The dining hall in the 360-bed Lorien Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Columbia was turned into a mini "Muppet Show" last week, but this production showcased religious messages.
Instead of Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, there were bouncing puppets of mice, a girl and a gray-haired grandmother who presented the "Church Mouse Christmas" story.
They sang and discussed Jesus Christ's birth.
L "He's the reason why the season is fun," Grammy puppet said.
When the young puppeteers of the Good News Puppet Company sang from the three-tier stage, the seniors waved, clapped and tapped along.
The puppet group is part of Howard County's chapter of the Child Evangelism Fellowship, a worldwide nondenominational ministry directed at children.
Carolyn King runs the local chapter from her home in Elkridge, organizing weekly children's Good News Bible Club meetings in lTC homes and training the five club teachers.
"I think it's the best work in the world," the former seamstress said. "I feel I'm doing what God wants me to do."
The puppet group is the only one the ministry has in Maryland, Mrs. King said. Members visit nursing homes and churches.
When the 45-minute puppet show ended Monday, the children distributed presents and cards.
"I loved it. I thought it was wonderful," said Daisy Steele, 82. "I enjoyed every minute of it."
"It's a real good opportunity to reach out to people for Christ," said first-year puppeteer Richard Carter, 13.
The group's efforts have helped build the membership.
About 250 children, mostly elementary age, are enrolled in the weekly Bible classes. The hourlong classes are similar to vacation Bible and Sunday school classes, but are held in people's homes.
The youngsters sing "Jesus Loves Me" and other songs and learn Bible verses. They also study a new Bible for children that the ministry helped developed with five blank pages: A gold page represents Christ and heaven; black represents death and sin; red symbolizes Christ's blood; white represents cleansing; and green symbolizes growth.
The local chapter also has a Tel-A-Story telephone line (410-379-9322) for children to call and listen to recorded stories; birthday parties for Jesus; five-day summer Bible clubs and teen-age summer missionaries who read stories to children. Last year, Mrs. King helped produce a 30-minute cable television show called "Take Me Out to the Good News Club".
The ministry was launched in 1937 at a meeting of ministers from the Chicago area called by the Rev. Jesse Irwin Overholtzer, who was concerned about children not attending church. Today, the group has expanded its ministry to 128 countries.
Howard County's chapter is one of the most active in the state, said Mrs. King, director here for 17 years.
The ministry is supported by parents and 250 volunteers and garners donations from local churches.
"I think the parents approve of the neighborhood outreach," said Mrs. King, who has five grown sons. "It gives children an opportunity to learn about the Lord Jesus in their own neighborhood. They have a better life on earth because they have a better relationship with God the Father, and eternal life."
Jennifer Rowell approves. Her 4-year-old daughter, Jessica, attends a Bible club around the corner from her Elkridge home. "I think it's really on the kids' level of understanding," she said. "I think it reinforces what she learns in church: Who is Jesus? He's God's son. Why did he come? He came to die on the cross.
"You can ask her these questions, and she knows."
The ministry serves a purpose in a crime-ridden society, where religion isn't always welcomed, said Jean Leonard, 63, who has taught Bible classes for 30 years.
"Even in public schools, the Bible has been shut out," Mrs. Leonard said. "I think what we're seeing in our society is a result of that, and this tries to fill the gap."
Children learn about sin in the Bible clubs, Mrs. Leonard said. "It doesn't take long for them to realize" that fighting and lying are sins.
"It can be a life-changing experience for a child to hear the Gospel presented to them in a way they can receive it," Mrs. Leonard said. "It doesn't go over their heads."
Children tend to "tune out" traditional services, she said. "A lot of time in church, the body is there, but it wiggles."