One of the most beautiful church services of the year is the candlelight service held each December 24. Singing carols, especially “Silent Night,” with the glow the candle is truly a wonderful way to represent the season. There are church services being held on Christmas Eve, both virtually and in person, so you can join in this beautiful tradition. Not sure what church has the service that fits your family’s schedule? We’ve rounded them up to make deciding easier. Here are the Christmas Eve church services in Olympia and throughout Thurston County.
Crossroads Covenant Church
11520 Bald Hill Road SE, Yelm
7 p.m, 8:30 p.m.
If you would like to attend church before Christmas Eve, Crossroads Covenant Church is doing a Nativity production December 22 at 7 p.m. The children of the Church are putting it on. Afterwards enjoy some milk and cookies. On Christmas Eve, they will have two services, one at 7 p.m. and one at 8:30 p.m.
Faith Lutheran
7075 Pacific Avenue SE, Lacey
10 a.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m.
Faith Lutheran in Lacey has three Christmas Eve services, starting at 10 a.m., to fit any family’s schedule. They will also have service on Saturday, Christmas Day, at 10 a.m. It will be a communion service. You can live stream their Christmas Eve and Christmas Day church services as well via this link.
First United Methodist Church of Olympia
1224 Legion Way Southeast, Olympia
1 p.m.
An early Christmas Eve service at First United Methodist Church of Olympia is great for families with little ones or who have their big meal on that night. There will be lessons, carols and the reading of the Christmas Story. Special music by their bell choir and digital chancel choir as well. The congregation is asked to refrain from singing indoors. At the end of the night, churchgoers will go outside, light candles and sing “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World.” It’s free but registration is required.
Living Water Campuses
1615 Chambers Street SE, Olympia
1 p.m., 3 p.m. 5 p.m.
If your family is crazy busy on Christmas Eve, or maybe you are driving to visit relatives, you can make Living Water’s Christmas Eve service on December 23 at 7 p.m.! Otherwise, they have three services on the 24th for you to choose from. You can also stream their services on their website.
717 E Yelm Avenue, Yelm
5:30 p.m., 7 p.m.
Their Yelm campus will also have a December 23 service at 7 p.m., as well as two Christmas Eve Services.
1401 Marvin Road NE, Lacey
3 p.m., 5 p.m.
Their Lacey Campus will have two Christmas Eve services only.
Lacey Presbyterian Church
3045 Carpenter Road SE, Lacey
3 p.m.
This early afternoon Christmas Eve Service is also a good one for families with little kids, or if you open your presents on Christmas Eve like the German tradition. The Lacey Presbyterian Church is having theirs at 3 p.m., registration not required.
Emmanuel Bible Fellowship
2508 State Avenue NE, Olympia
3:30 p.m., 5 p.m.
Emmanuel Bible Fellowship will have their candlelight Christmas Eve services at two times. Both will have childcare available for nursery-aged children. Carols will be sung.
Good Shepherd Olympia
1601 North St SE, Olympia
3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m.
Celebrate Christmas eve at Good Shepherd Olympia with three completely different candlelight services offering a variety of light. Each worship service will include Holy Communion and will conclude with a time of lighting individual candles and singing “Silent Night.”
- 3:30 p.m. — A Festival Christmas Eve Worship Service with timpani and organ.
- 5:30 p.m. — An Intergenerational Christmas Eve Worship Service with video Christmas skits by the youngest among us
- 8:30 p.m. — A Celtic Contemplative Christmas Eve Worship Service with Scottish small pipe and word weavings
Saint Columbian Catholic Church
506 First Street S, Yelm
5 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 12 a.m.
Saint Columbian Catholic Church is having two evening Christmas Eve services, as well as the traditional Christmas Eve Midnight Mass. The 7:30 p.m. mass is the Children’s Mass led by the children of the parish as Readers and Cantors. Incense will be used at this service. The Midnight Mass will have candlelight and incense. They will also have a Christmas Day Mass at 9 a.m. Masks are required unless you have a medical condition.
Olympia Lacey Church of God
5005 Lacey Blvd SE, Lacey
5 p.m.
Olympia Lacey Church of God is having their Christmas Eve service at 5 p.m. It will be a candlelight worship service. Everyone is welcome. No registration is required.
Lacey Bible Church
6646 Pacific Avenue, Lacey
6 p.m.
Lacey Bible Church is having a Christmas Eve service at 6 p.m. Thiers will be a traditional candlelight services and is family friendly. They will be singing carols and reading the Christmas Story.
Saint John’s Episcopal Church – Iglesia Episcopal de San Juan
114 20th Avenue SE, Olympia
6:30 p.m.
Saint John’s Episcopal Church will be having a Christmas Eve service for all that includes traditional Christmas carols and choral performances of seasonal favorites, followed by a celebration of the Holy Eucharist. They will also have a service on Christmas Day at 10:30 a.m. They are following current masking and social distancing guidelines. If you can’t join in person, services are streamed on the Saint John’s Episcopal Church website and Facebook page.
