BERRYVILLE --If Christmas shopping has drained your holiday spirit dry, the music of the season could refresh it.

     St. Mary's Episcopal Church, North Buckmarsh Street in Berryville, is inviting the community to its first "Carole Sing" at 4 p.m. Sunday.

     "We're going to do the standard Christmas carols from the hymn book," organizer Robert Sherwood said.

     St. Mary's icar, the Rev. Canon Dwight Brown, will take over the organist's duties for the event.

     Sherwood said the event will include solo and duet performances.

     In addition, Matt Cook will perform on the Irish bagpipes.

     "They are a little different from the Scottish bagpipes," Sherwood said. The Irish version is a smaller instrument and less "military" in tone, suitable for jigs and reels.

     Following the caroling, refreshments will be served in St. Mary's parish hall on Blackburn Street.

     Old Bethel Church, one of the oldest churches west of the Blue Ridge, is also holding a Christmas program.

     The traditional Christmas at Old Bethel song and verse service will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday at Christ Church in Millwood.

     Old Bethel, suffered snow damage to its roof structure last winter. Repairs to the National Historic Landmark were not completed in time to have the annual Christmas service at the building off Swift Shoals Road.

     But organizers of the candlelight service say they are trying to create the same feeling at Christ Church.

     Stephanie McKay said the tradition of decorating the church with greens from the property and illuminating it with candles will be transferred to Christ Church for the event.

     "We will put as many candles in it as possible to make it as much like Bethel as possible," McKay said.

     The only major change: Christ Church has heat.

     The community is invited to come and sing traditional Christmas carols and hear the Christmas story recited in verse.

     James Laster, retired professor of music at Shenandoah University, will be the organist for the service.

     Clarke County's Diana Kencannon will be the featured soloist and the Sixth Dimension Handbell Choir will perform.