The Church and Community Events calendar is published each Friday. Items must be submitted by 10 a.m. Monday for that Friday’s calendar. Events should be emailed to CommunityCalendar@ FarmvilleHerald.com.

DECEMBER 8

JUMU’AH PRAYER SERVICE, 1:00 pm, at Islamic Center of Prince Edward County, 300 N. South St., Farmville.

DECEMBER 9

ADVENTURE HATS WORKSHOP, 10 a.m. with artist Annie Temmink in Winston Hall/Viar Fine Arts Center at Hampden-Sydney College.

HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. downtown Farmville at the High Bridge Trail Plaza and visit Santa at the caboose.

BRUNCH WITH SANTA, 12 noon, sponsored by The Randolph District Volunteer Fire Dept. Auxiliary at the Fire House, 2145 Cumberland Road. See Santa and eat breakfast with him. Donate at the door to support the fire department.

WORKSHOP-ADVENTURE HATS, 10 a.m. sponsored by Central Virginia Arts with artist Annie Temmink in Winston Hall/Viar Fine Arts Center at Hampden Sydney College.

LEGO CLUB, 10:30 a.m. at the Farmville library. Kids ages 5-12 are invited to drop by between 10:30 a.m. – noon to build with the library’s collection of Legos. Accept a challenge or see where your imagination takes you.

YOUTH MARIO KART TOURNAMENT, 10:30 a.m. at the Farmville library. Visit the library or call (434) 392-6924 to register. Kids ages 14 and under can enter our first kids Mario Kart Tournament. Prizes will be given for first, second, and third place. Lunch included.

QUARTERLY MEETING, noon at New Hope Baptist Church of Keysville.

HOME COOKED DINNERS, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. to benefit the needy for Christmas at the home of Mrs. Mary Lou Gould, 2521 Cumberland Rd., Farmville. Call (434) 392- 4415 for more information.

DECEMBER 10

COMMONWEALTH CHORALE TO PRESENT HANDEL’S ‘MESSIAH,’ 3, p.m. at the Farmville United Methodist Church, 212 High St. The performance is free of charge; no tickets are required. A free-will offering will be taken during intermission. For further information on performances call (434) 392-7545 or visit the Chorale’s website at: www.commonwealthchorale.org

GOSPEL EXTRAVAGANZA 3 p.m. at Petersville Baptist Church in New Canton. Special guests include the Jordan Sisters, of Richmond, Revelation of Farmville, choirs from Mount Pero, Little Zion and Rocky Mount Baptist Churches. Dr. Cavell Phillips will be the Master of Ceremony.

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE, 10 a.m. at Appomattox Court House National Park. There will be a children’s craft station, music, hot coffee, refreshments and a visit from 19th century Santa.

OPEN HOUSE, 2 p.m. of The Cumberland County Historical Society at the Cumberland Museum located in the Old Clerk’s Office in Cumberland Courthouse. Little ones can visit with Santa Claus in the museum after the Christmas Parade to have refreshments. The Society will be offering its books including Volume I of Cumberland County and Its People, supplements to Volume I, and annual bulletins through 2011, and a puzzle of Cumberland County which shows historical sites within the County. These all make wonderful Christmas gifts.

BLUE CHRISTMAS 6:30 p.m., at Oakwood United Methodist Church, Columbia, service with cantata, “The Longest Night,” as the message.

ANNIVERSARY, 3 p.m. of the Male Chorus of Jericho Baptist Church, 615 Franklin St. Among guests will be The New Bethel Male Chorus. All are invited.

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM, 6 p.m. at Cedar Baptist Church, 3932 Bell Rd., Dillwyn entitled “Jingle Bell Beach.” Refreshments will be served afterwards.

DECEMBER 11

QUARTERLY MEETING, 7 p.m. of The Cumberland Missionary and Educational Conference at the Bright Hope Center located on Route 45 in Cumberland Virginia. All are invited

FREE CHRISTMAS CONCERT, 7 p.m. by the Heart of Virginia Community Band Jarman Auditorium at Longwood University. Featuring the sounds of the season for audiences of all ages to enjoy. More information visit our website at: http://heartofvacommunityband.org.

DECEMBER 12

VENDOR FOOD SAFETY WORKSHOP, 10 a.m. at SVCC. Some Topics include On-farm safety assessment, risk assessment group activities, Virginia food laws and labeling requirements. Register by Dec. 6 by calling or emailing Eric Bowen (434) 645-9315 or bowen@vt.edu

DECEMBER 12-13

STORYTIME, 10:30 a.m. at the Buckingham library. A caregiver and child ages 0-5 can enjoy stories, rhymes, and a short activity.

DECEMBER 13

LEGO CLUB, 3:30 p.m. at the Farmville library. Kids ages 5-12 are invited to drop by between to build with the library’s collection of Legos. Accept a challenge or see where your imagination takes you.

ADVENT SERVICES WITH FREE LUNCH, noon at Payne Memorial Methodist Church. The theme is “Lifting Up the Lowly.” Speaker will be the Rev. Lewis Brandt. The church is located at 1 Stoney Point Road in Cumberland (across from the Court House). Please join us; all are welcome.

DECEMBER 14

CIVIL WAR CONVERSATION, 6:30 p.m. at the American Civil War Museum, Appomattox. Reservations encouraged by calling (434) 352-5791.

LANDSCAPE TO TABLESCAPE, 9 a.m. at Prince Edward County Extension Office, 100 Dominion Drive, Farmville. Space is limited. Pre-register by Dec. 1 by calling (434) 392-2426 or sheldaw@vt.edt.

HUMUH BUDDHIST STUDY GROUP, 7 p.m. at Prince Edward Community Library, 1303 W. Third Street, Farmville. Everyone is welcome to attend. For more information, call 1 (800) 336-6015.

AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITY, 4 p.m. at the Buckingham library. Youth of all ages can drop by to enjoy a craft and have fun after school. This week we’ll be making cinnamon ornaments.

DECEMBER 16

CHILDREN’S COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CRAFT WORKSHOP, 10 a.m.-noon at Farmville United Methodist Church, 212 High St. Children attending need an adult present. Refreshments, stories, seasonal craft/gift-making and games.

CHRISTMAS MUSICAL CELEBRATION, 3 p.m., entitled “Come let us adore him”, of the Buckingham Community Choir at Holy Trinity Baptist Church. Youth from area churches are invited to join us. The Praise Team Ministry from First Liberty Baptist Church will celebrate our Savior through dance. A fellowship hour with light refreshments will be held.

LIVE NATIVITY, 7 p.m. at Hobsons Chapel, 6483 Old Buckingham Rd., Powhatan. See the Reason for the Season inspirational play with live actors and animals. Refreshments served carside before the play and finger foods served inside after the play. All are welcome to fellowship and celebrate.

POLAR EXPRESS TRAIN RIDE, 3:45 p.m. at the Buckingham library. Kids in grades 2-5, visit the Buckingham library or call (434) 983-3848 to sign up. During this free event, children will board a train and ride while listening to the picture book The Polar Express. After the ride, families can enjoy cookies, crafts, and a visit from Santa at the library.

DECEMBER 17

PASTOR’S 9TH ANNIVERSARY, 3 p.m. at Gill Hill Baptist Church for pastor the Rev. Isiah Hurt. Guest minister will be the Rev. Ronald Claiborne and Truth Deliver will render the music. Dinner will be served.

CHRISTMAS CANTATA, 7 p.m. at Payne Memorial United Methodist Church in Cumberland. Light refreshments will be served. The church is located at 1 Stoney Point Road in Cumberland (across from the Court House).

DECEMBER 20

BLOOD DRIVE, 10 a.m. at Centra Southside Community Hospital, 800 Oak St., Farmville.

DECEMBER 24

CHRISTMAS CANTATA, 11 a.m. at Oakwood United Methodist Church, Columbia, with Christmas Eve services beginning at 5 p.m.

DECEMBER 27

BLOOD DRIVE, 1 p.m. at St John’s Lutheran Church, 1301 Milnwood Road, Farmville.

DECEMBER 31

COMBINED NEW YEAR’S EVE WATCH NIGHT SERVICE, 10 p.m. at Midway Baptist Church. Pastor Irma T. Watson will be delivering the Word of God and Midway Mass Choir will render the music.