Friday, December 27, 2013
By ABBY SLANKER
Families and friends of Canfield United Methodist Preschool students were treated to the sweet sounds of the children’s voices during the school’s “The Many Shapes of Christmas” program Dec. 9.
Canfield United Methodist Church Pastor Susan Brown opened the program.
“We are blessed to welcome your children to school here and we welcome you all here tonight,” Brown said.
The preschool students then led everyone in singing “God Bless America.”
The 3-, 4- and 5-year-old classes each had a part in the program and performed songs pertaining to their shape. The children were accompanied by Mary Jane Chesmar on the organ and Christina Seamons on the viola.
The 3-year-old class shape was a triangle, which represented a Christmas tree. The children held green triangles, which they declared was the shape of love and also represented living things. The students sang “Here We Go Round the Christmas Tree” to celebrate their shape, led by Ellen Van Dussen, lead teacher.
The 4-year-old class, led by head teacher Ellen Bennett, showcased the circle. The circles are ornaments that decorate the Christmas tree. The students held red circles, which represented the ornaments, while singing “Ring Around the Christmas Tree” for the crowd.
The 5-year-old class, led by Diane Blaney, lead teacher, then took the stage to showcase the star.
The children stated, “A star atop the Christmas tree shines bright for all to see.”
The children held yellow stars as they sang ‘Twinkle, Twinkle North Star.’
“I would like to thank the parents for helping their children practice their lines at home. They did a great job tonight,” said Seamons, CUMP administrator.
The students then all came together to sing “Jesus Loves Me.” Students from the 5-year-old class also assisted in the reading of the “Christmas Story” by holding up signs.
To end the program, the entire audience then joined in a sing along of “Away in a Manger,” “Hark The Herald Angels Sing,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” “Joy to the World” and “We wish you a Merry Christmas.”
Everyone was invited to adjourn to the church atrium for cookies and hot chocolate.