Many trees were sold at the Garden City Community Church 27th Annual Tree Sale on Saturday, December 8th. The eighth grade through twelfth graders from the church sold the trees, along with 40 adult volunteers, chaired by Rick Herbst. The proceeds will go towards the local Mission Trip to Hurricane Sandy victims in connection with Next Step Ministries. The Bake Sale was chaired by Betsy Clarke and many church members baked breads, cakes and other goodies. The funds will go towards purchasing supplies and equipment for the trip.
For the last eleven years the Brass Confusion band played Christmas carols as residents bought trees. The band consists of graduates from Garden City High School, Class of 1975 and 1976, and they are Bill Volz, Tim Martens, Bob Townsend, Dave Butler, Packy Bunn and Rick Herbst.
The tradition of the church is to have a youth overnight connected to the tree sale. Once the trees are marked, signs and ornaments are made, there is a Christmas Communion Service for the students. This year the theme of the service was "What If." They read inspirational stories about how the smallest act can save or change a life. The youth could relate to the stories and shared some of their own. The importance was to pause in the business of the holidays to realign themselves to the true meaning of Christmas.
The Reverend Lynn Sullivan said, "It truly has become a community event and many people wait to buy their tree from our church and Youth. Another tradition of the tree sale is to sell an ornament themed inspired by the Mission Trip location. This year, the Cara family designed the ornament and they had sand and broken sea shells in the ornament with a Sandy Relief tag. Many people paused and shared how much the ornament touched them."
The Boy Scouts of Troop 56 sold many wreaths and poinsettias.
The Garden City Community Church Christmas Eve services and Christmas Day services can be found by calling 746-1700, e-mailing ChurchOffice@GardenCityCommunityChurch.org or going to www.GardenCityCommunityChurch.org
(photos by Suzie Alvey)
