As Christmas quickly approaches churches from all over the Atmore area are preparing to present a variety of holiday plays, programs, events and special services.

First Assembly of God lit up the faces of its congregation along with their Christmas tree during an annual lighting held Wednesday night at Prayer Path and Family Park across from the church’s location on South Main Street.

AOG will also be holding their annual Christmas program, “A Christmas Musical,” Sunday, Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m.

The public is encouraged to attend this year’s production.

In the weeks leading up to Santa’s yearly visit to town, there will also be no shortage of other events at area churches.

First Presbyterian Church kicked off their Christmas Advent worship services Sunday, Nov. 27 with a special Chrismon Service and will continue with special services every Sunday through Christmas. The services will culminate on Christmas Eve with a special candlelight communion worship service at 6 p.m.

The First Presbyterian Church Choir will also be partnering with the First United Methodist Church Chancel Choir for Sunday, Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. at FUMC for a Christmas Lessons and Carols performance.

FPC Pastor Jim Thorpe said regular worship services will be continuing as well throughout the month of December.

“Each Sunday our Sunday School for adults and children begins at 9:30 a.m, followed by morning worship with expositional (verse-by-verse) preaching and wonderful special music at 10:30 a.m.” Thorpe said. “Please come join us and experience the miracle of Christmas!”

The FUMC Chancel Choir will also be presenting a Christmas cantata, “Christmas Mosaic,” Sunday Dec. 18 at 11 a.m.

St. Anna’s Church in Poarch has also gotten their holiday services underway, beginning Sunday, Nov. 27 with a service of Advent Lesson and Carols.  Further services in the month of December will include the Holy Eucharist on Sunday at 9 a.m.,  a Christmas Lessons and Carols Sunday, Dec. 18 followed by the Hanging of the Greens and a Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist at 5:30 p.m. followed by  a reception in the Parish Hall.

Trinity Episcopal Church will also be holding their annual Lessons and Carols service Thursday at 6 p.m. complete with special music. Trinity Episcopal will also be holding Holy Eucharist at 9 a.m. each Sunday in December.

Canoe Baptist Church will be sponsoring a ladies Christmas luncheon, “Home for the Holidays,” Saturday, Dec. 10 featuring guest speaker Page Hughes. There is no charge to attend, but reservations are requested and may be made by calling 251-368-4477 or emailing clstacey@att.net.

First Baptist Church is celebrating the season with the Hanging of the Greens service Sunday at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11 at 11 a.m. FBC will hold a Christmas cantata, and the bell choir will present “A Night of Bells” that night at 5:30 p.m. The Students Christmas Presentation will be held Sunday, Dec. 18 at 11 a.m. A Christmas Eve candlelight communion service will be held at 6 p.m. in the FBC Patterson Chapel at 6 p.m. and Christmas services will wrap on Christmas day with service at 11 a.m.

Grace Fellowship will be lending a hand during December, preparing and serving free Christmas dinners on Christmas day from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to elderly and shut in Atmore area residents. Anyone in need of a meal may contact the church at 251-368-4463.

With many more churches in town providing services and celebrations during this year’s Christmas holiday season, Atmore area residents should have no problems feeling the Christmas cheer all month long.