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A Night in Bethlehem: Member Info.

The Plan

A Night in Bethlehem: Member Info. The Plan
A Night in Bethlehem:Member Info.The Plan

Updated as of April 22, 2025

Inviting God's Children to Come Unto Their Savior Inviting God's Children to Come Unto Their Savior

The following Church News articles and preview video below help explain the vision of why our stake has committed doing Night in Bethlehem for at least the next three years.

Thousands Attend Night in Bethlehem Nativity Event at California Stake Center

Thousands Attend Night in Bethlehem Nativity Event at California Stake Center

Thousand Oaks California Stake gives gift to the community in 3-night "in Bethlehem" event that included a live nativity, one of several Nativities shared around the U.S.

launch newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org
'Night in Bethlehem' with live Nativity touches hearts in Oklahoma

'Night in Bethlehem' with live Nativity touches hearts in Oklahoma

A two-night Bethlehem and live Nativity event in Norman, Oklahoma, allowed more than 2,000 visitors to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.

launch thechurchnews.com

Preview Video Preview Video

Night in Bethlehem 2021

What Exactly Is A Night in Bethlehem? What Exactly Is A Night in Bethlehem?

A Night in Bethlehem is an annual complimentary interfaith community activity for South Los Angeles and North Orange County residents. The 3-night community activity replaces our annual Christmas Concert and has four major components:

  1. The Tax
  2. The Town
  3. The Show
  4. The Reception

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Purposes Purposes

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Guest Parking Guest Parking

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Bethlehem Staff Parking Bethlehem Staff Parking

  • Lexingtop Park & Shuttle plans become operational if shows exceed 300 guests (1500 guests)
  • If less than 300, Bethlehem staff invited to park at McAuliffe Middle School
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Event Layout & Flow Event Layout & Flow

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Click image below for more detailed layouts for the town, reception and parking.

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Entrance & Onsite Guest Parking Entrance & Onsite Guest Parking

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Welcome, Tax, Census & Handicap Parking Layout Welcome, Tax, Census & Handicap Parking Layout

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Town Layout Town Layout

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Holding Transition Area Holding Transition Area

Who's Invited? Who's Invited?

Everyone

In addition to our family and friends, all missionaries serving in the Anaheim Mission and their investigators are invited.

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Long Beach East Stake Center (Host Stake)

Address: 4142 Cerritos Avenue, Los Alamitos, CA 90720

Marketing / PR Marketing / PR

Guest Tickets Guest Tickets

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Admission Ticket Required

Free tickets available through Eventbrite in September

Two times appear on tickets:

  1. Show time (Each performance lasts 16-17 minutes)
  2. Town entrance time (45 minutes prior to your showtime)
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Performance Times

Show times are every half hour:

  • Friday: First of 4 shows starts at 6:30 pm
  • Saturday: First of 5 shows starts at 6:00 pm
  • Sunday: First of 5 shows starts at 6:00 pm

Information Booth Information Booth

Guest Check In Guest Check In

Every guest receives:

  • 10 shekels and a drawstring bag
  • First name written on a card placed in lanyard to be worn during the activity
  • Wheelchair assistance if desired

Logistics Specialists:

  • Cerritos: Brother Andrew Michener, A.W.Michener@gmail.com, 714-612-0209
  • Cypress: Sister Paula Brown, Paulahallbrown@gmail.com, 714-747-5011
  • Long Beach East: Sister Paula Kinzie, kinziep@comcast.net, 801-687-4676

The Tax: Food, Clothing & Toy Drive The Tax: Food, Clothing & Toy Drive

Tax Specialists:

  • Cerritos:Sister Emily Judkins, judkinsem@gmail.com, 480-653-2145
  • Cypress: Sister Jessica Bystrom, jess.mommy@gmail.com, 714-380-1813
  • Long Beach East: Sister Angela Walkowski, angelac_lee@hotmail.com, 562-753-1789

The Town: Bethlehem Activities The Town: Bethlehem Activities

Interactive Town Activities

One shekel = one activity

Town Activity Specialists:

  • Cerritos: Sister Shauna Douglas, hulamommy@hotmail.com, 562-925-7400
  • Cypress: Sister Cheryl Keys, cmkeys@live.com, 714-767-1704
  • Long Beach East: Sister Janet Larsen, janetlarsen1@gmail.com, 562-334-5257

Long Beach East Bethlehem Town Activity Co-Chairs

Town Layout Town Layout

Sample Decor & Activities Sample Decor & Activities

Town Activities
Pottery & Lantern
Cobbler's Shop
Hebrew Dance

Entrance Entrance

Fishing Fishing

Carpentry Carpentry

Toy Shop Toy Shop

Leatherwork Leatherwork

Jewelry Jewelry

Pottery Pottery

Weaving Weaving

Story Telling Story Telling

Clothing & Accessories Clothing & Accessories

Building Bethlehem Building Bethlehem

Building Bethlehem

Bethlehem Construction Specialists:

  • Cerritos: TBA
  • Cypress: Brother Terry Egan, mogolotz@yahoo.com, 714-865-0624
  • Long Beach: TBA
  • Long Beach East: Brother Pete Coffey, petercoffey007@gmail.com, 801-842-7511

  • Bethlehem Props Construction Specialists:
    • Cerritos: Brother Cesar Canlas, j1canlas@yahoo.com, 562-714-0172
    • Cypress: Brother Ryan LeBaron, daisy.rose@sbcglobal.net, 562-824-3721
    • Long Beach: TBA
    • Long Beach East: Brother Fred Peckham, fdpfinancial@hotmail.com, 562-235-9778

    Show Holding Area

    As guests exit the town gate of Bethlehem:

    • Remaining shekels and all drawstring bags are collected
    • Light The World bags distributed

    The Show: A Live Nativity The Show: A Live Nativity

    Performers Wanted

    • Performers wanted for lead female and male roles, choir, background group singing/acting, non-singing roles and instrumental accompaniment
    • Great opportunity for youth, adults, members and friends

    100+ Member Choir

    • The highlight of Night in Bethlehem will be the 100+ member Heavenly Host of Angels announcing the birth of Our Savior, Jesus Christ. Everyone is invited to participate in the choir.

    Show Specialists

    • Cerritos: TBA
    • Cypress: Sister Wendy Smith, wendyrsmith4@gmail.com, 714-287-7611
    • Long Beach: TBA
    • Long Beach East: Sister Amanda Mitton, pianoplayer84@gmail.com, 661-839-7026

    Building Bethlehem

    Bethlehem Construction Specialists:

  • Cerritos: Brother Cesar Canlas,
  • Cypress: Brother Terry Egan, mogolotz@yahoo.com, 714-865-0624
  • Long Beach East: Brother Pete Coffey, petercoffey007@gmail.com, 801-842-7511

  • Bethlehem Props Construction Specialists:
    • Cerritos: Brother Cesar Canlas, j1canlas@yahoo.com, 562-714-0172
    • Cypress: Brother Ryan LeBaron, daisy.rose@sbcglobal.net, 562-824-3721
    • Long Beach East: Brother Fred Peckham, fdpfinancial@hotmail.com, 562-235-9778

    Costumes Specialists

    • Cerritos: Sister Denise Hamilton, dkphamilton@gmail.com, 562-824-7555
    • Cerritos: Sister Liz Flores, musicplus31@yahoo.com, 310-920-0633
    • Cypress: Sister Jacquie Pierson, jacpierson8@gmail.com, 562-260-4856
    • Long Beach East: Sister Francine Mafi, sevenmafis@yahoo.com, 714-393-1406

    The Reception The Reception

    Bethlehem Reception

    Light The World Reception Activities

    • Hanging personalized Light The World Ornaments on Christmas trees
    • Listening to live instrumental music
    • Enjoying complimentary cookies and hot chocolate
    • Taking photos (step & repeat banners)

    RECEPTION SPECIALISTS

    Reception Specialists:

    • Cerritos: Sister Ashley Mackley, ashleywood1922@gmail.com, 801-710-1255
    • Cypress: Sister Kari Campbell, karilyncampbell5@gmail.com, 714-356-3724
    • Long Beach East: Sister Kandee Anderson, kandee.anderson@marriott.com, 714--330-1452

    Long Beach East Reception Co-Chairs

    Reception Possibilities Reception Possibilities

    Lighting Specialists

    • Cerritos: Brother Dan Buffington, dabuff9154@gmail.com, 562-244-0926
    • Cypress: Brother Martin Reyes, r2kangen@hotmail.com, 714-249-5038
    • Long Beach East: Ron Wurtz, rkwurtz@msn.com, 562-577-0950

    Sound Specialists

    • Cerritos: Brother Dan Buffington , dabuff9154@gmail.com, 562-244-0926
    • Cypress: Brother Tod Overton, tod.overtone@gmail.com, 714-653-4058
    • Long Beach East: Brother Larry Stephens, ssspres@aol.com, 562-682-8346

    Security Specialists

    • Cerritos: Brother Geoffrey Vaughn, gvaughn23@hotmail.com, 562-920-7221
    • Cypress: Brother Shawn Murray, spmurray076@gmail.com, 714-981-8768
    • Long Beach East: Brother Seth Hamilton, ham11t0nse33@gmail.com, 562-335-4126

    Bethlehem Assignments Bethlehem Assignments

    All are invited to Light The World by fufilling a Bethlehem Assignment. There are hundreds of opportunities available. Bethlehem assignments may be in addition to any existing calling. Friends not of our faith are especially invited to serve alongside Saints.

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    Assignment Interest Invitations & Forms Assignment Interest Invitations & Forms

    There are two ways to complete the Assignment Interest form: Online or Paper version.

    • Paper version is an 8.5 x 11 folded in half
    • Online version is a Google form

    Paper form

    Click image below to access paper version

    Outside

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    Inside

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    Online form

    Click the button below to access the online Assignment Interest form

    Light The World ASSIGNMENT INTEREST FORM

    The first step for anyone wanting to participate is to submit a Light The World Assignment Interest form. Interest forms should be completed as far in advance as possible.

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    Assignments will be based primarily on one's interests and necessitate working with one or more specialists. Specialists may hold planning gatherings as needed. Gatherings may include training, rehearsals, seeking input, etc. Planning the Bethlehem event is done by councils counseling together so you'll have the support necessary to fulfill your assignment.

    Stake Bethlehem Committees Stake Bethlehem Committees

    Stake Bethlehem Specialists

    Each participating stake will have its own Bethlehem committee comprised of Specialists and a Committee Chair. Specialists and the Bethlehem Chairs counsel with their counterparts in the other stakes for guidance, support and sharing of responsibilities.

    Long Beach East Stake Bethlehem Specialists

    • Meet the 2nd Thursday of each month by zoom
    • Make assignments based on the Assignment Interest forms

    Multi-Stake Activity Multi-Stake Activity

    Light The World Multi-Stake Committee

    The Light The World Steering Committee coordinates this activity across multiple stakes. This committee meets monthly and consists of four Bethlehem Committee Chairs, high councilors over activities and a counselor from each stake presidency. As host stake, the Long Beach East Stake activities committee chair spearheads this committee under the direction of the stake presidency.

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    Ward Council Responsibilities Ward Council Responsibilities

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    What Can I Do to Assist? What Can I Do to Assist?

    In addition to encouraging everyone to complete an Assignment Interest form...

    Help us find and donate props & decor items

    Using the TV Series "The Chosen" as our guide, the following items are needed for the replica town of Bethlehem: pottery (all sizes of jugs, planters and vases), wicker baskets (all types and sizes), burlap, pillows, pillow cases, bed sheets, table cloths and drapes. For all cloth items, striped or solid colors are preferred. No floral prints can be used and are not needed. Please place small items in the red donation bag near the Relief Society room. Include your name with the item so we can keep track of who donated what. Thank you!

    April Collections & Projects April Collections & Projects

    Member Information
    Cerritos, Cypress & Long Beach East Stakes
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