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Date: 12/7/2022
AGAWAM – For the 47th time, Bethany Assembly of God will present its annual Christmas music program featuring the “Singing Christmas Tree” this month. Despite the number of times the church has staged the event, the preparations take much time.
The Rev. Camellia Grace Matthes, the church’s pastor of worship, explained to Reminder Publishing that the event audiences see in December begins with preparations in July.
She said in July the theme for the program is decided, with the music that is to be performed assembled in August.
This year the performance’s theme is “A Common Christmas: The Story of an Extraordinary Ordinary Birth.”
The choir rehearses weekly from September through December, with extra rehearsals closer to the performances.
This year, the choir has 46 members, who will be seated in the church’s sanctuary on a Christmas tree frame. There are 13 orchestra members, as well, and a drama team.
Matthes said there are a few performers who are professionals and from outside the church’s congregation, but “vast majority” are from the church.
She noted the church had to cancel the event in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, but “in 2021 we picked it right back up and continued the tradition.”
The structure on which the choir sits is a steel frame that is decorated to give the illusion of the choir members serving as ornaments on a giant Christmas tree.
“We start setting up the stage area a week before the production,” Matthes explained.
The show runs about an hour and 15 minutes and is a free performance.
“It is a not a ticketed event and we suggest people arrive early, “Matthes said. The church does accept free-will offerings with the donations going to the construction of schools in Latin America.
Childcare for children up to age 2 will be available, as well as signing for the hearing impaired.
The show runs Dec. 9 at 7 p.m.; Dec. 10 at 6 p.m.; and Dec. 11 at 3 and 6 p.m. The church is at 580 Main St., Agawam.