Advent

The Christmas service was centered around music and story told through scripture. Brad and Helmut began it with violin and piano for three numbers and the choir added 7 carols, including Nancy’s solo on “O Holy Night”. Scripture was highlighted through Catherine’s reading of the Christmas story.

Thanks to Nancy Long for overall direction of this year’s play – an amazing job. Special thanks to Becky Fisher who made the beautiful angel costumes. Both the Fisher family and Duke family committed their entire families to the play. Thanks to all participants.

Lessons and Carols is a great way to the end the year with a summary of the Christmas season in songs and words. A cold day outside but with exciting singing and readings inside. The choir previewed two new possible hymns for next Christmas. So we look forward too.

A big Sunday, not only with two services at 9am and 11am but also a combination of the first Sunday in Advent backed with the Altarpiece fundraising kickoff. Cleo Mullins our altarpiece conservator was here to explain the conservation process during the announcements and describe the problems she encountered in the various parts of the altarpiece. It is a case of the elements (earthquake water damage), time (framework gild, tablets bowing) and human mistakes (overpaint and damage to the framework by ladders). She opened the review to questions. The conservation is not an exact process since various /details may be revealed in the conservation.

This was a combined effort among Catherine, Cookie, Eunice, Betty and Toni. Toni is from Bethlehem, PA, central home of the Moravians and Catherine graduated from Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC, the largest southern settlement. Thus, it was a natural to bring some of Moravian traditions to Coffee hour. The Episcopalians and Moravians are now in full commuunion as well. On about the first weekend of December, the Moravians celebrate Candle Tea. This is hosted tour into their culture with foods (cookies, sugar cake), crafts (candles) and Putz and music (hymns). Highlights of today’s effort would include Cookie’s Moravian chicken pie, Eunice’s meat balls and assorted spreads, Betty’s cake and Catherine’s sugar cake plus Toni’s contributions of book and funds

This year’s play was shorter and simply told the entire story. Highlights included Mary and Elizabeth’s moving dialog. (Cookie memorized her lines and was very effective). Alex rendition of Angel Gabriel was also magnificent helped by his height and booming voice. (This is actually his favorite part that he played in year’s past). Mary and Joseph did a wonderful job with the Baby Jesus even when the latter started crying. The Shepherds and angels acted out their parts well.Of note were the costumes made by the Fisher family. It is an amazing set that will last for years. Callie also was able to get all the children into costume before the play and keep it all together.

Catherine’s introduction of the Love Feast-We had 56 at the Love Feast on Dec. 24.This service was the culmination of our Advent in introducing Moravian traditions. We hosted the during Coffee Hour on Dec. 7. We have added Moravian musical pieces such as Candle Glowing for the Advent candle lighting each Sunday. The Love Feast was the final celebration. Here is from the service.Thanks to Marilyn, Amy, Helmut and Brad who provided the music before the service and the choir during the service. The Love Feast required many hymns!

The Port Royal Christmas event has centered around lighting the town Christmas tree, opening the Christmas season. However it is much more and is really a Christmas party for the whole town with food, games, songs and a vist from Santa. St. Peter’s provided 3 types of soup, chicken noodle, chicken vegetable and vegetable plus there were hot rolls and a raw vegetable tray from Memorial Baptist. St. Peter’s provided most of the servers for the food and drink. After a soup dinner, Nancy Long (whose birthday was on Friday also) led a group out for the Christmas tree lighting and caroling. Finally after a phone call, she led the group to the front of the fire house where Santa arrived in a Port Royal fire engine.

Two services to begin Advent – 9am Morning Prayer, Rite 1 and 11am Holy Eucharist Rite 2 with 7 and 32 at each service, respectively on a relatively mild Nov. morning for this time of year. During the 10am hour, we had the second part of the Advent Christian Ed study, Singing Mary’s song with 13 present. Advent was setup with a change of color to purple and pink. At 11am we had the lighting of the Advent Candle by Michael and Sydney. A Moravian hymn was introduced for the ceremony – Candleglowing. Each week we sing a different verse. The sermon was taken from the latter sentences in Mark and was a dialog between the master and his slaves trying to keep his teaching alive, to share the good news.

Last year the focus was on the Angel Gabriel. This year it was Mary. The church windows were decorated with art concerning Mary from all over the world. The play, written by Catherine, featured an older Mary reflecting on her life which included the birth of Jesus.

49 enjoyed music from the choir, soloists (harp, violin, organ, vocal), scripture, hymns and a sermon about Joseph. While chilly, we were treated to a spectacular sunset and evening before the service. Links 1. 2.