Christmas Masses and candlelight services
Christmas Masses at the Cathedral Basilica, 38 Cathedral Place, begin at 4 p.m. Christmas Eve. The Mass will feature a choir composed of children from the parish community. There will also be a Mass for the Vigil of Christmas celebrated at 7 p.m. in the cathedral.
Two additional Masses on Christmas Eve will be celebrated at 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at Saint Benedict the Moor Catholic Church, 86 Martin Luther King Ave.
The traditional Christmas Mass at midnight will also be celebrated. It will be preceded by a pre-Mass choral concert by the Cathedral Chancel Choir under the direction of Bernard Sans, Ph.D.
On Christmas Day, the Mass at Dawn, traditionally known as "the Shepherd's Mass", will be celebrated at 8 a.m. at Saint Benedict the Moor Catholic Church.
Also on Christmas Day, Masses will be celebrated at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the Cathedral Basilica.
There will be no evening Mass on Christmas day. The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine is home to America's First Catholic Parish, which was founded on September 8, 1565.
ST. CYPRIAN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 37 Lovett St., will host Lessons & Carols Trolley Tour of Lights of St. Augustine starting at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 21. Participants are invited to hear the story of the coming of the Christ child through scripture readings, familiar hymns and carols, and choir anthems directed by Kathleen Vande Berg. The service will be followed by a trolley tour of the lights in downtown St. Augustine. Jim Vende Berg's famous chili will be served at the Mission House following the trolley tour. The event is open to the public. A donation will be collected to cover the cost of the trolley tour. For reservations, call Holly at 829-8828.
ANASTASIA BAPTIST CHURCH, 1650 A1A South, will host multiple Christmas Eve services at both of St. Augustine campus locations. Candlelight Christmas Eve Communion services will be at 6 p.m. Sunday at the Anastasia Island campus. Christmas Eve Candlelight services will be held Dec. 24. Traditional services will be at 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the Anastasia Island campus and contemporary services will be at 6 p.m. at the Anastasia Island campus and 5 p.m. at the State Road 16 campus. For information, go to anastasiabaptist.org.
CHRIST OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN CHURCH, 21 Milton St. will hold services at 7 p.m. Christmas Eve and 10 a.m. Christmas Day. New Year's Eve services will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 31.
CASTLE OTTTIS of Vilano Beach will celebrate an interfaith Christmas service with open communion at 10 a.m. Sunday. The Rev. Miriam Picconi and the Rev. Wanda Russell, from the Inclusive Catholic Ministries will preside. Inclusive Catholic Ministries is a spirit-led movement for gospel equality, nonviolence, justice and a people-empowered church. For information, call Picconi at 502-320-6817 or email miriampicconi@gmail.com, or call Russell at 502-320-6814 or email wandayrussell@aol.com.
THE MOST REVEREND FILIPE J. ESTéVEZ, Bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine, will celebrate the 4 p.m. Mass on Christmas Eve at St. Anastasia Catholic Church, 5205 A1A South. Memorial luminaries will be lit following the Mass. Music will be led by the Children's Choristers at the 4 p.m. Mass Wednesday, and Parish Chorale will lead music at the 8 p.m. Mass. Carols will begin a 7:30 p.m. At the 8 a.m. Mass on Christmas Day, music will be led by an ensemble. Anastasia Chamber Singers will lead the 10:30 a.m. Mass Thursday. Parking is free and all are welcome to attend. For information, call 471-5364 or go to stanastasiacc.org.
SHORES UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 724 Shores Blvd., will hold candlelight services at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve worship services will celebrate the birth of the Christ. The 5:30 p.m. service will be oriented for children and families. The 7:30 p.m. service will be a traditional worship service.