Handbell Music Brings "Christ" Back To Christmas

There was no easy answer when Mililani Fil-Am Baptist Church asked if it can be a blessing to its community this Christmas.  Some suggested wrapping gifts for the elderly and handing them to Ohana Care, a senior facility nearby, or simply inviting the community to its Christmas program.

"How about playing the handbell during the Christmas parade?" remarked one mother.   The church had been blessed to assemble a dozen handbell players and played on many church occasions throughout the year.   But in a Christmas community parade?  

High school marching bands, floats, bicycle riders, fancy cars, politicians.... why not add handbell music to the mix?   The Lyons Club in charge of the parade insisted that only one Santa Clause could be present in the parade.   That's not a problem for us... we represent JESUS!  This comment made us all understand that Christ has been demoted even in parades.  Now it's time to bring back "Christ" at Christmas! 

Other congregations nearby that belong to Oahu Baptist Network joined in as well.  Mililani Fil-Am Baptist Church organized and their handbell players sounded Christmas Favorites Medley throughout the parade.  Mililani Baptist Church choir participated and sang along.   First Baptist Church of Wahiawa Preschool propped up a nativity.   Many thanks to the partnership of Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention's Sue Nishikawa Offering, Christ in Christmas was declared not just once but twice, in the Wahiawa and in the Mililani Christmas Parade.  



The 2022 Handbell Music Team of Mililani Fil-Am Baptist Church
Aunty Tina, Micah, Michak, Aunty Joanne, EJ, Clint, John, Rian, Sonny, Keana, Angel, Gab, Aunty Donna, and Director, Bong. 
 
The Nativity Scene of First Baptist Church of Wahiawa Preschool Staff and Parents with Jamaal and Sarah as Joseph and Mary.  Director Bel and the rest of FBC of Wahiawa and Mililani Baptist Church members join in the parade.  


Here is Lindsey and Alona, FBC of Preschool staff, holding the introduction banner as the floats follow

The banners were a strategic way to connect the community back to the local southern baptist church nearby.  The QR code access a page that leads to church websites and a form for the prayer request.  Thank you To Sue Nishikawa Local Missions Fund.  The website generated 135 visits.





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

From Dispersed To Exile

Image
God allows 'life pauses' where moments that we are stopped dead on our tracks while he accomplishes His will.  It's not a comfortable place, but yet necessary.    There are many examples of this in the Bible, but it is one that we do not enjoy.  One key reason for this moment is God's expression of "tough love" (Prov. 3:11-12, Hebrews 12:4-11).    The Divided Kingdom of Israel and Judah sinned against God and they went to the place of no return (Isaiah 28-33; 2 Kings 17:16-20).  As a result, the Divided Kingdoms were shattered.   The Northern Kingdom Israel was dispersed by the Assyrian in 722 B.C. and the Southern Kingdom Judah was exiled by the Babylonians in 587 B.C.    In the midst of Israel's and Judah's life pause, God encourages three things:    Come back to God and renew your relationships with him.   Endure and thrive in the time of your exile. Look forward to the hope that is in Jesus.   DIDISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1.       Define in your own word
Read more

From Disoriented to United to Divided

Image
Lessons from the Old Testament Survey Class.   Today's lesson is about learning to understand that God has better plans for our lives.  That sometimes, our plans, no matter how good they are, are no better than God's plan.   Isaiah 55:8-9 says,  Let's consider three eras in our study today.  ERA # 1:  Disoriented People This was during the days of judges when God raised deliverers or judges in order to save His people.  The problem is that they kept on disobeying God and God was teaching them a lesson to trust Him.   The cycle of sin and repentance were lessonsyou will find in the book of Judges.   Another problem is that God's people were never content.  They wanted a king like the rest of the world.   This leads us to the next Era.   ERA # 2:  United Kingdom God granted Israel's request for a King despite His warning.  There were three kings that ruled one after the other and their lives are a lesson for us to follow:  King Saul was rebellious, King David was repe
Read more

Funeral Service for Herminio Resurrection "Ernie"

Image
Herminio "Ernie" Resurrection Feb 2, 2024; 5pm  2162 Nuuanu Ave.,  ******** Bible Verse Romans 6:23 ******** PROGRAM Viewing Welcome: Jennifer Balon Eulogy: Wilson Pascua Special Song: In the Garden Message: Pastor Bong Song: It is well with my soul Video: Starpointe Closing: Jennifer Balon ******** --LYRICS-- IN THE GARDEN I come to the garden alone. While the dew is still on the roses And the voice I hear, falling on my ear The son of God discloses. Chorus And He walks with me and He talks with me And He tells me I am His own,| And the joy we share as we tarry there; None other has ever known. He speaks and the sound of His voice Is so sweet the birds hush their singing And the melody that He gave to me Within my heart is ringing. Chorus And He walks with me and He talks with me And He tells me I am His own, And the joy we share as we tarry there; None other has ever known. I’d stay in the garden with Him ‘Tho the night around me be falling But He bids me go; through the vo
Read more