Christmas Eve at First Unitarian



On Christmas Eve, we open wide our doors to welcome all those of every faith tradition (and none) who are touched by story of the birth of Jesus. We gather in the darkness to tell the story of the birth of a holy child. We gather because we love the beautiful music of the season. We gather because we need to see the world bathed in candlelight. And in the midst of all this beauty and celebration, we understand that we are called to serve homeless children and their families in Worcester County, with a special free-will offering. In past years, the service has been standing room only. This year, we will be having two identical services, with the choir performing their spectacular music at each. Children are most welcome at both services. We hope that you will consider joining us, for an evening of music and poetry.


Will Sherwood, AAGO,ChM, Director of Music & Organist
Alesia Tringale, soprano
Jean Gough, soprano
Tracy Kraus
Madeline Browning, flute
Bob Gordon, timpani & percussion

MUSIC FOR 2010 CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
Prelude (3:40 & 5:10 p.m.) Festival Music of the Season
Musical Introit "O Holy Night" Adolph Adam (1850)
Choral Processional "Adeste Fideles"
Choir and Soloists process, then during the organ & timpani fanfare,
Congregation stands and sings "O Come, All Ye Faithful."
*Congregational Carol "O Come, All Ye Faithful" Adeste Fideles
Anthem "Once in Royal David's City" Traditional
*Congregational Carol "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" Carol C.M.D.
Offertory Anthem "Glory to the Newborn King" Moses Hogan
Anthem "O Magnum Mysterium" Morten Lauridsen
Anthem "Cover Him, Joseph"
Anthem "Before the Marvel of this Night" Carl Schalk
Anthem "Lo How A Rose E'er Blooming" arr. Sherwood
*Congregational Carol "O Little Town of Bethlehem" St. Louis
Anthem "Candlelight Carol" John Rutter (1980)*Candlelighting "Silent Night, Holy Night"
Choral Response "Ukranian Bell Carol" arr. Wilhousky
Organ Postlude Overture from "Nutcracker Suite" Tschaikowsky
(*) Congregation sings

Please go to http://www.first-unitarian.com/services/christmas-eve-services.html for more information and an audio preview of the music.