Christmas Nursing Home Ministry with MAC

Mrs. Ables works so hard every year getting the music ready for Christmas.

The children practiced hard every Sunday for six weeks.  Instead of just singing for our congregation, we got to sing for nursing homes here in Omaha as well.... Whatever you’ve done for the least of these, My brothers, you’ve done it unto Me.
 

The first performance was to a packed house. This nursing home is expanding to 140 beds so they have a lot of folks to come and watch.

These are Pastor Joe's flock.  We sing for them every year.

 Timeka's mother-in-law was having some physical therapy at the time so we got to sing for her too.

We also got to see Grandma Twila who lives at this nursing home. She sat on the front row with a big smile on her face and collected multitudes of hugs before and after the program.

Before the program, I talked to this man who had been a practicing pediatrician for 65 years, and retired for the last 10. After doing the math, he must have been a lot older than he looked. He was hoping we’d sing 'Silent Night' in German and wondered if I’d ever told my children the story behind the song. We chatted for quite a while. After the program, Mrs. Beasley came up to greet him. I introduced her and reintroduced the topic of 'Silent Night.' He told Mrs. Beasley about the ‘magic’ behind the song so Mrs. Beasley told him the real meaning behind the song and gave him the gospel. Lord, please give him ears to hear and a heart to understand. She had been talking to her children about the real meaning of Christmas on the way to the program, and the Holy Spirit had her on fire thinking about the wonder of it all. It was like standing on holy ground to listen to her.

For a first run through, the singing went very well. Just remember, children, speak into the microphone. These older folks can be pretty deaf!

This dear lady said that today was her birthday so everyone available gathered around to sing a rousing "Happy Birthday to You."

We went to a second nursing home in Millard after lunch.  The second time through the program, everything fell into place.

Our audience

Between the songs, the children recited the Christmas story from the Bible.

Betsy got to direct a song while Mrs. Ables played with our 'raft' of violins.

 Mrs. Ables gathered all the experienced violinists to play several instrumental pieces.  They did a fabulous job.

Anna, dear, our intrepid accompanist...

The very long animal song...

Greeting time...

We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  Praise the Lord for these opportunities to minister...