Groups planning a celebration of Kwanzaa on Dec. 28

The Council of Elders of the Black Community of Howard County will sponsor a communitywide celebration of Kwanzaa from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 28 at Kahler Hall, 5440 Old Tucker Row in Harper's Choice.

A libation, calling on ancestors to bless the proceedings and ceremonial dancing in the African tradition are planned.

The Howard County Center of African American Culture, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, St. John the Evangelist Baptist Church, the Black Student Achievement Program and other organizations are co-sponsors.

Information: Abayomi Sekou, 410-997-5769.

St. John church to hold Christmas Eve service

St. John United Methodist Presbyterian Church will hold a Christmas Eve service with candlelight and carols at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, 10431 Twin Rivers Road, Columbia.

The Rev. R. Whitfield Bass will preach, with music directed by Ingrid Anderson.

Information: 410-730-9137.

Outdoor pageant slated at Mormon church

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4100 St. Johns Lane, Ellicott City, will hold a live outdoor Christmas pageant from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. today and tomorrow. A collection of creches from around the world will be on display.

Admission is free and open to the public.

Information: 410-715-4544.

Palestinian Catholic priest to speak during service

Father Emil Salayta, a Palestinian Catholic priest, will speak about the Holy Land during an Ecumenical Service of Prayer for Peace in the Middle East at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Pastoral Center Chapel at the Church of the Resurrection, 3175 Paulskirk Drive, Ellicott City.

Information: 410-461-9111.

Calvary Lutheran offering Christmas Eve services

Calvary Lutheran Church, 16151 Old Frederick Road, Mount Airy, will hold four Christmas Eve Candlelight Carol Worship services.

A service at 4 p.m. will include Holy Communion and harp music. The Candlelight Service at 6 p.m. will include harp music, the Festival Choir and organ music.

A Family Candlelight Service is planned for 7:30 p.m. A Candlelight Service of Holy Communion is set for 11 p.m.

Information: 410-489-5280.

Presbyterian church plans 2 Christmas Eve services

Christ Memorial Presbyterian Church, 6410 Amherst Ave., Columbia, will offer two Christmas Eve services. A service at 5 p.m. will include youth choirs, drama groups, puppets, a chime choir and a rock band. At 8 p.m., the adult worship choir and hand bell choir will present Christmas carols, and a traditional worship service is planned at 8:30 p.m.

Regular worship services are held at 8:30 and 11 Sunday mornings, and Sunday school for all ages is held at 9:45 a.m.

Information: 410-997-8011.

Journeys Community offers a nontraditional path

St. Andrew's Church in Glenwood conducts Journeys Community, an outreach program for those who would like to pursue a spiritual path but have not found it in traditional forms of worship.

A weekly gathering is offered at 10 a.m. Sundays at Clemens Crossing Elementary School in Columbia.

The theme for Sunday's service is "From Winter Solstice to Christmas." A potluck lunch will conclude the service. Participants should bring enough to share.

Information: the Rev. Harry Brunett, 410-489-4035, or StAndrewHC@aol.com.

Emory United Methodist sets candle-lighting service

Historic Emory United Methodist Church, 3799 Church Road, Ellicott City, will hold a Christmas Eve candle-lighting ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

A children's time is planned.

Information: 410-465-4110.