Christmas Services 2023

Sunday, Dec. 17 at 5:00pm - Lessons & Carols

Lessons & Carols is a worship service of scripture readings or lessons from the Bible interspersed with the singing of Christmas carols. Lessons & Carols in the Anglican tradition began in 1878 and was formalized as a Christmas service in 1880 by the Bishop of Truro, later Archbishop of Canterbury, Edward Benson. An Advent version of the service developed slightly later at King’s College and is now celebrated around the world, normally as an evening service on the first or second Sunday in the season of Advent. We hope you will join us on Sunday, the 17th at 5:00pm.

Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 7:00pm - Blue Christmas Service

A Blue Christmas Service or a Longest Night service acknowledges that Christmas is not always met with joy and celebration. Sometimes it can be difficult to participate in the glad carols and merriment of our Christmas services. This service provides an opportunity to light candles acknowledging the people we miss, the pain or emptiness we may feel. In lighting the candles we proclaim Christ’s presence and that foundational truth from that first chapter of John that “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it”. We sing carols more reflective of Christmas hope than joy, we offer prayers for healing, and (of course) we support one another.

On Christmas Eve we will celebrate the birth of the Christ child with three festive services.

Sunday, Dec. 24 at 3pm – Christmas Eve Pageant with Eucharist

Bring the family and enjoy the reenactment of the Birth of Jesus. All children are encouraged to participate. Please arrive 15 minutes early for your child to be fitted for a costume. No prior rehearsal needed. The pageant includes the singing of familiar Christmas carols and is woven into the celebration of Holy Eucharist. This service is especially geared toward preschool and elementary age children but a joy to all!

Sunday, Dec. 24 at 5:00pm – Christmas Eve Service with Eucharist

At 5:00 we will have a festive yet more informal and abridged (than our late service) Christmas celebration. This service is intended for individuals and families whose children have aged out of the pageant (upper elementary and up) but find the hour of the late service.... well...just a bit too late. The service will also include Holy Eucharist and the singing of familiar carols.

Sunday, Dec. 24 at 10:00pm – Festive Choral Eucharist

This service is one of, if not the, most beautiful and holy services of the church year as our choir leads us in carols as we sing out that Christ is born!

Monday, Dec. 25 at 9:00am – Christmas Day Eucharist

Let’s rejoice together on Christmas Day with an informal service as we remember the reason we celebrate

Christmas. This service is a great way to celebrate Christmas Day with your parish family.