The reason for the season

Staff report

Christmas Eve SERVICES at Boardman United Methodist Church were as exciting as the thought of presents for Logan Malysa, 5.

“I’m so excited,” the boy told his mother, Susan Malysa. “This is like Christmas day.”

Susan and her husband, Steve, of Boardman like attending the 5 p.m. service at the Market Street church because it’s convenient.

“This is early enough for him, and they get the kids real involved,” Susan said.

At the beginning of the service, the Rev. Ash Welch, who co-pastors with his wife, led the children in singing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus. Each child got a bag full of goodies and a “party hat” to wear. Boys wore crowns, and girls wore halos, and all participated in a modified version of the game “Simon Says” called “Jesus Says.”

“We passed out cupcakes one year, and that was a big mistake,” the Rev. Peg Welch, co-pastor, said. “Candy canes work better.”

The Dunlany family of Boardman had the honor of portraying the holy family during the service. Jeanette and her husband, Joseph, aptly named for his role, carried their daughter Rachel to the front of the congregation during the service.

Rachel is almost 7 months old, and her brother, Ethan, was the same age when he played the role of baby Jesus six years ago.

“They said this is the first time they’ve had a family do it twice,” Jeanette said.

The church had services at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. after the children’s service.

“The mood is different for each, but the message is the same: Jesus is born,” the Rev. Mrs. Welch said.

Members of First Presbyterian Church on Wick Avenue celebrated Christmas with a more traditional candlelight service Friday.

“I think people really like the quiet,” Pastor Nick Mager said of the peaceful service.

Mager’s meditation focused on that silence as he called for those attending the Youngstown service to embrace it.

Mager referenced a lyric in “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” which the congregation also sang.

“It says ‘How silently, how silently/ The wondrous gift is given,’ ” Mager said. “I think what we need is a little more silence and a little more wonder.”