A Review of Last Sunday, Dec 30, 2012 – Lessons and Carols
We had only 34 today for Lessons and Carols as we were still in the holiday season – many were away with families and friends. With wind gusts it was a decidedly cold day but was crystal clear and a great day for outside photography.
The choir took the opportunity during the service to preview possible congregational hymns for next Christmas including "On this the Earth Shall Ring" an old hymn that extends by to the 16th century and "Creator of the Stars of Night ", even older back to the 9th century.
Lessons and Carols is a relatively new service from 1918 in England toward the end of World War I. It was conceived by Eric Milner-White, the Dean of Kings College, whose experience as an army chaplain had led him to believe that more imaginative worship was needed by the Church of England. Listening on the radio or the internet to the King’s College service on Dec. 24 is a treat for many. Here is a link to their service.
The 9 lessons encompass the Christian experience from Adam and his sin, to the prophecy concerning Jesus and then to Jesus birth. The music traditionally begins with "Once in Royal David’s City" but can vary after that as well with the scriptures.
We thank Eunice and Crystal for reading Genesis, Alex for Isaiah, Jennifer for reading two readings from Luke, Elizabeth for the Luke 2 Christmas story, Helmut for Simeon, Catherine for Hebrews and Ben for John.
The 9 lessons readings we used are here and as well as the bulletin . Next week we begin the season of Epiphany