Here are a few highlights that I observed or heard from others about this past weekend:
- We "clicked" 2900 people coming through the tunnel over the course of the three nights. Perhaps there were more (not all volunteers were counted and some may have walked onto the campus without going through the tunnel).
- We had church groups to visit the campus from Salisbury, Rock Hill, and Avery County!
- I met some of your family members who traveled great distances to be a part of the weekend. I met one from Columbia who said she wanted her church to come up and video everything so that they could do this at her church.
- I heard several people say, "Thank you." That may not seem significant, but I could tell when they said it that they felt it in their heart.
- I heard of one mother who came alone on the last night with her 5 month old baby. She heard about it on the radio and decided she wanted to come.
- Others said they saw the advertisement on TV.
- Saturday night it started raining around 5:00 p.m. We were to start at 6:00 p.m. At 5:30, we gathered in the Family Life Center and prayed, "God we know it is your will that it rain right now, but we pray that you will stop the rain for the activities tonight. But, if it is your will for it to continue to rain, then help us all make the transitions to the indoors go smoothly and let the nativity be just as meaningful to the people attending as it would be if it is held outdoors." It stopped raining at 6:00 p.m. and never rained another drop that night! It also actually got a little bit warmer when the rain left.
- From my vantage point, all the volunteers worked well together. One example -- We had one incident where a guest fell. Our safety crew sprang into action and were able to assist her and get her reunited with family members who were at other locations on campus. Her family took her for x-rays. Unfortunately, she suffered a broken arm, but the crew did a good job communicating and meeting her needs. Pray for this lady.
Let Me Hear From You
These are just a few highlights that I recall while sitting here in my office Monday morning. I would like to hear from you. Please send your comments and suggestions, positive and critical. If you have any great stories from the weekend share those as well, and if you volunteered, let me know where you served as well.
VOTE about Next Year
This is an unofficial poll, but it would be fun to see what everyone thinks. Give your answer to the poll question to the right at the top of the green section on your screen, "Should we do "A Family Christmas" next year?"
Work Left to Be Done
Don't forget, there is still some work to do - taking down the decorations! This Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. until the end of regular Wednesday night activities, we will be taking down lights and other outdoor decorations. Your help will be greatly appreciated. If you plan to help Wednesday, let me know what time you will be available.
Once again, THANK YOU and to GOD be the GLORY!
Landon
I had the pleasure of being the Toy Store owner and a bit of singing with the Choir doing a bit of Caroling.
ReplyDeleteI didnt get a chance to vote, but I would have voted "Yes".
The whole event is a ton of work. Mad crazy effort gets put into every aspect. The rewards are worth every second of effort though.
What would we do if we didnt put on "A Family Christmas".
Shop? Rest some? Maybe eat out those nights. I dont know about you, but I get plenty of that during the year, and to take a break just for one weekend to put on such a rewarding presentation... Its worth it for me.
I am proud to have been a part of something that helps spread the hope and glory that we try to share every week.
Now dont get me wrong :) We have some room for improvement. Without change, the event can get stale.
We need some better spot lights positioned outside.
Our signage got better this year, we can prob boost it even a touch more.
The Bethelehem walk is a huge focus. We drive it down the side and to the back. I wonder if there isnt a way we could move that to the front. Somehow position it in the nook in the middle of our L front. Less showings, bigger audiance capability. Entry to the food would be funnelled through the sides and back towards the food. Along which they might run/walk through some smaller presentations of Caroling and music.
Most people are coming in for a bit of food and drink, giving them a "walkway" of joy and music might be nifty :)
Having the youth do their presentation in the main Fellowship room seems to add entertainment while dining. Maybe a bit of Victorian Caroling in there too for a big "song" event.
Small groups of 10 Caroling around outside would be fun and tasty compared to standstill singing. If we sang and walked around near the entrance or out by the lines for stuff Wooo Yeah good stuff there(especially if everything was lit up well!)
Well thats it for now :) Just wanted to drop a shot post and thank you for your Blog.
Kevin Hurd