As We Approach THe Birth of Christ

Celebrate the Season

‘Twas the Sunday before Christmas and folks of all ages gathered at Peoples to experience a Pageant, a Cantata and a church service all in one! Before the service was over all present had played a role in the pageant as well as the Cantata.

The Matthews family lit the four candles in the Advent candelabra with only the Christ candle still to be lit on Christmas Eve.

Pastor Tom called all the children down to the front and had children engaged in the telling of the Nativity story and an instant arrangement of a pageant. Individual children were given a few brief words to say whenever their character was mentioned. Even the congregations of adults were to make the sounds of the city when “city” was mentioned. It was a meaningful and fun way to get everyone involved.

Once the portion of the program that was the pageant was completed then it was time for the Cantata to begin. The Choir opened this portion of the service with the singing of “Celebrate the Season”. During the Cantata, songs such as While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night and We Three Kings were sung by the choir.  The Bell Choir played Away in a Manger and Silent Night.  Both choirs are led by Debbie Cole.

Familiar Christmas hymns and Carols including God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Joy to the World, Angels We Have Heard on High, O Come All Ye Faithful and Go Tell It on the Mountain engaged everyone throughout the service.

Between the singing of hymns and carols members of the Pipeline group were responsible for readings that relate to the Christmas story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The young folks that had been involved in the pageant came back to the front of the church when the readings mentioned angel, shepherds and star.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was good to see the number of people in church that were there on this day and we thank those that were responsible for this special service for taking the time and effort to bring a very meaningful and memorable time to our lives.

 

 

 

Blue Christmas

On the evening of Sunday, December 21, the longest night of the year, a small gathering of folks from the Casco Bay Cluster attended a Blue Christmas service at Peoples held at 7 PM in the sanctuary. This service is intended to help folks who for any reason may not find joy at all times during the Advent/Christmas season. Perhaps death and illness of loved ones are what is remembered during a season when most of the celebration of the season centers on hope, peace joy and love. Hymns such as  O Little Town of Bethlehem, O Come O Come Emmanuel, Away in a Manger and in The Bleak Midwinter were sung and a candle was lit for each of the following Bible readings: Matthew 22:1-10, Luke 2: 1-7, Matthew 8: 14-22, Psalm 22: 1-11, Matthew 11: 28-29 and Revelation 21:1-7. The closing of this relatively brief service included the singing of Go Tell It on the Mountain and Silent Night. Pastor Tom Frey led the service and Debbie Cole played the organ.

Refreshments were served after the service in Ellis Hall.

 Christmas Eve

Wednesday night, Christmas Eve, will find Peoples alive with folks as families will gather at 7 PM for a candlelight and bell service celebrating the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ.