You’ve been invited to a party at Clarkston Community Church, and it takes place on stage this Sunday, Dec. 14 at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Worship Pastor Michael Anderson, and his wife, Dawn, wrote the program, inspired by music and narration from “A Christmas Invitation: Come Just As You Are,” written by David T. Clydesdale and published by Word Music.
“We wanted to dramatize it. So my wife and I took the basic principle that was there and created some characters. We’ve used a little of what they actually wrote for narration, but a lot of the dialogue we came up with.”
This isn’t the first time the Andersons have done this. They did the same for last Easter’s program. “When we’ve got something like this, we say, ‘This needs something, so let’s write it.’”
The hour-long musical features six characters — two adult couples, the Courtmans and the Winships. Each have one child.
The Courtmans are hosting their annual big to-do.
“Mrs. Winship realizes this is ‘the’ Christmas party of the year,” Anderson said, who has been with the church for two years. “She’s heard all about it and she’s wanted to go. Now she’s invited and she’s so excited. She wants to say the right things, wear the right things and bring the right gift. She’s really nervous about it. But before the night is over, she and Mr. Winship will have another invitation — an invitation to God. Will they accept that invitation when they are both presented with the Gospel?”
Anderson said the musical’s theme is peace.
“Will you accept God’s peace that He gives to you amidst the chaos of Christmas? Because God offers you peace.”
There are close to 70 people involved in the production from dramatic roles to children’s and adult choirs to a dance team and support.
“We try to bring these extra little things in to make it special — to reach people in a whole number of ways. Some people really connect with drama, some people prefer music, some people want to see something.”
Anderson is expecting a large audience for both performances.
“I have people telling me they’ve invited friends and neighbors. People have been contacting the church, asking ‘When is your musical? We want to come and see it.’ So that’s good. We’re excited about that.”
Clarkston Community Church is located at 6300 Clarkston Rd. Nursery will be provided. For more information, call (248) 625-1323 or visit www.clarkstoncchurch.com.