close

Recalling ‘The First Noel’

By Frances Borsodi Zajac fzajac@heraldstandard.Com 5 min read

Area churches and religion-based organizations are once again planning live Nativities and Nativity displays this holiday season.

The Rev. Terry Teluch, pastor of Uniontown Larger Parish of the United Methodist Church, noted, “The Christmas story has been told for 2,000 years, and it’s something we should not let fade away.”

“It helps the community realize what Christmas is about – Jesus Christ,” said the Rev. Ewing Marietta, pastor of Liberty Baptist Church in North Union Township. “It’s a wonderful way for us to reach our community with the Gospel message.”

Debbie Neil, who coordinates the live Nativity with Lois Gayman at United Christian Church in Coal Center, said, “It’s our 25th year of sharing the Good News of Christ to our community and surrounding communities. It’s gone through generations with kids who are now grown and are taking their own kids.”

The Rev. Keith Conover, pastor of Pleasant View Presbyterian Church in Smock, commented, “There’s an immediacy about the experience of a live Nativity that brings home the message that this is a gift from God and to see the circumstances in which this gift was given.”

He noted, “It leaves an impression that really can change your understanding of Christmas in a good way.”

Here is a listing of Nativities scheduled for the area:

Central Christian Church, 23 S. Gallatin Ave., Uniontown, will host its live Nativity at 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. Dec. 19. Visitors are invited inside the church to view creche displays and enjoy refreshments. Information: 724-438-6821.

Connellsville Community Ministries, 110 W. Crawford Ave., will have a live Nativity from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in a lot beside its building as part of Connellsville Christmas. Information: 724-626-1120.

Connellsville Presbyterian Church, 711 S. Pittsburgh St., will hold the seventh annual “Oh Come Let Us Adore Him” Nativity and angel display from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and noon to 2 p.m. Sunday. Exhibits can be viewed in the sanctuary where a large stained-glass window of the Nativity is located. Information: 724-628-4401.

First Baptist Church of Fairchance, 17 N. Morgantown St., will present a live Nativity from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 19-20. Refreshments are available. Participation is open to the community. Information: 724-564-2080 or visit www.fbcof.org.

Grace United Methodist Church in Coal Center is hosting its eighth annual community Christmas Eve barn service at 5 p.m. Dec. 24 at the Waleski Barn, 38 Emery Road, Richeyville, just off Route 40. The 25-minute service includes a live Nativity and singing of Christmas carols. Information: 724-330-5350 or visit www.come-to-grace.org.

Liberty Baptist Church, 183 Oliver Road, Uniontown, will host a live Nativity called “From the Cradle to the Cross” from 5-7:30 p.m. Dec. 21 in a stable built on the side of the church where a large cross hangs. The church begins the event with a meet-and-greet that includes refreshments. The Nativity starts at 6 p.m. Information: 724-437-2424.

Mount Macrina Manor will hold its 21th annual live Nativity with live animals on the grounds of Mount St. Macrina, located along Route 40 in North Union Township, from 5-7 p.m. Dec. 14. The Sisters of St. Basil the Great and other groups will sing carols. Angels will pass out candy canes. Five hundred luminaries will line the driveway that leads to the Nativity. Information: 724-430-1021.

Pleasant View Presbyterian Church, 533 Royal Road in Smock, will offer a live Nativity from 6-8 p.m. Sunday and Dec. 13 and 14. Visitors start at the church where music is playing, walk outside through a marketplace and continue to the Nativity. There will be free hot chocolate and cookies. Information: 724-677-2149 or visit www.pleasantviewpc.com.

Smithfield United Methodist Church, will offer a live Nativity at 5 p.m. Dec. 21.

Spring Valley Bruderhof and New Meadow Run Bruderhof, located off Route 40, Farmington, will both have a live Nativity with caroling 6:30 p.m. Dec. 20. Information: 724-329-1100.

Uniontown Larger Parish of the United Methodist Church will have three separate live Nativities this holiday season: Juanita United Methodist Church, located at 407 Main St., Dunbar, from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 6 with refreshments; Upper Middletown United Methodist Church, 506 Old Route 51, Smock, from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 20; and Community United Methodist Church, 1264 W. Penn Blvd., Uniontown, from 7:30-9 p.m. Dec. 24. Community Church will follow its Nativity with a candlelight Christmas Eve service at 9 p.m. Information: 724-434-2271.

United Christian Church, 499 Malden Road in Coal Center, hosts its 25th anniversary live Nativity, called “Journey to Bethlehem,” 7-9 p.m. Dec. 13-14. The presentation includes nine dramatic scenes and a revolving spotlight that serves as a star. Visitors are permitted to drive or walk through the display. Information: 724-938-2098 or visit www.ucccdoc.org.

CUSTOMER LOGIN

If you have an account and are registered for online access, sign in with your email address and password below.

NEW CUSTOMERS/UNREGISTERED ACCOUNTS

Never been a subscriber and want to subscribe, click the Subscribe button below.

Starting at $4.79/week.

Subscribe Today