The Miami Lakes Episcopal Church has joined with St. Margaret's and San Francisco de Asis, 15650 Miami Lakeway North, and is inviting members of the community to a service of quiet hymns for Advent and Christmas and the lighting of candles with prayers for the losses and anxieties that some worshipers are bearing. The service will also include a celebration of the Mass, with intention for healing and comfort for all present and their families.

"The Blue Christmas Service is a gift to the community," said the Rev. Tim Rogers, Miami Lakes Episcopal's priest-in-charge. "It is intended to reassure those who are grieving that the birth of Jesus means god is present with us in all our human pain and shares our suffering."

For more information about the service, call the church office at 305-558-3961 or go to www.episcopalmiamilakes.com.

Gables Congregational UCC

For your worship convenience, there will be three Christmas Eve services at Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ, 3010 De Soto Blvd.

At 5:30 p.m. there will be a child-friendly service exploring the joy of Christmas through the eyes and voices of children, when the Cherub and Agape Choirs present "Christmas Joy." Pam Andrew will tell of the joy that came to earth when Jesus was born in Bethlehem. The story will come to life following the service when the courtyard is transformed into a live nativity.

Traditional candlelight services will be at 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. and will feature the choirs of the church, accompanied by organ, brass and words of the season. Following the 10:30 p.m. service, a trumpet fanfare will herald the midnight hour. All Christmas Eve services will include a welcome and Christmas cookies for everyone.

Call the church at 305-448-7421 for more information or go to www.CoralGablesCongregational.org.

Church of God Tabernacle

Bishop Walter H. Richardson and the Bible class teachers at The Church of God Tabernacle, 1351 NW 67th St. in Liberty City, invites the community to celebrate Christmas with them at special services to be at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m..Sunday at the church.

At 10 a.m., the Bible classes will present their annual pageant, at which time, the children will act out the story of the birth of Jesus in words and songs. Then, at 7 p.m., The Church of God Mass Choir, will present a concert and drama, also depicting the birth of Christ and the meaning of Christmas.

It's free and everyone is invited.