The Superior Express -

Since the early 1990s that Living Faith Fellowship Church has assembled the fall festivals in the Superior community annually. The festivals provide an alternative to Halloween with a family focused wholesome option. In times past, the activities were focused on the children, but now it is open for adults to participate making it fun for parents and grandparents to play along with their children. Fall festivals have taken place outdoors at times over the decades, but with the Auditorium open again, it has been the best option to be warm indoors especially when the weather turns a bit chilly and unpredictable.

So why a “Harvest Festival,” per se, and not a “Halloween” celebration? Pastor Jon Albrecht from Living Faith Fellowship Church, shares briefly the differences, and will be doing a radio show to explain more in depth about harvest and Halloween at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, on KRFS AM 1600, if you’d like to tune in. Harvest is celebrated in a way to “glorify Jesus Christ. To shine a bright light in this dark world,” said Albrecht. “The origins of Halloween are ungodly. It celebrates death and skeletons. It is demonic and witchcraft,” Albrecht added. Most of us have grown up with and are accustomed to the celebration of Halloween and trick or treating that we don’t question it. Most pastors tend to agree on the matter and give us much food for thought on the subject. Their perspectives are not meant to condemn anyone, but to inform.

Besides candy and prizes, what Pastor Albrecht would like families to take away with them is to know that “Jesus loves them and that He wants to them to know Him personally.” There are some games at the festival that emphasizes a Bible story while others are just fun games to play. As does many churches, Living Faith Fellowship Church loves children and looks out for their best interest and their futures. “Kids are tomorrow’s church. If we don’t reach out to them, we lose our church,” said Albrecht.

Living Faith reaches the community, which includes children, with a variety of events during the year like the Easter Eggstravaganza and Vacation Bible School. Recently, Living Faith has added The Good News Club, collaborating with Child Evangelism Fellowship ministry, by using the ministry’s curriculum to share Bible stories on Wednesdays at 4:45 to 5:30 p.m. Other events are planned for the upcoming year for children and youth. Keep a look out for future announcements.

Celebrating harvest is about gathering crops and eating. The festival will have a concession stand open at 5 p.m., prior to the festivities. Sloppy Joes and sloppy dogs, chips and drinks are a few things on the menu. For an additional treat, ice cream will be served by Special Scoops. There is an entry fee of $1.00 for the festival to help cover the $1,000.00 cost for the candy. Donations of funds, candy and prizes are welcomed and appreciated.

We’re all kids at heart. Isn’t it fun to just set aside adulting and have fun with the kids? This is a good night to do it. Some of the games include Basketball Connect Four, the Toss from RockIt watch the anticipation on the children’s faces as artist Bev Varn, twists and bends balloons to make fun shapes.