Italy Ministerial Alliance hosts tree lighting service

Anne Sutherland Posted December 8, 2010 3:00pm Religion

Image: Live Nativity — Mary, Joseph, angels, wise men and the shepherds came to worship Baby Jesus in Bethlehem 2000 years ago. First Baptist youth took on the roles for the Live Nativity scene Sunday night. — Live Nativity — Mary, Joseph, angels, wise men and the shepherds came to worship Baby Jesus in Bethlehem 2000 years ago. First Baptist youth took on the roles for the Live Nativity scene Sunday night. (Anne Sutherland)

The Italy Ministerial Alliance hosted the Christmas Tree lighting event with a live Nativity, hot chocolate, kids singing and a glorious service that included a message that spoke to the heart. This is what Christmas is all about.

If you can imagine 185 people standing arm to arm and elbow to elbow at the Cornerstone in downtown Italy, you can see what was happening on Sunday night. Not only were the pastors preaching but the parishioners were singing Joy To The World in unison. All demoninations were invited and attended the event. It was a beautiful thing.

The service opened with prayer and singing. Pastor Bill Morgan from the Family Faith sang Ring The Christmas Bells , the combined men’s choirs of Mt. Gilead and Union Baptist took the floor and moved the Spirit, and the Mt. Gilead Mime Troupe performed. Pastor Todd Gray provided the sermon and taught us, “We get to God by loving others.”

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 NIV

Pastor Gray explained that God sent His Son, He became our Saviour and is the Supreme Authority. “Emmanuel means ‘God is with us.’ and He is the Prince of Peace.” Gray also reminded us that Christmas should be the recognition that God left heaven and came to us on earth.

The whole group went outside to Main Street and listened to the children sing The First Noel and watched in awe as the community Christmas tree was lit-arm to arm, elbow to elbow-one community, one spirit and one heart.

All in all it was an awesome and heartwarming sight-you are invited next year. Merry Christmas to everyone.

A beautiful memory — The community came together to see the lighting of the Christmas tree downtown. (Anne Sutherland)

Rev. Bill Morgan — Rev. Morgan led the congregation in toe tapping songs to get the service started. (Anne Sutherland)

A welcome to get things started — Rev. Mittie Muse welcomed the Italy crowd to the Cornerstone and the Christmas tree lighting service. (Anne Sutherland)

Rev. Isaac — Rev. Isaac spoke for the crowd to ask for blessings on the service. (Anne Sutherland)

Welcome neighbor — The crowd took a moment to meet and greet one another in the service. (Anne Sutherland)

Our local men singing — The joined men’s chorus from Mt. Gilead and Union Baptist Churches bless the audience. (Anne Sutherland)

Mt. Gilead Mime Troupe — The Mt. Gilead Mime Troupe performed and took the audience by storm. (Anne Sutherland)

Rev. Krista Ingram — Rev. Ingram instructed the Mime Troupe to help with the offering. (Anne Sutherland)

Gratefully we sing — The men’s chorus sang blessed songs. (Anne Sutherland)

Pastor Todd Gray — Pastor Gray drew the steps to God and God to us. (Anne Sutherland)

Enjoying the moment — The crowd enjoyed hot chocolate and the children singing during the lighting ceremony. (Anne Sutherland)

The children sing — The children took the stage and sang for the audience as they lit the tree. (Anne Sutherland)