Firestone Park Community Christmas Concert 2020

[00:01:30.000] Hello. My name is Gary Morgan. I'm a member of the Firestone Park Christian Church. We [00:01:44.160] are so pleased that you have taken the opportunity to join us for this year's the 2020 Firestone [00:01:50.100] Park Community Christmas Concert. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Church has decided [00:01:56.340] it was best not to have our Christmas Concert as usual this year. However, we still wanted [00:02:01.620] to do something for our community. So this year, a few of the Firestone Park Churches [00:02:07.040] decided to participate in a YouTube video concert. By doing the concert by YouTube, [00:02:13.660] we are respecting the health and safety of our community. The participating Churches [00:02:19.020] send their holiday wishes and hope that you will enjoy this year's Christmas Concert. [00:02:24.340] Merry Christmas. [00:02:55.060] I'm Reverend Francie Fisher, pastor of the Firestone Park and Allenside Presbyterian [00:02:59.500] Churches. As we begin our celebration, let us join together in prayer. [00:03:05.220] God of all generations, your promise has come to us in surprising ways. Your presence is [00:03:11.820] with us, whether we meet together in person or through the use of video electronics. For [00:03:17.820] you, nothing is impossible. Through a poor young woman in a small town, you gave birth [00:03:23.420] to your realm of endless glory. With Elizabeth, we cry out and wonder, how can this be that [00:03:30.500] the Lord has come to us? Most High God, by your Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with courage [00:03:38.020] and hope and overshadow us with your power and grace so that we might be your servants, [00:03:44.860] bearing witness to the promise of your word. We pray through Jesus Christ, your word fulfilled. [00:03:52.900] Amen. [00:03:55.380] Julie Carlson, the pianist at Firestone Park Presbyterian Church, will now share with you [00:04:00.540] a musical piece entitled, Let There Be Peace on Earth, by Sy Miller and Jill Jackson. [00:05:52.900] Good evening. I'm Pastor Sam Martin from Firestone Park United Methodist Church. And [00:06:15.380] I would now like to read to you from the book of St. Luke, the second chapter, the first [00:06:21.580] seven verses. In those days, a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world [00:06:28.900] should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Cunarius was governor [00:06:38.220] of Syria and all went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town [00:06:45.820] of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended [00:06:54.100] from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary to whom he was engaged and [00:07:01.140] who was expecting a child. And while they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. [00:07:08.820] And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in [00:07:17.220] a manger because there was no place for them in the inn. I'd like to now introduce our singers [00:07:30.780] and our accompanist tonight on piano is Amy Berry, Angelica Henley, Lisa Leonard, Jim Leonard, [00:07:40.700] Claire Russell, and Eric Steckl. And they will be singing Christmas Comes a New. [00:08:00.780] Glory be to God now, let your praises swell. Sing we know well, for Christ the newborn King [00:08:10.620] know well. Sing we know well, for Christ the newborn King. Christmas comes a new, oh let us sing know well. [00:08:21.860] Keep our voice of angels, chapter, taste, and see Born in Bethlehem, our blessed Lamb for thee. [00:08:32.860] Sing we know well, for Christ the newborn King know well. Sing we know well, for Christ the newborn King. [00:08:43.700] Sing we know well, for Christ the newborn King. Let us sing wow. [00:08:50.860] In the manger bed, the shepherds found the child, There with kindly Joseph was the mother [00:09:05.740] of miles. [00:09:06.740] Sing, we know El, O Christ, the newborn King! [00:09:11.740] Sing, we know El, O Christ, the newborn King! [00:09:15.840] Sing, we know El, let us sing, oh El Let us sing, oh El! [00:09:23.880] Now sight the wise men following the star bearing costly gifts from eastern lands afar. [00:09:36.500] Sing, we know El, O Christ, the newborn King! [00:09:41.380] Sing, we know El, O Christ, the newborn King! [00:09:45.100] a new born king. Sing, we know how. Christmas comes anew. [00:09:49.020] Noel, sing, we know how. [00:10:00.100] Perfumes were they bought, and incense of great price, [00:10:05.100] For the holy child new, come from paradise. [00:10:10.100] Sing, we know how. For Christ the new born king. [00:10:15.100] Sing, we know how. For Christ the new born king. [00:10:20.100] Christmas comes anew. [00:10:28.100] Noel, sing, we know how. [00:10:41.100] It's my pleasure now to introduce Angelica Henley, [00:10:45.100] singing, O Holy Night. [00:10:48.100] O Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining. [00:11:12.100] It is the night of our dear Savior's birth. [00:11:21.940] Long lay the world in sin and error by me, [00:11:30.980] till he appear and the soul felt its worth. [00:11:40.260] A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, [00:11:48.420] though yonder breaks a new and glorious moor. [00:11:56.900] Call on your knees, O hear the angel voices, [00:12:13.220] O night divine, O night when Christ was born. [00:12:29.540] O night divine, O night divine. [00:12:59.540] I'm Rich Farris, pastor at Firestone Park Christian Church. [00:13:13.060] I'm going to be reading from the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke beginning at the eighth verse. [00:13:19.380] In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. [00:13:25.700] Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, [00:13:31.140] and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, [00:13:34.820] Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people. [00:13:42.820] To you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is the Messiah, the Lord. [00:13:50.420] This will be a sign for you. You will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth lying in a manger. [00:13:57.860] And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, [00:14:02.740] praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest heaven, [00:14:07.540] and on earth peace among those whom he favors. When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, [00:14:15.220] the shepherds said to one another, Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken [00:14:21.620] place, which the Lord has made known to us. So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, [00:14:29.700] and the child lying in a manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told to them [00:14:36.260] about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. [00:14:42.660] But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, [00:14:50.020] glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen as it had been told to them. [00:14:58.980] Brian Weeder of Firestone Park Christian Church wrote a song for his children several years ago [00:15:05.940] for Christmas Eve. Tonight he is going to sing for us, The Child. [00:15:35.940] Kings and queens and peasants dream to bring their gifts to him. Angels spread wide their wings. [00:15:54.500] Kings and queens and peasants dream to bring their gifts to him. [00:16:01.060] And they named the day after the child born in the hay. [00:16:09.060] Yeah, they named the day after the child born in the hay. [00:16:25.620] I seen the smiles, the glory that one man gave his life for to fulfill his father's dream. [00:16:46.180] White chorus gowns with the midtown and they started to sing. [00:17:02.740] They named the day after the child born in the hay. [00:17:21.300] Yeah, they named the day after the child [00:17:27.300] born in the hay [00:17:33.860] born in the hay [00:17:37.860] born in the hay [00:17:41.860] born in the hay [00:17:45.860] Hello, I'm Emily Ferris from Firestone Park Christian Church. My husband occasionally writes [00:18:00.900] dialogue sermons where we both speak back and forth and our congregation seems to enjoy them. [00:18:07.140] They're a little bit different than a one-person sermon. So for this occasion he has written a [00:18:12.580] sermon entitled A Flash, A Beacon, A Glimmer and the scripture it is coming from is Luke chapter 1 [00:18:20.980] verses 67 through 80. Here we go. [00:18:26.660] Hark, O child of darkness. I've come to shine light upon your dreary life to lead you toward [00:18:33.940] the light. Fear not for the flash of light I will bring you will guide you out of the dark and into [00:18:41.060] the splendor of the light. So what's that get up all about? Halloween was over a month ago. [00:18:50.420] I my good madam am a superhero. I am wait for it the flash bringing light to the world and leading [00:19:01.220] all people out of darkness. I hate to be the one to tell you but there's already a superhero called [00:19:09.140] the flash. What? Impossible! When did this happen? Actually been around for about 75 years. [00:19:19.540] Oh I see must have missed that one. So this other flash what does he do that's so great? [00:19:28.580] Well he possesses superhuman speed which includes the ability to run and move extremely fast, [00:19:37.220] use superhuman reflexes and seemingly violate certain laws of physics. [00:19:44.260] I didn't know you were such an authority on superheroes. No I'm not. I just looked it up [00:19:50.500] on my smartphone while you weren't looking. Well obviously that's a different kind of flash than me. [00:19:57.060] I'm not that fast but my powers are faster than the speed of light. Well at least just as fast [00:20:05.220] as the speed of light. Just what are your superpowers? Flash. I have the power to be a beacon [00:20:14.500] for others to shine my light upon the darkened earth and lead others down the paths of righteousness. [00:20:21.860] I can cut right through whatever is getting the way in the way of people reaching God. [00:20:28.660] Uh that's a flashlight you know. Oh I get it you're actually the flashlight. [00:20:37.860] That's not really funny and please don't degrade my powers nor my ability and my special mission. [00:20:46.420] And just what is your mission oh mighty flash? [00:20:49.540] Flash. My mission doo doo doo doo is to point the way to the savior of the world. [00:20:57.860] My mission doo doo doo doo is to shine out of the darkness so that people might see a great light. [00:21:06.500] My mission doo doo doo doo is to prepare people for Jesus. That is what the flash is all about [00:21:14.660] and I figure as a superhero people will take notice of me and if they notice me then they [00:21:21.620] will certainly notice Jesus. So you think that just by doo doo doo doo flashing your light [00:21:29.140] you can lead people to Christ? Well what greater more visible power is there in all the world than [00:21:36.500] light? The bible is always talking about the light and telling us to let our light so shine etc etc [00:21:45.300] and Christmas is a time of lights when the light of the world was born. So what better time of the [00:21:52.820] year to show my light? I figure I'll just harness all that power and shine so brightly that the world [00:22:01.460] will stand up and take notice. Well it is still just a flashlight no matter how you look at it [00:22:09.140] it's still a flashlight. Sorry just calling it like I see it. But it is still light harnessed [00:22:19.060] light just like harnessing the power of God besides as the flash people will be too preoccupied with [00:22:28.020] my awesome appearance to notice where the light is coming from. John the Baptist said the people [00:22:35.460] who sat in darkness have seen a great light and for those who sat in the region in shadow of death [00:22:43.060] light has dawned. I am going to be that light. Well hold on a sec Flash I thought Jesus was [00:22:50.980] supposed to be the light of the world and John the Baptist was pointing toward the light so people [00:22:57.300] would know where to look. You are making it sound like you are the light and people are supposed [00:23:03.300] to be seeing that. No don't you see I'm like communion the holy Eucharist. Now you're really [00:23:12.020] confusing me. What does communion have to do with you being the flash and with you having a flashlight [00:23:19.540] shining it in people's eyes. OK communion is just bread and wine or or juice in our case. [00:23:28.740] It represents Christ his body and blood. Well we physically see that it's bread and wine but [00:23:36.900] the words tell us it's his body and blood. So when we hold it and taste it that's what it becomes to [00:23:45.140] us. So I'm like communion in that when people see my life they will think of Jesus. They will know [00:23:53.220] that I'm not Jesus but my light will shine on Jesus. But wasn't that the purpose of John the [00:23:59.940] Baptist's ministry. He was paving the way for Jesus. He was pointing beyond himself so that people [00:24:06.980] would see the Lord. You are not Jesus and you are not John the Baptist. You're Jeffrey Granger. [00:24:15.300] Not so loud. People aren't supposed to know who I really am. That's the way with superheroes. [00:24:22.500] Their other life must remain anonymous. It's dangerous if people know who you really are. [00:24:29.700] Plus it takes away the mystique of it all and you have no privacy. Oh sorry Jeff. Oh I mean [00:24:38.900] Flash your secret is safe with me. That's all true what you said about Jesus and John the Baptist. [00:24:48.660] But Jesus said you are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. [00:24:56.020] It's like he said it to me. You Jeffrey Granger are the light of the world. [00:25:05.380] You must stand out as though you are on the top of a hill where everyone can see you. [00:25:11.860] You cannot hide. The truth must be illuminated. You are the flash and from you will come light. [00:25:20.180] Please don't tell me you heard Jesus saying that to you. Well not in a vocal kind of way. [00:25:28.260] I did not hear a voice if that's what you're getting at although I don't think it's beyond [00:25:35.300] the realm of possibility for Jesus to talk to us like that. But I was doing my daily Bible reading [00:25:43.140] and I just got to thinking I'm supposed to be visible to the world with the message of Christ. [00:25:50.420] And so I started thinking of creative ways of doing that. One thing led to another and [00:25:57.460] I ended up becoming the flash. You don't happen to have one of those cartoon illustrated bibles [00:26:04.180] do you with all the dialogue and little bubbles above the character's heads. Very funny Meera. [00:26:12.580] No it wasn't some sort of comic book Bible that inspired the flash. I came up with that all on [00:26:20.580] my own. The need to witness to the truth and love and compassion of Jesus coupled perhaps with my [00:26:29.860] desire to be a superhero led me to becoming the flash. Well so what else do you have besides your [00:26:37.300] non-bionic flashlight. Well nothing at present but I'm working on it. I've thought about [00:26:45.140] customizing some taillights for my car car that spell out the name Jesus so that everyone behind [00:26:51.940] me would know that if they follow me I'll lead them to Jesus. Okay got anything else going [00:26:57.780] besides the Jesus taillights. I looked into renting one of those huge flatbed trucks with [00:27:05.220] the two large beacon lights mounted on the bed. You can see those for miles. They would attract [00:27:12.180] a lot of attention and the flash would become known all over the city. So then what will you [00:27:18.420] do when the people show up to see what the bright lights are. Is there a plan. Not really. I hadn't [00:27:25.940] thought that far ahead. I was too hung up on being the flash and drawing attention to this [00:27:32.420] new superhero. Besides it costs way too much to rent those beacon lights. I couldn't afford it. [00:27:39.780] Oh so there's a price tag as to how far you would go to let your light so shine. Now let's be [00:27:47.300] reasonable. I wasn't even sure that it would work and I didn't have a plan. I don't know what I'd [00:27:54.500] say to anyone who might show up. But you're the flash. You have the power of light on your side. [00:28:02.100] What could go wrong. All right. All right. So I'm more intent on being a superhero than in lighting [00:28:09.940] the way for Jesus. But really can't the ends really justify the means. Jeffrey a lot of imposters [00:28:18.580] showed up in Jesus time making all kinds of claims about their power and their authority [00:28:24.980] about such false prophets. St. Paul said to the Corinthians and no wonder even Satan disguises [00:28:32.580] himself as an angel of light. But Mira I didn't mean to be disrespectful and I'm certainly not [00:28:40.420] possessed by the devil. I was just trying to witness to Christ and to do it in a creative way [00:28:48.820] and perhaps make it a little easier on myself. I've got to give you credit. You're thinking [00:28:56.420] about the right things even if perhaps in a somewhat distorted way the key to being the light [00:29:03.860] of Christ is not to shine a flashlight or a beacon light or even harness the splendor of a shooting [00:29:11.140] star. The key is to let the light shine out of you because you simply can't help it. Jesus [00:29:18.900] didn't say to shine the light of the world. He said you are the light of the world. That light [00:29:24.980] comes out of you because God put it in there in the first place. So I'm I'm not a poor misguided [00:29:32.900] person who let his ego get the best of him. I didn't say that but if God put the light within [00:29:40.420] you God gives you the power and the opportunities to let it shine. I guess I've been going at it [00:29:48.980] the wrong way. It was fun while it lasted but I think the flash has shown his last light. [00:29:57.060] Sorry. It's okay. I should have known better anyway. Hey Mira can I ask you something? [00:30:07.940] I suppose that depends but sure go ahead and ask away. How did you get so smart? [00:30:16.820] I mean I didn't think you knew as much about scripture and God's stuff as me but it appears [00:30:23.540] that you're far superior in your understanding than I am. So how come you're so smart? [00:30:31.140] Gee I don't know. I suppose it could be my name. Your name? Mira? Why is that? [00:30:40.740] My parents named me Mira. It comes from the Hebrew word meaning light. [00:30:47.460] I guess I'm just smarter because I'm so bright. [00:30:50.980] Hello. I'm Father Matthew Pfeiffer, the pastor of St. Paul Catholic Church. We are sad we cannot [00:31:04.580] host the Ecumenical Christmas Concert this year. 2020 has been unique to say the least but it is [00:31:11.460] good that we are making this effort to still connect using the gifts of technology but more [00:31:16.820] importantly the efforts of all the people who are making this possible because the concert has [00:31:22.340] always been about fostering relationships and fellowship between people of faith. [00:31:28.820] For many months we have heard coronavirus, coronavirus, coronavirus. The word corona has [00:31:36.180] become a word associated with fear sickness and death but I suggest this season we reclaim [00:31:44.180] that word. Remember the word corona comes from the Latin which means crown. A crown is not [00:31:52.980] something to fear and as Christians we know who wears the true crown. It is Christ the Lord [00:31:59.700] who is King of the universe and King of our hearts. [00:32:05.620] Even from a scientific perspective we can look at a solar eclipse when the moon [00:32:11.940] blocks the sun from our view. For a few brief moments the only part of the sun which is still [00:32:18.660] barely visible is the sun's corona. Perhaps this is a metaphor for our times. [00:32:27.220] Things are dark. God seems barely visible yet in faith we know he is still there. [00:32:34.900] His corona shines forth even around the darkness and his is a crown of love, compassion and healing. [00:32:44.980] For this is why Christ came into the world to bring salvation and to open the door to eternal life. [00:32:54.260] At Christmas we celebrate how God took to himself a human nature and being born among us he shows [00:33:02.260] his love and desire for us to be in communion with him. This alone would be enough for us to [00:33:10.820] offer him a crown in thanksgiving similar to how the magi offered gifts of gold, frankincense and [00:33:17.300] myrrh. Yet God's love was shown even more beyond any earthly crown we could imagine [00:33:25.460] because even at Christmas we cannot help but look to the cross of Christ which he calls us [00:33:33.380] to bear as well. We cannot help but look to the crown Christ wore during his passion, [00:33:41.220] the crown of thorns that we fashioned for him by our sins. Yet in God's divine mercy [00:33:50.340] even that crown is redeemed and glorified. [00:33:56.260] And so for us this virus that looks like it has a crown in the end will be conquered by the divine [00:34:03.860] mercy. We hear in the gospel how the angel declares that Mary would bear a son. She is [00:34:12.100] crowned in a sense with this divine gift. For Catholics we even honor Mary as queen of heaven [00:34:19.860] because of the gift God gave to her. And so may we follow the example of Mary who loves Jesus so [00:34:26.980] much and may we continue to pray for each other support each other and grow in showing God's love [00:34:34.580] to all in need. Beyond all the difficulties we suffer there is the crown of Christ. Christ [00:34:43.380] who is born to us. Happy Advent and Merry Christmas. [00:35:13.380] In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind with mow, Earth stood hard as iron, [00:35:41.940] water like a stone. Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow. [00:35:57.060] In the bleak midwinter, long ago. [00:36:10.900] Lord God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth's austen, heaven and earth shall [00:36:35.540] be a way when he comes to reign. In the bleak midwinter, a stable place of Christ. [00:36:54.180] The Lord God almighty, Jesus Christ. [00:37:24.180] What can I give him, poor as I am? [00:37:45.460] If I were a shepherd, I would bring a man. [00:37:55.460] If I were a wise man, I would do my part. [00:38:06.100] What can I give him, give him my heart? [00:38:36.340] What can I give him, give him my heart? [00:38:56.740] Hello again. I am Father Matthew Pfeiffer from Saint Paul's and I have been asked to [00:39:05.540] play a piece for you. This is River Flows in You by Yeruma. [00:41:56.740] Hi, I'm Jeanie Bearer from Saint Paul Church in Akron and I'd like to share a poem with [00:42:22.180] you this evening. It's called Christmas is More. Christmas is more than the tinsel, [00:42:30.580] it's more than the gifts that we share. It's more than the wreaths and the holly or snowflakes that [00:42:38.180] dance in the air. More than the gladness of children, the lights and the sparkle we see, [00:42:46.260] the joy and the moments of sharing, the trimmings and beautiful tree. Christmas is more than the [00:42:53.700] shopping, the hustle and hurry and haste. More than the street corner Santa or the goodies we love [00:43:02.180] to taste. More than the heavenly music, though surely it touches each heart. It even is more [00:43:10.980] than the magic, the season will surely impart. Christmas is faith and believing, [00:43:18.740] it's trust and it's hope ever there. A miracle, peace everlasting, the beauty we find in a prayer. [00:43:29.140] It's keeping our hearts ever loving, the Christ child we know and adore. It's angels, it's God, [00:43:38.500] it's eternal but always Christmas is more. [00:43:52.580] It's my privilege to introduce to you is Melody and Crystal Maki [00:43:57.540] who are presenting a special Christmas number four program today. [00:44:07.940] Snowballs, nature slumbers, winter's flurry stops new growth. December brings the season [00:44:32.820] filled with laughter and new hopes. Kindness abounds, good deeds sing to thrive. [00:44:46.100] Won't your brother or comes alive? [00:45:00.180] Love rolls at Christmas time, when the Christ that's within us is willingly given. [00:45:11.060] Hot seals at Christmas time, when the seeds of forgiveness are planted within our hearts. [00:45:24.260] Soft words spoken freely, filled the air with joyful sounds. Warm smiles shared with gladness, [00:45:43.780] lift the spirits of those worn down. Families come home, strangers make new friends. [00:45:55.300] Happiness glows when we reach out with open hands. [00:46:11.060] Love rolls at Christmas time, when the Christ that's within us is willingly given. [00:46:21.940] Hot seals at Christmas time, when the seeds of forgiveness are planted within our hearts. [00:46:34.820] A little tenderness can spread until the whole world feels refreshed beyond all the last wind. [00:46:46.660] Love rolls at Christmas time, when the Christ that's within us is willingly given. [00:46:57.540] Hot seals at Christmas time, when the seeds of forgiveness are planted within our hearts. [00:47:11.140] Love rolls at Christmas time, when the Christ that's within us is willingly given. [00:47:22.020] Hot seals at Christmas time, when the seeds of forgiveness are planted within our hearts. [00:47:40.260] Hot seals at Christmas time, when we reach out with open hands. [00:47:51.780] A little tenderness can spread until we reach out with open hands. [00:48:10.260] A little tenderness can spread until we reach out with open hands. [00:48:25.780] Countless days on a journey that led so far. [00:48:37.780] Endless nights they travel to follow the storm. [00:48:48.780] They did not find a palace, just a humble village home. [00:49:00.780] And searching for a king, but finding the trout, no crown nor throne. [00:49:12.780] Still they bow down. [00:49:18.780] Come let us adore Him, oh come let us adore Him, oh come let us adore Him. [00:49:41.780] Expectation turned to a mystery. [00:49:52.780] For nothing was like anything they dreamed. [00:50:04.780] A tasty painting the royal and those honored by this world. [00:50:16.780] Instead they give to me your strong eyes of a lonely peasant girl. [00:50:27.780] Holding her child, come let us adore Him, oh come let us adore Him, oh come let us adore Him. [00:50:57.780] Come let us adore Him, oh come let us adore Him, oh come let us adore Him. [00:51:18.780] The brilliant gold, the fragrant myrrh, the costly frankincense. [00:51:29.780] Mayst be for Him, come let us adore Him, oh come let us adore Him, oh come let us adore Him. [00:51:59.780] Christ the Lord. [00:52:19.780] I'm happy to introduce to you today the African National Chorus, the Joy Singers, and they will be presenting a special number for our program today. [00:52:29.780] My soul is now thrilling with joyous feeling when I sing of what's over like sin. [00:52:42.780] The angels are waiting there no congregating beyond the sunset for me. [00:52:51.780] My soul is now thrilling with joyous feeling when I sing of what's over like sin. [00:52:59.780] The angels are waiting there no congregating beyond the sunset for me. [00:53:08.780] Over the sunset in the better home, the angels are waiting to carry me home. [00:53:15.780] In heaven with Jesus, how be? [00:53:20.780] Stands all this life to all many shall wear this Jesus who shines the light of God, beyond the sunset for me. [00:53:32.780] Over the sunset in the better home, the angels are waiting to carry me home. [00:53:40.780] In heaven with Jesus, how be? [00:53:45.780] Stands all this life to all many shall wear this Jesus who shines the light of God, beyond the sunset for me. [00:53:57.780] Such comfort in knowing that I'll soon be going when my soul shall forever be free. [00:54:06.780] I see Jesus standing on the show by the landing beyond the sunset for me. [00:54:14.780] Such comfort in knowing that I'll soon be going when my soul shall forever be free. [00:54:22.780] I see Jesus standing on the show by the landing beyond the sunset for me. [00:54:30.780] Over the sunset in the better home, the angels are waiting to carry me home. [00:54:38.780] In heaven with Jesus, how be? [00:54:42.780] Stands all this life to all many shall wear this Jesus who shines the light of God, beyond the sunset for me. [00:54:52.780] Over the sunset in the better home, the angels are waiting to carry me home. [00:55:02.780] In heaven with Jesus, how be? [00:55:06.780] Stands all this life to all many shall wear this Jesus who shines the light of God, beyond the sunset for me. [00:55:21.780] Hi, my name is Andrea Turner, and I'm with Akron First Church, and I'll be singing Mary Did You Know? [00:55:51.780] Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water? [00:56:00.780] Mary, did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters? [00:56:10.780] Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new? [00:56:20.780] And this child that you've delivered will soon deliver you? [00:56:29.780] Mary, did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man? [00:56:39.780] Mary, did you know that your baby boy will calm the storm with his hands? [00:56:49.780] Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod? [00:56:58.780] And when you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God. [00:57:07.780] Oh, Mary, did you know? [00:57:15.780] Oh, Mary, did you know? [00:57:27.780] The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again. [00:57:37.780] The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the Lamb. [00:57:47.780] Oh, Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creations? [00:57:57.780] Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations? [00:58:07.780] Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb? [00:58:17.780] And this seeping child you're holding is the great I am. [00:58:33.780] Oh, Mary, did you know? [00:58:45.780] Hello, my name is Anne Yu and I'm from the Akron Chinese Christian Church [00:58:50.780] and I will be performing Box Andante from his C major Sonata. [00:59:02.780] Thank you. [00:59:32.780] Thank you. [01:00:02.780] Thank you. [01:00:32.780] Thank you. [01:01:02.780] Thank you. [01:01:32.780] Thank you. [01:02:02.780] Thank you. [01:02:32.780] Thank you. [01:03:02.780] Thank you. [01:03:32.780] Thank you. [01:04:02.780] Thank you. [01:04:32.780] Thank you. [01:05:02.780] Thank you. [01:05:32.780] Thank you. [01:06:03.780] Thank you. [01:06:04.780] Thank you. [01:06:05.780] Come on! [01:06:14.620] Applause [01:06:20.640] Applause [01:06:24.660] Music [01:06:29.700] Music [01:06:35.720] Music [01:06:40.740] Silent night, holy night, all is strong, all is bright. [01:07:00.220] God, we are the Virgin, Mother and Child, holy in the stones ever and mild. [01:07:18.780] Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace. [01:07:38.260] Silent night, holy night, all is strong, all is bright. [01:07:57.740] God, we are the Virgin, Mother and Child, holy in the stones ever and mild. [01:08:16.700] Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace. [01:08:36.180] Silent night, holy night, all is strong, all is bright. [01:08:57.140] God, we are the Virgin, Mother and Child, holy in the stones ever and mild. [01:09:17.620] Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace. [01:09:42.340] Hello, my name is Lila Brown from the Akron First Seventh-day Adventist Church. [01:09:47.580] To my left here is Jeannie Bear and Jeannie is from St. Paul and this is our other friend [01:09:53.620] Jean Yu and he's been with our various concerts from day one. [01:09:59.300] I would like to share something with you, a little bit of history regarding our concert. [01:10:05.620] You know, on the first Saturday in December of 1988, we held our very first Firestone [01:10:13.380] Park Community Christmas Concert. [01:10:16.660] You know, as a matter of fact, Jeannie Bear and Jean Yu both were with us from day one. [01:10:23.460] They've been with us ever since 1988. [01:10:27.140] Throughout the years, our musical expressions grew from a choir to the addition of other [01:10:33.260] musical groups, including an orchestra in our tenth year. [01:10:39.220] We still have our orchestra to date. [01:10:42.240] As a popular Christmas event, we eventually outgrew our previous location and had to move [01:10:50.340] it to St. Paul Catholic Church on Brown Street in Firestone Park. [01:10:56.780] We've enjoyed being there for the past several years and it's been so nice that St. Paul [01:11:04.180] opens their doors and allow us to have our concert there. [01:11:08.820] This year, however, we are unable to have a physical concert at its usual location on [01:11:17.020] the first Saturday in December at 7 o'clock p.m. [01:11:21.500] You know, in order to keep the entire community safe from the COVID-19, we, the committee, [01:11:31.100] decided the best and safest option was to bring in the Christmas season with a virtual [01:11:39.180] concert. [01:11:41.180] Several churches and musical groups recorded their selections and then they were edited [01:11:48.780] together for a full online concert. [01:11:54.620] It is my hope that you enjoyed this virtual Christmas concert. [01:12:01.660] I want to thank all of those that shared their talents and those that put this online for [01:12:09.260] everyone to experience. [01:12:13.580] All the churches in Firestone Park wish each and every one of you a very, very Merry Christmas. [01:12:23.700] This season, when you are opening your gifts, I just want you to remember one thing and [01:12:32.060] that is the greatest gift that each one of us have received is the gift of Jesus. [01:12:41.420] Merry Christmas to all. [01:12:43.500] Thank you. [01:12:44.500] Goodbye. [01:12:45.500] I would like to invite you now to bow your heads for our closing prayer. [01:12:54.860] Gracious Lord, we thank you for the awesome gift of your coming to this earth, for your [01:13:01.340] life and your death and resurrection that gives us the hope of eternal life. [01:13:08.140] We come to you today and celebrate through praise with all the musicians and the spoken [01:13:13.180] word and our prayers and our thoughts to honor you at this time. [01:13:18.620] We also ask your blessings on each and every one and thank you for the music and the expression [01:13:25.340] of our hearts towards you. [01:13:28.900] Thank you and we ask your blessings now in Jesus' name, Amen.