Advent to Christmas – Noel Rawsthorne (1929-2019)

The five verses of this anthem progressively explore the theme of Advent, gradually merging into Christmas by the end. Between verses there are interludes of Carols, both for Advent and Christmas, beginning with “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” and finishing with “The First Noel”. Between the verses are “Past 3 O’Clock”, “In the Bleak Mid-Winter”, “Away in a Manger” and “We Three Kings” … More Advent to Christmas – Noel Rawsthorne (1929-2019)

First Eucharist of Christmas

Our first Eucharist of Christmas was celebrated at 11:30pm on Christmas Eve. Due to illness, Rev Sue was unable to officiate, but Reader Christine stepped up and did a wonderful job for us.
Before the service we heard Britten’s “There is no Rose” from his “A Ceremony of carols”, then a special medley of Christmas carols sung by our singing group, Maggie’s Music Makers. We then began the service with the perennial favourite, “Once in Royal David’s City”, with the equally traditional solo first verse … More First Eucharist of Christmas