Christmas at Concordia performance and buffet - Dec. 4 & 5
Christmas at Concordia, presented by the Concordia University Department of Music, will put audiences in the holiday mood with three concerts on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 4 and 5 at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward. The Saturday performance will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday's performances are scheduled for 3 and 7 p.m. The concerts are free, but tickets are required.
More than 200 student musicians will be involved in the event. Along with the ensembles directed by von Kampen, the University Symphonic Band, Concordia Handbell Choir, Concordia Singers and the Brass Ensemble will participate. Dr. Jeffrey Blersch, university organist, and featured student soloists also will perform.
During the concerts Scripture readings will be woven together with Christmas music from around the world. The program includes traditional holiday hymns, audience participation and pieces composed or arranged by members of the department.
A holiday buffet will be offered in the Janzow Campus Center from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Saturday and between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Christmas at Concordia concert and holiday buffet tickets need to be reserved online:
Printed receipts from the online reservations will serve as tickets for the events.
Scholarship Parade of Homes - Dec. 5
Five distinctive Seward homes will be decked out for the holidays for the 16th annual Scholarship Parade of Homes on Sunday, Dec. 5. Sponsored by the Concordia University Alumni Association, the event raises funds for high school seniors in Seward County attending either Concordia University or Southeast Community College. Visitors may tour the residences in any order from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
More information on the homes that will be participating coming soon.
Advance tickets for the Scholarship Parade of Homes are $8 and need to be reserved on-line.
Printed receipts from the online reservations will serve as tickets for the events.
Tickets can also be purchased on the day of the event for $10 at the main entrance of Seward High School and in the lobby of Weller Hall on Concordia's campus between noon and 2:30 p.m.
Journey to the Manger - Dec. 7
The annual Journey to the Manger at Concordia University, Nebraska, will be held Tuesday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m.
The lone starting time is a change from past years. Attendees will first gather at Weller Hall and then travel as one group through campus. At different stations along the route, Concordia students will share prophesies about the birth of the Messiah and portray characters from both the Old and New Testaments. The route will end at the outdoor chapel where the manger will be located.
Rev. Ryan Matthias, Concordia's campus pastor hopes the journey will be a time of reflection and of remembrance. "Prayerfully we will be reminded of the shepherds as they traveled their spartan path to the foot of the Christ child,' he said.
Refreshments in Weller Hall will follow the event.
