MONROE - St. John's United Church of Christ, 1724 14th St., will offer three different worship services on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 24. Services will be offered at 5, 7 and 9 p.m. and are open to the public.
The 5 p.m. family service will herald the arrival of Mary and Joseph into Bethlehem and retell the Christmas story in a live pageant. Church school children have been tracing the journey of Mary and Joseph throughout the month as outdoor figures of the couple have moved closer to the front doors of the church.
The Christmas story will be told through a living creche at the service with all children and adults attending invited to participate. As the story is told, interested persons can be shepherds, wise people, angels or animals - complete with simple costumes. There are no lines to learn and no rehearsals to attend - just show up and be part of the story.
The story will be narrated by Jill Leuzinger, Megan Hoinacki and Gary Neuenschwander. Music will be provided by the Junior and Children's Choir and the congregation will join in traditional Christmas carols. Hoinacki also serves as children's choir director.
The 7 and 9 p.m. services will be traditional candlelight services with each person attending lighting a single candle. Music at the 7 p.m. service will be provided by Circle of Friends.
The 9 p.m. service will feature the Bells of Praise and the Sanctuary Choir. Kim Becker will direct the bell choir and Cindy Blanc is director of the Sanctuary Choir. Traditional carols will be featured at both the 7 and 9 p.m. services.
For more information, call 608-325-2165.
The 5 p.m. family service will herald the arrival of Mary and Joseph into Bethlehem and retell the Christmas story in a live pageant. Church school children have been tracing the journey of Mary and Joseph throughout the month as outdoor figures of the couple have moved closer to the front doors of the church.
The Christmas story will be told through a living creche at the service with all children and adults attending invited to participate. As the story is told, interested persons can be shepherds, wise people, angels or animals - complete with simple costumes. There are no lines to learn and no rehearsals to attend - just show up and be part of the story.
The story will be narrated by Jill Leuzinger, Megan Hoinacki and Gary Neuenschwander. Music will be provided by the Junior and Children's Choir and the congregation will join in traditional Christmas carols. Hoinacki also serves as children's choir director.
The 7 and 9 p.m. services will be traditional candlelight services with each person attending lighting a single candle. Music at the 7 p.m. service will be provided by Circle of Friends.
The 9 p.m. service will feature the Bells of Praise and the Sanctuary Choir. Kim Becker will direct the bell choir and Cindy Blanc is director of the Sanctuary Choir. Traditional carols will be featured at both the 7 and 9 p.m. services.
For more information, call 608-325-2165.
