The nativity scene was complete during the Family Service on Christmas Eve, accented by hanging stars throughout the sanctuary. (Photo by Mark Braun)

Star-filled remembrance of Jesus’ birth

On the night of Jesus’ birth, it was a gleaming star in the night sky that led shepherds and wisemen to the stable in Bethlehem. For our church’s celebration of Christmas 2011, the star once again was a focal point, but in this case, it was a sanctuary filled with stars that greeted Christmas Eve worshipers.

For more than a month before Christmas, Ruth Dufresne and her Sunday School classes, along with assistance from others, cut out stars of many sizes and added glow-in-the-dark paint. The stars were then draped from high wires across the sanctuary, giving Christmas Eve services the appearance of a midnight sky with hundreds of points of a special illumination.

If you were unable to attend Christmas services, the stars will remain in the sanctuary for the next few weeks for everyone to see and enjoy.

The candlelight singing of "Silent Night" was one of the most poignant moments of the Christmas Eve early service -- as it always is. (Photo by Mark Braun)

Adding to the theme of the stars in the sanctuary, Stephen Bither played “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” throughout the Family Service, while Gail Parker added organ music at all services.

For the Christmas morning service, members of our congregation brought traditional family breads for everyone to enjoy after worship. Thank you to Judith Hill, Jane Beckwith, Kathie Hackett and Rev. Ruth Morrison, along with others, for bringing breads.

Because of the special occasion of celebrating Christmas on a Sunday morning, a number of individuals attended the service in pajamas. It made for a wonderful family-type worship and breakfast afterward.

Bryan Connelly enjoys some family breads after the Christmas morning worship. (Photo by Mark Braun)

Enjoy these wonderful images of the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services, thanks to photos contributed by Mark and Margaret Braun.

Merry Christmas!

Eliza Green was one of the angels. (Photo by Mark Braun)

Click here for more Christmas images:

The Holy Family on this Christmas included Terry Keezer as Joseph, Heather as Mary and Mason as Baby Jesus. (Photo by Margaret Braun)

Rev. Ruth Morrison lights the Christmas Candle. (Photo by Mark Braun).

Wisemen and and shepherds Bryan Connelly, Mark Braun and Matt Braun. (Photo by Margaret Braun)