COEUR d’ALENE — The “greening” of the church is a Christmastime tradition at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. 

Rev. David Gortner says the tradition’s roots for the faith congregation date back to its heritage as a frontier church. In the past, just before Christmas, parishioners would go cut down branches and make wreaths to adorn the worship space.  

    Christmas for All
  

The wooden stars alight with small lights that lead the eyes down the aisles of the 132-year-old church and up to the sanctuary and the small nativity scene displayed in front for the congregation.  

“There’s a homey feel this was a frontier-era church and there’s still that feel that we want to honor,” Gortner said.   

Welcoming community groups in for their own seasonal celebrations has also become a guiding light for the church, providing a sober haven for communities in recovery to come together and mark the holiday.

For Gortner, the season of light is a time to listen and reflect. 

“The scripture and music speak for themselves. They tell the story that’s the most amazing story,” Gortner said.   

The congregation celebrates with carol services about the childhood of Jesus, emphasizing the importance of that connection to our own humanity during the Nativity. 

“There is such power in just celebrating that. On those Sundays, we don’t have a sermon, we let the word preach to us and listen to the words in the carols that we sing,” he shared. 

Kootenai County church services

• St. David’s Anglican Church 

Christmas Eve lessons and carols, 4:30 p.m. today
Christmas Day mass, 9 a.m. Wednesday
4061 Riverbend Ave., Post Falls 

• The Heart of the City Church 

Christmas Eve service, 4:04 p.m. today at both campuses
772 W. Kathleen Ave., Coeur d’Alene
1527 E. 16th Ave., Post Falls 

• First Presbyterian Church 

Candlelight Christmas Eve service at 5 and 7 p.m. today
521 E. Lakeside Ave., Coeur d’Alene 

• Community Presbyterian Church 

Candlelight Christmas Eve service 7 p.m. today
417 William St., Post Falls

• St. Luke's Episcopal Church

Christmas Eve service at 5 and 7:30 p.m. today 

Christmas lessons and carols at 8 and 10 a.m. on Dec. 29 and Jan. 5 

Fifth Street and Wallace Avenue in Coeur d'Alene

• Real Life Ministries 

Christmas Eve service at 2, 4 and 6 p.m. today at 1860 N. Cecil Road, Post Falls  
Christmas Eve service at 1:30, 3, 4:30 and 6 p.m. today at 1701 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene
Christmas Eve service at 1:30, 3, 4:30 and 6 p.m. today 30447 N. Roughstock Road, Athol
Christmas Eve service at 2, 4 and 6 p.m. 13590 N. Government Way, Hayden 

• St. Thomas the Apostle 

Christmas Eve vigil mass at 6 p.m. today
Midnight mass at 12 a.m. Wednesday
Christmas Day mass at 10 a.m.
919 E. Indiana Ave., Coeur d'Alene 

• Community of the Holy Spirit 

Christmas Eve mass at 3 p.m. today
4800 N. Ramsey Road Coeur d'Alene

• Christ the King Lutheran Church

Christmas Eve outside services at noon, 2, and 4 p.m. today
Candlelight services at 6 and 8 p.m. today
1700 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Coeur d'Alene

    A poinsettia rest by a stained-glass window at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Coeur d'Alene.
  

    A nativity scene with a star made from wooden sticks and lights adorns St. Luke's Episcopal Church.