MARK YOUR CALENDARS CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS
’Tis the season for Christmas programs and there are a number coming up. Here’s a look at what’s ahead, in chronological order.
Freeman Elementary
The Freeman Elementary School Christmas Concert will be held Thursday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m., with students in preK-sixth grade performing songs such as: “The Bells on the Sleigh,” “Rock Around the Christmas Tree,” “My Two Front Teeth,” “Little Drummer Boy” and “Deck the Halls, Bossa Nova.” Grades 4-6 will also present “The North Pole Radio Hour,” a swingin’ 1940s Holiday Radio Show Musical. The 5-6 bands will perform, as well. The concert is under the direction of Sonja Waltner and Sheila Wipf. The public is invited to this free concert.
Our Savior’s Lutheran
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church invites all to “Celebrate the Birth of Jesus” in a simpler, old-fashioned way. The 11th Annual Old-Fashioned Christmas Worship Service will take place Saturday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, (aka “the Stone Church”) located six miles south of Menno.
The worship service will include a children’s nativity, singing a song in German, candlelight, the use of an old pump organ, with a Chrismon decorated Christmas tree nearby, all in a country church in the James River Valley.
Fellowship and lunch with some ethnic foods will follow the program. Please call Barb with any questions, 605-660-1410.
Grace Lutheran Church
Everyone is invited to a Christmas program at Grace Lutheran Church in Menno on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 8 The event will begin at 2 p.m. and is sponsored by SoDak Stamm Germans from Russia Heritage Society.
This old-fashioned Christmas program, “Trimming the Tree,” will include carol singing and a time for reminiscing and sharing. There will also be a potluck lunch of Christmas goodies following the program and the traditional “Weihnachtssackel” will be passed out. For information please call 605-212-9011.
Menno Elementary
Menno Public School will present its elementary program Monday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. The 5-6 band will play several selections and students in pre-K through 2nd grade will also perform. The musical, “Christmas in the Country,” will be presented by students in grades 3-6. The story takes place in Custard County. Rachel’s rich, snooty cousin is coming for Christmas, and she can’t stand him! The church Christmas program is in trouble as well and it will take a miracle to bring harmony to Custard County. Does Grandma have the answer to their problem? The public is invited to attend
Freeman Academy
“A Silent Night in Bethlehem” will be presented as this year’s Yuletide at Freeman Academy Tuesday, Dec. 10 and Thursday, Dec. 12. The deadline to order tickets was Tuesday, Dec. 3. The evening will begin at 7 p.m. at Pioneer Hall and will include music performed by students, as well as light hors d’oeuvres, dessert and coffee. A full meal will not be part of the annual Christmas celebration.
Freeman High School
The 7-12 program at Freeman High School will be held Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. and will feature an international theme, with carols from all over the world. Among them will be “O Tannenbaum,” “Feliz Navidad,” “Fum, Fum, Fum,” and “I Saw Three Ships.” Ensembles will include the concert band, mixed chorus, boys and girls choruses and junior chorus.
Salem MB Church
The Salem MB Church warmly invites the public to its annual Christmas Program Sunday, Dec. 15. The evening will begin with a soup and sandwich supper at 5 p.m., followed by the program at 6:15 p.m. This year’s program features an original play, “The Advent Guardians: Keepers of the Light,” with young people and children taking on the roles of four Advent Guardians. A children’s chorus will sing familiar Christmas carols and join in parts of the play.
Menno High School
Menno’s 7-12 winter concert will be held on Monday, Dec. 16 at 7:30 pm. The 7-12 band will be performing, as well as the 7-8 and high school choruses. The public is invited to attend.
