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Christmas Crafts: Light of the World Lanterns

Each Thursday from now until December 24, there will be a new Faith-Based Christmas Craft you can make with your family.

Here’s the second:

Looking for simple Christmas crafts that keep the focus on Jesus? Some of the most meaningful moments of the season happen in small, ordinary activities at home.

Here are 10 easy, low-prep crafts your family can make together this Christmas, each one paired with a Bible verse to help keep the true meaning of the season front and center. They work for a range of ages, so siblings can craft side by side, and most use simple supplies you probably already have at home.

2. Light of the World Lanterns

Verse: John 8:12

Turn a jar or cup into a glowing lantern that reminds your kids Jesus is the Light of the World, a simple visual they will remember.

Supplies:

Clear plastic cups or mason jars

Tissue paper in Christmas colors

Glue sticks or Mod Podge and brushes

Battery operated tea lights

Markers

Optional verse tag: Jesus is the Light of the World

Instructions:

1. Tear or cut tissue paper into small squares.

2. Use glue to cover the outside of the cup with overlapping tissue.

3. Let dry for a few minutes.

4. Place an LED candle inside and watch it glow.

5. Add the verse tag or write it directly on the lantern.

 
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Posted by on October 29, 2026 in Christmas, Holidays, Posts of Interest

 

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Christmas in Philippi

Christmas in Philippi

Share the Joy of Christmas in Philippi! 🎄❤️

Pender United Methodist Church invites you to help make Christmas special for children and families in Philippi, West Virginia.

This Christmas, we want to bless local families by providing Christmas gifts for their children—and we need your help!

On Friday, November 20, 2026, Pender volunteers will arrive in Philippi to help prepare for this special community event at People’s Chapel. Families will be welcomed into a warm, caring space where they can receive prayer, share in fellowship, and wrap their children’s Christmas gifts together.

After wrapping the gifts, families may take them home to place under the tree, bringing a little extra joy to Christmas morning.

Together, we can share Christ’s love, bring hope to families, and make Christmas brighter for children in Philippi.

Thank you for helping Pender UMC spread Christmas joy!

 

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Christmas Crafts: Nativity Scene Ornaments

Christmas Crafts: Nativity Scene Ornaments

Each Thursday from now until December 24, there will be a new Faith-Based Christmas Craft you can make with your family.

Here’s the first one:

Looking for simple Christmas crafts that keep the focus on Jesus? Some of the most meaningful moments of the season happen in small, ordinary activities at home.

Here are 10 easy, low-prep crafts your family can make together this Christmas, each one paired with a Bible verse to help keep the true meaning of the season front and center. They work for a range of ages, so siblings can craft side by side, and most use simple supplies you probably already have at home.

1. Nativity Scene Ornaments

Verse: Luke 2:11

Build a simple stable out of popsicle sticks and decorate it with paper cutouts of baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. It is an easy way to retell the Christmas story with your hands while you talk through it together.

Supplies:

Popsicle sticks (5 to 6 per child)

Brown construction paper or cardstock

Glue sticks or white glue

Child safe scissors

Crayons or markers

Small paper or foam cutouts of baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

Straw, raffia, or yellow paper strips for hay

Ribbon or yarn for hanging

Optional: star stickers or glitter

Instructions:

1. Glue 4 popsicle sticks into a triangle shape for the stable roof and sides.

2. Glue 1 to 2 more sticks horizontally across the bottom for the base.

3. Attach the stable frame to a piece of brown paper or cardstock.

4. Add the paper cutouts of baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph inside the stable.

5. Glue straw or yellow paper under baby Jesus for the manger.

6. Decorate with a star sticker at the top and any extra details.

7. Punch a hole or tape a ribbon loop to the back for hanging.

 
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Posted by on October 22, 2026 in Christmas, Holidays, Pender UMC, Posts of Interest

 

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Hymn History: Tell Out My Soul/Be Still My Soul

The above is the melody to Finlandia by Jean Sibelius, which is commonly used for “Tell Out, My Soul” as well as “Be Still, My Soul”.

“Be Still My Soul” was the prelude at Pender’s 9:00 am Traditional Service on August 6, 2023. It was played on piano by Heidi Jacobs.

 

“Tell Out My Soul” by Joel Raney was sung at Pender’s 2022 Christmas Cantata by Laura Connors, soprano and Brian Stevenson, baritone

The main melody was based on Finlandia, a tone poem by Jean Sibelius.

From the publisher: This paraphrase of the Song of Mary calls for Christians to proclaim the greatness of the Lord, the greatness of his name, the greatness of his might, and the greatness of his word. For soprano and baritone solo with choir backup, this piece is equally effective with piano accompaniment or full orchestra. It originally appeared in Mary McDonald and Joel Raney’s best-selling Christmas musical, Sing Christmas.

Special thanks to the Sanctuary Choir, Liz Sellers, accompanist, Brian Stevenson, director and the Orchestra: Gwyn Jones, flute; Jeff Kahan, oboe; Alisha Coleman, clarinet; Jeanne Kim, violin; Sean Wittmer, violin; Ethan Chien, viola and Kyle Ryu-cello for all the effort in presenting Pender’s Christmas Cantata!

More from the Christmas Cantata at https://penderumc.org/music-ministry/concert-series/

The Finlandia hymn refers to a serene hymn-like section of the patriotic symphonic poem Finlandia, written in 1899 and 1900 by the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. It was later re-worked by the composer into a stand-alone piece.

Finlandia used in Be Still My Soul:

 

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Christmas Music, Part 24 – O Holy Night

o-holy-night

At Pender’s Holiday Concert 2022, Adolphe Adam’s “Oh Holy Night” was performed by Corinne Delaney, Soprano and Liz Eunji Moon on piano.

 

“O Holy Night” (“Cantique de Noël”) is a well-known Christmas carol composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847 to the French poem “Minuit, chrétiens” (Midnight, Christians) by Placide Cappeau (1808–1877).

Cappeau, a wine merchant and poet, had been asked by a parish priest to write a Christmas poem. Unitarian minister John Sullivan Dwight, editor of Dwight’s Journal of Music, created a singing edition based on Cappeau’s French text in 1855.

In both the French original and in the two familiar English versions of the carol, the text reflects on the birth of Jesus and of mankind’s redemption.
O Holy Night

O Holy Night sung by Luciano Pavarotti and Placido Domingo

 

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