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By Elisabeth Altamirano-Smith | Community Columnist

West End Baptist Church has been planning and practicing this year’s Christmas presentation, “Only Jesus” since April. In a few short weeks the presentation, with an 80 member choir and 40 cast members, will reenact the historical accounts of the Bible. The scenes will move chronologically through the Bible from Adam and Eve to Jesus’ Resurrection.

“This is a new musical that we are very excited to perform,” said Director of Music Ministries Paula Kornegay. “The visual effects for this year’s performance are wonderful. We even have a built-in pool for the Baptism of Jesus. I am excited to see it all come to life.”

The richest part of the presentation for Kornegay is witnessing people who are currently having a difficult time in their personal life worship God together during the service.

“My favorite part is standing in front of everyone and experiencing the worship that takes place and knowing the way God is moving in each person’s life,” said Kornegay. “By knowing some of the hurts that they (cast and choir members) have in their personal lives and seeing them worship Jesus … There is nothing else like it in the world.”

“Only Jesus” is free and open to the community, and childcare is available for children under age three.

“It takes a tremendous amount of people to put this presentation together,” said Kornegay. “The choir has been practicing. My daughter, Liv Meany, has been directing the cast. There have been rehearsals. There were people that built the set. People are needed to control audio and video. Volunteers are outside directing cars for parking, and there are childcare workers. There is so much behind-the-scenes work that makes this happen, but we all do it for the one person that needs Jesus. Everyone is invited to “Only Jesus”, but we do it for the one person.”

“Only Jesus” will be presented at West End Baptist Church on Dec. 16 at 6:00 p.m. and Dec. 17 at 10:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Thirty minutes prior to the service beginning, there will be musical performances led by the children’s praise bands and special pre-service music. The entirety of the program will run for one hour and 40 minutes. Donations will be received for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for international missions.

West End Baptist is located at 2005 2nd Avenue N, Clanton.