Santa shares Christmas story
Santa doesn’t have to be a competitor with church setting. On the third Sunday of Advent,
the church at Christmas time. He can be a part- the church choir performed the Christmas
ner in ministry. cantata, “Child of Peace,” by Mark Hayes and
At Northern Boulevard United Methodist Pamela Martin. Again, this functioned as the
Church Santa Claus came to visit on the first sermon, with music interspersed by narration.
Sunday of Advent. The church incorporated “This was a special treat for two reasons,”
Santa into the annual Hanging of the Greens DeMasters said. “One, we do have an excep-
service. Santa retold the Christmas story, and tionally good choir, if I do say so myself. Two,
helped the children set up the Nativity scene on there had not been a cantata in several years,
the church altar. and the congregation had looked forward to
Later in the service, Santa explained each this one.”
Chrismon, and helped the children hang them To contact Northern Boulevard UMC, call
on the Christmas tree. Santa’s messages, and the 816-252-7977 or e-mail nbumc@sbcglobal.net.
meaning of the other Christmas decorations
functioned as the sermon.
“Most everyone loved this, and as one per-
son put it, this Santa was more Saint Nicholas,”
said Rev. Sally DeMasters. “He had a quieter
approach than the department store/mall vari-
ety, and he was clearly in ministry, and deeply
committed to the Lord.”
The church also conducted Christmas sea-
son ministries that are more traditional for a
5
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16