The kids are getting ready to take the helm at First United Methodist Church in Austin.

The church’s children’s Christmas program will start in place of the regular service at 9:30 a.m. this Sunday.

This year, the children will perform an original Christmas pageant titled “The Write Stuff.” The program was written for First United Methodist in Austin and St. John’s Lutheran Church of Easton, Pa. The pageant tells the tale of the four Gospel writers working together to create a Christmas Pageant with some assistance from local theater directors and a host of characters. No Gospels are identical in their telling of Jesus’ time on Earth, and the Gospel writers in the pageant struggle with trying to make the “right” story. Cookies and cocoa will be served following the program.

The Chancel Choir of First United Methodist Church will present a Christmas cantata entitled “Lead Me Back to Bethlehem” on the following Sunday, Dec. 11, during the 9:30 a.m. service. The events are all in line with the Church’s December theme: “The Road to Bethlehem.”

An egg bake brunch will be served following the service by the VIM (Volunteers In Mission) Team with proceeds to be used to help congregation members travel to Louisiana for a service trip.

The public is invited to all three events.