Holiday celebrations begin today
This year, the eight-day Jewish festival of Hanukkah, which starts today and ends Monday, Dec. 30, and the Christian celebration of Christmas on Dec. 25 will overlap. To mark the occasion of the start of Hanukkah, the Chabad Jewish Center of Martin & St. Lucie County is offering a festival that begins today at 3:15 in Memorial Park on Ocean Blvd. in Stuart.
Local churches also are planning special mid-week services – some on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day both – to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Here’s a rundown from which local families can choose to celebrate the holiday season.
HANUKKAH FESTIVAL
The 22nd Annual Community Hanukkah Celebration hosted by Chabad Jewish Center of Martin & St. Lucie County, will be today 3:15-5 p.m., Memorial Park, 300 S.E. Ocean Blvd., Stuart. The event begins with food and activities at 3:15 p.m.; Menorah Lighting ceremony at 4:15 p.m., with a show featuring an aerial acrobatic performance and Emoji Menorah. Ed Ciampi, Martin County commissioner, and Stuart Vice Mayor Eula Clarke are expected to attend. Attendees are asked to bring Hanukkah gifts for elderly and needy. Admission: $5; food costs are extra. Featured will be crafts, kosher falafel, latkes and doughnuts, cookie decorating, bounce house, petting zoo and more. Go to www.chabadmsl.com or call 772-288-0606.
Below is a listing of what some local churches are planning as services for Christmas Eve/Christmas Day. If your favorite church is not listed, be sure to call them!
BAPTIST
Covenant Fellowship Baptist Church, 2880 S.E. Aster Lane, Stuart (772-283-8306; www.covenantfellowship.com/
– Christmas Eve: 4:30 and 6 p.m., candlelight services
First Baptist Church of Stuart, 201 W. Ocean Blvd., Stuart (772-287-7422; www.fbcstuart.org)
– Christmas Eve: 7 p.m., candlelight service.
Martin County Baptist Church, 2400 N.E. Dixie Highway, Jensen Beach (772-678-0076; www.martincountybaptist.com)
– Christmas Eve: 6:30 p.m., Christmas Eve Celebration – “Singing, Snacking, Seeking the Lord.”
North Stuart Baptist Church, 1950 N.W. U.S. 1, Stuart (772-692-1616; www.northstuart.org)
– Christmas Eve: 5 p.m., candlelight service
Tropical Farms Baptist Church, 1555 S.W. Kanner Highway, Stuart (772-287-2770; www.tropicalfarmsbaptist.church
– Christmas Eve: 6 p.m., candlelight service
CATHOLICHoly Cross Catholic Church, 15939 S.W. 150th St., Indiantown (772-597-2798; www.holycrossindiantown.org)
– Christmas Eve: 5 p.m. (English); 10 p.m. (English/Spanish)
– Christmas Day: 9 a.m. (English); 11 a.m. (English/Spanish)
Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 1454 S.W. Mapp Road, Palm City (772-287-4590; www.holyredeemercc.org)
– Christmas Eve: 4 p.m., Vigil Mass; 6:30 p.m., mass with children’s pageant; 10 p.m., mass at night (replaces midnight mass of previous years).
– Christmas Day: 7, 9 and 11 a.m.
St. Andrew Catholic Church, 2100 S.E. Cove Road, Stuart (772-781-4415; www.saintandrewcatholic.org)
– Christmas Vigil Masses on Dec. 24 – Rosary will be prayed at 3:30 and 10:30 p.m., followed by the Holy Mass.
– Christmas Day Masses – Holy Mass will be celebrated at 7:30, 9 and 10:30 a.m.
St. Christopher Catholic Church, 12001 S.E. U.S. 1, Hobe Sound, (772-546-5150; www.stchrishs.com)
– Christmas Eve: 3:30, 5, 8 p.m.
– Christmas Day: 7:30, 9, 10:30 a.m.
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 1200 E. 10th St., Stuart (772-287-2727; www.sjcflorida.org)
– Christmas Eve: 4; 6; 8 (Spanish); 10 p.m. (carol service)
– Christmas Day: 7:30, 9, 11 a.m.; 12:30 p.m.
EPISCOPAL
All Saints Episcopal Church, 2303 N.E. Seaview Drive, Jensen Beach (772-334-0610; www.allsaintsjensenbeach.org)
– Christmas Eve: Family Eucharist, 4 p.m.; Midnight Mass, 11 p.m.
– Christmas Day: Holy Eucharist with music, 10 a.m.
Christ Memorial Chapel, 52 S. Beach Road, Hobe Sound (772-546-8329; www.christmemorialchapel.org)
– Christmas Eve: 5 p.m., children’s service; 9 p.m., Lessons & Carols
– Christmas Day: 11 a.m., holy communion
Church of the Advent, 4484 SW Citrus Blvd., Palm City (772-283-6221; www.adventpalmcity.org)
– Christmas Eve: Candlelight service, 7 p.m.
– Christmas Day: Festive service, 10 a.m.
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Cove Road at Dixie Highway, Port Salerno (772-286-5455; www.stlukesfl.org)
– Christmas Eve:Children’s pageant at 5 p.m.; candlelight Eucharist at 9 p.m.
– Christmas Day: 10 a.m.
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 625 S.E. Ocean Blvd., Stuart; (772-287-3244; www.stmarys-stuart.org/)
– Christmas Eve: Family Christmas Eve service at 4 p.m.; Family Christmas Eve with pageant and Praise Band, 5 p.m.; Christmas Under The Stars, 6:45 p.m.; Choral Christmas Eve Eucharist, 8:30 p.m.; Midnight Mass, 11 p.m.
– Christmas Day: 10 a.m.
LUTHERAN
Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2655 S.W. Immanuel Drive, Palm City (772-287-8188; www.immanuelpalmcity.org)
– Christmas Eve: Traditional services, 4 and 11 p.m.; contemporary services, 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 2200 N.W. Federal Highway, Stuart (772-692-1171; www.princeofpeacelutheranstuart.org)
– Christmas Eve: 7 p.m., service
– Christmas Day: 10 a.m., service
METHODIST
First United Methodist Church of Hobe Sound, 10100 S.E. U.S. 1, Hobe Sound (772-546-3303; www.fumchs.org)
– Christmas Eve: 5 and 7 p.m., candlight communion services
First United Methodist Church of Stuart, 1500 S. Kanner Highway, Stuart (772-287-6262; www.stuartfumc.org)
– Christmas Eve: 5-8 p.m.
– Christmas Day: Offsite service, 2-3:15 p.m. (call church for location details).
Trinity United Methodist Church, 2221 N.E. Savannah Road, Jensen Beach (772-334-3404; www.trinityjb.org)
– Christmas Eve: 6 p.m., service
NON-DENOMINATIONAL
Calvary Chapel, 1633 S.W. 34th St., Palm City (772-283-9426; www.772church.com)
– Christmas Eve: 6 p.m., candlelight service.
Christ Fellowship, 10205 Pratt Whitney Road, Stuart (561-799-7600; www.gochristfellowship.com)
– Christmas Eve – 2, 4 and 6 p.m.; planned are parties with games and activities after each service.
Coastal Life Church, 560 S.W. 34th St., Palm City (772-919-3883; www.coastallifechurch.com)
– Christmas Eve – 3, 4:30 and 6 p.m. (kids’ party and child care at 3 and 4:30 p.m.)
Faith Family Worship Center, 3020 S.W. Mapp Road, Palm City (772-287-3480; www.ffwc.us)
– Christmas Eve: 11 p.m., candlelight communion service.
Family Worship Center, 15285 S.W. Indianmound Road, Indiantown (772-597-2423; www.fwcindiantown.org)
– Christmas Eve: 6 p.m., service.
New Beginnings Community Church, 8163 S.W. Citrus Blvd., Palm City (772-285-5870) www.nbccpalmcity.com
– Christmas Eve: 6 p.m., candlelight service.
The Cross Church, 1484 S.W. 34th St., Palm City (772-600-4968; www.crosschurch.net)
– Christmas Eve: 6:30 p.m., candlelight service.
The Grace Place, 1500 S.E. Salerno Road, Stuart (772-287-6388; www.thegraceplace.com)
– Christmas Eve: 3, 5, 7 p.m., candlelight service & live nativity.
PRESBYTERIAN
Hobe Sound Community Presbyterian Church, 11933 S.E. Juno Crescent, Hobe Sound (772-546-5043; www.heartofhobesound.org)
– Christmas Eve: 5 and 7 p.m., candlelight services.
Palm City Presbyterian Church, 2700 S.W. Martin Highway, Palm City (772-286-9958; www.palmcitypres.org)
– Christmas Eve: 5 p.m., contemporary worship (Huizenga Family Life Center); 7 p.m., traditional worship (sanctuary).
Peace Presbyterian Church, 4881 Cove Road, Stuart (772-288-4146; www.peacepresbyterianchurch.org)
– Christmas Eve: 6 p.m., candlelight service
