Celebrate the season at United Protestant Church of Grayslake

A Christmas concert called "Sounds of the Season: A Collection of Lessons and Carols" will be presented by the United Protestant Church of Grayslake at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at the church in downtown Grayslake.

The concert will feature Christmas music by the adult choirs, children's choir and Grace Notes Bell Choir, interspersed with Advent biblical readings.

The director of music is Sean DelGrosso, children's choir director is Karen Knapp and Marcia Twadell is the accompanist. Cookies, cocoa and coffee will be served in the parlor after the concert, with a free will offering to benefit the music program.

On Christmas Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 24, the community is invited to attend one of three services. The 5 p.m. family-friendly service will feature a "Do It Yourself Christmas Pageant." Children who come at 4:45 p.m. will be provided a simple costume and directions on how they can participate in an original telling of the Christmas story, designed especially for families.

The 7 p.m. service will include special music by the Grace Notes Bell Choir and the Sanctuary Choir. The 11 p.m. service will feature candlelight communion and special music by the UPC Praise Band. The message by the Rev. Gary Waters at both evening services will center on the theme "The True Purpose of Christmas."

The United Protestant Church of Grayslake is affiliated with the United Church of Christ Fox Valley Association and the United Methodist Church Northern Illinois Conference. The church is at 54 S. Whitney St. Worship services are at 8:15 and 10:30 a.m. Sundays, with Christian education for all ages at 9:30 a.m. Sundays during the school year.

For more information, call (847) 223-8131 or visit www.upcgl.org.