Community Corner

Sixth Annual 'A Night in Bethlehem' Returns to Lacey

The Forked River Baptist Church will be holding its annual Christmas event free of charge from Thursday, Dec. 6 to Saturday, Dec. 8

The Forked River Baptist Church presents its sixth annual A Night in Bethlehem from Thursday, Dec. 6 to Saturday, Dec. 8.

“A Night in Bethlehem transforms the Lanoka Harbor church into the streets of Bethlehem on the night that Jesus was born,” says Darcie King, producer from 2011 to 2012. “Guests visit shops as they were in Biblical times, learn the history of the period, sample goods from the era and even meet Mary, Joseph and their new baby, Jesus.”

The event is “family-friendly” and provides a “hands-on authentic Christmas experience,” she said.

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“Our focus is to bring the bible to life and introduce the community to what life was like 2,000 years ago,” Pastor Mike Mrazek said. “Our team has worked diligently through the years to create this amazing family experience.”

To pull off the event, it requires more than 100 volunteers from the Forked River Church and its ministries, King said.

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This year’s event will include new additions and hands-on activities, including a new shop in which participants create a craft of the time and new take-away items.

The church originally opened up its doors for this event in 2007 as an outreach opportunity, started by church member Joan Stankiewitch.

“Joan brought this idea to life, and our creative team has sculpted it through the years to create a truly educational and memorable experience for everyone from toddler to senior citizen,” King said.

The Forked River Baptist Church is located at 21 Haines St., in Lanoka Harbor. The hours of the event are 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday and 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

A Night in Bethlehem is a drop-in event, reservations are not required and visitors can stay for any length of time. Admission is free.

For more information, call the church at 609-693-2726 or visit www.nightinbethlehemnj.com


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