By LEIGH C. MERRIFIELD
News & Journal Editor
An 85-foot, 13-ton Norway spruce safely made its way to the Big Apple this week and is being prepared for its lighting ceremony in Rockefeller Center on December 3rd.. This particular Christmas tree has become a world-wide symbol of the holidays, with literally hundreds of thousands of people wanting to get a personal glimpse of it during the holiday season.
If this is on your Christmas ‘wish list’, it is a possibility! A trip to New York City is one of many holiday plans being made at Trinity Assembly of God church in Fairmont. A limited number of motorcoach seats are available, so you’ll need to call quickly because each year this is a rapid sellout!
Here are the details. For just $100, you can lean back and relax and let someone else worry about dodging the traffic to get you there. Passengers will board their private motorcoach at Trinity church on Friday, December 12th; the bus will leave promptly at 11 p.m., arriving in NYC at 7 a.m. on December 13th. Those passengers will have all day December 13th to do as they please … whether it be Christmas shopping along 5th Avenue, sightseeing, viewing the many elaborately decorated storefront windows, ice skating in Bryant Park or catching a Rockette performance at Radio City Music Hall. The day is theirs until 9 p.m. when they will depart and travel homeward bound. The motorcoach is scheduled to arrive back at Trinity around 5 a.m. on Sunday, December 14th.
If you’re interested in spending a day in this ‘winter wonderland of lights’, call 304-363-8237 and ask for Jennifer. When making a reservation, you must pay your $100 fee (cash, checks, and credit cards accepted) immediately and it is non-refundable. Anyone 18 or older is welcome to participate; those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The fee covers travel only; meals, etc. are ‘on your own’.
Jennifer noted that this is the third consecutive year the church has sponsored this trip. “We never have any trouble filling the bus, and we will likely continue this tradition,” she stated. “Proceeds benefit a girls’ conference we hold annually.”
Another holiday event sponsored by the church is coming up this weekend – a Christmas Craft Expo, held at the church’s fellowship hall. It, too, is an annual event that will host over 40 crafters and artisans with a wide assortment of items available. Perhaps you can cross some things off your Christmas shopping list! If not, just enjoy browsing and the fellowship. Delicious homemade pepperoni rolls and cinnamon rolls will be available for take out or to eat in as well!
The Craft Expo will be held this Saturday, Nov. 15th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Trinity Assembly of God will also present “Scrooge” in early December. Directed by worship pastor Jeff Nichols and his wife Heather, the musical will star local country/gospel singer Josh Oldaker as Scrooge along with a full cast ranging in age from 6 to 70! Kelly Michael, choreographer for the East Fairmont Honey Bees, has choreographed the play, which will follow the same story line as Charles Dickens’ traditional Christmas Carol – familiar to all of us.
This has been a huge undertaking that has developed over the past six months! A lot of teamwork has been required of the construction/design team and seamstresses within the church have worked feverishly on costuming.
Pastor Nichols’ secretary added, “This has been an enormous task, but a blessing as well. Congregation members have stepped forward to offer talents we were completely unaware they had!”
Cast members will take the stage on Friday, Dec. 5th at 6:30 p.m. for the first show. The presentation will also be given on Saturday, Dec. 6th at 3 p.m. and again on Sunday, Dec. 7th at the 10:30 a.m. worship service. The public is invited to attend; the play is admission free and lasts a little over two hours with one intermission. Come and watch how Scrooge transforms from a cranky, miserable person into a kinder, more mellow and caring human being.
All of these activities – and more – are being offered as a precursor to the holidays! To learn of more of their activities, visit www.trinityassemblyofgod.org.
