Friday, December 5, 2025

When you come to CedarCreek at Christmas, you can expect a hope-filled message, a welcoming space for families and kids of all ages, and moments that remind you of what Christmas is really all about.

But one of the things that pulls all these services together and leaves attendees humming Christmas tunes, bobbing heads, and playing air guitars and drums as they leave the auditorium…

…the music!

For 30 years, CedarCreek’s Arts Team has poured talent, creativity, and heart into crafting Christmas services that still live in our memories.

From Portable Church to Powerful Production

In the early years, the band was loading in equipment every weekend. When CedarCreek finally moved into its first building, everything changed.

Lauri White remembers:

“Once we moved into the new building, our music really hit the next level! Jodi Bernad took over the sound board, Lisa Bullock took our lights on a ride, and Jeff Harris’ guitar playing and mixing were amazing.”

The new space opened the door for growing artistry—Pre-Jams, custom arrangements, and young musicians like became part of the backbone of the band.

The Christmas Music Era Everyone Remembers

For many long-time attenders, Christmas at CedarCreek brings one sound to mind:
“Christmas in Sarajevo” by Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

“It wasn’t Christmas without it!” — Jared Kaelber

The team played it so often—and so loved—that some years it showed up as a surprise Post-Jam after the service. And the creativity didn’t stop there.

One year, the band performed “Little Drummer Boy” on aluminum garbage cans—a moment still talked about today.

 Nate Manuel said, “‘Sarajevo’ and ‘Silent Night’ became staples. They helped shape a season for our church.”

A Creative Tradition That Continues

From mashups to storytelling, from garbage cans to guitar solos, Christmas music at CedarCreek has always been about one thing:

Helping people experience the hope of Jesus in unforgettable ways.

And the best part? We’re still creating new memories and experiences that point people to Jesus every year.

✨ Join Us This Christmas

Be part of the next chapter in our musical and creative story.

Christmas Services begin Sunday, December 21
👉 https://www.cedarcreek.tv/events/christmas

Come experience the beauty, the story, and the sound of Christmas at CedarCreek—
past, present, and future.

 🎄 Want to relive Sarajevo? Watch Miraculum (2020) or enjoy this attendee-recorded performance from the CedarCreek Arts Team at the Perrysburg Campus (2015).

Quotes and stories provided by Lauri White, Nate Manuel, and Jared Kaelber.

Lauri White, one of the core group of founding families and a former staff member, whose love for CedarCreek and commitment to Jesus have made a lasting impact. She is still actively involved and serves on multiple DreamTeams around the campuses

Nate Manuel has been involved with CedarCreek since attending the Easter 2008 opening weekend at the West Toledo campus. Beginning in September 2009, he has been on staff in various roles within Arts, Music, and Communications. He is currently the Music Director at the Perrysburg campus and has been a church board member for over five years.

Jared Kaelber first attended CedarCreek in 2005 and has been involved with the Music team ever since. He was on staff from 2010–2013 in I.T., Software Development, and Arts roles. He rejoined staff in June 2025 in his current role as the Central Music Director. Jared has been blessed to be a part of CedarCreek’s music history from DreamTeam member to Director and is excited to see what the future holds.