MONROE - There are no lines to learn and no rehearsals but there is a chance for those who attend the 5 p.m. service Christmas Eve at St. John's United Church of Christ, 1724 14th St., to take part in one of the greatest stories ever told.
"Each year we focus on the family in planning our 5 p.m. service," said Kay Carter-Heath, director of Christian education. "It always includes the children's choir and a presentation by our Faith Zone Sunday School program."
This year's presentation is titled "A Traditionally Untraditional Christmas Pageant" and is open to all ages.
"We have parts for everyone from preschoolers to grandmas and granddads," Carter-Heath said. "You don't have to have children of church school age and you don't need to be a member of St. John's to participate. Just come, be a part of this multi-generational event and hear the beautiful story of Jesus' birth."
During the service, those interested in participating during the performance will be invited to the back of the church where they can choose to be a shepherd, an angel or one of the animals. At a particular time in the play, they will be cued to enter and gather around the manger to witness the birth of Jesus.
The play was written by Katherine Hawker and adapted for local use by Gary Neuenschwander. Neuenschwander and Jill Leuzinger will serve as narrators for the program.
There are two other services planned at the church on Christmas Eve; the second service is planned for 7 p.m. and will feature the Circle of Friends; the third service is planned for 9 p.m. and features the Sanctuary Choir and Bells of Praise.
Highlighting all three services will be the lighting of the traditional outdoor luminaries lining the pathways into the church. The tradition was started several years ago by the Faith Zone Sunday School program and has grown each year with more than 100 luminaries planned this year.
More information is available by calling the church office at (608) 325-2165.
"Each year we focus on the family in planning our 5 p.m. service," said Kay Carter-Heath, director of Christian education. "It always includes the children's choir and a presentation by our Faith Zone Sunday School program."
This year's presentation is titled "A Traditionally Untraditional Christmas Pageant" and is open to all ages.
"We have parts for everyone from preschoolers to grandmas and granddads," Carter-Heath said. "You don't have to have children of church school age and you don't need to be a member of St. John's to participate. Just come, be a part of this multi-generational event and hear the beautiful story of Jesus' birth."
During the service, those interested in participating during the performance will be invited to the back of the church where they can choose to be a shepherd, an angel or one of the animals. At a particular time in the play, they will be cued to enter and gather around the manger to witness the birth of Jesus.
The play was written by Katherine Hawker and adapted for local use by Gary Neuenschwander. Neuenschwander and Jill Leuzinger will serve as narrators for the program.
There are two other services planned at the church on Christmas Eve; the second service is planned for 7 p.m. and will feature the Circle of Friends; the third service is planned for 9 p.m. and features the Sanctuary Choir and Bells of Praise.
Highlighting all three services will be the lighting of the traditional outdoor luminaries lining the pathways into the church. The tradition was started several years ago by the Faith Zone Sunday School program and has grown each year with more than 100 luminaries planned this year.
More information is available by calling the church office at (608) 325-2165.
