Wow! 650 showed up for the Living Nativity!

After all the stops, reversals, starts and sputterings……Sunday evening was fresh and not even cold.  Despite a last minute substitution for little Mary (and the substitute Mary was amazing!) and all the little things that you know probably didn’t go right……….man, was it an amazing evening!  I thought it was very ambitious of us to make 400 programs (oh well, it’s only paper, I reasoned)……..actually, about 650 people showed up!  The Living Nativity was as cute as one would expect with children ages 2-5 playing all the principle roles and telling the story of Jesus through song and dance.  But the animals (the camel!  the big fluffy, bleating sheep!), the petting zoo, the welcome team, the goodies ….. that all threw it over the top….. or as someone commented: “We expected a cute Christmas program, but all the rest, that blew our socks off!”

It was all so good.  Thanks to all who prayed, to all who helped.

[rockyou id=155655245&w=426&h=320]

Christmas singing with the children

Concordia Church’s young worship leader, Andres Salomon, was invited to sing Christmas songs with the children of one of the classrooms at Concordia Preschool.  I remarked to their teacher how attentive they were waiting for Andres to start.  She said they were SUPER excited for Andres to visit and sing with them.  They were a little shy to sing along but they clearly knew the songs they had been practicing for the Living Nativity……they really enjoyed “Go Tell it On the Mountain” and when Andres wanted to introduce the peppy “Jingle Bells” they said…..”we’re not singing that.”  These kids are really performance focused!  Anyway, they had fun with Jingle Bells nonetheless!

Dress Rehearsal – Living Nativity

How much fun to sit in on a little bit of the first dress rehearsal this morning. It is so much fun to see the little personalities of the children….some shy, some enthusiastic, some wiggly, some frozen!  It is wonderful to see how children commit to the moment and experience the fullness of what they are doing!  Sunday is going to be great.  Join us…..follow the star (searchlight) Sunday, at 5pm…..1695 Discovery Falls Drive, Chula Vista, CA 91915.

Living Nativity Postponed to Sunday, December 20!

Did we get a dousing yesterday……it rained and the wind howled all day long!  The ground where we were planning on having the Living Nativity presentation is pretty much mush!  We had a plan B…..to have it on the blacktop in the spacious parking lot we have.  Not a bad option.  So, we redrew, recharted, rearranged, reorganized, reoriented, and many other “re’s” I am sure!

We scoped out the weather forecasts, even the National Weather Service….all seem to agree that there will be another storm front and there will be plenty of rain on Friday and Saturday.  What to do?  Parents were apprehensive about their children being in such inclement weather….understandably.

We made the decision tonight to reschedule  the Living Nativity to Sunday, December 20.  Well…….we are a little disappointed…..it’s been months of planning and picturing the event in our minds down to every detail….and we pictured the day of December 12th!  One of the mommies of the preschool, a friend of mine, went through some frustration and disappointment recently when she couldn’t find the perfect Christmas dress for her little daughter.  I suspect there were lots of great dresses she saw as she scoured the stores looking for that dress she had pictured in her mind.  I am excited to see her super cute little daughter in the dress that was finally chosen. Sometimes we have to adjust our expectations and enjoy the great things that happen rather than expecting it to match with what we have created in our minds.

Our Living Nativity won’t be exactly as we pictured it in our minds but I am sure it will be a great event and a glorious evening.  We are excited about a little more time for the children to rehearse….extra time for costuming that is still not done…..extra time to refine the logistics and other things that always seem to present themselves at the last minute.

We are excited to be able to present the story…….. whenever and however we can.  If you are in the South Bay join us on the new date.  I think its going to be “perfect” on that day and we will enjoy it and remember it for all that it WILL BE!  Reminds me of the saying:  Don’t worry about the future. God is already there!

Come on out and see it for yourself…..and enjoy!   Sunday, December 20, 2009 5pm at 1695 Discovery Falls Drive, Chula Vista, CA 91915.

The Christmas Story come to life……

This is the biggest thing we have done!  What is it?  A Living Nativity. A camel, donkey, sheep…..the telling of the timeless story of the birth of Jesus.  The difference of this Living Nativity?  The timeless story will be expressed by the sweet and tender voices of our Concordia Preschool Children.  Two , three and four year olds will lead us through the Christmas experience!  It is our first musical presentation and gift to our new community at Windingwalk.  We are praying it can stay dry this week.  Yes, I know some rain….even a storm is predicted.  We have a plan B and can move the event to the black top of the parking lot but the ambiance of “Old Bethlehem” is more authentic on the dirt plaza between the preschool building and the Town Square, nestled among the huge, beautiful palm trees on the property.  The tops of these majestic palm trees have just been untied and they are beautiful!

If you live in the San Diego area, come and be a part of it.  It will bring a smile to your face, it will touch your heart, it will make you think about where your story and God’s story intersect.  The Living Nativity program will be held next Saturday, December 12, beginning at 6pm at 1695 Discovery Falls Drive, Chula Vista, CA 91915.  (www.concordiachurch.com) or 619 656=8100 for more information.

Join us the next day on Sunday, December 13, at 10:45am for one of our monthly “preview” services. We meet in the worship center inside the preschool building (1695 Discovery Falls Drive, CA 91915).  This is church like you have not experienced  before……..a high energy format, presenting deep truth about God in a way that the whole family is engaged, each at his or her own level.  Child care for children under 5 is provided.  This Sunday we will see what we can discover and experience on the topic of “Compassion.”  Join us this weekend.

Here for good network

I am working on the campaign that will be the home for our local, regional and world community service events and touches of compassion.  From the time we knew we would be part of this community it was very clear to us that we were here “for God and for good”…..to bless this community and beyond.  We are lining up many opportunities to do that and I am very excited about it all.

We are convinced that one of the ways we are called to do this is to serve families who are going through life-altering events in their lives……serious illness, tragedy and loss.  Do you know of any family that is experiencing that this Christmas season?  Email me privately and let me know how our “here for good” brigade may be able to lighten that family’s load for Christmas?  How can we bless and serve them?  Let me know.  Let me know today.  If you are not sure what can be done, let’s brainstorm together.  Email me at melissa@concordiachurch.com  Don’t hesitate. We want to be part of the healing and blessing work of God and this is one way.

Encouraging music….

Some free music….an encouraging message.  Here are the lyrics:

What reason have I to doubt
Why would I dwell in fear
When all I have known is grace
My future in Christ is clear

My sins have been paid in full
There’s no condemnation here
I live in the good of this
My Father has brought me near
I’m leaving my fears behind me now

Chorus
The old is gone, the new has come
What You complete is completely done
We’re heirs with Christ, the victory won
What You complete is completely done

I don’t know what lies ahead
What if I fail again
You are my confidence
You’ll keep me to the end
I’m leaving my fears behind me now

By Jonathan Baird, Ryan Baird, and Rich Gunderlock as recorded on the album Sons & Daughters.

You can listen to the song and download it free from Sovereign Grace Music.