Middle School Youth at the United Protestant Church of Palmer, Alaska

The Middle School Youth Group meets weekly after school on Thursdays (2:15 - 4:00pm). We have 10 loyal youth that like to bring their friends. After school snacks are provided by the Deacons of our church. Besides yummy refreshments, we check in with each other on how our week is going; have a short devotional; and then let loose -- I mean we play fun games! Some times we stay at the church, and sometimes we take off for an adventure. Sometimes we join the high school/college age group for a joint event.

MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATE

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Dear Middle Schoolers and those who lovingly transport them,

Each year the Sunday School gets together for a terrific breakfast potluck and great entertainment the Sunday before Christmas. Saturday, Dec 20, 2:00 pm is a practice for the Christmas pageant (the great entertainment). This year all the classes will be participating in various scenes from “’Twas the Night Before,” a play of seven short scenes. Middle Schoolers are two of the scenes, the wise dudes and their trusty servant(s), and the Bethlehem innkeeper’s family and friends. Derek will be one wise dude, and he’s hoping to be joined by other wise _dudes_. We’ll be needing a trusty servant who can handle a big scroll, and possibly a camel. Nicole will be the innkeeper’s daughter, joined by Mariah and other friends. The whole town was packed, so there’ll be a part and good fun for anyone who wants to participate. We’ll sort out costumes and props Saturday, too.

Here’s the Middle Schooler portions of the script as printed:

There are scenes and songs and interesting parts, then little kids sing something like Away in a Manger and …

Imagine you are in Bethlehem and a non-middle schooler will say: The people in Bethlehem, a very small town, were just getting ready to lay themselves down.

(Townspeople and Innkeeper’s family enter and position themselves in front.)

Mariah: Have you ever seen so many people in town?

Middle Schooler 2: This tax census from the Romans is really causing a lot of headaches.

Middle Schooler 3: I never knew I had so many relatives. We have twenty-one extra people at our house!

Nicole: You think you’ve got problems. Our place is so full, we’ve had to turn people away. Why just a little while ago, a young couple from up north pleaded with my dad to let them stay in our stable.

Mariah: Did he?

Nicole: Yes, but he felt so bad. The wife is expecting her baby any time now.

Middle Schooler 2 (or 4): I suppose it was better than sleeping in the street.

Middle Schooler 3 (or 5): It’s awfully dark. I’d better be getting home.

Middle Schooler 2: Me, too. Good night everyone.

Other middle schoolers: ‘Night, friends.

(Everyone leaves except Nicole)

Nicole. Good night. (turns away, then stops) Maybe I should check on that couple. No, they’ll be all right. (exits opposite direction of others).

There will be a song, like “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and some other stuff, then a song like “What Child is This?” and then the wise dudes will take their places. Then a non-middle schooler will say: Now wise men who lived in a land far away saw a star burning like the sun in the day. They questioned and wondered what this light could mean for a star of this brilliance had _never_ been seen.

Middle Schooler Balthazar: None of the history charts reveal any type of star like this before.

Middle Schooler Melchior: It must signify something very important. Possibly something that will change the whole world.

Derek Caspar: A ruler perhaps? A great and powerful king that will change the course of his people?

(a middle schooler servant enters carrying a large scroll)

Middle schooler servant: Here is the book of the prophecies from the Israelites.

Middle Schooler Balthazar: (looks at the scroll) The Israelites spoke of a promised Messiah. Could this be his star? (the servant leaves to get the gifts)

Middle Schooler Melchior: He is very great. The books speak of him many times.

Derek Caspar: It must be. Let us take some gifts and seek him.

(the extremely clever servant enters with the gifts)

Middle Schooler servant: Here are your gifts – gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (wise dudes take the gifts and all dudes and servant leave. Herrod enters, and you don’t want to meet him.)

Other things happen, more songs are sung, and everyone (well, not Herrod) is happy about Jesus being born. The crowd goes wild by the end of the play, everyone cheers and all the cast bows and dodges flowers tossed by the audience.

Come Saturday to the church fellowship hall at 2:00 sharp and take part. We should be done by four or five, and ready to wow as well as enjoy a terrific breakfast Sunday morning.

Even if you can’t come Saturday, join us Sunday morning at 9:00 (if you’re getting in costume) or 9:30 for a potluck breakfast and “’Twas the Night Before.” There will be good food and good friends and a joyous, musical Christmas-time celebration!

Sincerely,

-=Bonnie

Bonnie Allen

406 N Chugach St

Palmer, AK 99645-6218

phone/fax/message: (907)746-7571