The second annual Blue Christmas service for people who are grieving during the holiday season will be at 5 p.m. Dec. 18 at Green Valley United Methodist Church, 620 E. Turkeyfoot Lake Road, Green.The service will include personal testimony from people who will share how God brought them through pain, grief, sadness, loss and struggle. The goal is to help those in attendance move toward peace and healing during a season that is difficult for them.For information, call 330-896-4357. Information about the church can be found at www.greenvalleyumc.org.In other religion news:EventsApostolic Church of Barberton — 1717 W. Turkeyfoot Lake Road, Green. 9:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday. Elder Johnny James of Detroit, Mich., will be guest speaker. 330-745-5550.Calvary Chapel — 8151 Stuhldreher St. NW, Jackson Township. 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17 and 18. A Night in Bethlehem. Participants experience the sights and sounds of the first Christmas during a tour through interactive sites. New features added this year. Light refreshments served at end of tour, which takes about 30 minutes. Groups of any size are welcome. 330-833-4347.The Chapel, Green Campus — 1800 Raber Road, Green. 10 a.m. Friday. Abundant Living 55+ Christian fellowship and lunch in Atrium. Guest vocalist/speaker is the Rev. John Schmid of Common Ground Ministries. Ages 55 and over welcome to attend. 330-315-5508.Columbia United Church of Christ — 978 Wooster Road W., Barberton. 9 a.m. to noon. Homemade fancy Christmas cookie & candy sale. Items will be sold by the pound. 330-825-9946.Goodyear Heights Presbyterian Church — 1430 Goodyear Blvd., Akron. 9 a.m. to noon today. Christmas cookie sale at Charlie’s Place, 1421 Malasia Road (across from Gazebo Park). Cookies $7 per dozen.Manchester United Methodist Church — 5625 Manchester Road, New Franklin. 6 to 9:30 p.m. Friday. Gospel Bluegrass Jam. Bring your favorite covered dish to share for dinner at 7:30 p.m. Donations welcome. 330-882-4818.Queen of Heaven Church — 1800 Steese Road, Green. 7:30 p.m. Thursday. A communal penance service will be held until all confessions are heard. 330-896-2345.St. John Lutheran Church — 550 E. Wilbeth Road, Akron. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today. Annual cookie walk will be held.St. Philip’s Episcopal Church — 1130 Mercer Ave., Akron. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. Holiday bazaar. Commercial and handcrafted gifts, clothing, jewelry, home decorations, baked goods and other specialty products. 330-388-7295.Wesley Temple A.M.E. Zion Church — 104 N. Prospect St., Akron. 4 p.m. Sunday. A Sunday afternoon of praise, worship and adoration. Music by the adult and youth choirs. 330-434-5800.PerformancesFirst United Methodist Church — 245 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls. 7 p.m. Sunday. The Festival of Carols will feature all the vocal choirs and the chancel ringers, as well as congregational singing of carols with orchestra and organ. The Stairwell Singers also perform. 330-923-5241.Grace United Methodist Church — 1720 Schneider St. NW, Plain Township. 7 p.m. Dec. 18. Puppets of Grace will perform its Christmas show, featuring singing camels, dancing frogs and special effects. 330-499-2330.Green Valley United Methodist Church — 620 E. Turkeyfoot Lake Road, Green. 7 p.m. Wednesday. First Friends Bluegrass Christmas in concert. Refreshments will be served. 330-896-4357. Kenmore Community Church of the Nazarene — 2025 12th St. SW, Akron. 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Jonathan White, a Christian musician from Canton, will perform a Christmas concert. Light refreshments to follow. 330-745-7720.Phillips Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church — 413 Iroquois Ave,. Akron. 4 p.m. Sunday. The gospel choir will present its annual Christmas concert, “Take Me Back” Musicale. Guest musicians and soloists will also take part. 330-784-8964.Summit Wesleyan Church — 2303 S. Main St., Akron. 11 a.m. Sunday. The Dubbeld Family from Moneta, Va., will present its Christmas musical, The Messiah Is Come. Freewill offering. 330-819-0700.Unitarian Universalist Church of Akron — 3300 Morewood Road, Fairlawn. 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Music of the Season, performed by the chancel choir and guest musicians. Vocal and instrumental music along with holiday readings. 330-836-2206.The deadline for Religion Notes is noon Tuesday. Items must be in writing. Please fax information to 330-996-3033, email it to religion@thebeaconjournal.com or send it to Religion, Akron Beacon Journal, 44 E. Exchange St., Akron OH 44309.