The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-24
MANY CHURCHES
 PLAN TO0BSERVE
 CHRISTMAS DAY
These With Gifts For Un- fortunates Will Be
 Special Features

ningham district were never more nu- merous, more complete or more largely attended. Large numbers of the churches began their celebrations last Sunday, when at the morning services special sermons were preached and in many instances "White Christmas cele- brations were held in the late after noon.
 A number of churches will observe Christmas Day and Christmas Eve with special worship, special song services and elaborate pageants. Some Christmas trees will be reared and filled with presents, and in most instances the gifts will go to those in actual need of them rather than to the active mem bers of the churches or to their chn- dren and relatives.
 The South Highlands Baptist church of Bessemer will give a large Christ mas tree near the church Christmas Day at 2 80 o'clock when the pastor, Rev. Roy Chandler, and leaders of his church will distribute gifts to those in destitute circumstances. Perhaps ono of the very last of this years Christmas celebrations will be held at this church when on Sunday night an entertainment of song and story Will be given in memory of the birth of Christ. This church observed White Christmas" last Sunday afternoon when a donation of $1O0 was made to the Troy Baptist orphanage. The pastor preached a special Christmas sermon last Sunday morning.
 At St. Andrews
 On Christmas Eve Night at Il :3O o'clock there will be held at St. An drew's Episcopal church, Eleventh ave- nue and Twelfth street, south, the an nual midnight festival celebration of the Holy Communion. This is the chief Christmas service of the parish. The sanctuary will be lit by many candles the chancel decorated with greens, and special music will be rendered by the choir. There will also be service ot Holy Communion, without music ana without sermon, on Christmas Day at Il o'clock.
 One of the largest of the White Christmas" celebrations of the entire Christmas season is promised by the congregation of the First Methodist church Christmas afternoon, the exer- cises to begin at 4 o'clock sharp In the main auditorium of the church.
 Mrs. Robert D. Mills has written a beautiful pageant, including the Christmas story, for this occasion ana approximately 100 persons will take mart in the pageant, under the direction of Miss Anabel Stith, the title of the pageant being Christ and Little Chll- dren."
 A large chorus choir, under direction of Erie Stapleton, will render several numbers. while the regular church choir will furnish special music for the pag- cant. Special decorations for this serv- ice have been arranged by the women s Rible class, of which Mrs. John T. Roe is chairman, and 25 young women of the senior department will act as ushers. The general committee in charge of the exercises is composed Of Mrs. Douglas Stockham, chairman; Mrs. Bowen Henderson and Miss Florence Yam. The offering taken at this serv- ice will 20 to the Methodist orphanage at Selma and the benevolent fund Of the church.
 Dr. George R. Stuart, pastor of the church. announces that at the begin ming of this White Christmas serv- ice he will christen infants, and at the close of the service he will receive class into church membership.
 Doors of the church will be opened at 8 o'clock for this service, which be- gins at 4 o'clock sharp, and the mem bership of the church and its friends are cordially invited.
 Bishop At Bessemer
 Bishop Coadjutor William U. Me Dowell is to preach the Christmas ser mon at i o'clock Christmas Day at the Trinity Episcopal church of Bes- semer.
 The Church of the Advent will have the usual Christmas services.
 At the Il o'clock service at this church the following musical numbers VII pc given by large chorus choir nr u1der nhnr the the 1ssss sset5 fSs Thy Bsst (88artlett) sanetus fTsm the ostr,. St cs, ;n Escsss", ,rom SBu0f55; t5s Iealms of Gory '' At the early morning celebration of the having the girls of the church scno9, and Other organizations of the church will compose the choir and the following hymn. 70. Come Ali Ye Faithful" (ReaS- Read ,,nbSe, ,nbeI, " :" 9Redner): "Sanctus'' (Camidge); hymn, ' sing 0, Sing This Blessed Morn" (Roper); occasional hymn. Angles from the Realms of Glory"
 Last night the Boy Scouts of West End gave a Christmas tree at the West End Methodist church, which was largely attended.
 Dr. J. A. Bryan, pastor of the Third Presbyterian church, will preach from his pulpit at il o'clock Christmas morning.