Where you can attend Christmas worship services this week
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IDAHO FALLS – The final preparations for Christmas celebrations in eastern Idaho are in full swing. For many people, an integral component of the holiday is attending worship services.
EastIdahoNews.com is compiling a running list below of local churches holding services on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Some are making special accommodations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you know of any we have missed, send an email to news@eastidahonews.com and we’ll add it.
Calvary Baptist Church
Calvary Baptist Church at 785 1st Street in Idaho Falls is hosting several events leading up to Christmas. Members of the community are invited to live nativity performances every 25 minutes between 7 and 9 p.m. Dec. 21 and 22. Then on Christmas Eve, you and your family can attend worship services at 5 p.m. Visit the website for more information.
Christ the King Church
The St. John Paul II parish is holding several Christmas masses in English and Spanish. Mass will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church at 1690 East 17th Street at 5 p.m. Dec. 24. A Spanish mass will be held at 8 p.m.
Holy Rosary Church will also hold mass at 5 p.m.
Christ the King will also hold mass on Christmas Day at 10 a.m. with a Spanish one at 12 p.m.
The St. John Paul II parish is comprised of the Holy Rosary Church, Christ the King Church and Holy Rosary Catholic School. For more information about the parish, visit its website or call (208) 522-4366.
Christ Community Church
Christ Community Church at 5742 South 5th West No. 7630530 in Idaho Falls is holding Christmas services at 5:30 and 7 p.m. on Dec. 23 and 4 and 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 24.
Crown of Life
Christmas Eve is the culmination of a sermon series at Crown of Life Church in Rigby. It’s called “Rediscover Christmas.” You’re invited to attend from 6-7 p.m. The address is 3856 East 300 North. Then at 7:30, join them at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds to sing Christmas carols, COVID style.
“Stay in your car or stand beside your car and we’ll sing,” Pastor Dave Schilling says. “It’ll give people an opportunity to actually do something. This quarantining is just driving everybody crazy.”
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The church also kicks off the final week of daily virtual Christmas devotionals. Visit the Facebook page to watch them.
Eagle Rock Baptist Church
Services at Eagle Rock Baptist Church at 1080 South Bellin Road in Idaho Falls will begin at 6 p.m. on Dec. 24.
Emmaus Road Church
Emmaus Road Church at 238 Northgate Mile in Idaho Falls invites you to a candlelight Christmas Eve service at 5 p.m.
First Christian Church
First Christian Church at 1800 12th Street in Idaho Falls will have a family-friendly candlelight communion service at 5 p.m. on December 24. This will be an in-person service and live-streamed. Masks and social distancing requirements will be in place.
First Evangelical Church
Christmas Eve services at First Evangelical Lutheran Church at 455 West Sunnyside Road in Idaho Falls will start at 7:30 p.m. It will be a candlelight worship with Holy Communion.
First Presbyterian Church
First Presbyterian Church in Idaho Falls is making its Christmas Eve service available online starting on Wednesday, December 23. Services will not be held in-person this year due to COVID-19. Contact the church if you or someone you know is not able watch the service online. Video and audio copies can be made if requested.
Gethsemane Baptist Church
Gethsemane Baptist Church at 2345 West Broadway invites you to a special Christmas Eve service at 7 p.m. Enjoy special music, uplifting hymns, and an encouraging Bible message. Join online or in-person. Click here for more information or visit the church’s Facebook page.
Journey Church
Journey Church at 505 North Park Avenue in Shelley is holding a Christmas Eve service at 5:30 p.m. All are welcome.
New Day Lutheran Church
New Day Lutheran Church in Idaho Falls is holding Christmas Eve services online. The live stream begins at 7 p.m. Click here to watch it.
Powerhouse Christian Fellowship
Powerhouse Christian Fellowship at 2905 Senbeam Road in American Falls is holding a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 6 p.m.
Providence Downtown Church
Pastor Todd Wood and Providence Downtown Church at 830 Park Avenue in Idaho Falls invite you to a special Christmas service on Dec. 23 at 7 p.m.
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RISE Church
RISE Church at 502 2nd Street in Idaho Falls is holding a Christmas service on December 23 at 7 p.m. All are welcome.
River of Life Church
River of Life Church at 525 South Boulevard in Idaho Falls will be having a service at 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 24. It will also be live-streamed here.
St. John Lutheran Church
St. John Lutheran Church at 290 7th Street in Idaho Falls is holding Christmas Eve services at 5 and 7 p.m. Both events will be socially distanced and masks are required. Reservations are also required. Call or email the church office to reserve space. The number is (208) 522-5650 or email office@stjohnministries.net.
Trinity United Methodist Church
Trinity United Methodist Church in Idaho Falls is hosting several virtual events for Christmas. The first is a Christmas Eve worship video, that will be posted to the church’s Facebook page mid-day on Dec. 24. The video will include a scriptural sermon, special music with vocals, piano and bells. There will also be a lighting of Advent candles. You are welcome to stop by Trinity any day between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to pick up a candle to light during “Silent Night” near the end of the worship video. Pastor Ruth Marsh tells EastIdahoNews.com this is a unique opportunity to participate in Christmas Eve Worship together while practicing social distancing.
The church will also live stream a morning sunrise service at 8:15 a.m. Christmas Day. “What better way to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child than listening to Christmas hymns as the sun shines through Trinity’s windows,” Marsh says.
A video of the kid’s Christmas program will also be posted sometime on Christmas Day.
Visit the church’s Facebook page or Youtube channel to access any of these events.
Watersprings Church
Watersprings Church at 4250 South 25th East in Idaho Falls is holding multiple services on Christmas services. The first will be held at 1 p.m., the second at 3 p.m. and the third at 5 p.m. Cop Church will hold its Christmas services at Watersprings Sunday night at 5:30. Dinner will precede services at 5 p.m.