Candlelighting Our Small Corner Of Colon Panama
“Let’s Go To Bethlehem” was the theme of First Isthmian’s Candlelight Service held Sunday December 16th at 7:00 pm. The small gathering joined in the dramatic narration with enthusiasm and most of them were in such a great mood, they even agreed to pose for an impromptu photo.
Say ‘Candlelight’ everyone…
As often we can, we break away from the traditional ‘Baptist’ type program and introduce some new liturgical flavours from other traditions. The members always welcome and appreciate the refreshing change. Our Candlelight Service was such an occasion. I made revisions to a Candlelight Service liturgy of Rev. Richard Fairchild, excluded Communion and we all agreed it was good.
A significant amount of the members were absent as there were several Graduation exercises in Colon. By the time, we heard about the graduations, it was too late to change the date of our service. And you know Graduation means, family and friends have to be in attendance. Our congregation is one of those where almost everyone is related either by blood or by marriage. Nevertheless, a decent amount stayed behind so that the service could go on.
We were still happy at the turn out. Night services are not well attended and in fact we do not usually have Sunday night services. Our mostly elderly members are deterred by the crime rate in Colon. They are especially afraid of the little corner we are tucked in, and so near to the bus terminal, where criminals and drug addicts hang out.
Christmas Morning service will take place at 7:00am, which is a change from last year. We had a Christmas Eve service then, which began at 11:00pm and that was surprisingly well attended. We changed this year to accommodate a Lodge (that’s another story I’ll have to tell you – soon). Watch Night Service begins at 10:00pm as we race to finish at about 11:55 ahead of the firecrackers that prevents you from hearing anything in the City at midnight.
More stories and hopefully photos to come,
Marvia
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