Weekend begins holiday events for area churches

Several area churches are hosting special events this weekend to begin the festive holiday season.

Pastor Jim Johnson and the congregation of First Baptist Church of Maricopa, located just south of the train tracks on John Wayne Parkway, have a Christmas Dinner Theater planned for 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16. The buffet dinner and entertainment will focus of the birth of Jesus Christ. There is no charge, but reservations are needed; call (520) 568-2272 to reserve a seat.

Also on Saturday evening, from 5 – 8 p.m., the Community of Hope Church and Pastor Rusty Akers will be hosting their second annual Living Nativity. The event will feature actors in period costumes, live animals, a children’s craft project, carolers and free refreshments.

Rancho El Dorado Park will be the site for the Living Nativity, just inside the front entrance and to the right. Residents are invited to come and bring the whole family.

Maricopa Community Church, on Hathaway across from the post office, will present their home-spun musical Christmas pageant “What Gifts did you Bring?” on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 9:45 a.m. For further information, call (520) 568-2430.

On Sunday Maricopa Assembly of God while have a musical Christmas celebration of Christ’s birth at 10:30 a.m., followed by caroling and a potluck dinner at 6 p.m. Bring a dish to share and join in the fun.

Next week inmaricopa.com will publish a schedule of all church-related activities for Christmas and the New Year.