Christmas services set in Fort Smith

Churches in Fort Smith are preparing for their Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services.

Gatherings, festivals and parties are planned around the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Fort Smith and area churches.

Fort Smith faith leaders have offered their views on the meaning of Christmas 2022.

First Baptist Church Fort Smith

Eight days before Christmas the first Family Christmas Festival at First Baptist Church of Fort Smith is 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17 at the church, 1400 Grand Ave.

A concert by Charles Billingsley is planned for 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17

Christmas Eve service at First Baptist Church of Fort Smith is 6 p.m. On Christmas Day the service will be 10:30 a.m.

Eli Leslie, children's pastor at First Baptist Church said, "What I always teach our kids here at church and my own kids is the true meaning to is celebrate Jesus Christ, so no matter what year it is I want everyone to know and believe how much Jesus loves us I think this year our church is really growing together and we are showing God's love."

He said being together is important this year.

"I think a big thing for me and especially for the children's ministry is I get to show these kids how much God loves them although there is sadness in the world God loves them he is our heavenly Father. I am going to show them God's love as a church we get to come together."

Leslie teaches children in grades first to fifth.

"I think togetherness is something that is really big for us this year, being together growing as a church together and sharing ," Leslie said.

Central Presbyterian Church

The Christmas spirit brings people together for the "Circle of Friends Gathering" at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18 at the Sweet House, 145 Sweet Ave., said Pastor Steven Kurtz. The Christmas week kickoff event draws non-traditional Christians and non-believers too, Kurtz said.

The Rev. Steven Kurtz recalls two years ago when there there was no Christmas service.

"The pandemic upended so many things, that is exactly why we celebrate Christmas, Jesus upended so many things and put focus on love and justice and turned people's lives around a lot like the pandemic has," Kurtz said.

"The Christmas story is about the Angels coming to shepherds and finding a baby born who didn't have housing, and parents forced immigrants, the Christmas story is about people. It is about the marginalized."

St. Boniface Catholic Church

At St. Boniface Catholic Church, The Rev. Mario Jacobo said there is hope for the future, but signs of more struggle ahead.

"It's been a rough year. I don't think it's going to be any better. We are still praying for peace in the world. You know we are still praying for the light of Christ to shine in our world. And that will be our focus of this year to help others to shine for their light to shine," Jacobo said. "People are still hurting from the pandemic from families being separated, deportation, separated from their families. I think my message for my congregation will be to never lose hope and to be a light to those who are struggling and to help people find a way and that way is Christ, and that is my message for my community this year.

He said there is a Christmas Party at the church, 1820 N. B Street 6 p.m., Friday, Dec. 16 that will be a time for reflection and prayer and a "coming together as one."

The St. Boniface Catholic Church Christmas Eve Mass is 4 p.m. in English and 7 p.m. in Spanish. The Christmas Day Mass is 8 a.m. in Spanish and 10 a.m. in English.

Fort Smith First United Methodist Church

At The First United Methodist Church, 200 N. 15, were plans for several Christmas events.

The annual service of "Lessons and Carols," was Sunday, Dec. 18 at the 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. services.

The "Longest Night," Christmas service was set for 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18 at the Methodist church.

The Rev. Bud Reeves said Christmas continues to have an enduring meaning.

"Christmas is meaningful on so many levels. We all love the lights, the music, the get-together, the food, and the presents," Reeves said. "And we try to provide for those less fortunate. But everything about the holiday points to the real significance of the season that, 'God so loved the world that he gave his only son Jesus Chris. The truly amazing thing is that the 2,000 years after the fact, the majority of people on the planet, even if they do not worship him as Lord, will at least acknowledge and celebrate his birth."

Christmas Eve services at First United Methodist are 12 p.m. in the Roebuck Chapel, 3:30 p.m. in the Great Hall, a contemporary candlelight service, and a 5:30 p.m. traditional candlelight service in the sanctuary.

On Christmas Sunday, service will be 10 a.m. with no Sunday classes.

Christmas services at a few other Fort Smith churches include the following:

Covenant Presbyterian Church

At 120 N. 9th Street, the Covenant Presbyterian Church on Christmas Eve "Lessons and Carols" service is 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church

Christmas Day, Dec. 25, there will be one service at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 116 N. 12 Street in downtown Fort Smith. The Christmas Eve service will be 5 p.m. The church hosts "Lessons and Carols," in services at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. the week before Christmas, Sunday, Dec. 18.

Grace Community Church

The Christmas Eve candlelight services at Grace Community Church, 4001 Broken Hill Drive are 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Harvest Time Church

Christmas at Harvest Time Church, 3100 Briar Cliff Ave. are 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23 and Saturday, Dec. 24.

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

There is a 4 p.m. children's Mass followed by a 7 p.m. and a midnight Mass on Saturday, Dec. 24 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

On Sunday, Dec. 25, Mass will be 7:30 a.m., 10 a.m. 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. at the church, 22 N. 13.

St. John's Episcopal Church

Christmas Eve family-friendly Mass will be 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24 at St. John's Episcopal Church, 215 N. 6th Street. St. John's Episcopal has a 10:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass. The Christmas Day Mass will be 10 a.m.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Times for Christmas Eve and Day church services in Fort Smith