CHRISTMAS EVE

The Christmas Eve Festival of the Nativity of Our Lord, held at 7:30 PM, was well attended with almost 100 worshippers present.  Many Christmas hymns, carols and songs were sung.  Sherry Braband sang a prelude; "O Holy Night" (Ruth Ballentine, Pianist).   A duet - "The Angel Carol" was presented by Ruth Hayden and Kim Kuebel.  The Chancel Choir, under the direction of Don Ney, presented "The Birthday of a King"  (Ruth Ballentine, Pianist).  Special instrumental by our children was presented by Emily Hogg and Brittany Sabie (Clarinets) and Matthew Sherwood and Christopher Pindell (Saxophones).  During the candlelighting, Sherry Braband sang "A Thousand Candles".  Ruth Hayden closed with "Let There Be Peace On Earth".  Through the modern marvel of the cell phone, the congregation wished Hilde Ney, who could not be present because of illness, a Merry Christmas and speedy recovery.

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

During our regular 9:00 AM service on Christmas Eve, our Sunday School presented a Christmas program: "Christmas? Bah! Humbug!"  (A contemporary Christmas play by Shirley Lockhart Ingram).  It was about a Scrooge, Jr. who did not understand the reason for Christmas celebrations, so the children shared their understanding of Christmas through word, carols and Scripture.  As a result, Scrooge's heart was touched and he realized that the birth of a tiny babyso long ago is still important to us today. During the program, the children depicted the Nativity for Scrooge, Jr.  Some pictures of our Christmas follow: