Christmas Eve Service - December 24, 2001

One of the best things about the church's Family Service, at 5:00 o'clock on Christmas Eve, is the fact that it's almost entirely in the hands - and hearts - of our young people. They have to emerge feeling, "Yes, I can speak and project my voice." "Yes, I can play an instrument in public and feel good about myself." "Yes, I have a place among adults." "Yes, my church is becoming not only a second home, but a first home."

Out Christmas Eve late service was, in the past, sparsely attended. But as this Methodist Church has become a community church, attendance has grown. The events of September 11th have fueled churches everywhere, but more than that is involved here. More people are seeing into the lives of their neighbors, and therefore into the heart of the church which binds us together. The quiet of that evening hour on the night before Christ's birth is a true preparation for what's to come.
Keith McClelland, Choir Director and Organist.

Below is the program for the Family Service. Enjoy hearing the readings and carols performed by the young people of our church. Simply select their names and listen.

This 5 p.m. service was organized by our Organist and Choir Director, Keith McClelland.

A Service of Lessons and Carols

"Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence"
Cassidy Lovejoy, flutist

Reading 1: God Creates the World
Chris Connelly

Reading 2: Part 1: The Prediction of the Coming of Jesus
Nick Bartlett

Reading 2: Part 2: Nick Bartlett

Reading 3: The Prediction Concerning Bethlehem
Kevin Connelly

Reading 4: The Annunication of Mary
Elizabeth and Kathryn Hand

Carol: "The Joy of Mary"
Kathryn and Ann Hand, pianists

Reading 5: The Annunciation to Joseph
Diane Connelly

Reading 6: Joseph and Mary Go To Bethlehem
Laura Hand

Carol: "Go Tell It on the Mountain"
Sasha Lovejoy and Alicia Morse, saxaphonists

Reading 7, Part 1: The Shepherds Come to Bethlehem
Dorothy Boyer, Joe Fairfield

Carol: "As Lately We Watched"
Brendan Bartlett, clarinetist

Carol: "The First Noel"
Nick Bartlett, xylophone, Josh Brown, french horn

Reading 7, Part 2: Danielle Fairfield

Carol: "Angels We Have Heard on High"
Eric Dombrowski, clarinetist

Reading 8, Part 1: The Coming of the Wise Men
Heidi, Sasha and Cassidy Lovejoy

Carol: "We Three Kings of Orient Are"
Elizabeth Hand, pianist

Reading 8, Part 2: Dylan Lovejoy

Reading 9: Reconciliation of the World
Greg Dombrowski

Carol: "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day"
Julia Schmidt, violin, and Laura Hand, flute

Carol: "Silent Night, Holy Night" - The Congregation