Italy Ministerial Alliance hosts tree lighting service

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)

Image: A beautiful memory — The community came together to see the lighting of the Christmas tree downtown.

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

Image: Rev. Bill Morgan — Rev. Morgan led the congregation in toe tapping songs to get the service started.

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

Image: A welcome to get things started — Rev. Mittie Muse welcomed the Italy crowd to the Cornerstone and the Christmas tree lighting service.

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

Image: Rev. Isaac — Rev. Isaac spoke for the crowd to ask for blessings on the service.

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

Image: Welcome neighbor — The crowd took a moment to meet and greet one another in the service.

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

Image: Our local men singing — The joined men’s chorus from Mt. Gilead and Union Baptist Churches bless the audience.

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

Image: Mt. Gilead Mime Troupe — The Mt. Gilead Mime Troupe performed and took the audience by storm.

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

Image: Rev. Krista Ingram — Rev. Ingram instructed the Mime Troupe to help with the offering.

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

Image: Gratefully we sing — The men’s chorus sang blessed songs.

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

Image: Pastor Todd Gray — Pastor Gray drew the steps to God and God to us.

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

Image: Enjoying the moment — The crowd enjoyed hot chocolate and the children singing during the lighting ceremony.

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

Image: The children sing — The children took the stage and sang for the audience as they lit the tree.

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

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