YOUNG ANGELS STAND on stage during a Christmas Story presentation at Marvin United Methodist Church. The special Community Christmas Celebration was led by children on Sunday.

TYLER | MARVIN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

It was all about the children during a Community Christmas celebration at Marvin United Methodist Church on Sunday. The church’s sanctuary was overflowing with small voices and costumes as the children led the service which included their annual reenactment of the Christmas Story. The church, located in downtown Tyler, welcomed families for the 11 a.m. worship service celebrating the true meaning of Christmas.

Worship opened with several children taking turns on the piano to play a medley of Christmas Carols. Following the Creed, which was inspired by Rev. Walter R. Bowie, 9-year-old Louise McCain began the Procession of the Star. Louise said it was her first time to participate in the pageant.

The Program went on to play out the Christmas Story with Anna Cate Howard playing Mary and Chandler Howard playing Joseph, in addition to more than 45 other children playing Angels, shepherds, animals and more.

The congregation of more than 3,000 is over-seen by Senior Pastor Dr. Doug Baker who has been with the church since 2007. The children’s service was organized and led by Church Children’s Director Julie Brown.

The church held a Christmas Eve Eve service the same evening and will hold several Christmas Eve services beginning at 5 p.m. on Monday,