all are invited.

Bring family and friends anytime between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to enjoy fellowship and to give thanks for the numerous blessings from God.

The menu is: turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, reen beans, sweet potato casserole, rolls, and an ssortment of pies (apple, sweet potato and pumpkin).

No reservations required. Catering is by Golden Corral.

Fruits of the Spirit

FORT WALTON BEACH --- Living in Real Faith Conference continues at 6 tonight at Northwest Florida State College Campus Auditorium in Fort Walton Beach.

Praise music will be provided by First Baptist of Mary Esther Saturday night. Soloist Jeana Marie Gowens also will perform.

Speakers are Mary Esther Mayor and missionary Chuck Bolton, Okaloosa county Tax Collector and evangelist Chris Hughes, and missionary-evangelist the Rev. Billy Gray.

Christmas project

NICEVILLE --- Operation Christmas Child, the world's largest Christmas project, is calling on local children, families, churches, businesses, schools and community groups to fill shoe boxes full of gifts for children overseas who are suffering from disease, famine, war, terrorism and natural disaster.

National Collection Week is Nov. 16-23.

Relay Centers in this area are at Village Baptist in Destin, The Community Life Center in Gulf Breeze, Pine Level Baptist Church in Jay, First Baptist Church of Milton, First Baptist Church of Baker, First Baptist Church of Niceville and Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola.

For more information, visit samaritanspurse.org online or call 850-217-4177.

Crafts exhibit

FREEPORT --- Freeport Presbyterian Church is sponsoring a celebration today of the artistic gifts God has blessed its congregation with. The event will be held in the church's Fellowship Hall from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Note that this is an exhibit only. Information for all of the artisans and crafters will be available to contact any of them later regarding purchases.

The church is at 340 State Road 20, on the south side.

St. Nicholas Fair

SHALIMAR --- Anglican Church of the Resurrection will hold its first St. Nicholas Fair and Craft Show 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 5.

Hand-crafted jewelry, Advent trees, bookmarks, Christmas cards, Christmas gift tags and more will be offered for sale. There will be a children's "Secret Santa" (ages 12 and under) and face painting.

The event will be at the Parish House next the church on the corner of 8th Street and 9th Avenue.

Contact: Sheila Kingman at 651-2894, or sheila_14@cox.net.

Crop crop slated

DESTIN -- Thrivent Financial for Lutherans in conjunction with the Society of St. Andrews will host a crop drop in the parking lot of Grace Lutheran Church in Destin 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Nov. 21.

Local food banks and soup kitchens will arrive throughout the day to collect produce in time for their Thanksgiving needs. About 300 volunteers from local Lutheran churches will be on hand to direct recipients, bag produce, load and unload vehicles and provide food for other volunteers.

Call Jaclyn or Dave Saviola at 850-337-4750.

'Such a Night as This'

DESTIN --- The dinner theater production, "Such a Night as This," will be presented by the multidenominational drama group 2nd Acts on Dec. 4, 5 and 6 at Grace Lutheran Church, 4325 Commons Drive West.

The Friday and Saturday shows are at 6:30 p.m., and the Sunday show is at 5 p.m.

Tickets are available at Eagle's Wings Book & Gifts, 14071 F, Emerald Coast Pkwy. (Bealls & Office Max shopping complex). Tickets must be purchased in advance. No telephone reservations will be accepted.

Store hours are Monday and Tuesday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Wednesday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday and Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Visit the 2nd Acts Web site at 2ndActs.net.

Gospel concerts

Gospel music concerts are scheduled for: Nov. 24 at 7 p.m., The Bowling Family, Pace Assembly Of God, Pace. Nov. 28 at 7 p.m., The Dixie Echoes, Ebenezer Baptist Church, Laurel Hill.

'Touch of Christmas'

The Christian Symphonic Band & Strings will present "A Touch of Christmas" at 7 p.m. Dec. 4 at Destin United Methodist Church, 200 Beach Drive, and at 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at Navarre United Methodist Church, 9474 Navarre Parkway.

Admission is free; a love offering will be collected during the concert.

The program includes unusual as well as conventional music. Selections include "C'est Noel," "I Saw Three Ships," "A Canticle of Angels and Kings," "Joy to the World," "We Need a Little Christmas" and many others.

Director is Carole Williams. Special guest Kim Cannon will performa t the Destin concert, and Deanne Smith will perform at the Navarre concert.