TODAY:

“THIS MAN CALLED JESUS,” 17th annual Christmas drama at Lake Murray Baptist Church, 1001 U.S. 378 West. Drama takes place in special structure behind main church sanctuary. 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. today; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10, 17; 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 11, 12, 18, 19. Free. Seating on first-come, first- serve basis. Call (803) 359-1556 or (803) 356-3334, or visit www.lakemurraybaptist.org.

“SING A SONG OF CHRISTMAS,” 11 a.m., children’s Christmas program followed by churchwide Christmas dinner. Blaney Baptist Church, intersection of White Pond Road and Church Street, downtown Elgin. (803) 438-3161.

“GLORIA — A CHRISTMAS CONCERT,” 7:30 p.m., Shandon Baptist Church. Featuring national recording artists Ginny Owens, Shaun Groves, Watermark, and more. Tickets $15, available at the church. 5250 Forest Drive, (803) 782-1300.

HANGING OF THE GREENS, 9:30 a.m. in sanctuary of Shady Grove United Methodist Church. Also youth will lead worship at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. services in Family Life Center. 1918 Shady Grove Road, Irmo. (803) 781-4832.

ADVENT LESSONS AND CAROLS, 7 p.m., Christ Chapel, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, 4201 N. Main St., (803) 461-3210.

FESTIVAL OF LESSONS AND CAROLS, 3 p.m. today and 7:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 150 voices and handbell choir. Free. St. Joseph Catholic Church, 3600 Devine St., (803) 254-7646.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT, featuring Benedict College Concert Choir, 6 p.m., St. John Baptist Church, 3404 West Beltline Blvd., (803) 254-4170.

“CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF JESUS,” 6 p.m., children’s choir concert. Holland Avenue Baptist, 801 12th St., Cayce. (803) 794-9133.

“NOT THAT FAR FROM BETHLEHEM,” 6:30 p.m., with Creative Ministries of First Baptist Church, Irmo. 7068 Nursery Road, Irmo. (803) 781-1345.

“THE HANGING OF THE GREENS,” 7 p.m., North Trenholm Baptist Church, 6515 N. Trenholm Road. Adult, youth and children’s choirs, praise band, handbells, vocal ensembles. Free. (803) 787-2133.

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA CONCERT CHOIR CHRISTMAS PROGRAM, 6 p.m., sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, 1324 Marion St. (803) 799-9062.

TUESDAY

HANUKKAH EXTRAVAGANZA, 5:30 p.m., on steps of the State House, downtown Columbia. Public menorah lighting, musical performances. Sponsored by Chabad of South Carolina, (803) 467-3456.

WEDNESDAY

ADVENT EVENING PRAYER SERVICE, 7 p.m., also Dec. 15 and 19. Meal at 5:45 p.m. in church fellowship hall at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 1430 North Lake Drive, Lexington. (803) 359-9421.

ADVENT WORSHIP, 7:30 p.m.; also Dec. 15 and 22, Bethel AME Church, 819 Woodrow St., (803) 779-0138.

“ANGEL ALERT,” children’s choir program, 6:30 p.m. in youth building, Saxe Gotha Presbyterian, 5503 Sunset Blvd., Lexington. (803) 359-7770.

DEC. 11

CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL AND BAZAAR, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., St. John Baptist, 3404 West Beltline Blvd., (803) 254-4170.

LUNCH WITH SANTA, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., activity center of Virginia Wingard United Methodist Church, 1500 Broad River Road. Admission free, but reservations are required. Call (803) 772-0794.

MORAVIAN LOVE FEAST, 6 p.m., sanctuary of Virginia Wingard United Methodist, (803) 771-0794.

DEC. 11- DEC. 12:

LOVE FEAST, 7 p.m. both days, Shandon United Methodist Church, 3407 Devine St. Musical candlelight service featuring chancel choir, brass and mallet percussion ensemble. Canned goods accepted for Harvest Hope Food Bank. Nursery provided. (803) 256-8383.

“EMMANUEL – CELEBRATING HEAVEN’S CHILD”, 6 p.m. both days, at Spears Creek Baptist Church in Pontiac. Free. (803) 788-3126.

DEC. 12:

COMMUNITY HANUKKAH CELEBRATION, Sponsored by the Jewish Family Service of Columbia and the Columbia Jewish Community Center. 1 to 4 p.m. at the Tree of Life Congregation, 6719 N. Trenholm Road. Activities include games for children. Refreshments available. Admission $5 per family, or $1 for individuals. All are invited. (803) 787-2182.

“LESSONS, CAROLS, AND ANTHEMS ON THE NATIVITY,” 11 a.m. McGregor Presbyterian, 6505 St. Andrews Road, (803) 781-2391.

“SING WE ALL NOEL,” concert of carols and classics, 4 and 6 p.m. Northeast Presbyterian, 601 Polo Road, (803) 788-5298.

‘THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS,” 10:30 a.m. Sunday Dec. 12. Adult choir concert. Holland Avenue Baptist, 801 12th St., Cayce. (803) 794-9133.

“A CHRISTMAS DREAM,” musical drama 6 and 8 p.m., free tickets available at church. Columbia First Church of the Nazarene, 3120 Kay St., (803) 772-2461.

CAROL SING AND SOUP SUPPER, 6 p.m., activity center at Virginia Wingard United Methodist, 1500 Broad River Road, (803) 772-0794.

CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD, 6 p.m., St. Michael and All Angels’ Episcopal, 6508 Bridgewood Road, (803) 782-8080.

DEC. 17-19:

LIVING NATIVITY, 6, 6:30 and 7 p.m., each night, Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 3200 Trenholm Road, featuring live animals. Free admission. (803) 256-1654.

DEC. 18-19:

“THE MUSIC OF CHRISTMAS,” 5 and 7:30 p.m. each night at Shandon Baptist. Worship-style concert featuring choirs and contemporary worship team. Free tickets available at the church, 5250 Forest Drive, (803) 782-1300.

DEC. 19:

HANDEL’S MESSIAH, featured at 9 and 11:15 a.m. worship services, Shandon United Methodist, 3407 Devine St., (803) 256-8383.

CHRISTMAS CANTATA, 11:15 a.m., Spring Valley Presbyterian, 125 Sparkleberry Lane, (803) 788-3589.

“A MANGER, A CROSS, A SAVIOR”, 11 a.m., cantata by chancel choir of Suber-Marshall Memorial United Methodist, 3900 Live Oak St., (803) 787-2497.

CHRISTMAS MUSICAL, 6 p.m., by senior choir of St. John Baptist, 3404 West Beltline Blvd., (803) 254-4170.

CHRISTMAS PAGEANT, 6 p.m., Bethel AME, 819 Woodrow St., (803) 779-0138.

FESTIVAL OF LESSONS AND CAROLS, 5 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 1100 Sumter St., downtown Columbia. (803) 771-7300.

TRAVELER’S SERVICE, 7 p.m. at Saxe Gotha Presbyterian, 5503 Sunset Blvd., Lexington. Full communion and candle-lighting for those who will be away on Christmas Eve. (803) 359-7770.

DEC. 20:

SING-ALONG “MESSIAH,” 7 p.m., Washington Street United Methodist. Suggested donation, $10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 children. Soup supper available prior to concert, $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 children. 1401 Washington St., (803) 256-2417.

CHRISTMAS EVE/CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICES: FRIDAY, DEC. 24 AND SATURDAY, DEC. 25:

BETHEL AME, Christmas Eve Candlelight service, 6 p.m. 819 Woodrow St., Columbia. (803) 779-0138.

EASTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN, Christmas Eve: 5:30 pm. family service, 8 p.m., Lessons, Carols and Candlelight; 10:30 p.m. Candlelight Communion Service. Infant nursery provided at 5:30 p.m., nursery beginning at 7:45 p.m. for 8 p.m. service. 3200 Trenholm Road, (803) 256-1654.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN, COLUMBIA: 1324 Marion St. Christmas Eve Candlelight services, 5 and 7 p.m. 1324 Marion St., (803) 799-9062.

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY, Christmas Eve, 11 a.m, Reading of the Royal Hours; 4 p.m., Divine Liturgy; 5 p.m., Great Vespers; 6 p.m., Matins; 7 p.m., Divine Liturgy. 1931 Sumter St.,(803) 252-6758.

MCGREGOR PRESBYTERIAN, Christmas Eve: 5 p.m. children’s service, 7 p.m. candlelight communion. 6505 St. Andrews Road, (803) 781-2391.

ST. ANDREW’S LUTHERAN, Christmas Eve, 12 noon Holy Communion; 5:30 and 8 p.m. Candlelight and Holy Communion. 1416 Broad River Road, (803) 772-6034.

ST. JOHN BAPTIST, Special Christmas Eve dinner for the homeless, 11 a.m. in Roscoe C. Wilson Fellowship Hall, 3404 West Beltline Blvd., (803) 254-4170.

ST. MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS EPISCOPAL, Christmas Eve: 4 p.m. family Christmas service; 11 p.m. musical presentation; 11:30 p.m. choral Eucharist. 6408 Bridgewood Road, (803) 782-8080.

SAXE GOTHA PRESBYTERIAN, Christmas Eve: 12 noon, “Birthday Party for Jesus; 5 and 7:30 p.m. candlelight communion service. 5503 Sunset Blvd., Lexington. (803) 359-7770.

SHANDON BAPTIST, Christmas Eve: 4 and 6 p.m. family communion and worship services. 5250 Forest Drive, (803) 782-1300.

SHANDON UNITED METHODIST, Christmas Eve: 3 p.m. Communion worship; 5 p.m. Children’s Worship with live nativity and children’s choirs; 8 p.m. LifeLine contemporary worship; 11 p.m. Candlelight Communion worship. Nursery provided. 3407 Devine St., (803) 256-8383.

SPRING VALLEY PRESBYTERIAN, Christmas Eve services: 5 p.m. children’s service, 7 p.m. candlelight service with communion. 125 Sparkleberry Lane, (803) 788-3589.

DEC. 26:

ST. MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS EPISCOPAL, 10 a.m. Christmas lessons and carols. 6408 Bridgewood Road, (803) 782-8080.