?THE MANGER IS EMPTY? CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
?The Manger is Empty," a dramtic Christmas story by
Pastor Walter Wangerin, Jr., is being featured
throughout the Christmas season as a special
broadcast off ?Lutheran Vespers," the radio ministry
program of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America. Master storyteller and popular author
Wangerin tells the poignant true story of a faithful
church member and her Christmas Eve funeral
service. Wangerin?s own seven year old daughter,
Mary, responded with the insight and imagination only
a child can offer at Christmas. Mary's child-like faith
taught her father and the whole congregation that
Christ's love is present even in midst of pain. The
presentation includes original songs and orchestration
composed by singer/songwriter Ken Medema. In
many markets "The Manger is Empty" broadcast will
be Christmas Eve, in some it will be repeated on
Christmas day. Wangerin, the host of "Lutheran
Vespers," is heard weekly on 187 stations in the
United States, Africa and Guam.
[Editors: For information about the broadcast in your
market call 800/638-3522.]
For information contact: Ann Hafften, Dir., ELCA News
Service, (312) 380-2958 or AHAFFTEN@ELCA.ORG;
Frank Imhoff, Assoc. Dir., (312) 380-2955 or
FRANKI@ELCA.ORG; Melissa Ramirez, Assist. Dir.,
(312) 380-2956 or MRAMIREZ@ELCA.ORG
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
