By Audrey Dodgen/Staff Writer

El Reno church officials are putting the final touches on plans to mark the Christmas holiday with both traditional and modern celebrations.

Several congregations kicked off the final week by holding special services Sunday to commemorate the season before members leave to visit family. Many are also holding only a single service on Christmas Day.

Rev. Dr. Mark Heaney, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of El Reno, said his congregation planned to host a special choir program Sunday titled “Prepare Your Hearts for Christmas.”

On Christmas Eve, the church will hold a candlelight communion service at 6 p.m. The congregation will take part in a traditional worship at 10:45 a.m. Christmas Day, and will host a special brunch and worship on New Year’s Day.

“It will be a time to celebrate God’s presence in 2005 and to look ahead to 2006,” he said.

Bible Baptist Church of El Reno will hold morning services on Christmas Day, but will forego evening services. The church was slated to host a special choir presentation Sunday, along with a Christmas message.

First Baptist Church of El Reno will hold a Christmas Day service at 11 a.m.

The church will not hold its regular 8:30 a.m. service, nor will they have Sunday school services. The Christmas celebration will include a reading of the Christmas story to the congregation’s children and a selection of Christmas-related thoughts.

First Assembly of God Church of El Reno held a children’s program Sunday. The children of the congregation presented a piece called “The Perfect Tree.”

On Christmas Day, the church will hold its annual Home for Christmas program. The sanctuary of the church will be decorated to resemble the living room of a house. Members of the congregation will perform special musical numbers, share stories and recite poems about the holidays at the 11 a.m. service. Pastor Mike Moss will read the Christmas story to the church’s children, and everyone in attendance at the service will be given a bag of traditional Christmas treats. No other services will be held at the church on Christmas Day.

Solid Rock Christian Center held a special Christmas program Sunday performed by its preschool and children’s church groups. Samantha Roach said the program was a variety show of sorts.

“Typically, we write a play and perform it, but we found some old things this year and decided to bring them out,” she said.

On Christmas Day, Solid Rock will hold a candlelight service and baby dedication at 6:30 p.m.

El Reno Church of the Nazarene presented a traditional Christmas cantata Sunday, with a dinner afterward. The church will also host a come-and-go communion service from 11 a.m. to noon on Christmas Day.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church will hold an evening Mass at 5:10 p.m. Christmas Eve. The church will also hold a midnight Mass that night and a Christmas Day Mass at 11 a.m.

Wesley United Methodist Church of El Reno will hold a Christmas Eve candlelight service from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., where communion will be given. On Christmas Day, the church will hold a single service at 10 a.m. A cantata was scheduled for Sunday.

Greg Connor said First Free Will Baptist Church of El Reno started its Christmas celebration Sunday with a special children’s program and Christmas concert. On Christmas Day, the church will hold a single service at 10 a.m. and celebrate communion.