Church bulletin

"Festival of Mangers and Trees" at All Saints Parish on Dec. 1 following the 4 p.m. Mass and Dec. 2 after the 11 a.m. Mass with a Christmas concert to follow at 2 p.m. in the church. An added attraction will be an Italian Supper on Dec. 1 after the 4 p.m. Mass in the church hall. Cost for the supper is $8 adults, $4 children. For more information, call Gerry at 978-372-2901.



First Presbyterian Church

Handcrafted wreath auction: Wreaths made by members and friends will be displayed around Abrahamson Hall through Nov. 25. The auction will close and be awarded after church on Nov. 25. For more information or to volunteer your service, contact Pat McGranahan.

Advent wreaths: Children are invited to make their family Advent wreaths before family movie night at 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 25 and during the worship service on the first day of Advent, Dec. 2.

Family movie night: The "Polar Express" will be shown Nov. 25 at 5 p.m. on the big screen in Abrahamson hall.

Coffee hour hosts: Ted Beauparlant and family Nov. 25; Hillary Benson Dec. 2; Victor and Priscilla Kwo Dec. 9; Pat Jardine Dec. 16; Mission Committee Dec. 23; Pam and Carolyn Guirissi Jan. 6; Steve P. and Judy Evanko Jan. 13; Cynthia Jones and Sally Casey Jan. 20; Annual meeting Jan. 27.

Cub Scout Pack 63 is extending an invitation to boys from age 7 (or who have completed kindergarten and are entering the first grade this fall) to age 10 (or entering the fifth grade this fall) to join the pack. The Scouting program takes place at the church. For more information, call Tom Bringle at 978-478-5080 or visit www.havpack63.org.

First Presbyterian is located at 346 Broadway. For information, call the church at 978-374-8029.



New Heights Community Church

Sunday service at 10 a.m. Childcare and Children's Sunday School runs simultaneously during the service. Teen Youth Group for children in grades 6-12 meets every Sunday from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Christmas Eve candlelight ceremony at 6 p.m.

New Heights Community Church is located at 14 Brandy Brow Road. For more information, visit www.newheightshaverhill.com.



Riverside Memorial Church

Coffee hours: Jonathan Gifford and family Nov. 25; Judy and Dan Cannon Dec. 2; Don Herook and family Dec. 9; Jackie and Ernie Bergeron Dec. 16; Connie and Bud Merrick and Georgie and Harold Nelson Dec. 23; Donna Brewer Dec. 30.



St. James Parish

Christmas Choir: Anyone who would like to sing at Midnight Mass and Christmas Day is welcome to practice on Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. starting Nov. 27. Please leave a message at 978-372-8537 ext. 202 and request which Mass you would like to sing at. Each Mass will have a 30 minute choral prelude. There will be four consecutive rehearsals on Nov. 27, Dec. 4, 11 and 18.

Eucharistic Adoration continues this year on Tuesdays throughout the school year from 9 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. The parish is looking for commitments for 3 to 4 p.m. and 4 to 5:15 p.m. To make a regular commitment to these hours or any others, call Fran Salter at 978-372-4723.

Catholic high school: The placement test for all Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of Boston will be administered on Dec. 8. For registration forms and information on test locations, contact your local Catholic high school, or the Catholic School Office at 617-298-6555.

Gerontology registrations: UMass is now accepting applications for its Manning Certificate Program in gerontology, which prepares students to work with the elderly. The program is designed to give students the skills and resources needed to plan for an aging society, work in the aging network and advocate for elders. Daytime classes are on Wednesdays for two semesters. There is also a Monday evening program available. The program is financial-aid approved. For more information or an application, call Mary St. Jean at 617-287-7330.

Fall registrations are now being accepted for the 2007-08 school year. Children who attend during the 2006-07 school year do not need to register again. All classes are held at St. James School on Primrose Street.

Adult Altar servers needed to assist at funerals during the week. The Knights of Columbus will organize and provide training groups. For more information, call Thomas Anthony at 978-973-0437.

Religious education teachers needed for grade nine for the 2007-08 religious education year. The church also needs an aide for grade three. For more information, call Larry Webster at 978-372-8537.

St. James Parish is located at 6 Cottage St. For more information, call 978-372-8537.



Free Christmas play

Haverhill Alliance Church, 284 Kenoza Ave., will host a performance of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 1 at 2 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. Free refreshments will be served following each performance. This humorous play will be performed by The Haystack Players, a local theater troupe. Based on a book by Barbara Robinson, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" focuses on the misbehaving children of the Herdman family and tells how the family discovered the true meaning of Christmas by participating in a church play about the birth of Jesus. For more information, call 978-374-0646 or 978-388-7140.



Universalist Unitarian Church

Annual cookie worship Nov. 24 from 9 a.m. to noon in the church basement kitchen. Volunteers will get to sample the seven varieties of cookies that will be made. To volunteer, sign up in the Murray Room after service or e-mail diane@qualitydiecutting.com.

Performance workshops for ages 9 to 15 on Mondays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon. Each student will receive a speaking role, culminating in a performance for family and friends on Friday.

The Universalist Unitarian Church is located at 15 Kenoza Ave. For information, call 978-372-5173.



Trinity Episcopal Church

Altar flowers: There are open dates on the flower calendar for those who would like to give the altar flowers on a Sunday in memory of loved ones or as a thanksgiving. To sign up, call Joan Brawley, 978-374-7773.

Temple Emanu-El

Shabbat schedule: Candle lighting: Nov. 23 at 3:58 p.m.; Nov. 30 at 3:45 p.m. Shabbat morning service at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 24 and Dec. 1. Israel Chavurah Nov. 24 at 11:45 a.m.

Annual Jewish book fair and Sisterhood gift shop Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. to noon. Books are cash and carry. Proceeds benefit the Temple Emanu-El Religious School.

First Light 5768 on Dec. 8 at Congregational Shalom in Chelmsford.

Educational director of the religious school: Debbie Levasseur's office hours are Mondays from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m.; Wednesdays from noon to 7 p.m.; Friday from 9 a.m. to noon; Sunday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. or by appointment.

Weekday Minyan will no longer meet regularly but "as needed." If you wish to say Kaddish for a loved one's yahrzeit, call the Temple office at 978-373-3861 one week in advance of the Monday or Thursday closest to the yahrzeit and the Temple will call people to help make a minyan.

T.A.P.T: Tots and Parents Together family education program, for children ages 3 and 4 and their parents and grandparents, is a unique opportunity to introduce your child to Jewish learning, combining songs and fun-filled activities. Schedule: Sundays from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 2 and 16, Jan. 6 and 27, Feb. 3 and 10, March 2 and 16 and April 13. Tuition is $185. Space is limited. To register, call 978-373-3861.

Musicians wanted to participate in a Temple Emanu-El band/orchestra to play at selected Shabbat evening services. For more information, call Nancy at 978-373-3861.

Temple memberships: Temple Emanu-El of Haverhill, a reform congregation with a thriving religious school for children age 3 through high school, and a highly reputable youth program, is now offering free memberships for one year, for any single, couple or family not previously affiliated with Temple Emanu-El. For information or to register, contact Nancy@TempleEmanu-El.org or call 978-373-3861, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m. to noon.



Haverhill Alliance Church

Sunday services are at 9 a.m.

The church is located at 284 Kenoza Ave. For more information, call 978-374-0646 or visit www.haverhillalliancechurch.org or www.awana.org.

Calvary Baptist Church

Summer Bible study offered every Tuesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the home of Dr. Mary Pearson and her husband the Rev. Canon Mark Pearson, 23 Faith Drive, Hampstead, N.H. For more information, call 603-329-7341.



Healing ministry: New Creation Healing Center, a nondenominational Christian healing ministry at 148 Plaistow Road (Route 125) in Plaistow, N.H., holds 30-minute appointments for prayer ministry on the third Thursday of every month from 1 to 3 p.m. For appointments or information, call 603-382-7391.



Parenting: The Church at Monument Square offers LaLeche League, a free program that provides mother-to-mother support, education on breast-feeding, information and encouragement. LaLeche League meets the second Tuesday of each month at 9:45 a.m. Drop-ins welcome; donations appreciated.



Bible study: First Church of Christ, Bradford: The Rev. Bill Dunlap offers Bible study, dealing with the Gospel according to Mark, on Mondays from 7 to 8 p.m. and Tuesdays from 10 to 11 a.m.



Meditation group: The Buddhist meditation group at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 15 Kenoza Ave., meets the first and third Sunday of each month, 5 to 6 p.m. Peg Travers, a certified instructor with Buddha Heart International, Taiwan, and a church member, facilitates. Participants should wear comfortable clothing and bring a pillow or cushion to sit on. For information, call 978-363-2910.



Sunday school rides: Life Line Baptist Church, 590 Primrose St., offers transportation to and from its Sunday school program for city children in need of a ride. Sunday school is at 10 a.m., with morning church service at 11. For information, call 978-372-8046.