The Evangelical Ministerial Association of Lehigh Acres will hold its third annual Christmas Gala again on the lawn in front of the First United Methodist Church on the corner of Lee Blvd. and Homestead Rd. The address of the church is 1430 Homestead Rd. North.

The event, which drew more than 200 people last year, is set Sunday night, Dec. 19 and the community is invited to attend to get into the spirit of the true meaning of Christmas, organizers at the EMA said.

The program is titled “Christmas in Lehigh Acres 2010” and Christ United Methodist Church Pastor Carlos Otero will give an official welcome, followed by a performance by the Lehigh Acres Christian Church Dancers. Pastor Steve Kelly of the Lehigh Acres Christian Church will offer a prayer followed by Christian praise music and a solo.

Rev. Larry Gutridge will offer the Christmas reading. He is a retired minister in Lehigh who now works with the Lee County Sheriff’s Department.

Others pastors who are included in the program are Kenneth Wright of the Metro Christian Fellowship, Michael Porzio, vice president of EMA and the pastor at New Image Ministries. He will also deliver the main Christmas message. A closing prayer will be offered by the Rev. Russ Franklin of REAL Men’s Ministry.

With winter temperatures already hitting Southwest Florida, it may be advisable to bring along blankets with your lawn chairs. It all starts at 6 p.m. and will last for around two hours.

There will be hot chocolate and coffee for those who attend and the women are making cookies.

Solos from different Lehigh church members and Christ United Methodist Church Choir are providing the music, along with the annual Singing of the Carols by everyone.

As in past years, the music can be heard along Lee Blvd. and Homestead Rd. and often brings people to the program.