Bridgeport Church and friends will again present “Night in Bethlehem” at Camp Common Ground in Dunkirk on Saturday, Dec. 5 and Sunday, Dec. 6. The interactive event takes visitors back two thousand years and recreates the town the night during which Jesus, the Messiah was born. It will be offered to the public free of charge from 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 5 and 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 6.

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 40 Washington Blvd., Kenton, will have an Advent Service of Lessons and Carols on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 7 p,m. The public is welcome.

The Ada Presbyterian Church is holding its annual Soup Supper and Christmas Auction on Tuesday, Dec. 1. The supper will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a wide variety of soups available.

Belle Center United Methodist Church will be hosting a Christmas Expo on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. More than 25 vendors will be on hand for Christmas shopping needs.

The 44th Carey Ecumenical Christmas Concert is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 13 at 4:30 p.m. at the Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation, 315 Clay St., Carey. The choir is co-directed by Jack Gerding and Patricia Murphy, and the accompanists for the choir are Joy Orians and Ruth Coldwell.

A week ago I underwent anesthesia for outpatient surgery on a thumb. The OR doctor told me that he had just administered the medicine, and then asked me to close my eyes and relax.

Keep Hardin County Beautiful Director Deb Phillips (left) stands with the Rev. Mary Jo Yeakel at the entrance of the First United Methodist Church of Ada. The church will be one of the stops featured on this year’s Candy Cane Tour.

ADA — Growing up as a pastor’s daughter, Mary Jo Yeakel cherished her time in church, inspiring her to become a pastor herself. Reverend Yeakel has been pastor at the Ada First United Methodist Church since July of 2011. Since being ordained in upstate New York, she has also pastored in Ansonia, Dayton, Columbus, Worthington and Athens. She likes to call herself a “professional visitor.”

The third week in November each year is Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Collection Week worldwide. This First Baptist Church of Kenton will again be serving as an Operation Christmas Child relay center/collection station for organizations in the area.