Children shine in Christmas celebration
Our children added so many special touches to Christmas services this year at Copper Hill Church. Under the direction of Sheri Mandirola and JoAnne Jones, the children’s choir sang beautifully an old carol, “I Saw Three Ships” in the service Dec. 11 when Bishop Thomas Bickerton visited us. Then, again this year, the littlest ones decorated the altar rail and brought in the beautiful ceramic manger scene pieces during the annual children’s Christmas service on Dec. 18th. Children led by Griffin Mandirola narrated almost the entire service. Sheri Mandirola and Bob Loomis had helped the children prepare. Besides these obvious things, our young folks also served in other ways, lighting candles, playing bells for the adult choir, helping to pass the light on Christmas Eve, and ushering on children’s Christmas Sunday. On Christmas Day, Children’s Church director, JoAnne Jones had the children help lead a new version of “The 12 Days of Christmas” which she had written to the traditional tune. It spoke of the gifts God has given to us through his Son, Jesus. Jonathan thinks it should become a new tradition.
More Celebrative Involvements
Pastor Kelvin asked many of the congregation members to participate during the season as leaders and readers for liturgy or Scripture. One was high school senior, Jordan Gabbidon, who read the Christmas story on Christmas Eve. In addition, musical talents shone during the season. Christmas Eve service featured a harp-flute duet by JoAnne Jones and Mary Jane Sullivan, playing “Gesu Bambino,” a carol the beautiful melody of which may be more familiar than its title. JoAnne also played a harp solo. Jonathan Griffin and his daughter Anna sang a charming duet of “Do You Hear What I Hear.” Christmas day featured a piano solo by Deb Johnson playing a stirring original J. D. Jones medley arrangement of O Come Emmanuel and O Holy Night. Our adult choir sang an anthem called “Ring the Bells.”
All of these added so much inspiration and celebration to our services. Pastor Kelvin highlighted the season with a series of messages titled “The Wonder of Christmas.” The cooks of the church were very busy during the Advent Christmas season as well with a potluck dinner for decorating the sanctuary on Nov 27, the first Sunday of Advent, a UMW Potluck on Tues. Dec. 13, and two Sundays with Coffee Hours following services (Dec. 11 & 18). Methodist folk know how to celebrate with good food too!
The attached video of Jonathan and Anna Griffin was submitted by Nancy Collins.