Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus in crèche, shepherds, wise men, even Herod, background village, stars and all others were made by the children and youth. Each week as Pastor Millie Carroll read sections of scripture beginning with angel Gabriel visiting Mary, children acted the scripture with their Nativity figures.
On Christmas Sunday the Nativity was complete in scene and figures and ready for the whole story. Adults began the Christmas Pageant by playing the major characters with a one sentence memory of the night of Jesus’ birth.
Angel Gabriel, Serafina Rogoyawa ended with “It was all so wonderful. I wish we could live Jesus’ birth again.” The children sang out, “You can! You can! Come! Come close!” All crowded around the Nativity as the children acted the complete story to the reading of Jesus’ birth.
Lay Leader, Losana Rogoyawa said, “The children, youth that assisted, and their teachers, Pam Carhill and Sol Corpuz made the story come alive as we watched. And it was a wonderful way of having it become alive in the children’s lives too.”
On an earlier Sunday, children as wise people from the East presented a huge box at the altar labeled Gifts For Jesus (toys for Saipan children who might not receive). Carroll had emphasized in this kind of giving, we’re giving to Jesus. On Christmas Sunday the congregation presented their offerings to the hymn, “What can I give Him poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part, yet what can I give him, give my heart.” And each taped their heart on the Jesus gift box.
Part of Carroll’s prayer: “When we give our hearts to Jesus we give our all — our love, our caring for others, for the world, for peace, and our promise to Jesus to work for all of these.”
Refreshment time included children blowing out candles on Jesus’ birthday cake and singing “Happy Birthday Jesus.”
Christian Education Chair, Pam Carhill said, “Christmas Eve Dinner followed by the Candle Light Service were especially meaningful with members of St. Paul Episcopal Church and others joining. A special offering was taken for Guma Esperansa, Saipan’s shelter for women and children who are victims of domestic abuse. IUMC has been invited to St. Paul’s New Year’s Eve Service.”
Immanuel United Methodist Church warmly welcomes readers to Worship Services and Sunday School 9 a.m. in Chalan Kanoa (Chalan Kanoa Drive – east of Town Center and Beach Road, near Mt. Carmel Cathedral). Although very international, services are in English. For further information, contact Millie Carroll at 322-6158.
