CHINA GROVE — If the members of New Hope Presbyterian Church had to put on this show by themselves, they’d be in trouble.
But the little church that sits at the end of Stevens Street has found a lot of friends, and, of course, they give a lot of credit to the almighty.
And now, three years after this congregation of about 90 launched its drive-through Christmas play, it has become probably the biggest outside nativity event in the county.
And it keeps growing.
Robert McCluney, the church member in charge of publicity, said the organizing committee has added a 23rd scene this year.
And there are probably some more animals. The only animal they’re missing is a camel; they’re too expensive to rent.
They’ll have the World War II spotlight; the owner brings it all the way from Fayetteville.
McCluney says the spotlight is worth the expense. He says people see that light in the sky and are curious enough to “follow the star” to the church, just as Christians believe the shepherds and wisemen followed another light all those many years ago.
Entitled “Journey to Bethlehem,” the presentation is more than traditional nativity scenes, incorporating scenes from the birth to the resurrection of Jesus.
It begins with a census takers booth at the large gate that church members have erected at the entrance to the church’s driveway.
Two Rowan soldiers are always on duty, with other soldiers on horseback constantly patrolling the grounds.
Then the cars progress down the driveway, seeing an angel appear separately to Mary and Joseph, the couple’s journey to Bethlehem
Bethlehem has an authentic feel with a real blacksmith operating his forge, women cooking at a big kettle of soup and fishermen working at their nets (with real fish from a local market).
The baker’s oven is really a dog house in disguise.
There’s also women at a well, a carpenter’s shop, a weaver and a rich merchant in the center of the square trying to peddle his goods.
“There’s always a dialogue going on,” McCluney said.
Of course, you’ll see shepherds tending the sheep and the angels will appear to them. Mary and Joseph find no room at the inn, and the three wisemen arrive.
As you leave, you see an empty cross and Jesus ascending to heaven. (The church had to build another road to funnel the cars off the property.)
The church will present Journey to Bethlehem four nights — Dec. 7-10 — from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. each night.
Thanks to the census takers, the church counted 7,500 people attended last year.
“We had cars backed up from the gate completely past the fire department in downtown China Grove,” McCluney said.
To put on that kind of show, the church will use about 125 volunteers. They’ve got enough help now that they can substitute some of the actors who have to remain still in their scenes.
And the church doesn’t charge or accept anything. “Please make it very clear that there is no charge to drive through and don’t imply that we accept donations before or after,” McCluney said.
“We don’t want anyone to think we are soliciting donations.
“This is our gift to the community. Our main objective is to tell the miraculous story of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which our scenes will depict.”
The church’s pastor, the Rev. Cary Holbert, brought the idea from a church in Irmo, S.C.
Though the undertaking seemed daunting, the play has been a blessing to the church.
When McCluney came to the church five or six years ago, 35 or 40 were attending Sunday services. Now, “we’re running pretty close to 100 each Sunday, and a lot of people are looking at us and thinking about joining us,” he said.
The church has kicked off a Pioneers Club youth program, and a new three-day-a-week Mother’s Morning Out has attracted moms and children.
And more and more people are taking notice of the little church at the end of Stevens Street.
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