Members of the congregation who read the Scripture
lessons at the 'Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols'
in Railway Street Presbyterian Church last Sunday
evening (21st December). L to R: Kathleen Cromie,
Karen Blythe, Cameron McAteer, Heather Mulholland
and Claire Rogers. (back row) Rev Brian Gibson,
Gordon Lindsay, Ivan Woods, Geoffrey Reid and the
Rev Bob Lockhart.
The story of the nativity was told in a 'Festival of Nine
Lessons and Carols' in Railway Street Presbyterian Church last
Sunday evening (21st December). The minister, the Rev Brian
Gibson, welcomed the large congregation. The readers were:
Gordon Lindsay, Claire Rogers, Kathleen Cromie, Ivan Woods,
Karen Blythe, Cameron McAteer, Geoffrey Reid, Heather Mulholland
and the Rev Bob Lockhart.
The choir, under the direction of Janet Ferguson and accompanied
by David Thompson presiding at the organ sang, 'He was born on
earth to die', 'There was no room in Bethlehem', 'Good King
Wenceslas', 'Christmas night' and 'Into the darkness of this
world'. The children sang 'Away in a manger'. Carols sung by the
congregation were: 'Once in Royal David's City' (solo
introduction by Jordan Humphries), 'It came upon the midnight
clear', 'Still the night', 'O come, all ye faithful', 'O little
town of Bethlehem' and 'Hark! the herald angels sing'.
Referring to the Scripture reading where St John unfolds the
great mystery of the incarnation, Mr Gibson, in a brief closing
message, spoke of Christmas gifts which, although we enjoy for a
while, are soon taken away or discarded. He compared this to a
gift that can never be taken from us - the gift of Jesus Christ
who came into the world to give us life and concluded by asking
the question, 'Do you have this gift?'
Mr Gibson closed the service by thanking all who took part and
reminding the congregation that this was the first candlelit
carol service in the recently-refurbished church, he gave a
special thanks to Elma Lindsay and her team who decorated the
church so tastefully. Christmas refreshments were served after
the service.
Railway Street Presbyterian Church Choir with Director of Music
Janet Ferguson (right in second row) and organist David Thompson
(centre at front) pictured at the 'Festival of Nine Lessons and
Carols' last Sunday evening (21st December).
Ulster Star
22/12/2008
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