Christmas Concert for Peace Friday at Festival Hill

St. Cecilia’s is hosting a Christmas Concert for Peace at Festival Hill tonight, Friday, Dec. 22. This event will be from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. The evening will feature Grammywinner Shawn Colvin, guitarist David Pulkingham, the Paul English Jazz Quartet, and more. All of the proceeds will benefit three non-profit and non-governmental organizations working for peace in the Middle East: The Middle East Peace Alliance, The Parents Circle, and Combatants for Peace. Tickets are $35.

Live and Local

This Friday night, Busted Oak Cellars is having Karaoke from 6 to 9 p.m., and The Stone Cellar will have a performance by Reagan Godlewski and Crew. Saturday, check out Les Cousins at Busted Oak from 3 to 6 p.m.

Christmas Eve Brunch

Market Hill is hosting Christmas Eve Brunch at Duo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. Enjoy a delicious meal to ring in the holiday. Reservations encouraged.

St. Cecilia’s Christmas Eve service will be Sunday, Dec. 24 at 2:45 and 4:45 p.m. This will be a moving and inspiring Christmas celebration by candlelight. If you know which service you will be attending and how many are in your group, please send that information to Fr. Bill at kahunapadre@ yahoo.com. The church is trying to get an idea of attendance to prepare and have enough seating for everyone.

Round Top Church

Round Top Church will have the usual Sunday morning service on Dec. 24 at 10 a.m. Christmas Eve service will be at 5:30 p.m.

St. Paul Lutheran - Shelby St. Paul Lutheran Church in Shelby will hold a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 6 p.m. Don’t forget, that morning the usual 8 a.m. service will take place – this is the fourth Sunday of Advent. Tuesday, Dec. 26 is the newsletter deadline for January.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church’s Christmas Eve candlelight service will be at 11 p.m. The Fourth Sunday of Advent will be that morning at 9:30 a.m.

Bible Study Notes

The Bethlehem Lutheran Church Bible Study met Thursday, Dec. 9 at 9:30 a.m. The group discussed prophecy and the fact that everything God or the prophets said came to reality. Pastor John David Nedbalek outlined the genealogies from Abraham to Mary, to show how Jesus would be born the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. According to God’s promise to our ancestors and descendants, His word and mercy reveals the future. God is turning a world torn apart by conflict rightside up. The study ended with the song, “The Magnificent.” Pearlie Wagner served as hostess. Merry Christmas to all and remember the next bible study will be Jan. 4. Everyone is welcome for discussions.

New Year’s Eve Activities

If you are starting to plan for New Year’s Eve, there are several options around our area. The Stone Cellar is hosting a New Year’s Eve Bash with Black Cat Choir beginning at 7 p.m. There will be a “Baby New Years” dress-up competition with a $1,000 prize. This is the only place in Round Top to see a ball drop. The night’s menu will consist of prime rib, potatoes, blackeyed peas, a veggie side, dessert, and rolls. Complimentary champagne will be passed out at midnight! Tickets are available at thestonecellartx.com.

The Round Top Rifle Hall’s annual New Year’s Eve party is another fun option. Decorate your table and bring an appetizer to share at the community snack table. At midnight, the hall serves cornbread and black-eyed peas for good luck in 2024. Doors open at 6 p.m., and Lost Cause Band takes the stage at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and available at Round Top Mercantile or Round Top State Bank.

Don’t forget about Harmonie Hall in Shelby. Southern Daze will be performing from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. Complimentary black-eyed peas served at midnight for good luck in the new year. Tickets available at the door.

On New Years Day, the annual Linda Patterson and Friends concert at Festival Hill is set to take place once again. This organ recital will be in the Edythe Bates Old Chapel. Buy your tickets early – seating is limited.

Round Top Hermann Sons

Round Top Hermann Sons Lodge 151 met for their Christmas party at the American Legion Hall on Sunday, Dec. 10 with over 50 guests in attendance. Fellowship started at 11 a.m., followed by an exceptional meal at 12 p.m., and lots of excitement as gifts were exchanged in a game led by Lana Limmer and Betty Porter. Casey O’Neal and Sophie Rauch won the guessing games. Linda Mattocks held a brief meeting with the highlight of handing out a 50-year pin to Becky Jasinski and a 60-year pin to Leland Oeser. Others that received their pins by mail were named. Cecily Kelly, Vice President of Member Services at the home office visited for the meeting. Following Cecily’s remarks, Kristi Bauer of CASA discussed how they care for children in the foster care system, most whom live with their grandparents. She left with a table full of donated items. Additional items had already been sent in November from the collection point at the Round Top Real Estate office. This was also the “Make a Difference Day.” Mary Rauch, Treasurer, reported on the contributions to various organizations and the success of the Country Store at the Ledbetter Volunteer Fire Department fundraiser with matching funds from the home office. A big “thank you” to all who brought desserts, decorated, or helped in any way to make this a party to remember. Also, thank you for the past serving committee of Myrt and Leonard Meinkowsky, Jeanette Schoenst, Lana Limmer, Max Baranowski, and Jeanette Hancock. The next serving committee will be Linda Mattocks, Floyd and Jocie Braun, Virgie Hall, and JoAnn and Ray Ullrich. The next meeting will be Jan. 25. Wishing you blessings of peace, hope, and joy at Christmas and the best of wishes for the new year. – Secretary, Jeanette Schoenst.

Birthdays

Happy birthday to Lorie Woodward on December 22, Roy Schulze and Haley Reimer on Dec. 23, Roy Weyand on Dec. 24, Chris Siemsglusz and Jesus on Dec. 25.

Have news?

Send any news or notices you wish to have announced two weeks in advance to Kyla@roundtoprealestate.com.