Unless indicated, events are free or will have an offering.
TODAY
Prayers at closed church
When: 9-9:30 p.m.
Where: St. James Catholic Church, 17514 Detroit Ave., Lakewood.
Details: The Friends of St. James will hold a prayer service, with the singing of Christmas carols, on the steps of the church. Prayers will be offered in hopes of a positive outcome from an appeal to the Vatican to reopen the church, which was closed last year by the Cleveland Catholic Diocese in a downsizing. Call 216-228-4168.
'Christmas Story in Song'
When: 5 p.m.
Where: Windermere-Living Hope United Methodist Church, 14035 Euclid Ave., East Cleveland.
Details: Presentation of "The Christmas Story in Song," featuring the Voices of Faith Gospel Choir. Call 216-451-2500.
MONDAY-FRIDAY
Tour of Bethlehem Cave
When: 2 p.m. daily.
Where: Nativity of the Lord Jesus Church, 2425 Myersville Road, Akron.
Details: Guided tour of the church's Bethlehem Cave and Nativity Museum. The cave replicates the one in Bethlehem where Jesus was born, and the museum has a display of more than 200 Nativity scenes. Call 330-699-5086.
TUESDAY
Pasterka celebration
When: 6:45 p.m.
Where: St. John Bosco Catholic Church, 6480 Pearl Road, Parma Heights.
Details: Pasterka (Polish Christmas liturgy) celebration. It begins with Kolendy (traditional Polish Christmas Carols) sung by the congregation and led by a Polish choir. A procession of Mary and Joseph and the Christ Child precedes the 7:30 p.m. Mass, which will be said in Polish. (The homily will be in Polish and English.) Call 440-826-0226.
WEDNESDAY
Christmas singalong
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: St. John Byzantine Catholic Cathedral, 1900 Carlton Road, Parma.
Details: Christmas singalong hosted by the Parma Byzantine Eparchial Choir. Songs of Eastern European heritage and traditional American ones will be included. Call 440-237-5285.
SATURDAY, DEC. 31
Christmas pageant
When: 3 and 5 p.m.
Where: Trinity Cathedral, 2230 Euclid Ave., Cleveland.
Details: Boar's Head and Yule Log Festival, an Elizabethan Christmas experience with pageantry and music that includes the Christmas story. Go to boarsheadcleveland.org or call 216-771-3630.
SUNDAY, JAN. 1
GloryWay Quartet
When: 6:30 p.m.
Where: Rockport United Methodist Church, 3301 Wooster Road, Rocky River.
Details: Concert of Christian music by the GloryWay Quartet. Call 440-331-9433.
Mass, sacred songs
When: 11:30 a.m.
Where: St. Vitas Catholic Church, 6019 Lausche Ave., Cleveland.
Details: Mass, followed by a concert of sacred songs played on the church's restored Holtkamp pipe organ. Call 216-361-1444.
SUNDAY-FRIDAY, JAN. 1-6
Revival at church
When: 7 p.m. nightly.
Where: New Genesis Church of God in Christ, 471 East 200th St., Euclid.
Details: Revival, "Rediscovering the God of the Bible." Call 440-552-6425.
Send notices to Religion Calendar, Religion Editor, The Plain Dealer, 1801 Superior Ave., Cleveland, OH 44114; fax to 216-515-2033, or email to [email protected]. Include the time, date, place (complete address), cost, sponsor, reservation deadline (if applicable) and a phone number with area code. Submissions must be received at least 10 days before the publication date. Notices will be used as space permits.