225 50 Av, Lachine, Québec, H8T2T7, Canada. 514-634-2651
Welcome!
Summerlea Candlelight Service 2005
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Wednesday evening, December 14, 2005 featured Summerlea's annual candlelight service of
Christmas carols and readings, enjoyed by the Summerlea congregation and
visitors from the surrounding community. Arrivals were greeted by Valerie & John Coffin
and Dale & Frank Romagosa. The choir under the direction of Summerlea music director Connie Osborne included members of the Summerlea choir plus some of their musical friends, including Darryl Mcdonald. The candles in the Advent Wreath were lighted by members of the Rodd, McKenzie, Roy & Maklan families. Other participants included: David Pryce: Opening Scripture Sentence Jenny May Trudeau: Welcome and Call to Worship Dail Krujelskis: Prayer of Approach Donna Corbin: A Christmas Prayer of Confession Keith Field and Jane, Gabrielle & Amélie Poitras, : Scripture Readings Howard Clark: Introduction of Guest Speaker Rev. Marion Charles: Sermon Kim Roy: Offering Dedication Barend Biesheuvel: A Christmas Prayer Trish Higgins: Lighting of the Candles Ruth Heim: Benediction and overall organization. The service was followed by a time of fellowship and refreshments in Acadia Hall. Thanks to Ruth Heim for organizing this event and to the Serendipity ladies and friends for arranging and providing the fellowship setting and refreshments. Following are a few photos, most taken in low light and made visible only through the miracle of photo editing software. You can pick the photos to view a larger version if desired. |
Before the service Acadia Hall was in readiness, set up by the ladies of the UCW Serendipity Group
and George Provias, with Tom Pavlasek on lighting.
The front of the sanctuary featured a small organ
from Beechwood Elementary School in Pierrefonds,
(while we raise funds to replace ours)
angel banners, and poinsettas on new plant stands made by Richard Hébert.
As is the custom, a large assembly of Summerlea folks and visitors filled the sanctuary.
And also as is the custom, Summerlea's choir and a couple of friends made beautiful music.
The piece "O Thou, Who By a Star" was done in the southern "shape" music tradition,
in which the notes have various shapes for those who do not read music
and the choir is in a circular pattern around the front of the congregation.
The candles are lighted, the lights go out,
and all sing "Let There Be Peace on Earth".
Lights on, candles out, benediction over
and we catch a closer shot of the choir singing "Finale for Christmas",
a medley of hymn versus interspersed with "We Wish You a Merry Christmas".
After the service all are invited to Acadia Hall to enjoy refreshments
and lots of conversation.
This year for the first time, some of the remaining goodies
from the bazaar are available in St. Andrew's Hall.
Gabrielle Poitras and Sarah Cassidy are among the young folks staffing the tables.
Business picked up after Sarah and helper paraded
the sign and a Summerlea tourtière among the feasting crowd.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, the folks who make it happen were making it happen.
So once again Summerlea's candle light service inspires us
with the joy and fellowship of the Christmas season.
What better way to express the Christmas spirit
than in the words of the candle light hymn:
Let there be peace on earth,
And let it begin with me.