Religious Notes Ostling launches religion blog Journalist Richard N. Ostling has launched a new “Religion Q&A” blog that invites questions regarding all faiths, scriptures, moral questions, spiritual options, and religio-political issues. The Ridgewood resident was formerly an award-winning religion writer for The Associated Press and “Time.” Ostling said he intends to respond with posted answers that are “reliable, informed, and non-partisan” from a journalistic point of view, in contrast with much opiniondriven material about religion available on the Internet. The blog is hosted by www.patheos.com, a major interfaith website based in Denver. It is also available at www.rcrcnj.org, the web site of Ridgewood Christian Reformed Church, where Ostling is a member. He emphasized that his answers are not meant to promote any particular religious body. Among other honors, Ostling has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Religion Newswriters Association, and a citation from the scholars of the American Academy of Religion. He spent eight years covering the field for AP, following three decades at “Time,” where he wrote 23 cover stories. Ostling has interviewed Billy Graham, the Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI). He has also covered religion for the PBS-TV “NewsHour” and CBS Radio, and was the co-author with his late wife Joan of “Mormon America: The Power and the Promise.” He is a graduate of the University of Michigan (Phi Beta Kappa). He holds a master’s degree in religion from George Washington University, and a master’s from Northwestern University, whose journalism school named him a charter member of its Alumni Hall of Achievement. He is listed in “Who’s Who in America.” Old Paramus Church sets Christmas services Ridgewood’s Old Paramus Reformed Church, located at 660 East Glen Avenue at Route 17, will hold two services on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. The historic church will offer its family service at 5:30 p.m. At 11 p.m., the congregation is invited to the traditional Candlelight Service, which will include lessons, carols, and anthems. For more information, contact the church office at (201) 444-5933 or visit www.222. oldparamus.org. Bethlehem beckons this Christmas Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ridgewood will host special services this Christmas season. On Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, a Birthday Party for Jesus is planned at 4 p.m. Three- and four-year-olds and their parents are invited to the church parlor for this special celebration. Family Candlelight Service will be held on Christmas Eve at 6 p.m., and a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will be held at 8 p.m. The Candlelight Service will be preceded by music that will begin at 7:30 p.m. The Family Service and the Candlelight Service will be held in the sanctuary of the church located at 155 Linwood Avenue in December 19, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 19 Ridgewood. On Christmas Day, Dec. 25, there will be a Festival Service of Holy Communion at 9:30 a.m. For more information, contact Bethlehem at (201) 444-3600 or visit www.bethlehemchurch.com. Abundant Life prepares for Christmas Abundant Life Reformed Church, located at 475 Lafayette Avenue in Wyckoff, has announced services and programs for the Christmas season. The children and youths of Abundant Life will perform a Christmas Program on Dec. 23 at 10:30 a.m. On Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, there will be two services. A Family Candlelight Service will be held at 5 p.m., and the traditional Candlelight Service with the choir will be held at 10 p.m. On Sunday, Dec. 30, the 10:30 a.m. service will be celebrated with guest Pastor Reverend Curt Leininger. Contact Abundant Life at (201) 444-8038 or www.abundantlifewyckoff.org. United Methodist Church holds Christmas Eve services Ridgewood United Methodist Church will hold two special services on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. There will be a Children’s Worship service at 7 p.m. and a Candlelight Service at 11 p.m. All are invited to gather at 10:30 p.m. for the half hour of Christmas music that will precede the Candlelight Service. The church is located at 100 Dayton Street in Ridgewood. For more information, call (201) 652-2868 or visit www. ridgewoodumc@verizon.net. Celebrate Christmas at MPCR Midland Park Christian Reformed Church will celebrate the Christmas season with special services. On Christmas Day, Dec. 25, the worship service will be held at 10 a.m. There will be a New Year’s Service on Dec. 30 at 6 p.m. The church, located at 183 Godwin Avenue in Midland Park, offers nurseries at all services and is wheelchair accessible. For more information, call (201) 445-4260 or visit www.mpcrc.org. Grace Methodist sets services Grace United Methodist Church in Wyckoff will offer four services on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. Services for families will be held at 3 and 5 p.m. All children present will have an opportunity to participate n a reenactment of the Nativity. Candlelight services will be held at 9 and 11 p.m. On Sunday, Dec. 30, there will be a 10 a.m. service with the congregation’s youths and young adults. Grace United is located at 555 Russell Avenue in Wyckoff. For more information, call (201) 891-4595. Church of the Nativity announces schedule Church of the Nativity in Midland Park has announced its schedule of programs and services for Christmas and holy day Masses. On Saturday, Dec. 22, there will be a communal penance service with individual confession available at Saint Luke’s R.C. Church in Ho-Ho-Kus at noon. Five Masses are planned for Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. The Children’s Family Liturgy for families with small children will be held at 3:45 p.m. A Mass for the differently-abled will be held at 5:30 p.m. Eucharistic Liturgies will be held at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. At 9:30 p.m., the choir and congregation will sing carols before the 10 p.m. Mass. For Christmas Day, Dec. 25, Masses will be said at 10:30 a.m. and noon. The Feast of the Holy Family will be celebrated with Eucharistic Liturgies on Dec. 29 at 5 p.m., and Dec. 30 at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., and noon. The public is invited to the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on New Year’s Day at 10:30 a.m. in church. The Feast of the Epiphany -- Bell Sunday will be observed on Saturday, Jan. 5 at 5 p.m. and on Sunday, Jan. 6 at 8 a.m., 10:15 a.m., and noon. Attendees are encouraged to bring bells. The Nativity Pageant will be presented on Jan. 6 at 2 p.m. The Baptism of at Lord will be celebrated with Eucharistic Liturgies on Saturday, Jan. 12 at 5 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 13 at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., and noon. Church of the Nativity is located at 315 Prospect Street in Midland Park. For more information, call (201) 444-6362.