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Average gas prices for Dec. 15

Running out of money, Northwest Area officials head to Harrisburg

<p>FORTY FORT &#8212; The nativity display on the front lawn of the Forty Fort United Methodist is looking especially festive this year after it was refurbished by art students at Wyoming Valley West Senior High School.</p><p>Erin Murray, district art teacher, said the effort was the result of a commitment by the district to student participation in community service and assisting area residents while building character which benefits students throughout their lives.</p><p>Pastor Philip Wanck said the completion of the project was especially fulfilling because of the cooperation among members of the church, school and community.</p><p>He said the figures were getting pretty &#8220;un-painted.&#8221;</p><p>&#8220;One of our pre-school teachers, Caroline Novrocki, is the wife of the principal of the high school,&#8221; Wanck said. &#8220;When we realized last year that the nativity scene needed some artistic maintenance, she made it happen.&#8221;</p><p>Senior Samantha Packer smiles as she listened to the story, because she attended the church&#8217;s pre-school program as a youngster.</p><p>Packer enjoyed working on the project under Murray&#8217;s direction last semester and was more than happy to invest time and energy in restoring the Christmas scene she remembers &#8220;from forever.&#8221;</p><p>Caitlyn Prebish, also a senior, said the project is consistent of her love for service and commitment to church.</p><p>&#8220;I&#8217;m an altar server and enjoy serving at church with my family,&#8221; she said.</p><p>Sophomore Dezarae Sabecky enjoyed the chance to participate in the project which allowed her to help beautify the church grounds, complete with a spiritual message.</p><p>Murray said the project lasted about nine weeks and took both thought and effort.</p><p>&#8220;I determined the type of paint, acrylic, that should be used,&#8221; said Murray. &#8220;Some figures required more attention that others.&#8221;</p><p>Murray said students from the district have and will continue to engage in community-based projects.</p><p>&#8220;We&#8217;ve done several, including painting the side of a building and working with nursing homes,&#8221; she said.</p><p>The church has about 125 members who attend weekly services and participate in various ministries.</p><p>As the students gathered around the nativity scene, a result of their time and efforts, each had a favorite part of the display: for some, it was the deep blue eyes of the baby Jesus; for others, it was the animals and some thought it was the wise men.</p><p>To Pastor Wanck, it was the spirit of the nativity set he believes made the biggest impression on onlookers.</p><p>&#8220;It has antiquity,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Helping us to look back to the past through a spiritual perspective.&#8221;</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Samantha Packer, 17, Caitlin Prebish, 18, and Dezarae Sabecky, 15, talk about work they did to refinish the nativity at the Forty Fort United Methodist Church. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_TTL121515nativity1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Samantha Packer, 17, Caitlin Prebish, 18, and Dezarae Sabecky, 15, talk about work they did to refinish the nativity at the Forty Fort United Methodist Church. </caption0><photoCredit0>Aimee Dilger | Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_TTL121515nativity3.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Samantha Packer, 17, Caitlin Prebish, 18, and Dezarae Sabecky, 15, along with their instructor Erin Murray look at the work they did to refinish the nativity at the Forty Fort United Methodist Church. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_TTL121515nativity3.jpg</photo1><caption1>Samantha Packer, 17, Caitlin Prebish, 18, and Dezarae Sabecky, 15, along with their instructor Erin Murray look at the work they did to refinish the nativity at the Forty Fort United Methodist Church. </caption1><photoCredit1>Aimee Dilger | Times Leader </photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_TTL121515nativity2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Samantha Packer, 17, Caitlin Prebish, 18, and Dezarae Sabecky, 15, talk with Rev. Philip Wanck about work they did to refinish the nativity at the Forty Fort United Methodist Church. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_TTL121515nativity2.jpg</photo2><caption2>Samantha Packer, 17, Caitlin Prebish, 18, and Dezarae Sabecky, 15, talk with Rev. Philip Wanck about work they did to refinish the nativity at the Forty Fort United Methodist Church. </caption2><photoCredit2>Aimee Dilger | Times Leader </photoCredit2></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Geri Gibbons</p><p>ggibbons@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @Tlggibbons</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Forty Fort United Methodist Church nativity scene more alive than ever, thanks to Wyoming Valley West art students