* listen to Carol Service Introit 1, Introit 2 and Introit 3

* listen to the Carol Service Closing Voluntary here

The worshippers at the 2015 Carol Service

 

Together we have celebrated Advent and Christmas!

During Advent on each Sunday a new candle was lit, to honour those who waited and watched for their Lord -

* the first candle for the Prophets of the Old Testament who kept the light of faith burning;

* the Second for John the Baptist who prepared the way for the Saviour;

* the Third for the Blessed Virgin Mary who bore for us the Saviour of the World; and

* the Fourth candle for the Church today which also waits and watches for the Lord.

and at the first Eucharist of Christmas the centre white candle was lit - symbolising that the Light of Christ is with us!

Writing in the Pew Bulletin on the Second Sunday in this Advent Fr Russell challenged us all -
"...this Advent may we deepen our connexion to Spirit and grow in the Lord's love that we may be truly be mindful of His presence and worship Him with all that we do.... "

The Christ Church Carol Service was held at 7pm on Sunday20th December - led by Organist Winton Barry and the Christ Church Choir, the congregation was able to join in singing their favourite carols, heard several new ones and listened to the Christmas story told through the scriptures. This year the Choir presented several new arrangements of carols by Winton Barry. You can listen to some of the wonderful playing by Winton by clicking on the links at left or below (please note that all these recordings were made live in Christ Church, so some congregational and background noise will be audible, and volume controls may need to be adjusted).

Services for Christmas were held on Christmas Eve, with a special Children's and Families Service in the early evening, followed by the Midnight Mass, and in turn by services on Christmas Day itself. It was great to see so many parishioners and new faces with us for this special celebration in the Christian year!

You can listen to other excerpts from both the Carol and the Christmas Services by clicking the links below -

The Christmas Eve Midnight Mass Gospel (Luke 2:1), preceded by the Acclamations with Cantor Michael MacRobbie, and followed by the Gospel Organ Voluntary

The Christmas Eve Midnight Mass Homily - Fr Russell Trickey

'O little Town of Bethlehem' - presented at the Carol Service by the Choir, with Soloist Micheal MacRobbie

'It came upon the Midnight Clear' followed by 'Away in a Manger' presented by the Choir at the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass

the Carol Service Postlude - Toccata from Symphony No. 5 by Widor Played by Organist Winton Barry at both the Carol Service and the Midnight Mass)