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Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at Railway Street Presbyterian Church

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.

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).

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