Students enrolled in Faith Lutheran Church’s Sunday School are getting ready. As part of the Christmas Eve Family Service at 4:00 pm on December 24th, 26 children who are ages 3 through 11, will be presenting their version of the Christmas story complete with songs, sign language, and lots of excitement. The pageant is an opportunity for the youngest members of Faith to share their infectious Christmas joy with family, friends, neighbors and visitors of all ages.
The cast will act out the Christmas story and sing their hearts out to “Away in a Manger,” “Three Kings Came on Camelback,” and “He Came Down.” Rehearsals are led by dedicated, enthusiastic and caring Sunday School teachers/volunteers who have taught the regular Sunday School curriculum throughout the year. These teachers are bringing their individual talents to bear on this collaborative project.Co-Chair of Youth and Family Ministry, Maureen Lamberti is the director, taking the kids through the script and their blocking at each rehearsal. Marisa Mangione and Lauren Scott are the song leaders, running through the music with the help of Jason Scott, rehearsal pianist. Lauren and Marisa also taught the children the American Sign Language for “Away in a Manger,” and two older students prepared a video with the signs to help parents and children practice at home. Long-time teacher Kim Delatour greets the children as they come in, gets them focused and settled down, and then helps corral them during rehearsal.
Instead of costumes, each child will have a representative prop that will help identify the part they are playing. For example, there are five 3-5-year-olds who are cast as the sheep or the barnyard animals in the manger. One young “sheep” is all set, adorably carrying her own stuffed animal sheep friend with her throughout rehearsal. All the students have been asked to look at home and consider lending any other barnyard stuffed animals they may have, so that the scene is a little more complete.
“You just can’t help but smile,” says Maureen Lamberti, after last rehearsal. “Children are an important part of our church community and have so much to offer. This is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to be reminded of the essence of Christmas, it’s simple beauty, our blessings, and the love we have for family and friends.”
Faith Lutheran Church invites you to join in kicking off this Christmas with the message that the best and most important presents in life cannot be bought in a store.
Christmas Eve Services at Faith include the 4:00 pm Family Service with the pageant as well as a 6:00 pm Candlelight Service with vocal and instrumental soloists, and a Candlelight Service at 8:00 pm with Sanctuary and Bell Choirs. On Christmas Day, there is one service at 10:00 am with Eucharist and Carols.
Everyone is welcome at Faith Lutheran Church, which is a warm and vibrant Christ-centered servant community that strives to be loving, forgiving, healing and affirming. Founded more than 120 years ago in Summit and moving to New Providence in 1957, Faith is a regional parish, drawing 800 members from a 40-mile radius. Worship services are offered on Sunday mornings at 8:30 am and 11:00 am with an open communion table. Fellowship/Education hour and Sunday School begins at 9:40 am.