The Christmas program at Burke Community Church features classic carols played by brass, woodwinds and piano, as well as a contemporary songs with a live rock ensemble. Photo contributed
Imagine Randy Travis singing “Away in a Manger,” re-imagined as reggae. Darren Brown can’t, either, but he’s practicing it anyway for an interactive portion of the Burke Community Church Christmas program on Dec. 13. The West Springfield resident was formerly the music director and is now executive pastor and worship pastor.
“We wanted something also accessible, to really invite neighbors and friends to,” said Brown. “There’s some fun elements to it, from the moment you walk in the door.”
The non-denominational church still holds a more traditional candlelight service on Christmas Eve, however five years ago, they decided to start something a little different. A more high energy program of contemporary Christian songs and traditional carols is blended with short thematic videos and a holiday message from the ministry staff.
“There is a complete color palette of styles,” said current music director Kevin McCarthy, a longtime Burke resident who now lives in Spotsylvania. A woodwind trio and a low brass ensemble led by George Mason University music professor David Porter will welcome visitors to the church with classic Christmas preludes.
Then a 75 child-strong youth choir opens the main program. “It’s loud, but beautiful,” said worship arts ministry assistant Donita Strong, of Burke.
A full adult choir of over 50 voices will take over, joined by a 10-person rock band setup of guitars, bass, drums and keyboards. The set list includes a dozen songs by contemporary artists such as Chris Tomlin and Kari Jobe.
“Music is integral to every worship service we do here,” said McCarthy. “We involve as many people as possible in that. He who sings prays twice.”
Strong said the program takes place in the first half of the month in part to accommodate the large percentage of military personnel in the congregation.
“It’s the one time they can travel to leave to go see their families,” she said, “so we moved it to make it possible for them.” This will be the sixth year the program has run in its current form this early in the month.
The fact that the church follows no liturgy specific to Catholic, Lutheran or Episcopalian denominations appeals to military families who may have come from any number of styles of base chapels.
Brown is also optimistic the energy and message of the program will engage more than just current members of the church. “Our hope is people who may be hesitant about being part of a church will come and go, ‘This can be something I can see in my life.’”
And even if visitors don’t become regular attendees, Brown is prepared to deliver some holiday perspective regardless.
“Our theme this year is ‘Unwrap Hope,’” he said. “As joyful as it is for a lot of people, it’s also really hard time for a lot of folks. It could be the first Christmas without a loved one, the first Christmas without a job. It can be one of the hardest times for people. To discover hope this Christmas, what does that look like? The story of Christmas, Jesus, the manger, what does that mean, to give me hope in my life?”
The Burke Community Church Christmas program begins Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 13 at 3 and 6 p.m. The church is located at 9900 Old Keene Mill Road, Burke.