First, Sylacauga, presents ‘Christmas in the City’

In an enchanting way of reminding people why Christmas is celebrated, the adult choir of First Baptist Church, Sylacauga,  hosted “Christmas in the City” Dinner Theatre Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 3 and 4 at the church’s Christian Life Center. Keith Pugh is pastor and Tony Higginbotham is minister of music.
   
Dinner Theatre is a labor of love involving more than 175 choir members, ensemble singers, cast, servers, kitchen staff and set construction workers. Since August when work began with rehearsals and set construction, “Christmas in the City” was lifted in prayer as a means of sharing the love of Christ.
   
While choir members entertained the audience by singing carols and seasonal music for guests around the dinner tables, the concept of dinner theatre was much more than entertainment.
   
After a four-course dinner is served by choir members, a drama based on the evangelistic call of the Great Commission was presented in contemporary format.
   
The play opened with frenzied shoppers and harried business owners caught up in whirlwind activities usually associated with Christmas. No one seemed to notice the forlorn new couple in town simply looking for affordable housing and employment. “Christmas in the City”  reminded everyone that this is the most wonderful time of the year because of the celebration of when God became flesh. The story of Jesus’ birth is read from Luke, as well as the passage from Isaiah foretelling His arrival. The love of God reaches everyone, including the lonely couple, as the production emphasizes how everyone needs the Lord.
   
More than 550 people attended the first three nights of the production, with professions of faith and numerous decisions of recommitment.
   
“Christmas in the City” Dinner Theatre is a ministry through which First, Sylacauga, shares the good news of Jesus with the people of Sylacauga and surrounding areas.