Ticket registration under way for Christmas concerts

Singer Brian Stokes Mitchell and actor Edward Herrmann will be the featured guest artists for "Ring, Christmas Bells," this year's Christmas concerts by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square.

Conducted by Mac Wilberg, the concerts also will feature 120 bell ringers from the community, including members of the Bells on Temple Square. Richard Elliott, Clay Christiansen and Andrew Unsworth will accompany at the organ.

Concerts will be presented at 8:30 p.m. Dec. 11 (preview performance) and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 and 13 in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City. The weekly half-hour CBS radio broadcast of "Music and the Spoken Word" at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 14 will feature both guest performers and will be followed by a mini-concert with additional music from the concert.

Admission to all programs is free, but tickets are required. Because of very high demand for tickets to this event in the past, tickets will be distributed through a random selection process. Those interested may register on the Internet at www.lds.org/events for an opportunity to receive tickets today through Nov. 4. Those without Internet access may register by calling 866-LDS-TIKS.

Tickets are limited to four per household, and seating is limited to ages 8 and above. All registrations received during these two weeks will have equal chances at receiving tickets through the random selection process. Not all registrations will be selected to receive tickets, and only one registration per household can be accepted. Tickets will be mailed shortly after the registration process closes. Patrons not selected will be notified by e-mail.

Jerome church celebrates 100 years

The First Presbyterian Church, 262 E. Ave. A in Jerome, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this weekend.

A musical worship service will be held at 7 p.m. today at the church. The chancel choir, directed by Bruce Whitehead, will present several numbers accompanied by an organ and a brass quintet. Helen Iverson-Metzger will present an organ special, "Oratorio," and congregational hymn singing will be led by former Pastor Robert Stebe on his guitar. A reception will be held in the fellowship hall after the service.

Former pastors Laurence Huggett, Daniel Klingler and Stebe and their families will be in attendance at the regular worship service at 10 a.m. Sunday. The special guests will take part in the service, and local historian Virginia Ricketts will present the church's history. The Rev. David Carlson, general presbyter of the Snake River Mission Area in Boise, will deliver the message, and the choir will present special music.

All are invited to a banquet following Sunday worship. If possible, bring your table service and a dish to share. Meat, rolls and beverages will be furnished.

Information: 324-2972.

Buhl Methodists celebrate Laity Sunday

The Buhl United Methodist Church, 908 Maple St., will celebrate Laity Sunday this week while the Rev. Jerry Peters is on vacation. A special worship service will be led by lay speakers at 9 a.m.

Following a shortened worship service, the congregation will go to the fellowship hall for an all-church meeting, where chairmen of all committees will define their committee, its function and answer questions.

Laity Sunday celebrates the non-clergy members of the church and lets them know how important they are. As Disciples for Christ, church members need to understand how the church works and its mission.

Information: 543-5498 or 543-6117.

Presbyterian churches recognize Presbytery Day

Kendall Presbytery Day will be recognized at two area churches Sunday through a pulpit exchange event.

Speaking at the Hollister Community Presbyterian Church worship at 11 a.m. will be the Rev. Phil Price of the Twin Falls church. His sermon will be "Life's Two Pockets." Scripture reading will be Luke 18:9-14. Elder C.M. Lanting will serve as worship leader. Refreshments will be served after the service. The church is at 2461 Central Ave. in Hollister. Visitors are welcome.

Janne Goldbeck, an elder from the First Presbyterian Church in Pocatello and a commissioned lay preacher, will speak at 10 a.m. at the Twin Falls Presbyterian Church, 209 Fifth Ave. N. Following worship, Linda Upton from the Idaho Commission for the Blind will provide a low vision clinic demonstrating the various aids that are available to help sight-impaired individuals function in their homes. Everyone is invited. Refreshments will be served.

Information: 733-7023.

Orthodox Angelicans host meeting Tuesday

The Orthodox Angelicans will host an inquirers meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Twin Falls Senior Center, 530 Shoshone St. W. The public is invited.

The Rev. David K. Baker, rector of the Grace Angelican Church in Boise, will explain the Orthodox view of Angelicans. He will offer insight as to how an Orthodox Mission Church can be started in Magic Valley. Baker will travel to Twin Falls twice a month to celebrate Holy Eucharist.

Everyone is invited to meet and greet Baker and his wife, Jeanmarie. The evening's activities will conclude by 9 p.m.

Information: 736-4472.

Rupert church hosts 'Orange You Glad' party

The Rupert United Methodist Church will hold its annual "Orange You Glad You Know Jesus Party" 4:30-6:30 p.m. Friday at the church, 605 H St., in celebration of a safe Halloween.

Children and adults are asked to wear costumes pleasing to Jesus, which can include any person or event–in Bible stories. Children should be accompanied by an adult.

A light supper will be served during the evening; games depicting Bible stories are planned.

Each family is asked to bring a one-pound bag of candy to share.

Information: Jennifer Hieb, 436-5170, or the church, 436-3354.

Harvest party planned in Gooding

The Gooding First Christian Church, 334 Fourth Ave. W., will host its annual Harvest Party 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday at the church.

The event is a luau for all ages. Costumes are welcome, but not scary or evil ones.–A free supper will be served at 5:30 p.m. Carnival games for all kids and bingo and cake walks for adults are planned. The God Squad puppets will perform at 7 p.m.

Information: 934-4542.

Ascension Episcopal Church offers annual pudding sale

Ascension Episcopal Church is taking orders now for its annual sale of Christmas Plum or Carrot puddings for the holidays. The sale continues a tradition started in 1994 as a church fundraiser.

Each pudding serves six to eight people; cost per pudding is $7.50. The puddings are decorated and wrapped for giving as gifts or reheating for holiday dinners. Recipes for sauces to accompany the puddings are included. The puddings can be frozen.

Although called "pudding," the texture and appearance of the plum pudding is more like a dense cake. The fruit and breadcrumb mixture is steamed in a fluted mold for three hours, then turned out on a table to cool. The recipe was given to Ascension by the women's group at St. David's Episcopal Church in Caldwell, which has been making the puddings since 1951. It is a closely guarded recipe and was only given to Ascension Episcopal after much consideration and assurance that it would be kept secret.

The carrot pudding recipe was a family recipe from an Ascension parishioner. Carrot puddings are softer and are cooked and reheated in tin cans. The original recipe called for "nut cans," but because nuts so rarely come in cans anymore, the church has used one-pound coffee cans.

The number of carrot puddings which can be made and sold is dependent on the number of cans collected for the activity.

To order a pudding, call 733-1348 between 9:30 a.m. and noon weekdays before Nov. 10. Puddings will be available Nov. 17 and 18 and can be picked up at the church between 9:30 a.m. and noon.

Burley church hosts Harvest Festival

Calvary Baptist Church will host its Harvest Festival 6-8 p.m. Friday at the church, 515 W. 27th St. in Burley.

New games, a maze, treats and more are planned.

Information: 678-0793.

Valley Christian Church holds fall festival

Valley Christian Church will hold a Fall Family Festival 6-8 p.m. Friday at the church, 1708 Heyburn Ave. E.

Anyone looking for a safe, warm place for children to celebrate Halloween is invited.

Information: Judy Steinmetz, 733-2588.

Episcopal Church holds annual bazaar

The Shoshone Episcopal Church will hold its 43rd annual bazaar from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Jennings' house across from the Lincoln County Courthouse.

The event offers crafts, hand-knitted items, holiday gifts, homemade candy and pies for purchase. Handmade items will be raffled; tickets are $1 each or six for $5 and are available from guild members or at the door. Soup and pie will be served at noon for a small fee. Free coffee will be served all day.

Information: 886-2125.

Catholic women hold dinner, bazaar

The St. Nicholas Catholic Women will hold its annual Harvest Dinner and Bazaar on Nov. 1 at the church, 806 F St. in Rupert.

The bazaar, featuring homemade gifts, crafts and treats, will be 2-8 p.m. A turkey dinner with all the trimmings and dessert will be served 5-8 p.m. Cost is $8 for adults, $5 for children ages 7 to 12, and free for 6 and under.

Raffle tickets are $1 each or six for $5.

Prizes include a $100 gas card from Mr. Gas, homemade afghan, decorative bench and $50 gift certificate to the Drift Inn.

Information: 436-4918.

Local church hosts

Halloween alternative

"Bibleland," a Christian festive alternative to Halloween, will be held 6-9 p.m. Friday at the River Christian Fellowship, 4002 N. 3300 E. (corner of Falls Avenue East and Champlin Road) in Twin Falls.

The agenda includes carnival games, cake walk, jump house, crafts, puppet show, mystery shows and more. Candy will be handed out to the kids.

Information: 733-3133 or www.theriverchristianfellowship.com.

West End singers rehearse cantata

The West End Community Singers will present a Christmas Cantata on Dec. 17 at the Buhl Methodist Church and Dec. 21 at the Clover Trinity Lutheran Church.

Rehearsals for the program will be 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays, beginning Nov. 5. Men and women of all denominations are invited to celebrate the Christmas story by being part of the program.

Information: 732-6303.

The Times-News welcomes news of church events. Send information to Ellen Thomason at ellen@magicvalley.com. Deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesday for publication on the Saturday religion page.