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Faith-Friendly Favorites

Orlando, Florida

Theme parks host a number of Christian musical events in Orlando. On May 2, Wet ’n’ Wild hosts Waves of Glory. The all-day contemporary Christian Battle of the Bands features Christian rock and praise bands, singers, rappers and choirs that compete for cash prizes. It’s a chance to discover up-and-coming Christian artists. The live closing concert is performed by a nationally known Christian headliner.

Night of Joy at Walt Disney World, September 11-12, features Dove Award- and Grammy Award-winning artists that appeal to every kind of contemporary Christian music fan. The 2014 lineup included Hillsong United, Chris Tomlin, Mandisa, Building 429, Casting Crowns, MercyMe and more. The event takes place after the park closes, but popular attractions remain open.

September 11-12, Universal Orlando Resort’s Rock the Universe puts on a weekend of stirring concerts from some of Christian rock’s brightest musicians. Switchfoot and Kari Jobe will headline in 2015. Between concerts, groups can find more thrills on Universal’s coasters and water rides.

At the Holy Land Experience, Orlando’s Bible-based theme park, the arched City Gate entrance is modeled after Jerusalem’s Damascus Gate. It leads to the cobblestone streets of a Middle Eastern marketplace. Other attractions include the re-created Wilderness Tabernacle and, an A.D. 66 model of Jerusalem and Calvary’s garden tomb. Visitors can take Communion with a man who plays Jesus, much like the disciples did at the Last Supper in the upper room. A tour through the scriptorium reveals the world’s largest private collection of ancient artifacts.

“Since TBN acquired the Holy Land Experience, it’s gone through a major upgrades and renovations,” said spokesperson Dave Bohon. “They built a 1,500-seat venue called Church of All Nations, where the park’s outstanding dramatic productions take place.”

www.visitorlando.com

 

Pennsylvania Dutch Country

Spirituality and faith are deeply embedded in Pennsylvania Dutch Country. The historic Ephrata Cloister complex was home to one of America’s earliest religious communities. At its zenith in the mid-18th century, the community supported nearly 80 celibate members. Ephrata became known for self-composed a cappella music, Germanic calligraphy known as Frakturschriften and a publishing center that included a paper mill, a printing office and a book bindery. Today, robed guides take groups through the extensive grounds on an intriguing tour.

Charming Lititz, eight miles north of Lancaster City, was founded by the Moravians. The Lititz Moravian Church Square, Archives and Museum displays musical instruments, paintings and artifacts that date to 1756 and the establishment of the church community. A guided tour explores the buildings and traditions of the still-operating Moravian Church. An additional tour highlights the Archives Museum. The Mission Gift Shop sells 24-point Moravian stars, Moravian cookies, handmade beeswax candles and handcrafted jewelry.

“A different way of exploring Lancaster County’s religious heritage is by visiting Ephrata and Lititz,” said Pennsylvania Dutch Convention and Visitors Bureau director of communications Joel Cliff. “These historic properties exemplify the religious freedom that founder William Penn advocated.”

Across from the church square, the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery was founded in 1861 as America’s first commercial pretzel bakery. The bakery’s 20-minute tour offers a firsthand history lesson of the hard pretzel and a pretzel-twisting lesson using homemade Play-Doh. Each person receives a small bag of the Julius Sturgis Horse and Buggy Pretzels.

Several blocks away, the Wilbur Chocolate Candy Factory Store journeys through the luscious world of chocolate. Its tiny museum offers displays and a video that explain the history of chocolate and the chocolate-making process. Candy-makers dip confections, such as velvety almond bark, and there are plenty of sweets for sale.

Always popular, Sight and Sound Theatres premiered its hit show “Moses” in March 2014. Audiences experience the parting of the Red Sea, the burning bush and the plagues in this epic Old Testament story. “Moses” incorporates new technology and numerous special effects. Mammoth screens flank three sides of the wraparound stage, and video is incorporated into the live performance.

www.padutchcountry.com

Elizabeth Hey

Elizabeth Hey is a member of Midwest Travel Journalists Association and has received numerous awards for her writing and photography. Follow her on Instagram and Facebook @travelbyfork.