Two churches in Buxton teamed up to present their annual “Children’s Christmas Nativity” on Sunday in the North Congregational Church in Groveville.
The annual pageant featured children from the North Congregational Church and the Buxton United Methodist Church. The pageant, which had a live manger scene a year ago, moved inside this year because of the blanket of ice and snow.
The congregation, parents and guests stood in the cold during last year’s pageant but stayed warm, sitting in wooden pews inside the historic church this year. The church was decorated with greens and floral displays for Christmas.
Rev. Gordon Miller, pastor of North Congregational Church, welcomed everyone to the pageant. He thanked Gayle Page, who again directed the pageant, for the hours she spent preparing for this year’s event. Page is the Sunday school superintendent at the North Congregational Church.
Page, who also directed the event last year, helped the children don their costumes and adjusted halos on the angels. She coached them how and where to take their places for the pageant.
The kids performed with only two rehearsals. “It’s a wonderful experience for the town as a whole to watch the two churches’ children come together,” Page said.
Doris Whitten of Gorham, director of the senior choir, played the organ. The entire church sang “Old Little Town of Bethlehem” and “O Come All Ye Faithful” before a prayer by Miller.
The senior choir sang “No Room” as Mary and Joseph, played by Kaija Cabading-Cox and Nathan Anderson, entered the sanctuary and sat at center stage. They were followed by the Angel Gabrielle, a host of other angels and shepherds.
Last year, Chaco the burro, a sheep and a baby calf shared a pen outside in a living nativity setting. But sheep and a cow painted on wood helped create the scene this year, and bales of hay served as seats for performers on stage in front of the church.
The children sang “Away in a Manger” before Roy Lurvey sang a solo, “Mary, Did You Know?” A veteran vocalist and musician, Lurvey once traveled the world with the U.S. Navy Band.
The children then sang “Silent Night” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” As a pageant finale, the congregation joined the cast in singing “Silent Night.”
Cast members included Wayne Jose, the innkeeper; Abigail Ward, Gabrielle; Taylor Vellieux, Jordan Bishop, Jennifer Leeman, Elizabeth Leeman, Stefanie Peterson, Alexis Jongerden and Arielle Peterson, all angels; Adam Hicks, lead shepherd; Rubin Anderson, Molly Ward and Bobby Armentino, all shepherds; Jacky Hodgdon, Harold Hodgdon, Pat Lines, Claire Lines, Ann Miller, Burnie Page, Joyce Jose, Pam Doyle, Bill Mitchell and Lurvey, all senior choir members.
Miller, who narrated the pageant, wished all a “Merry Christmas” and urged the gathering to bid others likewise. He invited everyone for a decorated Christmas cake, cookies, punch and coffee in the fellowship hall. The children were given gifts.
The pageant, which also was presented at the morning church service, attracted 150 people for the two performances.
The North Congregational Church was built in 1821.
Stephanie Peterson plays an angel and Molly Ward, in the middle, and Adam Hicks are two of the shepherds in the Christmas pageant on Sunday at the North Congregational Church in Groveville.
Three angels in the Christmas pageant on Sunday at North Congregational Church are, left to right, Arielle Peterson, Alexis Jongerden and Abby Ward.
The North Congregational Church in Groveville hosted its annual Christmas pageant on Sunday. The historic church was built in 1821.
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