The past few days, we have been Christmas-ing galore.
Wednesday night was our annual Candlelight Service.
This is always a beautiful evening.
Sarah drove home just for that one night to help with media. Always glad to have her back in her spot.
Our lighting and sound guys did an amazing job, as always.
We had made an announcement that December 16 would be Christmas Sweater Sunday. During the service, we called forward anyone who felt like modeling what they were wearing. (Extra points were given to tacky or ugly sweaters.)
I especially loved this sweater. When I asked Crystal where she got it she said she bought the plain sweater at a thrift store and added the snowman herself. Is that not the cutest thing?
Christmas means children and we had lots and lots of children who showed up early to rehearse their part for the program.
Can you tell our church is in need of some boys? We are blessed with a gorgeous gaggle of gals!
Of course, Christmas also means music and we had plenty of that. I played keyboard for a song performed by the wonderful DeHart Sisters who have shown up on the pages of this blog in the past, either singing or dancing.
was something called a shadow skit.
A woman in our church saw this idea and put it all together for us. You can probably recognize who played the part of Jesus.
The woman holding the baby was in a Biblical costume for the service and played the part of Mary; this photo was taken in rehearsal.
If you’re curious like me and want to know what it looked like behind the screen, here’s a little peek.
This is a video of the performance.
In just a few hours he (along with two other people), spearheaded the planning and construction of that whole shadow skit stage. I am always in awe of his many talents.
And speaking of Steve, I was touched when a visitor to the church pulled me aside after service and said, “Do you want to know what part of the morning was the most meaningful to me?”
Of course, I was curious to know!
She said, “Well, it was before you came out to sing. Your husband was looking around for you and he said, ‘Where’s my queen?’ I will remember that simple sentence forever.”
To tell you the truth, I was so focused on the song I was about to sing I hadn’t even heard him say it. But when she pointed it out I thought, “Yep. That sounds just like something he would say.”
I thanked her for taking the time to mention it and gave her a hug. Such a sweet, special moment between two strangers.
today we will be participating in a service far removed from joy. Our church is hosting the funeral for a 22-year old woman who Sarah graduated from High School with. Mariah Moore was a student at East Carolina University and was driving the two hours home where her mom had lunch waiting for her. When Mariah didn’t arrive on schedule and didn’t answer her phone, her mom called the Highway Patrol to see if there had been any reports of accidents. It wasn’t long after that when a trooper came to the Moore house to deliver the tragic news that a nail in a tire had caused a blowout leading to the fatal accident.
As the mom of my own college student who is driving home even while I am typing these words, the tragedy of this young woman’s death just about takes my breath away.
Treasure the ones you are with. Young or old or somewhere in between–none of us is promised our next breath.
Remembering Mariah . . .
Prayers for the family and church people. Just had a chance to read this. Been busy the past 3-4 days. Your church service was awesome. Merry Christmas to all.
Ann,
You are one busy lady! Thanks for taking the time to pop in here. 🙂
One of my favorite Christmas songs! The presentation was beautiful. Then comes the sadness of losing one so young. I cannot begin to imagine the shock and sadness of losing their daughter so young. I thank God daily for my children and their spouses and my 4 grandchildren.
Wendy,
Thankful right along with you for the family members we have been blessed with. Seems like Christmas time makes us feel even MORE thankful for all those we love!
Glad you enjoyed our version of the song.
I love that song and the shadow presentation was beautiful.
So sorry to hear of the young lady’s death. In early November, a classmate of mine passed away. His parents had two daughters and him. Today, his younger sister passed away from lung cancer. In less than two months, these parents – who are in their 80s and 90s – lost two of their three children. I just can’t imagine.
We have been praying for a senior in high school in Kansas. Her parents were friends with one of the women in my Sunday School class. She had cystic fibrosis and had received one set of lungs about 6 years ago. For some reason, she began to reject the lungs and had been listed for another transplant. She passed away Saturday evening before she could get that new set of lungs.
Hug your loved ones tight!
Phyllis,
You’re so right about hugging the ones we love.
Everytime I hear of someone passing, especially those who pass way too soon, I breathe a thanksgiving for the people I love all around me. And especially at Christmas when we get to see people we don’t get to see very much; it just reinforces all the more how blessed we are to spend that time together.
So very sad to hear of the young lady’s death. What a difficult service to attend today.
I did enjoy the video. I’ve never seen a shadow skit before–very impactful and unique. Steve did a great job! I’ve heard him refer to you as his queen before–love it!
Your church sanctuary looks so pretty. It is so evident that you all do everything with excellence!
So glad Sarah is home! 🙂
Love, Deb
Deb,
Yeah, I really liked the shadow skit concept because it’s simple and yet really communicates powerful truths.
Yes, our sanctuary is lovely but only because we have very gifted people in the congregation who make it that way. Since decorating is not my strong suit, I stay home when it’s time to do those seasonal transformations.
We just had dinner with Sarah. So nice to see her sweet face across from me while we eat–especially so after attending that funeral.
That is one of my favorite songs. The presentation was awesome
Virginia,
Yes, that is a great song, isn’t it? Glad you enjoyed the presentation.
May the Lord comfort those in sorrow over the young girl’s death…to trust Him in the valley’s shadow. Ruth
Ruth,
Thank you. They are most definitely in need of comfort; especially as the initial shock wears off and they start walking in the reality that she is gone.
In the valley’s shadow . . . such a perfect way to describe the journey.
Well, after the beautiful beautiful video comes the heartbreaking news. Prayers for Mariah’s family, her friends and the Manteo community as you all cope with her loss. Every breath is a certainly a treasure.
Lesley,
Yes, isn’t that just a picture of life? Beauty followed by tragedy and everything all mixed up together. It was a beautiful service with many tears but thankfully, some opportunities for laughter, as well.
Oh what a tragedy! And so close to Christmas. I just found out a couple of days ago that my step-brother’s 19 year old granddaughter was tragically killed in a car crash as well. Life is so precious and it breaks my heart to see these young people taken from us like this. I will pray for Mariah and her family and friends.
Your Christmas celebrations at your church look so awesome. I love how creative and unique they are! 🙂
LeeAnne,
Nineteen is just too young! And as you said, when the tragedy comes so close to Christmas, it seems to double the impact of the grief. Thanks for our prayers for Mariah’s family.
Our church is truly blessed with some creative folks and when creative folks work together, all sorts of good stuff happens!