On the Town: Village Church recreates Bethlehem scene
While it may have been just a short drive from any point in Burbank, those who made their way to Village Church this past week found the house of worship’s courtyard to be a portal allowing them to journey back in time to a peaceful little town illuminated by an especially bright star.
Presented by the event’s core committee comprised of Dawn Peterson, Suzanne Rigsby, Connie Rinnicker and Richard and Kristi Zemaitis, the church’s magnificent recreation of the crèche, billed as “A Journey to Bethlehem,” also gave visitors the opportunity to register for the census under the watchful eyes of Roman guards, peruse goods being offered by Bethlehem marketplace merchants, stand as witnesses to a wedding, encounter children playing games, rabbis and prophets debating the issues of the day, shepherds watching over their flocks and eastern Magi in search of a newborn king.
“This is all about spreading the good news of Jesus Christ,” said Rigsby, who served as the event’s co-chairwoman. “It is our way of welcoming the community and introducing them to our church. It is also our way of allowing people to escape from all the bad news of our world and to hear the story of the good news of Jesus’ birth.”
A biannual presentation of the Village Church, this ninth presentation of “A Journey to Bethlehem” was made possible by the church’s pastor, the Rev. Ward Mikels, and dedicated congregants including Cassandra, Cami, Angela and Kylie Christopher, Lauren Barta, Monica and Sam Herskowitz, Doris Panza, Robyn Schulz, Bob and Sherryl Hogins, Jeff Ferguson, Terry Custer, Dean Lagasse, Duncan and Lorena Fraser, Kyle Custer, Bill Taylor, Doug Christopher, Laura Brake, Claudia Zamora, Yolanda Martinez, Louise Wallace, Gladis Martinez, Danielle Ramos, Debi Felser, Michele Suh, Steve Panza, Linda Marlin, Juli Modgin, Cheryl Mikels, Lisa Lagasse, Ron Rigsby, Linda Taylor, Penny Hansen, Czigi Sartor, C.J. Capp, Sharon Bard, Joy Wertz, Eric Peterson, Marilyn Darcey, Mayra and Dustin Villanueva, Ashlyn Mangandi, Blake Lengle, Michele Sinderman, Norm Lacey, Andrea Moran, Bonnie Monk, Sue Anderson, Vicki Clark, Patti Scott, Toni Wyatt, David Kugel, Matthew, Daniel and Michael Beimford, Sandy Rinicker, Ryan Valdiviez, Daniel and Christy Semsen, Ashley Hofer, Christin Jones, Joy Wertz, Dawn and Sam Mateo, Danny Martinez, Trent Walker, Rick Monk, Asha Cleophas, Penny Hansen, Jon Aghassian, John and Nancy Nare, Julie-Anne Anthony, Travis Mikels, Vincent Pagano, Suthern Hicks, Andre Jacinto, Ron Bright, Bruce Coughenour and Cheryl Greslie.
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DAVID LAURELL may be reached by email at dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007.
