Local churches find new ways to celebrate Christmas

Worshippers enjoyed events at that included animals and pajamas

Posted Thursday, January 7, 2016 12:00 am

Emily Ortmuller, 13, played Mary in St. Peter’s Living Nativity.

Photos by Maureen Lennon/Herald

Clad in his favorite Star Wars pajamas, altar server Christian Peragine, 15, carried the cross at Bethlehem Lutheran.

Santa, joined by Arlynn Streithorst, came to share in the fun at St. Peter’s.

The Kings — Arthur Barrett, Jeff Bald and Darien Jorif — have a word with King Herod, played by Jim Kern at St. Peter’s.

It almost took superhuman powers for the shepherds to control their animal charges on stage during the production at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in December.

Emily Ortmuller, 13, who played Mary, with her father Michael, who played the angel Gabriel at St. Peter's.

Photos by Maureen Lennon/Herald

Pals Laura Loud and Joyce Streithorst in their finest sleepwear at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

Tyle Streithorst, 15, and his sister Ashley, 13, with their friends, Natalie Peragine, 10, and her brother Christian, 15, strike a pose at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. All were in their Star War Pajamas.

Jason Brady played a shepherd in the production of the Living Nativity at St. Peter’s.

Volunteers from Bethlehem Lutheran Church put together sandwiches to help feed those in need at the Interfaith Nutrition Network.

By Adrienne Lyons

There are all kinds of ways to worship. Some do it with help from four-legged friends. Others do it in their PJs.

Just ask the folks at two Baldwin churches. The congregations of St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and Bethlehem Lutheran Church both celebrated Christmas in their own way.

At St. Peter’s, the annual presentation of the Living Nativity took center stage last month. The show featured live performances and, well, live animals. Although Mary, Joseph and the three Wise Men all made required appearances, they shared the stage at various times with a donkey, sheep and goats.

Over at Bethlehem Lutheran, the emphasis was more on people. Casual people. Very casual people. At a post-Christmas service, congregants were invited to come in their pajamas. The dressed-down hymn-singing was accompanied by a sandwich-making spree to benefit the Interfaith Nutrition Network food pantry.

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