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' Tis the Season

By TIMES WIRES
Published December 17, 2006

Holiday Donation Center: St. James United Methodist Church, in partnership with Metropolitan Ministries, is running a New Tampa Holiday Donation Center to collect items for the poor.

Donations needed include turkeys and other food items, and new toys and gifts, as well as financial donations. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Saturday and 9 a.m. to noon Christmas Eve. St. James is at 16202 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. Call 813 971-4790.

Christmas at the Old Lutz School House: The Citizens for the Old Lutz School House will present their 10th annual event. The school house will be open for viewing from 6:30 to 9 p.m. today, Tuesday, Thursday and Dec. 26. Barrels will be available to collect nonperishable food items and toys for families. Call (813) 949-1937.

Hands-on Hanukkah: The Tampa Jewish Community Center will host the community event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today. Free activities include: building a Menorah out of Lego and Duplo blocks; creating a miniature city of Jerusalem (painting, coloring, cutting and labeling cardboard boxes); a family Menorah contest (designed from items found in the home); an oil press demonstration; an explanation to the children about the meaning of Hanukkah by Rabbi Mendel Rubashkin; and a dreidel competition (bring 20 pennies) - all participants will receive a special prize. Musician Joy Katzen Guthrie will lead a family Hanukkah sing-along. Terry Abrahams, a professional dancer, will lead Israeli dancing. The JCC is at 13009 Community Campus Drive. Call (813) 264-9000.

Lessons and Carols: Forest Hills Presbyterian Church will have the special service at 10:25 a.m. today. In addition to its 10:25 a.m. service on Christmas Eve, there will be a Family Service at 5 p.m. Also, a special Candlelight Service and Communion will begin at 7:30 p.m. The church is at 709 W Linebaugh Ave. Call (813) 932-6149.

The Roots of Christmas: Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa has its worship service at 11 a.m. Sundays. The Rev. Liz Brown will lead this week's service centered on the Winter Solstice. The CUUPS (Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans) will help. Religious education for first through 12th grade is at 11:15 a.m. Child care is provided. The church is at 11400 Morris Bridge Road. Call (813) 988-8188.

Rediscover Christmas: Pastor Jeff Olsen of Grace Community Church will present a series of messages titled "Rediscover Christmas" during the church's 10:30 a.m. service. Topics include "Rediscover Hope" today and "Rediscover Love" (Dec. 24). First-time guests receive a free CD and either Why a Manger or The Case for Christmas. The church meets at Kids R Kids Learning Center, 15440 Mansfield, east of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. Call (813) 994-9363.

Journey of Promises: The Christmas Cantata will be presented at 10 a.m. today at Village Presbyterian Church. The Chancel Choir and members of the Florida Orchestra will present the musical program. The musical provides the chronological retelling of God's eternal purpose in the birth of His Son. It will feature a mixture of old traditional carols and newly composed music. Call (813) 961-4115.

Spirit of the Christmas Tree: Spirit of Life Unitarian Universalist Church begins its worship service at 10:45 a.m. today. The service, titled "Spirit of the Christmas Tree," will be presented again at the regular service at 10:45 a.m. Dec. 24. Before the service on Christmas Eve, there will be topical discussions, including a look at the Happy Plan Index, at 9:45 a.m. Also, there will be a candlelight service in the Pavilion at 7 p.m. Christmas Eve. Children's activities and child care start at 9:30 a.m. Youth classes start at 10 a.m. A social hour is immediately after the worship service. The church is at 18412 Burrell Road in Odessa. Call (813) 792-1622.

Advent Activities: The Third Sunday of Advent will be observed during the 10:30 a.m. worship service at Christ Church A Cumberland Presbyterian Community. Tamar, the innkeeper's wife (Missy Harris), will light the candle of love. Itzhak, the young shepherd (Michael Valdez), will light the candle of joy on the Fourth Sunday of Advent. The church is at 19501 Holly Lane in Lutz. Call (813) 909-9789.

Christmas Cantata: Christ Church A Cumberland Presbyterian Community will present its cantata at 5 p.m. today. The 5 p.m. Christmas Eve service will include "one-on-one" Communion followed by a worship service at 6 p.m. The church is at 19501 Holly Lane in Lutz. Call (813) 909-9789.

Holiday Giving Through Yoga: Yoga Planet, 11059 Countryway Blvd., will offer a free yoga class to benefit the Salvation Army. In the tradition of Karma Yoga, the first charity class will be from 4 to 5 Friday. It is being offered to inspire those who are more fortunate to feed the hungry during this holiday season. Call (813) 477-1674.

Christmas Celebrations: Bible Church International will have a dramatic presentation at its 11 a.m. service Dec. 24. Jesus: Desired of Nations' will portray Jesus as the Messiah and Savior of all nations through Scripture and music. Dress in ethnic costume. A multiethnic covered-dish lunch will begin at 12:30 p.m. Also, The Colors of Christmas by Barry Campbell will begin at 4 p.m. Christmas Day followed by a multiethnic lunch at 5:30 p.m. The church is at 6820 N Clearview Ave. Call (813) 354-0337.

Yoga/Kirtan Classes: TreeHouse Yoga Center will offer free classes on New Year's Day. The schedule includes the following: Flowing Yoga from 9 to 10:30 a.m.; Yoga Asana and Nidra (45 minutes of basic yoga followed by 45 minutes of deep relaxation) from 12:30 to 2 p.m.; and All-In-One Yoga from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Also, Kirtan, meditative singing accompanied by harmonium, mandolin, guitar, drums and native flute, will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Classes are appropriate for all levels. Call (813) 932-5456.

Are you planning a religious, charitable or cultural event to celebrate the holiday season? Let us know about it. We will publish our 'Tis the Season calendar through New Year's Day. Please send information at least two weeks before the event. E-mail us at northtampa@sptimes.com

holiday lights

Luminaria sale

The Tampa Palms Women's Club will sponsor the sale outside Tampa City Plaza's Publix. Luminarias contain bags and candles that are anchored with about 2 inches of sand (or cat litter). They are placed along your sidewalks 2 to 4 feet apart and lit at 7 p.m. Christmas Eve, or, in case of rain, on Christmas Day. The sale will run from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 12:30 to 3 p.m. Christmas Eve. The cost is 50 cents for each bag; sand will be available. Proceeds will be donated to charitable organizations including the club's annual University of South Florida scholarships. Publix is at 16041 W Tampa Palms Blvd. at Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. Call (813) 977-2261.

[Last modified December 16, 2006, 20:59:04]