Sentinel staff report–
Christmas shoppers in Citrus Heights visiting the Sunrise Mall and Walmart over the weekend were treated to sounds of the season from two separately organized local groups.
On Saturday, the Citrus Heights Community Marching Band could be heard loudly playing familiar tunes like “Silent Night” and “We wish you a merry Christmas” outside Walmart, with shoppers seen stopping to listen or take video while entering and exiting the store. The band also marched through the store to surprise unsuspecting shoppers earlier this month.
Watch: see video of band members performing outside Walmart
On Friday night, about 80 members of Pioneer Baptist Church assembled inside Sunrise Mall near the Macy’s and See’s Candies stores to sing Christmas carols and other songs of the season like “Joy to the World” and “Oh Holy Night.”
Pastor Kyle Conley told The Sentinel his church has set up inside the mall for the past four years, with the goal to “keep Christ in Christmas.” Interspersed between songs, Conley read several passages from the Bible about the birth of Jesus and also read a poem titled “Don’t forget Jesus.”
Pioneer Baptist Church meets in a historic church building on Old Auburn Road, once home to a Quaker congregation which built the church 100 years ago.
Related: Historic church celebrates 100 years in Citrus Heights
Christmas shoppers in Citrus Heights visiting the Sunrise Mall and Walmart over the weekend were treated to sounds of the season, compliments of a local church choir and marching band.
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