Columbus Avenue Baptist Church will host a series of Christmas-related events beginning Sunday with “Sing We Now of Christmas,” a musical concert consisting of an 80-person choir, ensembles, hand bells and orchestra.
By Jade Mardirosian
Staff Writer
This Christmas season Columbus Avenue Baptist Church will be presenting “Christmas at Columbus – A Season of Adoration,” a series of four events that will begin Sunday.
Jewel Hayworth, music ministry assistant for the church, described the series of events as reinforcing the church’s mission.
“Our mission as a church is to love God, love others and make His love known. We believe this series of Christmas events reinforce that mission,” Hayworth said. “We want to share the true meaning of Christmas, the gift of God’s only son, Jesus Christ, in ways that will attract our community and touch the heart.”
All presentations will be held at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church, located at 1300 Columbus Ave.
“Our hope is that the four events of Christmas at Columbus will draw people into a deeper understanding of who God is and how he has provided salvation for them through the birth, life, death and resurrection of His son Jesus Christ,” Hayworth said. “We also hope that they leave filled with joy and happiness and a better and fuller understanding of the meaning of the Christmas season.”
The first event, “Sing We Now of Christmas,” will take place at 6:30 p.m. Sunday and will be a sacred musical concert consisting of an 80-person choir, ensembles, hand bells and orchestra. The event is free and open to the public and designed to share the joy and meaning of the holiday season through song, music and meditation.
On Dec. 11, the youth choir will perform a cowboy Christmas musical, “For Unto Y’all.” There will be two performances, at noon and 6 p.m., and a meal will be served during both. Tickets will be sold in advance for $10, and the money raised will go to supporting the youth mission trip.
At 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12 the children’s choir will present a musical, “The Best Christmas Present Ever!”
Children grades pre-kindergarten through sixth grade will perform in the musical, which is also free.
At 6:30 p.m. on the last Sunday of Advent, Dec. 19, the church will present “Carols and Candles,” which will conclude “Christmas at Columbus – A Season of Adoration.”
Hinton, Okla., senior Melody Chaloner attends Columbus Avenue Baptist Church and is looking forward to the events.
“They are a lot of fun and a good way to get a break from studying this busy time of year,” Chaloner said. “There are families there that will help out in this stressful time and love on you. It’s just a great way to get a break from the stresses.”
Columbus Avenue Baptist Church encourages the greater Waco community to be involved with the presentations at the church.
“Each event is unique and will appeal to all ages,” Hayworth said. “For years people from the surrounding area have attended Christmas activities at Columbus to celebrate the season. This year will be a powerful reminder of why we celebrate this time of year.” Chaloner is highly involved at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church and believes the atmosphere of the presentations will be inviting and warm for everyone.
“The events are very open to everyone so I think it’s just a welcoming feeling and it feels like a family environment,” Chaloner said. “Everyone is treated equally and it is a great place to feel like a family all together.”
For questions concerning any of the Christmas at Columbus events, or to purchase tickets for the dinner theater “For Unto Y’all,” contact the music department of the church at 752-1655, ext. 212.
