UNITED LUTHERAN: Join us Sunday, December 11, for the traditional service at 8 a.m. and or the contemporary service at 10:30 a.m. This Sunday’s sermon title is “Christmas Faith.” Also at both services we will have our Christmas Cantata “Mary Did You Know?” Nursery care is available for children 6 months to 6 years old. Sunday school is at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday night we have a Divine Worship Service at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome. To learn more about the weekly church activities, including Bible studies, and Youth, call 823-1971. United Lutheran is located at 649 Northgate Drive in Manteca.

PRESBYTERIAN: All are welcome this Third Sunday of Advent at Manteca Presbyterian Church for the 10 a.m. worship service. Anne Talcott will lead the Praise Team in our opening songs and direct the choir. Come hear Pastor Wendy Warner’s sermon titled, “Manger Meditations: Shepherds.” Do you hear what I hear? Our worship service is followed by a time of refreshments. Come join the fellowship. The church is located at 275 North Main Street. For further information phone us at 239-3159.

We would like to invite you, your family and friends to join us this Sunday, December 11 at 7 p.m. at the Manteca Community Choir performs the Christmas Cantata, “Colors of Christmas.” They are under the direction of Anne Talcott and filled with a lot of wonderful local talent. It is a joyous community event. This is a free concert with a love offering taken.

CALVARY COMMUNITY: This Sunday at Calvary the message “Prepared for Christ” references scripture from Matthew and Luke.

Join us for the last two performances of “My Simple Christmas Wish.” This is a musical celebration of our hopes and dreams for Christmas. Through solo, ensemble, choral and instrumental selections, you’ll be reminded once again that the true “Reason for the Season” is to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Please join us Saturday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. or Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. Admission is free, the entire family is welcome.

Easily accessible from any direction in the valley (from Interstate 5 or Highway 99, Lathrop Road exits), Calvary is located at 815 West Lathrop Road. For more information on our ministries and events, contact the church office at 239-1345 or www.calvarymanteca.org.

PLACE OF REFUGE: Join us for a great service this Sunday. We are excited to welcome special guest speakers Esther and Camille Ntoto to our 10 a.m. corporate worship service. The Ntotos work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with men, women, and children who have been victimized by the war in that nation. They are powerful speakers with a passion to see people of all ages and walks of life find their destiny in God. We will be holding our Christmas Eve service this year at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 24. Then at 1 p.m. we will hold our 3rd annual community Christmas brunch and toy giveaway. It will be held at 486 Button Avenue in Manteca this year, and the first 400 children between the ages of 2 and 12 will receive a gift from Santa. We will have a free raffle for a flat screen TV, a bicycle, and a scooter. There will be live music, coffee and hot chocolate, and bounce houses for the kids. Then on Christmas morning Pastor Mike and Jan will be hosting family communion from 10-11 a.m. Come by at your convenience during that time and spend a few minutes with your loved ones remembering that Christ is the reason for Christmas. Give us a call at 239-1371 with any questions.

NEW LIFE LATHROP: Come join us at New Life Lathrop as we are in full swing for the Christmas season. This Sunday, December 10 join us for some Christmas swing dancing from 6 to 9 p.m.; $3 per person gets you a free lesson on the basics of West Coast swing dancing and a night full of good music and fun. Friday, December 16, Pastor Troy’s Christian Black Belt Academy is hosting a belt testing from 6 to 8 p.m. and we welcome you to come watch and get to know some of our New Life family. Saturday, Dec. 17, New Life is partnering with Fallen Oak Productions to put on the third annual Rocking Stockings Christmas concert featuring 3 fantastic bands. Sunday, Dec. 18, our New Life kids are putting on a Christmas program for us during our regular church service. Last but not least we will be hosting 2 Christmas Eve services, one from 4 to 5 p.m. and another from 6 to 7 p.m., in order to accommodate all of your family plans. Christmas morning however, we want you all to stay home and enjoy time with your family. As you can see we are jam packed with events for the Christmas season, but we haven’t forgotten our regular services. Youth group is still Tuesday night at the church from 6:30 to 8 p.m. a great time of worship, fellowship, and fun games. Sunday morning services are from 10 to 11:30 a.m. every Sunday, and we always have hot coffee ready for you. We are located at 107 D’Arcy Parkway in Lathrop. For more information please call 275-4803, or visit newlifelathro.com. We look forward to meeting you!