Amy Grant and friends help kick-off the holiday season with Lighting of the Green Nov. 27
Kim Chaudoin |
Lighting of the Green 2012
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| Ms. Cheap and Randy Lowry |
More than 3,500 people packed the Allen Arena Mall Tuesday night, Nov. 27, to officially kick-off the holiday season on campus and in the Nashville community with Lipscomb University’s eighth annual Lighting of the Green.
Nashville’s own Amy Grant hosted the free outdoor holiday concert. This year’s performance also featured contempora
ry Christian artist Ashley Cleveland; Mandisa, of American Idol fame; The Martins, Christian music vocal trio; L’Angelus, a Cajun inspired band; Scat Springs, founder of the Scat Band and classic rhythm and blues singer; Michelle Swift, contemporary Christian singer; Opus Row; the Lipscomb Academy fourth, fifth grade and high school concert choruses and Lipscomb University's choruses.
"Beyond the music we have enjoyed, I hope you will take with you the image of a university that still believes in the narrative of God,” President L. Randolph Lowry told the crowd. He added that other universities have left their faith traditions behind, but "our university still celebrates its faith. We want our image to be of a university that shares with the world the servanthood of Christ."
The evening concluded with the lighting of the 30-foot tall Christmas tree by Mary Hance, known to Nashvillians as the beloved “Ms. Cheap” of the Tennessean. Hance’s column features free and inexpensive events and bargains in the Nashville area. She also leads the annual Ms. Cheap Penny Drive for Second Harvest.
"Is this a great free event or what,” Hance excitedly asked the crowd. She expressed her appreciation for those who participated in her penny drive and said that Second Harvest can provide four meals for every dollar donated.
Guests also enjoyed free pictures with Santa and shopping at Merry Marketplace, a collection of holiday vendors with a portion of the purchases benefiting scholarships to Lipscomb.
A new feature this year is Lipscomb's First Annual Holiday Online Auction. All proceeds benefit Lipscomb's scholarship fund. Visit www.lipscombchristmas-auction.com to check out all the great items up for bid! Auction ends Dec. 15 at midnight.
Sponsors for this year’s event include American Paper & Twine, Arthur J. Gallagher, Bacon Construction, C.O. Christian & Sons, Glover Group Entertainment Inc., Herring Technology and Stites & Harbison. In-kind sponsors are Don Kennedy Roofing, Bill and Neika Stephens, Liberty Party Rental, Sodexo, Kubota of Lebanon and Geny’s Wholesale Flowers.
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| Amy Grant | Ashley Cleveland |
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| Lipscomb Choruses | Mandisa |
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| Hot Cocoa | The Martins |
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| Opus Row | Scat Springs |
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| Michelle Swift | L'Angelus |
Lipscomb Christmas Online Auction
'Tis the season to find the perfect gift for someone special...or maybe even for yourself! This year’s Lighting of the Green will introduce the first Christmas Online Auction, featuring more than 50 exciting and unique items, from a guitar signed by Amy Grant and Vince Gill to brunch with the Lowrys at Richland Country Club.
All proceeds benefit the Lipscomb Scholarship Fund.
Shoppers can go online to www.LipscombChristmas-auction.com, register and make bids through Dec. 15. Items can be picked up at Lipscomb University or shipped within the U.S. in time for Christmas gift-giving.
New items will be added daily, so shoppers should check back often. Online auction items include:
- Several guitars autographed by the likes of Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, Amy Grant and Vince Gill, and Kellie Pickler.
- Titans tickets
- Painting by Dawn Whitelaw
- Several prints by Spirit of Nashville (Anderson Design Group)
- Week-long stays in Hilton Head or Panama City Beach
- A photography photo session
- Three-day getaway trip to California
- Breakfast with the Lowrys at Richland Country Club or dinner with the Lowrys at their home, Clearview
- Interior design, chiropractic and transportation services
- Copper Kettle gift cards