Religion briefs

Advent tea scheduled Sunday

Bethany Circle of Bethlehem Lutheran Church will host its annual Advent Tea, 2-4 p.m. Sunday at the church, 1837 Mountain St. in Carson City. The event is free and features fellowship, tea, and cookies. For information, call 882-5252.

Methodist Church celebrates

10th annual Living Nativity

Carson City First United Methodist Church will present its 10th annual Living Nativity from 6:30-8 p.m. Dec. 11 and 12 at the intersection of Musser and Division streets and the drive-through begins at the corner of King and Division streets.

Visitors are also encouraged to walk the "Path to Bethlehem," which is lighted by more than 800 luminaries. A donation of non-perishable food is requested.

Begun 10 years ago, the Living Nativity occupies a city block and comprises 10 scenes depicting the story of Jesus' birth. The scenes are enacted with the help of more than 200 church members and include living animals.

"More than 1,500 people experience the Living Nativity each year. Many are crying as they leave, moved by this touching re-enactment," said spokeswoman Christie James.

For more information, call 841-6239.

'Joyful Noise' will offer musical entertainment for the holidays

Lake Tahoe Entertainment presents "Joyful Noise," the 9th annual community holiday show at 7 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Plaza Conference Center, 211 9th St. in Carson City. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

The performance features Cherie and John Shipley with the Unity Chorus and special guest Mark Emerson from Unity of Reno.

Holiday refreshments will be provided, and there will be a no-host bar.

Tickets are available at the Plaza Hotel, 801 S. Carson St., Unity Center, 1219 S. Carson St. or by calling 841-2221; and at the door for $10 adults, $5 kids 6-13, and free 5 years and younger. For more information, call 885-7910.

St. Gall's 12th Noel Christmas Day Dinner planned

Once again, St. Gall Church will be hosting the 12th Noel Christmas day dinner for those without family.

Anyone in the community, either single or a couple, who would otherwise be alone on Christmas day, is invited to the Christmas day dinner. It is a chance to meet new friends and become part of a new family. Much fun and laughter are shared by all who attend.

Each person, or couple, will receive a written invitation to the event, which helps plan the amount of food to prepare. Therefore, the event planners will need your name, address and phone number. Please let us know if you are single or a married couple.

To receive a written invitation, volunteer, make a donation, or for more information, call Rita Hill, event coordinator, at 783-9908. If she is unavailable, please leave your name and phone number at the beep and she will return your call.

Women's club to meet

Sierra Christian Women's Club, will meet for its monthly luncheon from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Tamarack Junction, 13101 S. Virginia Street, Reno.

Come kick up your heels with the R.S.V.P. Kickers with Jan Savage.

Guest speaker is Gail Snodgrass, a massage therapist who will talk about how her fear and stress were traded in for peace.

Reservations are required. Call Holly at 775-826-4105. Membership is not required. Lunch is $20.

The meaning of life to be discussed at worship service

Western Nevadans are invited to learn about what's meaningful in life at at"All Has Meaning" worship service at 10 a.m. Dec. 18 at the Carson City Community Center, Roop and Williams streets, Carson City.

The free session is sponsored by Eckankar, Religion of the Light and Sound of God.

During this one-hour service, a skilled facilitator will give a brief talk, followed by readings, a small-group discussion and a short contemplation.

For more information, call Clay Brant, 775-358-9013. Visit Eckankar's national web site at: www.eckankar.org; the Nevada web site is: www.eck-nevada.org.

Writer to offer book signings

Carson City writer Julia Wells will be promoting her self-published book, "Blessed Be," for the holidays after a month-long book tour of California where she appeared on The Morris television show in Modesto. She also was a guest speaker at the Trinity Networking Team's business lunch, and was interviewed on a Christian radio program.

" 'Blessed Be, the autobiography of Julia Wells,' is an inspiring story of one woman's triumph over the trials and tribulations of life with God's help and a little encouragement from the king of rock 'n' roll, Elvis Presley," said Rev. Ken Haskins of Carson City.

Book signing will be 3-5 p.m. Dec. 19 at Borders Books, 911 Topsy Lane in north Douglas County.

Organizations and church groups interested in having Wells as a speaker can contact her through her website, www.blessedbejulia.com.