The Canyonville and Myrtle Creek (Ore.) churches were participants in the 20th Annual Timber Truckers Light Parade, held in the Riddle, Tri-City and Myrtle Creek, Ore., areas on Saturday evening, Dec. 14, 2013. Semitrucks, fire engines, school buses and floats pulled by trucks, each decorated with Christmas lights, made a colorful parade that spread out more than a half-mile along the 12-mile parade route.
The church members' purpose was to demonstrate a presence in their community and at the same time to let several thousand people along the parade route know who they are. Members of both churches met together and planned the construction of a float that would not only showcase a babe in a manger and a star but also to have 27 caroling church members singing Christmas carols. On each side of the float a huge sign announced “Your Friends the Seventh-day Adventists.”
Though it was cold, and the carolers spent nearly two and a half hours braving the elements as they sang, it was fun and rewarding to see the response of those who heard the Christmas carols. One participant said, “Though I am not sure I will feel my toes until sometime tomorrow, I enjoyed it and wouldn’t have missed doing this for anything.”
“I haven’t had this much fun in a long time," says another caroler. Nearly 100 people met at the Myrtle Creek Church fellowship hall for warm cider and refreshments after the parade.
Several church members remarked how this event truly brought the Myrtle Creek and Canyonville churches closer together. Planning is underway to participate again next year.
The Canyonville and Myrtle Creek churches combined their efforts to participate in the annual Timber Truckers Light Parade.
