By Monty Siekerman
Church services in Ada and Alger have different schedules this weekend since Christmas falls on a Sunday. Several churches will have Christmas Eve services on Saturday. Some churches have modified their usual Sunday schedule, perhaps not having Sunday School (when children may be opening presents) or cancelling an evening service. Dress in some cases is more casual.
Here's what's happening at several Ada and Alger churches.
St. Mark Lutheran Church will hold a service of lessons and carols with Holy Communion on Christmas Day. Pastor Kevin Mohr will preside at the usual worship time of 10:45 a.m. The church is located at 125 S. Johnson Street, Ada.
The First Baptist Church of Ada will have a Christmas Eve candlelight service at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 24. On Christmas morning, there will be no Sunday School and the church service will begin at 10:15 with casual dress. The church is located at 350 W. North Ave. (SR 81). Rev. Jack Duffy is pastor.
Alger First United Methodist plans a Christmas Eve service at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Plans for having the service are tentative due to the recent hospitalization of the pastor. The Christmas program has been moved to Sunday, Jan. 8, with a carry-in at 6 p.m. The program will begin at 7 p.m. The church is located at 201 E. Montville St. Andy Burns is pastor.
The First United Methodist Church of Ada will have a Christmas Eve service at 5:30 p.m. and a candlelight service at 11 p.m. on Saturday. On Sunday, the traditional service will begin at 10 a.m. There will be no alive@5 service that day. The church is located at 301 N. Main. Rev. Mary Jo Yeakel is pastor.
Bethel Church of Christ will have a candlelight service at 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Worship on Christmas Day will be at 10 a.m. Bethel is located at 4014 CR 304, which is old route 30. Brandon Mayden is pastor.
The Ada Family Center will have a Christmas Eve service at 6 p.m. on Saturday. The Sunday service will be at 10:30 a.m. and will include communion. The church meets at McIntosh Center on campus. Ray Hadley is pastor.
The Christmas Eve service at the Ada Presbyterian Church, 201 S. Main, will begin at 8 p.m. on Saturday. Those present will read Scriptures about the birth of Jesus and sing carols. The church is located at Main and Lincoln with Rev. Patrick D. Allen pastor.
The Alger Assembly of God will not have Sunday School, but the regular Sunday service will be at the usual time of 10:30 a.m. Dress is casual. The church is located at 7050 SR 235 N. with Mark A. Andreasen pastor.
County Line Church of the Brethren will not have Sunday School. The church service is set for 10:30 a.m. The church is located at 4227 N. Hardin Rd. (County Line Road) with Rev. Tom Dearth pastor.
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church will have a Christmas Eve mass at 5 p.m. and a Christmas Day mass at 11 a.m. The church is located at 222 E. Highland in Ada with Father David Young.