About Little Bethlehem
A 30+ year tradition at Fairview United Methodist Church
Little Bethlehem is an interactive nativity that the people of Fairview United Methodist Church have been putting on for 30+ years.
Visitors to Little Bethlehem are put in groups. A shepherd greets them and they travel together to Bethlehem. Along the way they encounter folks at the town gate, an Inn Keeper, and townspeople until they are lead into the barn where they see Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus, and an angel. While there the Magi come through and offer their gifts. The Shepherd then directs the group inside where they'll find refreshments, carol singing, and a craft for the kids.
We'll gather in the sanctuary at 5:30 before we begin the business of the night to read Luke chapter 2 and share Holy Communion.
Visitors to Little Bethlehem are put in groups. A shepherd greets them and they travel together to Bethlehem. Along the way they encounter folks at the town gate, an Inn Keeper, and townspeople until they are lead into the barn where they see Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus, and an angel. While there the Magi come through and offer their gifts. The Shepherd then directs the group inside where they'll find refreshments, carol singing, and a craft for the kids.
We'll gather in the sanctuary at 5:30 before we begin the business of the night to read Luke chapter 2 and share Holy Communion.
We need all of us to make Little Bethlehem a success.
Here are the various ways you can contribute to this ministry:
Set Set Up
Installing Luminaria
Inviting at Living Windows
Costuming
Outdoor Hospitality
Indoor Hospitality
Baking Cookies
Leading Music
Costumed Role with Improvised Lines
Costumed Role with Scripted Lines
Costumed Role with No Lines
Here are the various ways you can contribute to this ministry:
Set Set Up
Installing Luminaria
Inviting at Living Windows
Costuming
Outdoor Hospitality
Indoor Hospitality
Baking Cookies
Leading Music
Costumed Role with Improvised Lines
Costumed Role with Scripted Lines
Costumed Role with No Lines
Costumed Roles
Costumed Role with Improvised Lines
Roles with Improvised lines:
Lead Shepherd
Rebekah
Inn Keeper
If you are interested in improvised lines, but are new to the role, we'll set you up with someone with experience so you can be confident in your role.
Lead Shepherd
Rebekah
Inn Keeper
If you are interested in improvised lines, but are new to the role, we'll set you up with someone with experience so you can be confident in your role.
Costumed Roles with Scripted Lines
Roles with Scripted Lines:
Mary
Joseph
Melchior (one of the magi)
Caspar (one of the magi)
Balthazar (one of the magi)
Click here for a copy of the script
Mary
Joseph
Melchior (one of the magi)
Caspar (one of the magi)
Balthazar (one of the magi)
Click here for a copy of the script
Costumed Role with No Lines
Roles without lines:
Townsperson
Townschild
Follow Shepherd
Angel
Townsperson
Townschild
Follow Shepherd
Angel
Living Windows
Walk around downtown during Living Windows (12/6 from 6-8 PM) dressed up in Little Bethlehem costumes and hand out postcard invitations!
Meet at Fairview at 5:30 to get on your costumes.
Meet at Fairview at 5:30 to get on your costumes.
Hospitality
Outdoor Hospitality
Each night there will be two shifts for Outdoor Greeter. This person stands at the sidewalk and welcomes visitors, puts them into groups, and chats with visitors. You’ll want to dress warmly as you will be outside on your feet.
Shifts are either 5:45-7:00 PM or 7:00-8:15 PM
If you’d like, arrive at 5:30 PM to participate in the devotion and Holy Communion
Shifts are either 5:45-7:00 PM or 7:00-8:15 PM
If you’d like, arrive at 5:30 PM to participate in the devotion and Holy Communion
Indoor Hospitality
Each night we need folks to be indoor greeters, to help tidy the narthex, to host the coloring/activity table- interacting with kids and keeping the table tidy.
Refreshment Table Host
Each night there will be two shifts of three people at the refreshment table.
As a Refreshment Table Host you’ll greet people, serve drinks, set up or clean up, depending on your shift. Shifts are either 5:30-7:00 PM or 7:00-8:30 PM
As a Refreshment Table Host you’ll greet people, serve drinks, set up or clean up, depending on your shift. Shifts are either 5:30-7:00 PM or 7:00-8:30 PM
Cookie Baking
Each night the refreshment table is filled with homemade cookies.
Please sign up with the number of dozens you'll contribute.
Please have your cookies in the New Kitchen by Friday, December 13 at 5:00 PM
Special drop off times for cookies- Th. 12/12 from 8 AM-noon &
1:30-3:00 PM
Fri. 12/13 from 8 AM-noon
Please sign up with the number of dozens you'll contribute.
Please have your cookies in the New Kitchen by Friday, December 13 at 5:00 PM
Special drop off times for cookies- Th. 12/12 from 8 AM-noon &
1:30-3:00 PM
Fri. 12/13 from 8 AM-noon
Music Leader
Each night we have carol singing in the Narthex. Judy plays the piano and you along with other Fairview Folks will lead the singing. Visitors request carols from the Little Bethlehem Songbook.
Behind the Scenes
Costume Team
The Costuming Team is responsible for organizing the costumes for folks to use at Living Windows (12/6) and for Little Bethlehem (12/13-15). They usually meet the Thursday before Little Bethlehem to get everything laid out and organized. They help people put on and take off costumes during Little Bethlehem, and launder costumes after the event. You can help in any or all of those ways!
Set Set Up
Little Bethlehem sets go up in November as we prepare for the Little Bethlehem. We are currently working on replacing panels with light weight material to make it easier and more accessible to install. We need YOU on the Set Set Up Team.
Our first meeting will be Saturday, November 30 at 9 AM to put up the sets. If that’s a bit too early for you, join us when you can that day.
Our first meeting will be Saturday, November 30 at 9 AM to put up the sets. If that’s a bit too early for you, join us when you can that day.
Luminaria Set Up
Each year we have luminarias set up along the East/Upper driveway for Little Bethlehem.
Sign up to help set them up!
Dennis will contact you and the other Luminaria Volunteers to determine the best date and time for set up.
Sign up to help set them up!
Dennis will contact you and the other Luminaria Volunteers to determine the best date and time for set up.