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Christmas at the Little White Church, now an annual affair, started as an idea to bring Palmerton area people together at the holidays in one of its most historic sites.
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1ST ECUMENICAL CHRISTMAS SERVICE
The First Ecumenical Christmas Service held in the Little White Church occurred on December 18, 2005. The tower bell rang sharply at 7:00 p.m. to signify the start of the celebration. The atmosphere filling the Church radiated beauty, reverence, and peace. Swags of greens adorned the outside sills beneath the soft glow of candlelight emanating from each window and the altar. A live tree, several wreaths, and swags of greens adorned with decorations handmade by local preschoolers enhanced the warmth of the occasion. Nancy Mendsen played familiar carols on the pump organ and Reverend Canon Doris Bray led the congregation in worship, prayer, and meditation. As the strains of the final hymn, "Silent Night," faded away, there was no doubt that the service had touched the hearts of all present.
The idea to have an Ecumenical Christmas Service at the Little White Church was the brainchild of the PAHS Heritage Center Steering Committee. However, the contributions of individuals and businesses helped make the dream a reality. Therefore, we would like to thank the preschoolers for the decorations, the volunteers for their labor of love, The Olde Homestead Tree Farm for the donated wreaths and gigantic tree, the George Spaulding Construction company for transporting and setting up the tree, the organist, the pastor, and the members of the public who attended the service.
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2ND ECUMENICAL CHRISTMAS SERVICE
Since the first service was deemed a huge success, the Second Ecumenical Christmas Service was planned for December 1, 2006. The Olde Homestead Tree Farm donated the tree, once again. However, this year, a group of Confirmands, from the Sacred Heart Church of Palmerton, along with their parents made the decorations and helped hang them. Philip Steigerwalt printed programs which were sponsored by Sue Steigerwalt's Charlie Brown Nursery School. Organist Nancy Mendsen graced us yet again with the beautiful strains of Christmas melodies while Reverend Anderman, the Pastor of Salem United Methodist Church in Aquashicola, conducted the service.
A welcome, on behalf of the Palmerton Area Historical Society, and brief history of the Little White Church given by Betsy Burnhauser, opened the service. Inspirational readings presented by Diane Danielson, Director of the Palmerton Area Library, and Anita Harry, of the Concourse Club echoed the meaning of the season. Once more, the church was resplendent with its many candles and holiday greens. Once again the Christmas spirit could be felt not only in the church building but also in the hearts of those present to enjoy the season.
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3RD ANNUAL ECUMENICAL CHRISTMAS SERVICE
Despite being rescheduled twice due to inclement weather, the event had become an expected annual affair, and so, the Third Annual Ecumenical Christmas Service was finally held on December 23, 2007. This year, several new ideas were incorporated to make the Service more meaningful and memorable.
Visitors were welcomed at the door by official Greeters and then accompanied to their seats by Ushers. Decorations chosen by a newly formed Decorating Committee reflected the history of the area. The outstanding "old fashioned" decorations simulated the items which the early residents would have brought to their place of worship in the decades before there was a Palmerton. The ambiance was more festive with the newly chosen nine foot artificial tree complete with tiny twinkling white lights.
As customary, Nancy Mendsen played the musical selections and Reverend Paul Schoffstall, the Pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Palmerton, presented the message. Scripture Lessons were read by Larry Yeakel, Founder and former President of the Historical Society, Darlene Nothstein, Palmerton resident, and PAHS Archives Volunteers Dorothy Kegel, Helen Steinmetz, and Carol Stefanik. Inspirational readings were presented by Dorothy Kegel, Darlene Nothstein, Carol Stefanik and Helen Steinmetz.
GREETERS
~~~~~ Curt Beers
~~~~~ Jim Burnhauser
USHERS
~~~~~Diane Danielson
~~~~~ Rodger Danielson
CO-CHAIRS DECORATING COMMITTEE
~~~~~ Mary Beth Beers
~~~~~Joanne Harris
DECORATING COMMITTEE MEMBERS
~~~~~ Shirley Blynn
~~~~~ Andrea Green
~~~~~ Marlene Greenwood
~~~~~ Anita Harry
~~~~~ Elsa Kerschner
~~~~~ Marge Porambo
~~~~~ Carol Stefanik
~~~~~ Sue Steigerwalt
~~~~~Joan Turko
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4TH ANNUAL ECUMENICAL CHRISTMAS SERVICE
The Society's Fourth Annual Ecumenical Christmas Service in the Little White Church was held on Sunday, December 7, 2008. The theme of this year's decorations was "A White Christmas at the Little White Church."
Once again visitors were welcomed with a warm greeting by members of the Palmerton Area Heritage Center Steering Committee who served as ushers and greeters. Mrs. Betsy Burnhauser included a short history of the church building.
New at the console of the old pump organ was Society member, Ms. Carol Thomas. Pastor Nathan Fry of Living Hope Lighthouse Church of Palmerton presented the Message and Benediction. Scripture lessons were read by Society members Mrs. Sue Steigerwalt and Mrs. Mary Beth Beers. New this year's service were children's readings presented by Cub Scout Colby Moyer and Girl Scout Mya Machinski. Phil Steigerwalt again designed and printed the programs.
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5TH ANNUAL ECUMENICAL CHRISTMAS SERVICE
The Fifth Annual Ecumenical service was held on Sunday, December 7, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. in the Little White Church at Third and Columbia Avenue. The music, scriptures, readings and message centered on the Advent season. The Gospel was read and a short reflexion was given by Rev. William T. Campion, pastor of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Palmerton. Megan Mummy and John Hutta read the Scriptures and Jane Borbe and Bill Smelas gave appropriate readings. Diane and Rodger Danielson served as ushers and Phil Steigerwalt and Jim Burnhauser were the greeters. Anita Harry gave readings explaining the Advent wreath while Diane Danielson lighted the candles on the wreath. Once again, Carol Thomas presided at the antique pump organ and Charlie Brown nursery school donated the programs. The committee, under the direction of Jane Borbe and Joanne Harris, had the church beautifully decorated in blue and white.
The plans for 2010 are underway, "Stayed tuned" to the Website for news about the decorative theme …
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TO VOLUNTEER AT THE LITTLE WHITE CHURCH
WRITE TO:
~~~~~ PAHS LWC / Volunteer
~~~~~ P.O. Box 267
~~~~~ Palmerton, PA 18071-0267
OR CALL:
~~~~~ & Leave a Message at: 1-610-824-6954
OR EMAIL:
~~~~~ contactus@palmertonhistorical.org
~~~~~ Please write "To Volunteer at the Little White Church" in the Subject Line
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For additional information about the Little White Church, return to the main page and click the various links, or call 610-824-6954, or Email: contactus@palmertonhistorical.org.
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