• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Videos
    • Featured Video
    • Foodie Friday
    • Monthly ReCap
  • Online E-Editions
    • This Week’s E-Editions
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
  • Social Media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Advertising
  • Local Jobs
  • Puzzles & Games
  • Circulation Request

The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

       

Click to join our weekly e-newsletter

  • Home
  • News
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills/East Pasco
    • Business Digest
    • Senior Parks
    • Nature Notes
    • Featured Stories
    • Photos of the Week
    • Reasons To Smile
  • Sports
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills and East Pasco
    • Check This Out
  • Education
  • Pets/Wildlife
  • Health
    • Health Events
    • Health News
  • What’s Happening
  • Sponsored Content
    • Closer Look
  • Homes
  • Obits
  • Public Notices

Christmas services

Christmas celebrations vary, during COVID-19

December 22, 2020 By B.C. Manion

Some churches are issuing tickets for admission.

Many are limiting seating.

At least one is offering drive-in services, and many places of worship plan to conduct candlelight services.

And, based on internet searches, it appears the vast majority have some sort of safety protocols in place, in light of COVID-19.

Some churches have already had their Christmas services, opting to celebrate the weekend before Christmas.

And, at least one — First United Methodist Church of Dade City — has decided to drop its traditional Christmas Eve service and its Sunday service Dec. 27 because of uncertainty of crowd size, according to a posting on the church’s Facebook page.

Still, those who are seeking to attend a religious service to celebrate Christmas will have plenty of options across The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

Beyond traditional scriptural readings, some churches will offer special music and will feature festive decorations.

Some will have services indoors and out. Many will offer remote streaming options.

Chances are, you’ve already made your plans to celebrate — after all Christmas Eve is this coming Thursday and Christmas Day, on Friday.

But, if you’re still considering your options, be sure to visit your preferred church’s website to be certain you have current information. Also, you’ll need to check ahead to guarantee you can still get tickets if you need them, and can become familiar with any precautions you’ll need to take, to comply with the church’s COVID-19 protocols.

There are literally hundreds of churches across the newspaper’s coverage area. So, here’s a sampling of some churches in our coverage area, and their Christmas plans — based on Facebook and website postings — for this year.

LUTZ

  • Christmas at Idlewild, 18333 Exciting Idlewild Blvd.: Dec. 22 at 7 p.m., face coverings recommended; Dec. 23 at 7 p.m., masks optional; Dec. 24 at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., masks optional. Tickets are available through the church’s website.
  • First United Methodist Church of Lutz, 960 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road: Dec. 24 at 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., following guidelines for sanitizing and social distancing. The website notes: “We respectfully request everyone wear a mask while at church.”
  • First Baptist Church of Lutz, 18116 U.S. 41: Online and in-person candlelight service on Dec. 24 at 6 p.m. According to the website: Balcony is mask only; auditorium is mask optional.
  • Bay Hope Lakeshore Campus, 17030 Lakeshore Road: Dec. 23, at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.; Dec. 24 at 4 p.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Streaming on Bay Hope TV on Dec. 23 at 4 p.m., 6 p.m. 8 p.m. and 11 p.m.
  • St. Timothy Catholic Church, 17512 Lakeshore Road: Dec. 24 at 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Dec. 25 at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. The service will be held in the main church sanctuary, with livestreaming to the parish hall and an outside courtyard. Eucharistic ministers will distribute communion in livestream areas.
  • Crosspointe Family Church, 919 DeBuel Road: Christmas Eve services on Dec. 24, at 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.
  • All Saints Lutheran Church, 5315 Van Dyke Road: Family candlelight service on Dec. 24 at 6 p.m., candlelight worship on Dec. 24 at 9 p.m.
  • Unity North Tampa, 19530 Holly Lane: Burning Bowl Service, Dec. 27 at 11 a.m. A ceremony to release what is unwanted in your life and affirm new blessings for the New Year.

LAND O’ LAKES

  • Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, 2348 Collier Parkway: The church is following guidelines for sanitizing, social distancing and masks. There’s an outdoor mass on Dec. 24 at 4 p.m., no signup is required. Other Christmas Eve masses are: 6 p.m., signup and livestream; 10 p.m., signup; midnight, signup and Life Team. On Christmas Day, the mass times are 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., which are both signup; and 11:30 a.m., which is signup and livestream.
  • Harvester United Methodist Church, 2432 Collier Parkway: Dec. 24 at 4 p.m., candlelight worship service with communion.

WESLEY CHAPEL

  • Atonement Lutheran Church, 29617 State Road 54: Christmas Eve in-car service on Dec. 24 at noon, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., and on Dec. 25 at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. RSVP, first come, first served. Those signing up on the church’s website are asked to indicate if they are driving a car, an SUV, a truck or a van. They also are asked to indicate how many people will be receiving communion. RSVP by calling 813-973-2211.
  • Bridgeway Church, 30660 Wells Road: Service on Dec. 23 at 5 p.m., and on Dec. 24 at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
  • Faith Lutheran Church, 27221 Foamflower Blvd., Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, Dec. 24 at 6 p.m.
  • Cypress Creek Church (meets at North Tampa Christian Academy, 5585 County Line Road): Christmas with the Family Christmas Eve service on Dec. 24 at 5 p.m. The church’s website notes: “We have the restaurant rule. You are required to wear a mask as you step on and off the church campus, but once you are at your seat you may take off your mask.” Church staff and its Dream Team will wear masks as they serve. Also, temperatures will be taken, before each person enters the building.
  • First Baptist Church of Wesley Chapel, 29716 State Road 54: Christmas service on Dec. 24 at 6 p.m.
  • Grace Community Church, 7107 Boyette Road: Candlelight service on Dec. 24 at 6 p.m.
  • St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (Previously known as Wesley Chapel Episcopal), 38356 Flatiron Loop, Suite 101: Dec. 24 at 10:30 p.m., with a musical prelude at 10 p.m. Masks and reservations required. Incense will be used during the service.

ZEPHYRHILLS

  • St. Joseph Catholic Church, 38710 Fifth Ave.: Dec. 24 services at 4 p.m. and 10 p.m.; Dec. 25 services at 7 a.m., 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Its website notes that masks are required for every person at every service and social distancing is required, too.
  • ZFA Church, 36322 State Road 52: Dec. 24 at 6 p.m., Christmas Eve candlelight service.

DADE CITY

  • First Presbyterian Church of Dade City, 37412 Church Ave.: Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service, Dec. 24 at 5 p.m. Services also available via Facebook and YouTube.

SAN ANTONIO

  • St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 32885 Rhode Island Ave.: Services on Dec. 24 at 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. On Dec. 25, the service will be at 10 a.m., and it will be livestreamed on Facebook.

Published December 23, 2020

Primary Sidebar

Search

Sponsored Content

FUNdamental Minds Makes Learning Fun

August 16, 2022 By Kelli Carmack

Ariel Cortes, founder of FUNdamental Minds Education Services, knows firsthand the importance of academic support … [Read More...] about FUNdamental Minds Makes Learning Fun

Avalon Applauds Healing Hearts Cafe

August 9, 2022 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Congratulations to Healing Hearts Cafe for being applauded by Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. Healing Hearts Cafe’s mission … [Read More...] about Avalon Applauds Healing Hearts Cafe

More Posts from this Category

What’s Happening

08/20/2022 – Food Drive

St. Mark’s Chapter of The Order of the Daughters of the King in partnership with The Community Food Pantry will host a Food Drive on Aug. 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 13312 Cain Road, off Gunn Highway in Tampa. Items needed include canned vegetables, fruit, chicken, tuna, beans and soup; breakfast cereal and grits; granola bars; macaroni and cheese; and peanut butter and jelly in plastic containers. Visit the pantry online at TheCommunityFoodPantry.com. For information, call 813-962-3089, or visit StMarksTampa.org. … [Read More...] about 08/20/2022 – Food Drive

08/20/2022 – Talking Tots storytime

The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12119 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host a “Talking Tots” storytime on Aug. 20 at 11 a.m. Speech therapist Bridget Cibulskis will share tips and tricks for increasing a child’s language development at home, and will read a book to the kids while modeling skills for parents. There also will be a Q&A session. Register online at PascoLibraries.org. … [Read More...] about 08/20/2022 – Talking Tots storytime

08/21/2022 – Book club for adults

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will host “Novels on Tap” on Aug. 21 at 2 p.m., at the Wicked Pour taproom in Odessa, for ages 21 and older. This month’s selection is “Little Fires Everywhere” by Celeste Ng. Masks are recommended, but not mandatory. Registration is required online at PascoLibraries.org. … [Read More...] about 08/21/2022 – Book club for adults

08/23/2022 – Active shooter seminar

Zephyrhills Police Chief Derek Brewer will host an Active Shooter Vigilance & Sign Recognition seminar on Aug. 23 at 1 p.m., at The Genesis Community Center, 38112 15th Ave., in Zephyrhills. To register, call 813-616-2601. … [Read More...] about 08/23/2022 – Active shooter seminar

08/23/2022 – Learn about shapes

The New River Library, 34043 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, will host story times about shapes on Aug. 23 and Aug. 24. Toddlers can attend at 10:15 a.m., and preschoolers at 11:15 a.m. Each session includes songs, stories and movement. Register online at PascoLibraries.org. … [Read More...] about 08/23/2022 – Learn about shapes

08/23/2022 – Ride free to polls

GoPasco County Public Transportation will offer free bus rides to the polls on Primary Election Day, Aug. 23 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Riders must present a valid Voter Information Card to use the free service. For more information on poll locations, contact the Supervisor of Elections office at 800-851-8754, or go to bit.ly/PrecinctsPasco. To learn more about GoPasco, visit GoPasco.com. … [Read More...] about 08/23/2022 – Ride free to polls

More of What's Happening

Follow us on Twitter

The Laker/Lutz News Follow

Your home for weekly news that impacts your life and community. Serving Land O' Lakes, Lutz, New Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills and Dade City.

LakerLutzNews
Retweet on Twitter The Laker/Lutz News Retweeted
mikecamunas Mike Camunas @mikecamunas ·
11h

According to the City of #DadeCity's Facebook page: Storm notices:
Tree Down- 17th St. & Coleman Ave.
Tree Down- 14th St. & 17th. (Ft. King Rd.)
Downed Power Lines- 15th St. is closed from South View to Dixie
Flooding- Howard Ave. @LakerLutzNews

Reply on Twitter 1560360677709062146 Retweet on Twitter 1560360677709062146 1 Like on Twitter 1560360677709062146 Twitter 1560360677709062146
lakerlutznews The Laker/Lutz News @lakerlutznews ·
11h

107 homes approved in #Landolakes https://buff.ly/3JXdGrg

Reply on Twitter 1560358630779748358 Retweet on Twitter 1560358630779748358 Like on Twitter 1560358630779748358 Twitter 1560358630779748358
lakerlutznews The Laker/Lutz News @lakerlutznews ·
15h

Friendly reminder: #EarlyVoting runs thru Aug. 20, just as it does at the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus in Wesley Chapel! #localpolitics #localnews

Reply on Twitter 1560297456910614528 Retweet on Twitter 1560297456910614528 1 Like on Twitter 1560297456910614528 1 Twitter 1560297456910614528
Load More

Archives

 

 

Where to pick up The Laker and Lutz News

Copyright © 2022 Community News Publications Inc.

    Wiki