Lydie Birai – Denver, Colorado … Special Christmas programs are a part of worship events, expected and thoroughly enjoyed by congregants and other participants. One such example is a LifeSource Christmas program. Consider the following ravings about the LifeSource program held on December 17.
“Loved it! Enjoyed the production! Well-organized! Worshipful and classy experience! It was great and performances were outstanding, taking it to another level.”
”Detailed enough to hold my attention but not so long that it felt like it dragged on.”
“Everyone left wanting more!”
“Incredible what was put together with the time that we had.”
“Multi-generational involvement. Thoroughly enjoyed it, very glorifying to God, loved the singing and performances”
It’s amazing how God works and how things come back full circle. Several years ago, as Rafael Castro shared, he made his way to Northern Colorado from Brazil, uncertain of what his future held as a young, single man. He was greeted warmly by the Fort Collins Seventh-day Adventist Church and its young adults who took him under its wings.
Due to life situations, while he wanted to remain in Colorado, he took several detours. But, in the back of his mind, he always wanted to go back to Colorado. He still remembers how welcoming the community was.
As God would have it, in 2022, Rafael came back to Colorado, but this time, to the Denver area with a beautiful and talented wife and much more certainty about his future. Rafael and his wife Geovanna visited LifeSource Adventist Fellowship, where again he was greeted by a special group of young adults.
Within a month or so of attending our church, Geovanna felt supported and empowered by the leadership team to share her vision of a Christmas program. Within weeks, she was able to put her vision together and on December 17th, it all came to life. In attendance were 127 people from the LifeSource community and other churches. Within three days of the program, there were more than 100 views on YouTube.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the Christmas program was seeing how God planted a seed at the Fort Collins Church for Rafael. He had no idea what the future held at that time, but because of this seed, he came back to Colorado. In their short time at LifeSource, Rafael and Geovanna have already been such a blessing to the church family.
Their creation included a nativity built from scratch by Rafael Castro. The play, which included Pastor Daniel as the Angel Gabriel and Heremy and Nathan Cordova as Joseph and Mary, was narrated by Lonnie Hetterle, former RMC superintendent of education.
Pastor Daniel and Heremy Cordova provided live music and onlookers enjoyed varied music beautifully chosen. Other singers who presented as lambs and sheep included several children from the church. The congregation joined in at the conclusion of the program when every participant on stage sang a beautiful rendition of “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”.
At the conclusion of the production, watchers exited into the hallway where they could pet two live donkeys, making a perfect backdrop for photos. They were treated to refreshments provided by the Fellowship Committee and gift bags put together by Adventurers and Pathfinders.
It was a blessing to see how this Christmas program brought LifeSource and our community together. We love creating memories as a community, and with so many requests, Geovanna is looking forward to doing a program again next year, Lord willing!
We thank God for the Castros and our entire community for living up to our church motto … LifeSource. #StepIntoFamily.
–Lydie Birai is secretary/treasurer of Club Ministries at LifeSource Fellowship in Denver. Photos by Daniel Birai. Watch the program here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01rfC_2GJN0
