Worship in the Woods: Area church holds display of lights celebrating Savior’s birth
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LOCK HAVEN --Worship in the Woods is back!
Running annually since 2021, Worship in the Woods is a display of lights hosted by Big Woods Bible Church. Held in the church parking lot, volunteers direct patrons where to park, and others will deliver cookies and hot chocolate to your car. The display, which started with approximately 20,000 lights but now includes over 64,000, is synced to music from Tommee Profitt's album "The Birth of a King" and more importantly, the Christmas story.
Travis Best, a member of Big Woods, started this display three years ago with the intention of "spreading joy and sharing the profound message of Christmas" while reaching out to the community. Work begins as early as January and continues throughout the year; programming and set up takes several weeks closer to the event. A dozen or so individuals are needed to set up lights, in addition to those parking and serving treats such as hot chocolate and cookies. "It's a labor of love," says Best. Plans for next year are already in the works: according to Travis, he is always on the "lookout for opportunities to enhance and refine the presentation, aiming to make it even more captivating."
In addition to the behind-the-scenes prep work, there are volunteers on hand each night of the event. Four individuals manage the parking, four deliver the treats, several others bake cookies for our guests, and two or three others oversee the entire event. Travis Best is also present to operate the lights.
As for attendance, "We have a diverse turnout, with an average of 40 to 80 people visiting each night. All ages enjoy the beautiful display," said Cierra Fry and Jill Sims, overseers of the event. With that many visitors, it's no surprise that roughly five gallons of hot chocolate are used each night!
While it is fun to sit in a car with friends and family and marvel at the lights, there is a deeper, eternal reason behind Worship in the Woods. "My hope is that in the busyness of the season many will be able to get a break from it all to sit in the warmth of their car, together as a family, so they can both see and hear that there is a message of hope and joy at Christmas! And, most importantly, that people would be introduced to the true meaning of Christmas, the celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus," says Tim Boger, senior pastor at Big Woods. The intention of this display is that viewers "will have heard the truth that God Himself has come to be with us and most importantly He has come to die for us, to save us from our sins."
Worship in the Woods runs every Friday and Saturday before Christmas in Big Woods Bible Church's parking lot, 241 S Hanna St. The show runs every 30 minutes between 6 and 9 p.m. Come celebrate the true meaning of Christmas with cookies, cocoa and lights! Our final showing of the season will be held after our Christmas Eve service on Dec. 24, which starts at 6 pm. Community members are encouraged to attend!