A Christmas Pageant

The story of the birth of Jesus presented by the children and youth of St. Cross Episcopal Church

December 20, 2020, 5:00 p.m.

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Welcome to the St. Cross Christmas Pageant presented by our children and youth. We hope that you enjoy their retelling the story of the birth of our Savior, Jesus. The congregation is invited to participate by helping to sing hymns that are printed in the bulletin for your convenience. PROLOGUE A Reading from the Gospel of John 1:1-14 SCENE 1: THE ANNUNCIATION SCENE 2: THE ANGEL VISITS JOSEPH SCENE 3: MARY VISITS ELIZABETH SCENE 4: THE JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM SCENE 5: THE BIRTH OF JESUS Silent Night Silent night, holy night, all is clam, all is bright round yon virgin mother and child. Holy infant, so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace. Silent night, holy night, shepherds quake at the sight, glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing alleluia; Christ the Savior is born! Christ the Savior is born!

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SCENE 6: THE SHEPHERDS ARE TOLD OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS Angels We Have Heard on High Verses 1& 4 Angels we have heard on high, singing sweetly through the night, and the mountains in reply echoing their brave delight. Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo. See him in a manger laid whom the angels praise above; Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, while we raise our hearts in love. Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo. SCENE 7: THE VISITATION OF THE WISE MEN We Three Kings Verses 1 & 5 We three kings of Orient are, bearing gifts we traverse afar, field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star. Refrain O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright; Westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light! Glorious now behold him arise, King and God and Sacrifice; heaven sings alleluia: alleluia the earth replies. Refrain

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SCENE 8: GOING FORTH TO PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS Joy to the World Joy to the world! The Lord is come: let earth receive her King; let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven and nature sing. Joy to the world! The Savior reigns; let us our songs employ, while fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains, repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

Thank you for joining us in this annual tradition!

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Pageant Cast

Narrator Gloria Hurst Candle Bearer Cameron Konis The Holy Family Mary Ellie Weissenberg Joseph Adam Tittle Elizabeth Natalie Brown Innkeeper Ben Tittle Heavenly Host Gabriel Rev. Stephen Smith The Pink Angels Parker DesParte • Rowan Bina Angels Natalie Brown • Sandra Kelly • Amber Navarro • Reece Shott Stars Julie Lynett • Kaitlin Brown •. Delilah Naranjo • Hayley Silva Shepherds Kate Andi • Manny Naranjo • Rey Naranjo Beckett Barnes • Nico DesParte • Crosby Baboolal The Kings’ Procession The Drummer Boy Wallie Ogar Kings Evan Lynett • Ben Tittle • Kevin Sanchez Kings’ Procession Dylan Silva • Paul Ogar • Parker Shott Lukas Gonzalez-Reznichek • Cecily Barnes • Crosby Baboolal Bells Bridget Tedford • Kana McCue • Anuhea Boyd • Samantha Andi Camel Herder Conor Mathews Camel Charlie Mathews Pageant Singers Silent Night Madi Weissenberg Angels We Have Heard Elizabeth Holmes We Three Kings Cole Konis Joy To The World Madi Weissenberg • Elizabeth Holmes • Cole Konis

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Production Team Creative Directors Rylei Borden • Eileen Mathews Photographer Dan Wilson Costume Team Caren Brownlie • Sherry Graham • Tao Will Organist Sean O’Neal Music Coordinator Candace Ford Bell Director Mary Tedford Logistics Coordinator Michelle Weissenberg Shepherd Coordinator Samantha Barnes Wise Men Coordinator Holly Milburn-Smith

Thank You! This production is made possible by hundreds of volunteer hours by those persons named

in this program, and even more who are not named. We are thankful for all those who have designed, run, and improved this pageant over the years. We are especially thankful for the creativity and flexibility of the children, youth, parents, and volunteers who made

this year’s production possible given the circumstances. We thank God for the joy of interpreting this, the Greatest Story!

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2019 Pageant Cast

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Staff

The Rev. Dr. Rachel A. Nyback · Rector rnyback@stcross.org The Rev. Nathan Biornstad Associate for Pastoral Care nbiornstad@stcross.org The Rev. Stephen Smith Associate for Christian Formation ssmith@stcross.org The Rev. Patti Angelo Deacon pangelo@stcross.org The Rev. Cn. Robert (Bob) Cornner Priest in Residence The Rev. Cn. Paul Lawson Rector Emeritus Sean O’Neal · Organist and Choirmaster soneal@stcross.org Trudy Bush · Parish Administrator info@stcross.org Merrill Whatley · Communications Coordinator connect@stcross.org David Dawson · Facilities Manager facilities@stcross.org Judi Kelly · Bookkeeper bookkeeper@stcross.org Cameron Johnson · Connection Coordinator cjohnson@stcross.org

Christmas Services The following services can be found on the St. Cross website: www.stcross.org/live. The Drive-Through Christmas Eucharist will take place at the St. Cross Parking Lot. Thursday, December 24 - Christmas Eve 4:00 pm Family and Children’s Service 6:00 pm Christmas Eve Service and

Carols 7-8:30 pm Drive-through Christmas

Eucharist Friday, December 25 - Christmas Day All Day Hymns and Christmas Music

on loop