FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
A life-size re-creation of the Nativity was on display Thursday night at Leeward Community Church. Cast members included Paul Arakawa, left, and Kent Kettell, shown here on the set prior to the start of the second performance of the evening.
A multitude of The Gospel story of the birth of Jesus will be the text in Christian churches as Christmas is celebrated this week.
Christmas services
will be celebrated
Star-Bulletin Staff
To bring the story to life, some organizations will stage costumed presentations of the Nativity story or the Christmas message of peace and love. These dramatizations are free and open to the public.
>> The story of the First Christmas will be displayed from 6 to 9 tonight on the lawn of Central Union Church. Members of the church will depict Mary and Joseph, the angels, shepherds and wise men in the drive-through Nativity scene at 1660 S. Beretania St.
>> Costumed participants will also present a "Live Nativity" re-enactment nightly, today through Tuesday at Waioli Gardens, 2950 Manoa Road. The free 20-minute performance will be repeated every half-hour from 7 to 10 p.m. The program uses taped narration by actors Sidney Poitier and Brooke Shields, accompanied by Christmas carols. It is the 20th year of the Salvation Army presentation.
>> Meanwhile, in Pearl City, the public may roam free through a stage setting of "Bethlehem Town" at Leeward Community Church, 1860 Komo Mai Drive, after 6:30 p.m. today and tomorrow. Free dramatic performances start at 7 and 8:30 p.m. About 200 people, as well as live animals, participate in the Christmas dramatization. Because of large crowds, the church advises viewers to arrive 30 minutes before each show.
>> "Christmas on the Brink" is the title of a contemporary musical play to be performed at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow at Christ Lutheran Church of Mililani. Some 30 Sunday School children and teenagers will act and sing in the sanctuary show at 95-1361 Meheula Parkway.
>> A cast of 25 performers will present a review of music and readings in the "Central Celebration of Christmas" at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Central Baptist Church, 1217 Nehoa St.
The Christmas celebration at Oahu churches this week will include the following:
FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Shaileen Araki and mom Sharon waited on the set Thursday night for the second performance of the Nativity scene at Leeward Community Church.
Calvary Chapel Honolulu, 1190 Nuuanu Ave., 524-0844. Christmas Eve will be celebrated at the 5:30 p.m. children's service and at 7:30 and 9 p.m. praise services. Trolley rides through Honolulu City Lights will follow.
Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, 1184 Bishop St., 536-7036. Honolulu Catholic Bishop Francis DiLorenzo will preside at the 9 a.m. Mass for Christmas Day. Masses are scheduled at all Hawaii Catholic parishes.
Central Union Church, 1660 S. Beretania St., 941-0957.
>> Christmas Sunday services tomorrow at 7, 8:30 and 10 a.m. will feature the Rev. Ted Robinson speaking on "Manger Power," and at 11:30 a.m., the Rev. George Scott on "Not for the Faint of Heart."
>> On Tuesday, Christmas Eve observance will include the 5 p.m. family service led by children; 7, 9 and 11 p.m. services.
>> On Wednesday a 10 a.m. concert by the Kanikapila Singers of Leeward Community College will precede the 10:30 a.m. service with the Rev. Ron Ching preaching. The choral group will lead a carol sing-along.
Christ Lutheran Church, 95-1361 Meheula Parkway, 623-9229. A festival of carols and candlelight will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, followed by the 11:30 p.m. Eucharist service.
Church of the Crossroads, 1212 University Ave., 949-2220. Children and youths will lead the 5:30 p.m. Tuesday service. Music by Paul Bornand at 10:15 p.m. will precede the 10:30 p.m. Christmas Eve candlelight worship.
The Church of Keauhou, 988-8618. Participants will have the opportunity to light a candle for peace at the 6:30 p.m. Tuesday Christmas Candle-lighting Service at Manoa Japanese Language School, 2804 E. Manoa Road.
First Christian Church, 1516 Kewalo St., 521-3500. Guest singers Mark and Diane Yasuhara will perform at the 7:30 p.m. Tuesday candlelight service.
First Unitarian Church of Honolulu, 2500 Pali Highway, 595-4047. The 6 p.m. Tuesday candle-lighting service will feature carols and be followed by cookies and cider.
Makiki Christian Church, 829 Pensacola St., 594-6446. Christmas Eve will be observed in a 7 p.m. service.
Manoa Valley Church, 2728 Huapala St., 988-3271. Candlelight services will begin at 7 and 9 p.m. Tuesday.
St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 539 Kapahulu Ave. 732-2333.
>> Tuesday: Confessions will be heard from 4 to 5 p.m.; Mass is at 10:30 p.m.
>> Wednesday: The Christmas Mass will be at 9 a.m.
St. Michael the Archangel Parish, 94-559 Ukee St., Waipio, 672-8245. The Eastern Catholic parish will celebrate Christmas with a midnight Mass Tuesday.
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