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LEWISTOWN -- With Christmastime approaching, a group from St. John's Lutheran Church in Lewistown is bringing some holiday cheer to the community during the Shining Light Through the Darkness event.
The year-long project has been spearheaded by the Barnabas Brothers, the men's group at St. John's, and has been supported by the entire church. The idea of improving the display was discussed for some time, but the goal was to make the display more Christ-centered, durable, and easier to set up and take down. It is a life-sized, hand-painted Nativity scene.
To begin the project, the team purchased patterns and cut out pieces of the Holy Family, Kings, shepherds and animals, a stable and lighting. Throughout the year, work parties were in order to cut out each life-sized figure, sand and prime them. At least six artists volunteered to paint each one in detail, and each figure was sponsored by individuals or groups within St. John's Lutheran Church, on top of additional donations. Once painted, the pieces were then sealed in efforts to protect against the weather. Lastly, the bases were attached so they could stand.
"The purpose (of the Nativity) is to proclaim that this baby, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born by Virgin Mary, in the most humble of circumstances is the reason why we celebrate Christmas," Andrew Thierwechter, coordinator of the project, said. "Jesus' death on the cross provides all mankind the means of eternal salvation, and it all began in Bethlehem more than two thousand years ago,"
Since its inception in 2007, Shining Light Through the Darkness has illuminated Kish Park with thousands of displays and lights each year, starting in early December and lasting until the beginning of the next year. The event offers free entertainment, food and fun for all to come and enjoy. By virtue of donations, both monetarily and by labor from the community, everything is offered at no cost to families.
The Nativity scene will be viewable at the Kish Park green pavilion starting Saturday, Dec. 2, and will be able to be seen throughout the duration of the event, into early January.
"It has truly been a church-wide project with many volunteer hours and times of great Christian fellowship," says Thierwechter. "This is just one way that we can proclaim to the community that Jesus was born, Jesus died for our sin, He is risen and we are offered salvation by grace through faith."