'Tis the season to be merry at Calvary Lutheran Church

Calvary Lutheran Church is getting ready to celebrate Christmas — in July.

The annual event, which features a special church service, turkey dinner and visit from Santa, will take place for the 17th time at 6 p.m. July 20 at the church, 5309 U.S. 41 N.

Last year, close to 200 people attended the event.

"This is my first one, so I'm truly excited," said Derek Hovan, associate pastor. "In our culture, Christmastime is normally so busy and hectic. So this gives us the opportunity to celebrate Jesus' birth, revisit the day from a worship perspective and provide outreach to the community."

"I absolutely love (Christmas in July) because it does two things," said Pat Zimmerman, a Calvary member for 33 years. "It allows us to reach out and bring people in. They tell us they love the meal and our hospitality and find the service very inspiring. It's rewarding to help and to participate."

Prepared and served by Calvary congregants, the meal is $7 per person or a maximum of $25 for a family with pre-adult children.

The Christmas worship service, which includes carols, bell ringing and candle lighting, will follow at 7 p.m. An offering will be accepted for the Mary and Martha House, a shelter in Ruskin for battered and abused women and their children. Thrivent Financial Services for Lutherans will provide matching funds. In 2010, the shelter received $1,246.

Guests are asked to bring unwrapped back-to-school items to place under the Christmas tree. As in years past, the items will be donated to several area schools for distribution to children in need. Suggestions include but aren't limited to backpacks, notebooks, writing instruments, highlighters, scissors, binders, erasers, folders, markers and rulers. Anything is appreciated.

The Rev. Jack Palzer started Christmas in July when he became Calvary's pastor in the mid-1980s. The event is one of the church's numerous community missions, which include the Angel Attic thrift store and Community Cupboard.

"We do this to give to others as Christ gave himself for us," he said.

Dinner reservations are required and must be made no later than Monday by contacting the church office at (813) 645-1305.

If you are unable to attend but would like to make a monetary donation or gift of school supplies, stop by the church between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

lkindle@tampatrib.com (813) 731-8138