THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 7, 1995 TAG: 9512060222
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TRUDY CUTHRELL, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 88 lines
LOCAL CHURCHES are offering worship opportunities as varied as the decorations adorning our homes.
These sacred events help us experience the warmth and richness of this treasured season.
Here are some special events you want to place on your calendar:
From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 10-13, Wilroy Baptist Church will sponsor a Christmas panorama combining pageantry and music to tell the Christmas story in seven living scenes.
Animals, elaborate costuming and a cast of more than 150 people make this Christmas pageant a unique visual presentation.
Scenes are staged in the wooded outdoor setting surrounding the Wilroy church. Luminaries light the way from scene to scene in this drive-through program.
As cars enter the church's drive, off Williams Road and at the entrance to Nansemond Gardens, viewers are greeted by an angelic host announcing the birth of the Messiah. Scene Two includes the Magi and their banner bearers approaching Scene Three, the manger scene with the Holy Family surrounded by live beasts of the field.
Scene Four pictures the Garden of Gethsemane and Scene Five, the newest addition to the pageant, captures Jesus carrying his cross along the Calvary Road. Roman soldiers and a throng of people gather around Christ at the Cross of Calvary in Scene Six. And the pageant ends triumphantly with the Empty Tomb in Scene Seven.
``We're so pleased to be able to offer this for the third year as our Christmas gift to the community,'' said Gail Dey, Wilroy's music director and coordinator of this event.
Dey said more than 750 carloads of people saw last year's pageant. ``We received a great response from people, by mail, encouraging us to do it again and promising to come back,'' she added.
There is no admission fee, and people may drive through as often as they like. The church is at 306 Williams Road. Call 539-5658 for additional information.
``Share the Warmth'' is the theme of Nansemond River Baptist Church's 6th annual community Christmas presentation. Two performances - scheduled for 7 p.m. on Dec. 9 and 10 - will be held at Nansemond River High School.
The two-hour program will feature an 80-member cast, including the adult and children's choirs of the church, dramatists and light and sound technicians. According to Neal Johnson, associate pastor of music and youth, the first portion of this dramatic musical will explore the cold and warmth surrounding Christmas. ``The external cold of a harsh and sometimes indifferent world is contrasted with the spiritual warmth of the Savior whose birth Christmas celebrates,'' Johnson said.
Part Two will spotlight the adult choir in formal attire performing a collection of Christmas favorites including ``Little Drummer Boy,'' ``O Holy Night'' and the ``Hallelujah Chorus.''
The church invites those attending to bring clean coats and sweaters to be donated to the Suffolk Salvation Army. Also, a freewill offering will be collected with all proceeds going to the Emergency Heating Fund of the Salvation Army to help local families in need.
According to Johnson, through past presentations more than 3,000 people have heard the Gospel message, and more than $5,200 has been given to help needy families.
The joint choirs of Magnolia and Main Street United Methodist churches will present the cantata ``Bethlehem's Light,'' on Dec. 10 and 17. Sunday's presentation will be at 6 p.m. at Magnolia UMC, 1764 Wilroy Road. The program on Dec. 17 will begin at 4 p.m. at Main Street UMC, 202 N. Main St.
``Bethlehem's Light'' tells of a blind boy who is among the shepherds who visit the Baby Jesus in Bethlehem. After many years pass, the boy again meets Jesus by the roadside and is healed.
The 44-voice choir will be directed by Toni Cotturone, music director at Magnolia. Chris Ward, music director at Main Street UMC, will serve as organist.
Live instrumentation by local musicians will feature John Jenkins, percussionist; Angela Wray, cellist; Deborah Robertson, flutist; Marjorie Sitnicky, pianist; and Nancy Montera, oboist.
Janell Rardon, artistic director of Bright Lights Performing Arts Studio in Chesapeake, will provide worship choreography for both presentations. A holiday reception will be held following each program by the host church.
``The nice thing about this program is its emphasis on Christ as the Light to us to take the Light of Christ into the world,'' Ward said. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
A wiseman travels to Bethlehem in Wilroy Baptist's Christmas
panorama.
by CNB