Christmas services planned

COEUR d'ALENE - This Sunday won't be your typical Sunday.

It's Christmas.

That means churches will see more than the usual number of people attending services. Millions are expected across the nation.

North Idaho's churches will be ready, starting tonight, Christmas Eve. They're planning plays, decorations, music and messages about the humble birth of Christ in a manger, and what it means today.

There will be candlelight, carols, choirs, Scripture and sermons, too.

Local churches are encouraging guests to attend services that start tonight and will also be held Sunday.

St. Luke's Episcopal Church asks, "Where will you be on Christmas Eve? There is a place at the table for you."

"Discover the greatest gift of all," declares Coeur d'Alene Worship Center. "You are invited to join us to learn about this gift and how it keeps giving all year long."

"Hear the Promise! Tell the Story! Share the Good News!" says Trinity Lutheran Church.

"May God fill you with love, purpose, hope and joy," offers Community Presbyterian Church.

"Jesus is born," declares Community United Methodist Church.

Some Christmas Eve and Christmas services:

* Coeur d'Alene Bible Church, 5350 N. Fourth St., 3:30 and 5 p.m. tonight, 10:15 a.m. Sunday.

* Coeur d'Alene Worship Center, 1921 N. Fifth St., 7 tonight

* North Country Chapel, 2281 W. Seltice Way, Post Falls, 6 tonight.

* St. Joseph's Church, 32919 N. Highway 41, Spirit Lake, 11 a.m., Sunday.

* St. Pius X Catholic Church, 625 E. Haycraft, Coeur d'Alene, 5 p.m. children's Mass; 9 p.m. family Mass; midnight Mass; 9 a.m. Sunday.

* St. George's Roman Catholic Church, 2010 N. Lucas St., Post Falls, 6 p.m. children's Mass, 9 p.m. family Mass tonight; 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday.

* Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 13541 W. Highway 53, Rathdrum, 7:30 p.m., candlelight service tonight; 10:45 a.m. Sunday.

* Community United Methodist Church, 1470 W. Hanley Ave., Coeur d'Alene, 5 p.m., family, songs and stories, 7 family, songs and bell choir, 10 communion, cantata choir, Scripture and carols, tonight; 9 and 10:30 a.m. Christmas

* Community Presbyterian Church, 417 N. William, Post Falls, 7 p.m., candlelight service tonight, 10:30 a.m. Christmas Day worship.

* Real Life Ministries, 1866 Cecil Road, Post Falls, 2, 4 and 6 p.m. services Christmas Eve; 9 and 10:30 a.m. Christmas Day.

* Trinity Lutheran Church, 812 N. Fifth St., Coeur d'Alene, 4 p.m., Christmas Eve service for families and children with songs, stories and activities. 7 and 11 services with carols and candlelight, communion, special music. 10 a.m. Christmas Day.

* St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Fifth and Wallace, Coeur d'Alene, 6 and 8 p.m. Christmas Eve services. Later service includes choir, handbells.

* St. Stanislaus Church, 8026 Second St., Rathdrum, 8 p.m., Christmas Eve, 9 a.m., Christmas Day.

* St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 919 Indiana Ave., Coeur d'Alene, 5 p.m. Christmas Eve service, midnight Mass; 10 a.m. Christmas Day.

* First Presbyterian Church, 521 Lakeside Ave., Coeur d'Alene, 5 p.m. family service on Christmas Eve and a 9 p.m. candlelight service.