MATTERS OF FAITH

ASHLAND UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: The Path Christmas service 8:45 a.m. Sunday. Congregational singing and special music by The Path Praise Band.

ASHLAND UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: Children’s musical “Christmas Around the World” in Ashland Hall 6 p.m. Sunday.

BETH SHALOM SYNAGOGUE: Bingo, live auction and dinner 6 p.m. Sunday, 5827 N. Trenholm Road. Event will include bingo with cash prizes, a live auction, a brisket dinner, a latke bar and an open bar. $35 per person. RSVP by Tuesday. (803) 782-2500; www.bethshalomcolumbia.org

CHAMPIONS FAITH CENTER: xxx, 114 E. Church St., Bishopville. (803) 484-1600

CHRISTIAN LIFE CHURCH: Christmas – In His Presence mini-cantata 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday, 2700 Bush River Road. (803) 798-4488; christianlifecolumbia.com

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH: 28th annual Columbia Christmas Pageant 2 and 5 p.m. today and 4 p.m. Sunday, 1306 Hampton St. Complimentary tickets available by calling (803) 217-3250. (803) 256-4251; www.firstbaptistcolumbia.com

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH: Wednesdays@First Lunch Service, 1324 Marion St. Lunch served at 11:30 a.m., speaker from 12:20-12:50 p.m. Hot meal, $6; soup and salad bar, $5. Free parking. (803) 799-9062; www.firstprescolumbia.org

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF GREENWOOD: The Cecilia Ensemble will perform Christmas music 4 p.m. Sunday, 108 E. Cambridge Ave., Greenwood. The Cecilia Ensemble is an early music ensemble that is based in Augusta, Ga.

GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: Hot Dog Supper 6 p.m. Friday, 410 Harbison Blvd. Event will feature chili, kielbasa sausages, German kraut, hot dogs, ice cream, cake, cookies and the movie “Miracles from Heaven. Free. (803) 732-1899; www.gracecolumbia.org

LIVING WATER CHRISTIAN OUTREACH CENTER: 16th annual Christmas Banquet 7:30 p.m. Friday, Margarette H. Miller Cosmetology Center, 1509 Fontaine Road. Event will feature Apostle Ray Coughran from New Beginnings Glorious Church International in West Palm Beach, Fla. (803) 699-9346.

NEW BEGINNING BAPTIST CHURCH: “Christmas Prayers” production 1 p.m. Dec. 20, 9601 Caughman Road. Written and directed by Sherry Jones. Dinner will be served. (803) 695-1195, newbeginningbaptistchurch.com

NORTHEAST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH: The Chancel Choir, Celebration Orchestra and Children’s Choir of the church will host “The Christmas Story” cantata 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Sunday, 601 Polo Road. Free. (803) 788-5298; www.nepresbyterian.org

PARK STREET BAPTIST CHURCH: Sanctuary choir will present “Come and Behold Him” concert 11 a.m. Dec. 20, 2204 Park St. (803) 252-6434; www.parkstreet

baptistchurch.org

POND BRANCH UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: Christmas cantata “Come and Behold Him” 9:30 a.m. Dec. 20, 1913 Pond Branch Road, Gilbert. (803) 657-5481

REID CHAPEL AME CHURCH: Christmas concert “One Special Night” 7 p.m. today, 704 Gabriel St. The concert choir will sing holiday favorites. Free.(803) 786-0701

SAINT MICHAEL’S AND ALL AGNELS’ EPISCOPAL CHURCH: Angel Market 3-5 p.m. Dec. 20, 6408 Birdgewood Road. Event will feature arts, photography, crafts, books and goodies. (803) 782-8080; saintmichaelepiscopal.org

SAINT PETER’S CATHOIC CHURCH: 30th annual Christmas Dinner 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 25 in the church’s Parish Life Center, 1529 Assembly St. A meal will be served to about 800 men, women and children from the streets and shelters in Columbia. Each guest will receive a new duffle bag, a hooded sweatshirt, thermal underwear, wool gloves, hats, socks, boxer shorts and toiletries provided by Red Bank Baptist Church and the Five-O-Plus Club. Reading Glasses will also be donated by Dr. Fulton J. Gasper and his family. Toys for Tots will also provide toys to children. Gift cards and stockings with goodies will be provided by St. Peter’s Women’s Sodality. (803) 779-0036

SALEM UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: Bazaar 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today, 1321 Salem Road, Irmo. Event will feature more than 30 vendors and home-made soups for lunch. Proceeds will go toward a mission trip. (803) 781-1626; www.salemumcsc.com

SANDLAPPER SINGERS AND ORCHESTRA: Christmas concerts 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Union UMC, 7582 Woodrow St., Irmo, Dec. 18 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 4600 Devine St., and Dec. 19 at Lutheran Seminary Chapel, 4201 Main St. Event will feature familiar Christmas tunes and special arrangements of Christmas favorites. Tickets are $20 and available at www.sandlappersingers.org or at the door. A reception will follow each concert.

SEVEN OAKS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH: Third Sunday of Advent service will be 11 a.m. Sunday and fourth Sunday of Advent will be 11 a.m. Dec. 20, 530 St. Andrews Road. (803) 772-2761

SHANDON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: Love feast 5 p.m. Sunday, 3407 Devine St. Event will feature music by the choir and orchestra and sharing bread, coffee and fellowship. (803) 256-8383; www.shandon-umc.org

SHANDON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: Eddie Huss and Friends annual benefit concert for Imagine No Malaria 5 p.m. Dec. 20. Eddie Huss, Annette Matthews, William Douglas, Powers Burnett, Cathy Siarris, Madelein Beitel, Anna Young, Ja’Bria Barber and James Siarris. Free.

SPRING VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCH: One Bethlehem Night 5-7 p.m. Dec. 13, 91 Polo Road. Event will feature a Broadway-style story telling of the biblical story of Jesus’ birth. A special performance will also be given at Town Theatre, 1012 Sumter St., Dec. 12. For Town Theatre tickets, call (803) 799-2510. Event at church does not require tickets. Free. (803) 736-0624; www.springvalleybaptist.com

TRINITY EPISCOPAL CATHEDRAL: Handel’s Messiah 4 p.m. Sunday, 1100 Sumter St. The church’s choirs will sing their holiday favorites with the N.C. Baroque Orchestra. Tickets $14-$45, and $12 for students a military. Tickets at TrinitySC.org/Messiah. (803) 771-7300; www.trinitysc.org

TRINITY EPISCOPAL CATHEDRAL: Community carol sing 12:30 p.m. Event will feature a half hour of traditional carols. Lunch is available at noon and after the event for $7 in Satterlee hall. Free.