Need a break from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, but still want to stay in the festive spirit? Head to Glossbrenner Church for Community Christmas Night. The event will be held at the church, 713 Church St., Mount Joy, from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14. It will feature activities for people of all ages.

"People can expect an evening of free festive fun - time out of their busy holiday schedule to just breathe and enjoy the joyful season," said Jessica Rockey, children and youth director. "In order to ensure that experience, we will be providing a free hot barbecue sandwich, hot dogs and freshly popped popcorn, as well as a hot cocoa bar and decorate-your-own cookie station for some sweet treats. Making sure everyone is included is very important to us at Glossbrenner, so we always provide gluten-free options at these events."

The evening will also feature make-and-take Christmas crafts for people of all ages and all skill levels as well as the opportunity to have a holiday photo taken and a picture frame to decorate and take home.

"New to this year instead of canned Christmas music playing in the background, our wonderful worship leader Justine Madonna will be providing some live acoustic Christmas tunes for us all to help get into the Christmas spirit," Rockey said.

A gift-wrapping station will also be set up, providing an opportunity for people to check that task off their holiday to-do list.

"Kids especially love to wrap some of the crafts they make here to give to their loved ones on Christmas," Rockey shared. "As a mom, I know some of the best gifts I ever received were the ones made from the heart. It is nice to be able to give the kids an opportunity to do this without having to spend any money and be proud of the creativity they used to make and wrap a gift all by themselves."

The members of Glossbrenner Church regularly hold public events throughout the year, part of the church's mission to connect with the community, Rockey said.

"As a church family, it is important for us to shine the light of Jesus into our community in these dark times," she explained. "We want everyone to know that we are here to be a support to you no matter where you are on your spiritual journey."

With that in mind, the event committee decided to change the name of the celebration that's been called "Family Christmas Night" in the past.

"We changed the name from 'family' to 'community' this year because it is our aim to bring in our community and for people to find community here at Glossbrenner," Rockey remarked. "We also do not want people to think they need to have a family to come out and enjoy the festive fun. All ages are welcome here and can find fellowship and joy within our walls."

She encourages people to come to the event, noting that it will provide a relaxing time during a sometimes-stressful season.

"The holidays can be such a busy, chaotic, stressful time for some and a lonely, depressed, sorrowful time for others," she said. "Whichever category you fit in when you think of the upcoming holidays, please know you are welcome here and you will find community and care within our doors. We want to offer this free night of festive fun as a gift back to our community that we are truly blessed to be a part of and to connect us all closer together."

In addition to the Community Christmas Night, Glossbrenner Church will hold two candlelight Christmas services on Christmas Eve, at 3 and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 24. Sunday worship services are held at 10 a.m.

The Community Christmas Night will be held downstairs in the church's fellowship hall. A lift is available for handicapped access. Parking is available in the church's upper lot on the corner of Water and Angle streets, or people can walk up from the lower lot located diagonal to the church on Angle Street. People should enter through the back doors by the upper parking lot, walk straight through to the lobby and follow signs to the event.

"We hope you can enjoy time here with your family or friends, and maybe even make some new ones," Rockey said.

For more information, search for "Glossbrenner Church" on Facebook.