"For a church that glories in the Incarnation, it would be improbable to cancel services on Christmas Day," said the Rev. Andrew J. Archie, rector of St. Michael and St. George in Clayton, Mo. "If there is one habit that I want my parishioners to have it is coming to church on Sunday. I'm not going to get in the way of that."

Fr. Archie said St. Michael and St. George will have one service on Christmas Day. St. David's, Austin, Texas, will hold three, including Compline at 9 p.m. The service is held every Sunday evening and is primarily attended by single adults with no children, according to the Rev. David A. Boyd, rector. "Our worship planning committee concluded that this was a service whose population would be likely to come," Fr. Boyd said.

The Rev Jay Sidebotham, rector of the Church of the Holy Spirit in Lake Forest, Ill., told The Living Church "it never occurred to me that we would have no service at all" on Christmas Day. Fr Sidebotham noted Holy Spirit had "decided to go to one service at 10 a.m. and have canceled our standard 7:30 a.m. service, which for some of our folks, is in itself a pretty radical move."

Originally Christ Church Cranbrook, Bloomfield Hills, Mich., planned just one service on Sunday, but when several regulars from the 8 a.m. Sunday service asked for an early service, the rector said he was delighted to oblige. "When someone wants to have a service, we are inclined to do it," said the Rev. Edward A. Mullins, who added that after the 10 a.m. service there will be a Christmas dinner for anyone in the area who would otherwise be eating by themselves.

St. Luke's, Birmingham, Ala., will also host a dinner after its Christmas Day service, said the Rev. Richmond R. Webster. "I have children who are 13 and 11 and they are dependable acolytes," he said. "They have always associated Christmas Day with worship."

The dean of the Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta, the Very Rev. Samuel Candler, said he has used the announcement about churches being closed this Sunday as a teaching tool and believes it illustrates the contrast between the worship geared toward "entertainment" and the historic church.

"The Episcopal Church, like other historical churches, is where people go through graceful changes of life together, not necessarily where they are entertained," Dean Candler said. "Christmas is an occasion for the entire community. We share a history of ups and downs together."

The Rev. Canon David H. Roseberry, rector of Christ Church, Plano, Texas, concurs with Dean Candler. While megachurches provide a great deal of leadership and depth to American Christianity, in this instance they need "to look to the mainline" churches for guidance Canon Roseberry said. "'Closed for Sunday' is the sign that hangs in a business, not a church."

END

Christmas Sampler: Sunday Services Across the Episcopal Church. Media inquiry sparks responses from congregations

[ENS] "Indeed, there is a Christmas, Virginia," declares the Rev. Judith Stuart, rector of Redeemer Church in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, echoing the oft-quoted 1897 headline of the New York Sun.

Stuart's response, like some 62 others to ENS, was prompted by a recent national network newscast's inquiry about Sunday services in the Episcopal Church on Christmas Day.

The newscast's question followed the widely reported decision of some "megachurches" to cancel services on Christmas morning, a Sunday this year, to allow families time "around the tree."

From war-torn Balad, Iraq, and flood-worn Biloxi, Mississippi -- from brisk Boston and balmy Beverly Hills -- word came of vibrant services planned to celebrate Christ's nativity -- indeed, "the Christ Mass," as Jamestown Cross editor Carlyle Gravely underscored from the Diocese of Southern Virginia.

While ENS joined in congratulating a United Methodist congregation ultimately selected for the national newscast, ENS opted to assemble for its readers and other media outlets the responses it received. The listing shows a cross-section of ministry in the Episcopal Church's more than 7,200 congregations in 110 dioceses in the United States and beyond.

The roster doubles as a prayer list, too: "The Christian Gospel is alive on Sunday morning, December 25, at the Air Force Theater Hospital in Balad, Iraq with CH (MAJ) Carl Wright, an Episcopal priest, doing the 7:30 a.m. service," writes CPT Jeffrey M. Cox, postulant of the Diocese of Massachusetts.

Houston's Trinity Church will hold its regular 7 a.m. Sunday service for the homeless, with a hot breakfast following, writes diocesan communicator Carol Barnwell. In Boston, Trinity Cathedral's outdoor (mostly homeless) congregation will assemble as usual, like its companion indoor English-speaking and Chinese-speaking counterparts, notes dean Jep Streit.

Services in Spanish and 13 other languages, including American Sign Language, will take place in the Diocese of New York alone.

"I always hold a Christmas morning service because it happens to be the most holy time for me and anyone who will venture out," writes the Rev. Donna L. Maree, rector of Trinity Church in snowy Buffalo, New York.

"When my children were young, we all went to worship that morning -- why else would we be celebrating if not for the celebration of the birth of the one we follow? This set the tone for the day. The small crowd gives us time to be quiet and to contemplate our call as Christ's followers in the world, not of the world. A morning home with presents is not what it's about."

From 300-year-old St. John's Church in Elizabeth, New Jersey, rector Joe Parrish writes: "We are very passionate about having Sunday services on Sunday, as always, and had a congregational discussion Sunday about the importance of keeping the Lord's Day the Lord's Day, and not canceling for Santa's going away party on the 25th. So many are depressed during the holidays; cannot we churches be awake one hour for them on Sunday?"

Sampler of Christmas Services

(compiled by Lisa Webb and Bob Williams, with apologies for any inadvertent errors or omissions)

ARIZONA

Phoenix -- All Saints' Church, 6300 N. Central Ave, Phoenix AZ 85012, 602.279.5539, www.allsaints.org. Christmas Eve: 3:30 p.m. Christmas Pageant with Holy Eucharist; 6 p.m. Lessons & Carols with Holy Eucharist with All Saints' Choristers; 8 a.m. Sudanese Christmas Service in Manning Hall; 8:30 p.m. Festival Eucharist with Choir and Sermon; 11 p.m. Solemn High Mass with Choir and Sermon. Christmas Day: 8 a.m. Holy Eucharist; 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Hymns and Soloist; 10 a.m. Sudanese Service in Manning Hall. The Rev. Peter F. Walsh, rector.

CALIFORNIA

Beverly Hills -- All Saints' Church, 504 N. Camden Drive, Beverly Hills CA 90210, 310.275.0123, www.allsaintsbh.org. Christmas Eve: 4 p.m. Family Pageant; 6 p.m. Family Pageant; 8 p.m. Choral Eucharist; 11 p.m. Choral Eucharist. Christmas Day: 10 a.m. Eucharist. The Rev. Carol Anderson, rector.

La Jolla -- St. James by-the-Sea, 743 Prospect St, La Jolla CA 92037, 858.459.3421, www.stjamesbythesea.org. Christmas Eve: 3 p.m. Service with Children's Pageant; 5:30 and 10:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist. Christmas Day: 11 a.m. Holy Eucharist. The Rev. Ronald P. Jaynes, Interim Rector.

Los Angeles -- St. James' Church, 3903 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90010, 213.388.3417, www.saintjamesla.org. Christmas Eve: 4:30 p.m. Family and children's pageant; 10:30 p.m. Service with choir and instruments. Christmas Day: 10:30 a.m. with Gregorian chant. The Rev. Paul Kowalewski, rector.

Pasadena -- All Saints Church, 132 N. Euclid Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101, 626.796.1172, www.allsaints-pas.org. Christmas Eve: 3, 5:30, 8 and 11 p.m. Christmas Day: 10:30 a.m. Festive Eucharist. The Rev. Canon J. Edwin Bacon, rector.

Poway -- St. Bartholomew's Church, 16275 Pomerado Rd., Poway, CA. Phone: 858.487.2159, www.stbartschurch.org. Christmas Eve: Choral Eucharist 2 p.m.; Children's Service with Pageant at 4 p.m.; Festive Eucharist with brass and choir at 7 p.m., preceded by carols at 6:30 p.m. Festive Eucharist with brass, choir, and incense at 9 p.m., preceded by carols at 8:30 p.m. Christmas Day: 10 a.m. Eucharist, Bishop Samir Kafity (retired of Jerusalem), preacher and celebrant. The Rev. Dr. George H. Martin, rector.

San Diego -- Good Samaritan Church, 4321 Eastgate Mall, San Diego, CA 92121, 858.458.1501, www.goodsamchurch.org. Christmas Eve: Family service with pageant at 5 p.m. Christmas Eve: Eucharist at 11 p.m., preceded by carols at 10:30 p.m. Christmas Day: 8 and 10 a.m. The Rev. Wayne Sanders, rector.

San Diego - St. Paul's Cathedral, 2728 6th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103, 619.298.7261, www.stpaulcathedral.org. Christmas Eve: 5 p.m. Carols for the City - Family Service with the Cathedral Choristers and the St. Cecilia Choir. The Holy Eucharist with carol singing; 10 p.m. Carol Singing in the Cathedral; 10:30 p.m. "Midnight" Mass with The Cathedral Choir. Christmas Day: 8 a.m. Holy Eucharist; 9:05 a.m. Misa en Español; 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist with choir (interpreted for the deaf); 5 p.m. Choral Evensong. The Very Rev. Scott E. Richardson, dean.

San Diego -- Christmas services, http://www.edsd.org/christmas2005.html

San Francisco - Grace Cathedral, 1110 California Street (at Taylor, Nob Hill); San Francisco, California 94108, 415.749.6300, www.gracecathedral.org. Christmas Eve: 2 p.m. Children's Pageant; 5 p.m. Service of Lessons and Carols, sung by the Choir of Men and Boys; 7:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist, sung by Camerata; 11 p.m. Midnight Mass, sung by the Choir of Men and Boys with Orchestra; 10:15 p.m. Musical prelude. Christmas Day: 11 a.m. Holy Eucharist, sung by the Gentlemen of the Choir; 3 p.m. Carol Service. The Very Rev. Alan Jones, dean.

CONNECTICUT

Greenwich -- Christ Church, 254 East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830-4871, 203.869.6600, www.christchurchgreenwich.com. Christmas Eve: 12 noon Eucharist of Healing (designed for those who have lost loved ones over the years and do not necessarily feel that they are ready to celebrate Christmas with a lot of carols and Alleluias), a 4pm Family Festival Holy Eucharist, an 8pm Festival Holy Eucharist, Rite II, an 11pm Festival Holy Eucharist, Rite I. On Christmas Day, Service of Holy Eucharist, Rite II at 11am. The Rev. Jeffrey H. Walker, rector.

Norwalk -- St. Paul's on the Green, 60 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851, 203.847.2806, www.stpaulsnorwalk.org. Christmas Eve: 4 p.m. Holy Eucharist; 10:30 p.m. Solemn Eucharist. Christmas Day: 11 am Solemn Eucharist. The Rev. Nicholas G. Lang, rector

Storrs -- St. Mark's Chapel, 42 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT 06268, 860.429.2647, www.stmarkschapel.org. Christmas Eve: 4 p.m. Christmas pageant and Communion; 6 p.m. Carols and Communion; 10 p.m. Festival Choral Eucharist with Carols and Anthems. Christmas Day: 10 a.m. Communion. The Rev. Nancy Cox, rector. (Parish hosts the Episcopal Church at the University of Connecticut with a full-time University Vicar, the Rev. Amy Fallon. The chapel doors have been open continuously since the consecration in 1955, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.)

"We have always held services on December 25th and will continue to do so," writes rector Nancy Cox. "Christmas Eve services are wonderful, candles, starlight, quiet darkness pierced by exquisite music, but it is Christmas Day that points toward the living out, day by day, of the incarnation. The magic, mystery and wonder so palpable on Christmas Eve do fade in the bright light of day, but that is our experience in life.

"Worship on Christmas day carries us forward to a place where all the presents and feasting won't, a place that we long for what cannot be bought or even crafted, the deep and abiding presence of God who is Emmanuel, God with us. Coming into the church in the bright light of day, one almost wonders-was last night real? Was it only last night? It seems so far away. And then the story is told, the carols are sung and the truth settles into the heart, yes, yes, yes it was not a dream, is true.

"Each year I invite people at Christmas Eve to come again on Christmas morning, those that take the chance return again the next year, because they find that it answers the true longing in a way that no card, gift, special dish or family gathering will.

"One of those who took me up on the invitation later told me that before they started bringing their children to church on Christmas, they all opened their presents looked around and the question (usually even asked by the children) was "is that all?"

"Now that they come to church they that question does not come up. The day doesn't have to carry the weight of all the expectations, Christ who promises that we will find his yoke light, does."

GEORGIA

Atlanta -- The Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30305, 404.365.1000, www.stphilipscathedral.org. Christmas Eve: 4 p.m. Children's service; 8 p.m. Choral Prelude; 8:30 p.m. Festive Eucharist; 11 p.m. Choral Prelude; 11:30 p.m. Festive Eucharist. Christmas Day: 10 a.m. Eucharist with hymns. The Very Rev. Sam Candler, dean. (Annual broadcast of Christmas Eve service, ABC affiliate, WSB-TV

KANSAS

Wichita -- St. James' Church, 3750 E Douglas St, Wichita, KS 67208, 316.683.5686, www.stjameswichita.org. Christmas Eve: 5:30, 8, and 11 p.m. Services. Christmas Day: 10 a.m. service. The Rev. Kate Moorehead, rector.

Topeka -- Grace Cathedral, 701 SW 8th Ave, Topeka, KS 66603, 785.235.3457, www.gracecathedraltopeka.org. Christmas Eve: 5:30 p.m. Lessons, Carols and Holy Communion; 9:30 p.m. Prelude; 10 p.m. Festival Eucharist. Christmas Day: 10 a.m. Carols and Holy Communion. The Very Reverend Steve Lipscomb, dean

MAINE

York Harbor -- St. George's Church, 407 York Street, York Harbor, ME 03911, 207.363.7376, www.stgeorgesyorkharbor.org. Christmas Eve: 5 p.m. Family Eucharist (shorter service); 7:30 p.m. Evening Eucharist with choir. Christmas Day: 10 a.m. Eucharist. The Rev. Paige Blair, rector.

MARYLAND

Lothian -- St. James' Parish (1692), 5757 Solomons Island Road, Lothian, MD 20711, 410.867.2838, www.toad.net/~stjames. Christmas Eve: 3:30 p.m. Young Children's Service; 6:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist II; 8:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II; 10:30 p.m. Traditional service beginning with half-hour of music by the Adult Choir and then Holy Eucharist, Rite II. Christmas Day: 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II. The Rev. William H. C. Ticknor, rector, The Rev. Eileen C. House, assistant.

Odenton -- Epiphany Church, 1417 Odenton Road, Odenton, MD 21113, 410.674.8819, www.epiphany-md.org. Christmas Eve: 6 p.m. will be a Saturday Sundown Coffee House Christmas, followed by Grandma's Parlor with children and music, 8 p.m. Candlelight Eucharist. Christmas Day: 10 a.m. service. The Rev. Phebe L. McPherson, rector. (Epiphany Church, the only known World War I chapel, restored and now also a museum, will have a Christmas Morning service with two Baptisms.)

MASSACHUSETTS

Andover -- The Parish of Christ Church, 25 Central Street, Andover MA 01810, 978.475.0529, www.christchurchandover.org. Christmas Eve: 4:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist with Pageant; 7:30 p.m. Festival Holy Eucharist; 10:00 p.m. Festival Holy Eucharist. Christmas Day: 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist. The Rev. Jeffrey Shilling Gill, rector.

Boston -- St. Paul's Cathedral, 138 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02111, 617.482.5800, www.stpaulboston.org. Christmas Eve: 7:30 p.m. Prelude; 8 p.m. Eucharist. Christmas Day: 9 a.m. Eucharist. The Very Rev. John "Jep" Streit, dean, notes: "We are having services on Christmas Day at St. Paul's, Boston, in fact we are having three; one with our English speaking indoor Sunday morning congregation, one with our outdoor (mostly homeless) congregation, and the third with our Chinese speaking congregation."

Boston -- St. John's, Roanoke Avenue and Revere Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130, 617.524.2999, www.stjohns-jp.org. Christmas Eve: 7:30 p.m. Eucharist. Christmas Day: 10:30 a.m. Eucharist. The Reverend Anne C. Fowler, rector.

Brookline -- St. Paul's, 15 Saint Paul Street, Brookline, MA 02446, 617.566.4953, www.stpaulsbrookline.org. Christmas Eve: 5:30 p.m. Family Service, Holy Eucharist; 10:30 p.m. Chorale Prelude; 11 p.m. Midnight Mass, Holy Eucharist, Rite II. Christmas Day: 10 a.m. service. The Rev. George Chapman, rector.

Cambridge -- Christ Church, Harvard Square, Zero Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, 617.876.0200, www.cccambridge.org. Christmas Eve: 5 p.m. Pageant Service. Christmas Day: 10 a.m. service. The Rt. Rev. Arthur Walmsley, interim rector (through the end of February).

Cambridge -- St. James, 1991 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140, 617.547.4070, www.stjames-cambridge.org. Christmas Eve: 4:00 p.m. and 9:30p.m. Christmas Day: 10:30 a.m. One service only this Sunday. The Rev. Michael Povey, rector.

Chelsea -- St. Luke's Church/Iglesia de San Lucas, 201 Washington Avenue, Chelsea, MA 02150, 617.884.4278. The Rev. Tom Callard, vicar: "We are planning not a pageant but an enactment of the Gospel with youth performing, which will be at the Bilingual Christmas Eve Service, as well as Christmas Day services in both English and Spanish."

Chestnut Hill -- Church of the Redeemer, 379 Hammond Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, 617.566.7679 or 617.566.7680, www.redeemerchestnuthill.org. Christmas Eve: 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. services. Christmas Day: 10:30 a.m. service. The Rev. Judith L. Stuart.

Lynn -- St. Stephen's, 74 South Common Street, Lynn, MA 01902, 781.599.4220, www.ststephenslynn.org. Christmas Eve: 5:30 p.m. Christmas Pageant and Holy Eucharist; 10 p.m. Christmas Carol Sing; 10:30 p.m. Candlelight service with Holy Eucharist. Christmas Day: 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Christmas Carols. The Rev. Jane S. Gould, priest-in-charge.

North Andover -- St. Paul's Church, 390 Main Street, North Andover, MA 01845, 978.682.8952, www.stpaulsna.org. Christmas Eve: 4 p.m. Family service with children's choir; 10 p.m. Eucharist. Christmas Day: 9 a.m. Eucharist. The Rev. Frederick E. Emrich, interim priest.

Walpole -- Epiphany, 62 Front Street, Walpole, MA 02081, 508.668.2353 or 508.850.8990, www.epiphany-walpole.org. Christmas Eve: 5 p.m. Family Service with Communion; 10:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist Rite I. Christmas Day: 9 a.m. service. The Rev. Alan Hesse, rector: "Our Christmas Day service is at 9am. We will be using the old 1928 Prayer Book (modified). We only use it at Christmas for the beautiful language We will have a "singing sermon" (people pick their favorite hymns) and I will speak about the importance of observing the nativity."

Watertown -- Church of the Good Shepherd, 9 Russell Avenue, Watertown, MA 02472, 617-924-9420, www.goodshepherdwatertown.org. Christmas Eve: 12 p.m. Holy Eucharist at Arsenal Apartments in the Community Room; 5 p.m. Holy Eucharist, Reception follows in the Upper Parish Hall. Christmas Day: 10 a.m. service. The Rev. Ann H. Franklin, rector.

MINNESOTA

White Bear Lake -- St. John in the Wilderness, 2175 First Street, White Bear Lake, MN 55110, 651.429.5351, www.stjohnwilderness.org. Christmas Eve: 4 p.m. Family Holy Eucharist; 10:30 p.m. Choral Holy Eucharist. Christmas Day: 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist. The Rev. Mark W. Kelm, rector.

MISSISSIPPI

(for further information about Hurricane Relief, see http://www.dioms.org, and contact the Diocese of Mississippi, Lauren Auttonberry, communication officer)

Biloxi -- Redeemer, 610 Water Street, Biloxi, MS 39530, 228.436.3123, www.redeemer-biloxi.org. Christmas Eve: 6 and 10 p.m. Eucharist. Christmas Day: 9 a.m. Eucharist. The Rev. Harold F. Roberts, rector. (Christmas morning Eucharist service scheduled at remains of DeMiller Hall.)

Cleveland - Calvary Episcopal Church, 107 S. Victoria Avenue, Cleveland, MS 38732, 662.843.5965 or 662.402.1184, www.calvaryclevelandms.org. Christmas Eve: 2 p.m. Eucharist at Grace Episcopal Church in Rosedale (Main Street, Rosedale, MS 38769); 4 p.m. Pageant; 10:30 p.m. Prelude; 11 p.m. Eucharist. Christmas Day: 10:30 a.m. Eucharist. The Rev. Paul Stricklin, rector.

We will have a pageant Xmas eve @ 4 pm. We will have a service Xmas Day. Best phone # is 662.402.1184. The Rev. Paul Stricklin, Calvary, Cleveland -- Mississippi

Gautier -- St. Pierre's Church, 4412 Gautier-Vancleave Road, Gautier, MS 39553, 228.497.9819, www.saintpierres.org. Christmas Eve: 6 p.m. Eucharist. Christmas Day: 9 a.m. Sung Eucharist. Rev. Hunter Isaacs, rector.

Gulfport -- St. Mark's, 123 Church Ave., Gulfport, MS 39507, 228.896.7597, stmarksepiscopal-gulfport.com. Christmas Eve: 12:00 a.m. Midnight Service. Christmas Day: 9:30 a.m. service. The Very Rev. James Bo Roberts, rector.

Gulfport - St. Peter's-by-the-Sea, 1912 E. Beach Blvd. Gulfport, MS 39501, 228.863.2611, www.stpetersbythesea.net. Christmas Eve: 4:30 p.m. service with Hansboro Presbyterian. Christmas Day: 9 a.m. service. The Rev. Edward O'Connor, rector.

Long Beach -- St. Patrick's Church, P.O. Box 550 Long Beach, MS 39560, -- Meeting at Coast Episcopal School, 5065 Espy Ave., Long Beach, MS, 228-669-4001 -- www.stpatricks.dioms.org. Christmas Eve: 4 p.m. service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church on Pineville Rd. Christmas Day: 10 a.m. service will be held at Coast Episcopal School in the gym. The Reverend J. David Knight, rector.

McComb/Magnolia -- Church of the Mediator/Redeemer, 217 Broadway, McComb, MS 39649, 601.84.5682. Christmas Eve: 5:30 p.m. service. Christmas Day: 10:00 a.m. service. The Rev. Melanie Lemburg and the Rev. David Lemburg, co rectors

Oxford -- St. Peter's, 113 S. Ninth Street, Oxford, MS 38655, 662.234.1269, www.stpetersoxford.org/stpetersoxford. Christmas Eve: 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. Eucharist; 10:30 p.m. Prelude; 11 p.m. Eucharist. Christmas Day: 10:00 a.m. Eucharist. The Rev. Taylor Moore, rector.

Picayune -- St. Paul's, 1421 Goodyear Blvd., Picayune, MS 39466, 601.798.2802. Christmas Eve: 4 and 11 p.m. services. Christmas Day: 4 p.m. Evening Prayer. The Rev. Kathleen Potts, rector.

Vicksburg -- Holy Trinity, 900 South Street, Vicksburg, MS 39180, 601.636.0542. Christmas Eve: Pageant, 5pm. Christmas Day: 8 and 10:30 a.m. (call to confirm times for December 25). The Rev. Michael Nation, rector.

West Point -- Church of the Incarnation, 103 W. Broad Street, P.O. Box 316, West Point, MS 39773, 662.494.1378. Christmas Eve 5 and 11 p.m. service. Christmas Day 10:30 a.m. service. The Rev. Bryan Owen, rector.

MISSOURI

St. Charles -- Trinity, 318 S. Duchesne, St. Charles, MO 63301, 636.949.0160, www.trinitystchas.org. Christmas Eve: 5 p.m. Christmas Pageant; 11 p.m. service, featuring Sarah Boslaugh, fiddle, and Lucy Conklin, soprano. The Rev. Tamsen Whistler, rector.

NEW JERSEY

Elizabeth -- St. John's, 61 Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07201, 908.352.1218, www.sjnj.com. Christmas Eve: 4:30 p.m. Christmas Pageant with historic Native South American and Mexican music. Christmas Day: 10 a.m. Carols & Eucharist; 12:15 p.m. Carols & Contemporary Eucharist; 1:45 p.m. Seeker Christmas service w/videos, carols and lunch; 5 p.m. Contemporary Vespers and Christmas dinner afterwards. St. John's will also host a couple dozen homeless people who will sleep at the church as they regularly do on Sunday nights. The Rev. Joe Parrish, rector.

NEW YORK

Bronx -- Church of the Mediator, 260 W. 231st St., Bronx, NY 10463, 718.548.0944 (English), 718.548.3312 (Spanish). Christmas Eve: 11 p.m. service. Christmas Day: 11 a.m. service in English and Spanish. The Rev. Diego Delgado, rector.

Buffalo -- St. Paul's Cathedral, 128 Pearl Street, Buffalo, NY 14202, 716.855.0900, www.stpaulscathedral.org. Christmas Eve: 4:30 p.m. Choral Prelude; 5:00 p.m. Eucharist with Pageant; 10:30 p.m. Choral Prelude; 11:00 p.m. Praetorius Midnight Mass with Cathedral Choirs. Christmas Day: 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist; 10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist. The Rev. Ethan Cole, curate (new dean, the Rev. DiLiza Spangler arriving in January).

Buffalo -- Trinity Church, 371 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202, 716.852.8314, www.trinitybuffalo.org. Christmas Eve: 5:00 p.m. First Celebration of Christmas, original Christmas pageant(cast of 30 children), brief homily and lots of carols with organ, ensemble and soloists Holy Eucharist; 10:30 p.m. Candlelight Christmas Eucharist with choir, piano ensemble and organ. Christmas Day: 10:30 a.m. "Quiet at the Eye of the Storm," Quiet Eucharist in Christ Chapel. The Rev. Cam Miller, rector.

New York City (Manhattan) -- Heavenly Rest, 2 East 90th Street at Fifth Avenue

New York, NY 10128, 212.289.3400, www.heavenlyrest.org. Christmas Eve: 3:30 and 5:00 p.m., Children's Christmas Pageant; 10:30 p.m. Musical Prelude; 11:00 p.m. Festive Choral Eucharist. Christmas Day: 8 and 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist in the Chapel. The Rev. Jim Burns, rector

Pearl River -- St. Stephen's Church, 84 Ehrhardt Rd., Pearl River, NY 10965, 845.735.8888, www.ststephens-pearlriver.org. Christmas Eve: 7 p.m. Carols; 7:30 p.m. service. Christmas Day: 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. services. The Rev. Susan Fortunato, rector.

Pelham (Westchester County) -- Christ Church, 1415 Pelhamdale Avenue, Pelham, NY 10803, 914.738.5515, www.christchurchpelham.org. Christmas Eve: 4 p.m. Children's pageant with Eucharist; 10 p.m. Prelude; 10:30 p.m. Eucharist. Christmas Day: 10 a.m. Eucharist. The Rev. J. Randolph Alexander, rector.

NORTH CAROLINA

High Point -- St. Mary's Church, 108 West Farriss Avenue

High Point, NC 27262, 336.886.4756, www.stmarysepisc.org. Christmas Eve: 3:00 p.m. Pageant; 10:30 p.m. Choral Prelude; 11 p.m. Candlelight Eucharist. Christmas Day: 10 a.m. Eucharist. The Rev. Dr. Glenn Busch, rector.

PENNSYLVANIA

Glenside -- St. Peter's Church, 654 North Easton Road, Glenside, PA 19038, 215.887.1765, www.StPetersGlenside.org. Christmas Eve: 5 p.m. Children's Pageant. Christmas Day: 11 a.m. service. The Very Rev. Ruth Lawson Kirk, rector.

Lancaster -- St. James' Church in Lancaster, 119 North Duke Street Lancaster, PA 17602, 717.397.4858, www.stjameslanpa.org. Christmas Eve: 4 p.m. Pageant; 11 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass. Christmas Day: 10:15 a.m. service. The Rev. Nathan Baxter, rector (and former dean of Washington National Cathedral, Washington D.C.).

RHODE ISLAND

Rumford -- St. Michael & Grace, 1336 Pawtucket Avenue, Rumford, RI 02916, 401.434.5012. Christmas Eve: 5 and 10 p.m. services. Christmas Day: 8 and 10:30 a.m. services. The Rev. Jennifer Pedrick, rector, the Rev. Scott Gunn, associate.

TEXAS

Houston -- Trinity, 1015 Holman Street, Houston, TX 77004, 713.528.4100, www.trinitychurch.net. Christmas Eve: 5:30 and 10 p.m. services. Christmas Day: 7 a.m. service for the homeless population, hot breakfast to follow; 10:30 a.m. service. The Rev. William B. Miller, rector.

UTAH

Salt Lake City -- All Saints, 1710 Foothill Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, 801.581.0380, www.allsaintsslc.org. Christmas Eve: 5 p.m. Christmas Pageant. Christmas Day: 10 a.m. service. The Rev. R. Michael Mayor, rector.

VERMONT

Burlington -- Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 2 Cherry Street, Burlington, VT 05401, 802/864-0471, www.stpaulscathedralvt.org. Christmas Eve: 4 p.m. Eucharist and Pageant; 9:30 p.m. Christmas music; 10 p.m. Eucharist. Christmas Day: 10 a.m. Eucharist. The Very Rev. Kenneth W. Poppe, dean and rector.

Middlebury -- St. Stephen's Church, 3 Main Street, Middlebury, VT 05753, 802.388.7200, www.ststephensmidd.org. Christmas Eve: 4 p.m. Pageant with Eucharist; 10:30 p.m. Carols; 11 p.m. Eucharist. Christmas Day: 9 a.m. Eucharist. The Rev. Catherine P. Nichols, rector.

VIRGINIA

Anderson -- Grace Church, 711 South McDuffie Street, Anderson, SC 29624, 864.225.8011, www.gracechurchanderson.com. Christmas Eve: 5 p.m. Family service with Pageant; 10:30 p.m. Festival service. Christmas Day: 10 a.m. service. The Rev. Gail A. Long, interim associate rector.

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Washington National Cathedral, Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues, NW, Washington, DC 20016-5098, 202.537.6200, www.nationalcathedral.org. Christmas Eve: 6 p.m. Service of Lessons and Carols (Nave); 10 p.m. Festival Holy Eucharist. Christmas Day: 9 a.m. Festival Holy Eucharist (nationally telecast); 12 p.m. Holy Eucharist. The Very Reverend Samuel T. Lloyd III, dean. -- (Note on Christmas Services and Passes: Christmas services will be held at 6 p.m. & 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve and at 9 a.m., noon and 4 p.m. on Christmas Day. The 9 a.m. Christmas Day service is nationally telecast; check local listings or www.nationalcathedral.org for stations. Free passes are required for Christmas Eve services only; check the website for availability and instructions requesting passes; a limited number will be available one-half hour before each service at the Cathedral Gatehouse on Wisconsin Ave.

WYOMING

Cody -- Christ Church, 825 Simpson, P. O. Box 1718, Cody WY 82414, 307.587.3849, www.christchurchcody.org. Christmas Eve: 5:30 p.m. Candlelight service and children's pageant; 10:30 p.m. Concert; 11 p.m. Mass. Christmas Day: 10 a.m. service. The Rev. Douglas Sunderland, interim priest-in-charge.

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