FYI

St. John Lutheran Church plans bluegrass event 

The second annual St. John Christmas and Bluegrass Concert will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, in the Worship Center of St. John Lutheran Church.

The St. John Choir and Orchestra will perform a cantata called “Heaven’s Child.” The performance will feature the visitation of the angels, the shepherds, the guiding star and the Magi.

The concert will also portray the chronicle of Simeon, whose desire was to live long enough to witness the coming of the promised one, according to a church press release.

After the choir and orchestra, there will be a performance from the Bluegrass Band, playing songs and telling stories in bluegrass style.

Santa Claus will also make an appearance.

St. John Lutheran Church is at 15235 Spring Cypress Road, Cypress. 
For more information, visit www.stjohn-lutheran.net.

Panamanian art expo visits Cypress library 

The Northwest Branch Library held a Panamanian Children Traveling Art Expo recently.

According to a library press release, children were given the opportunity to learn about Panamanian culture in the comfort of their home library.

The event was hosted by Nidya Pitti Granadino, who brought art from the children of Panama and showed off various artifacts from her home country.

For more information about upcoming events at the Northwest Branch Library, visit the events calendar at www.hcpl.net/location/northwest-branchlibrary.

The Northwest Branch Library is at 11355 Regency Green Drive, Cypress.

For more information about the library, call 281-890-2665.

Cypress Creek grad completes Navy training 

Ethan W. Shoemaker of Houston recently graduated from recruit training at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill.

During the eight-week program, Shoemaker completed a variety of training, which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival and shipboard and aircraft safety.

An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.

Shoemaker, the son of Sherynne and Paul Shoemaker, is a 2010 graduate of Cypress Creek High School of Houston.

UMC’s Christmas sermon series concludes Dec. 30 

Cypress United Methodist Church will host its A Different Kind of Christmas series at 8:15 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. every Sunday until Dec. 30.

According to a church press release, the series will feature the following sermons, based off the book “Christmas Is Not Your Birthday” by Mike Slaughter.

The topic of Dec. 16 will be “Giving Up On Perfect.”

The sermon will examine the unrealistic expectations that people have for the “perfect” Christmas, including how much time, money and energy is spent in chasing the unattainable idea. There will be a Handbell Choir performance at 8:15 a.m. and 11 a.m., and the scripture reading will be Luke 1:26-38.

The Monday, Dec. 24, sermon will be “Jesus’ Wish List,” focusing on the important gifts of the Christmas season. Scripture reading will be Matthew 25:31-46.

The Dec. 30 sermon is titled “By a Different Road” and will celebrate the Magis’ visit to Jesus. The church will hold a birthday party for Jesus at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23, in the worship center. The evening will include worship, food and fun

On Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, the following events will take place: The LOL Special Needs Service birthday party for Jesus is set for 2 p.m. in the Worship Center. At 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. in the sanctuary, a traditional candlelight and communion ceremony will take place. A Spanish service is set for 7 p.m.

A contemporary service will begin at 7 p.m. at Robison Elementary, 4321 Westfield Village Drive.

A traditional candlelight and communion service will start at 11 p.m. to lead into Christmas.

Cypress United Methodist Church is at 13403 N. Cypress Houston Road. For more information, visit www.cypressunited.org.