Local churches will be offering Christmas celebrations to the public beginning tonight, Dec. 18, with a showing of the film “Star of Bethlehem” at Valley of Peace Lutheran Church in Hailey, and continuing through Christmas Day with services at the valley’s two Catholic churches, Our Lady of the Snows and St. Charles Borromeo. On Jan. 5, a Burning Bowl Ceremony at Light on the Mountains Center for Spiritual Living will be held to guide participants in releasing the old and setting intentions for the new year.
The full schedule of services is as follows:
Wednesday, Dec. 18
Valley of Peace Lutheran Church: Advent service, 6:30 p.m., with a showing of the film “Star of Bethlehem,” in which science and Gospel meet to uncover the famous star’s mystery, 740 Wintergreen at Woodside Boulevard, Hailey, 208-788-3066.
Friday, Dec. 20
Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood: 7-8 p.m., Christmas Choir Concert, an evening of song for all ages, 100 Saddle Road, Ketchum, 726-5123.
Sunday, Dec. 22
The Life Church: 5:30 p.m., Live Nativity, musical reenactment of the birth of Christ. Please bring one canned food item to donate to local food banks. Chairs, blankets and warm clothes are also suggested. Outdoors across from Albertsons in Hailey, 788-2992.
Tuesday, Dec. 24
Our Lady of the Snows: 4 p.m., family Mass; 8 p.m., Mass; 10 p.m., Mass with choir and Christmas carols, carols to begin at 9:30 p.m., 206 Sun Valley Road, 622-3432.
St. Charles Borromeo: 5 p.m., family Mass; 7 p.m., Mass in Spanish; 10 p.m., Mass., 311 S. First Ave., Hailey, 788-3024.
St. Thomas Episcopal Church: 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., family service with nativity pageant; 8 p.m. and 11 p.m., candlelight service with Christmas Bible lessons and carols, followed by Communion, 201 Sun Valley Rd., 726-5349.
Valley of Peace Lutheran Church: 5:30 p.m., family service with carols, 740 Wintergreen at Woodside Boulevard, Hailey, 208-221-4114.
Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood: 4 p.m., family service; 8 p.m., candlelight service of carols and readings, 100 Saddle Road, Ketchum, 726-5123.
Light on the Mountains Center for Spiritual Living: 7 p.m., candle lighting service with a metaphysical interpretation of the traditional Christmas story and holiday music including guest vocalists directed by R. L. Rowsey, state Highway 75 just north of Gimlet Road south of Ketchum.
Wednesday, Dec. 25
Our Lady of the Snows: 10:30 a.m., Mass, 206 Sun Valley Road, 622-3432.
St. Charles Borromeo: 10 a.m., bilingual Mass, 311 S. First Ave., Hailey, 788-3024.
Sunday, Jan. 5
Light on the Mountains Center for Spiritual Living: 9:30 a.m., New Year Burning Bowl Ceremony with guided visualization and Tibetan singing bowls by Jason Stahoski and music directed by R. L. Rowsey. Oneness blessings will be given after the service, state Highway 75 just north of Gimlet Road south of Ketchum.
