Pamper Guests - The Parklander Magazine

COMMUNITY NEWSCHURCH SHOWAncient Bethlehem Comes to Coral Springspeople who want to experience what Bethlehem waslike when Jesus was born will not want to miss the“Bethlehem Revisited” performance at First UnitedMethodist Church in Coral Springs. The show,which is scheduled for Dec. 10 to 14, involves close to 150 people.It emphasizes the authenticity of ancient times.“We try to recreate the village of Bethlehem as it may haveappeared 2,000 years ago,” said Janet Brockway, drama directorfor the presentation. “In early 1990, we offered a nativity scenebut, in 1993, the church decided to offer a little more. Peoplecould come and find out what really happened back then.”Church members conducted extensive research on villagelife at that time and in that place. They studied the archeologyand the history of ancient Israel. Sixteen shops appear as theywould have in ancient Bethlehem, with the largest a bread shopwhere bread is made. Other shops are devoted to precious metals,music, papyrus, baskets and herbs. There is also a blacksmithshop. No effort was spared to make the shops true to lifein that period. Church members gathered papyrus from localcanals and used the same techniques of ancient artisans to createa form of papyrus paper.Men playing Roman soldiers will act as security personnel.Also look for animals, including sheep. Period costumes for theevent are worn by all participants. The show is such a hit thatother churches are sending their members to see it. “We havehad a church from Tallahassee and another in Miami Lakescome for a visit,” said Brockway. “A church in Nebraska andone in Alaska want to see what we are doing. This presentationis our Christmas card to the community.”With roughly 10,000 people expected to attend and noreservations required, visitors can expect long lines. There is noadmission fee. The church is located at 4431 West SampleRoad in Coral Springs. Weekday performances are from 7 to 9p.m. and weekend performances are from 6 to 9 p.m. For moreinformation, telephone the church at 954-752-0333.—David VolzthePARKLANDER7