Lessons & Carol Concert On Sunday

Newtown Congregational Church Senior Choir and Children’s Choir will present a Lessons and Carol Concert Sunday at 4 pm in the church sanctuary. They will be directed by Dan Coffman and Maureen Kelly with accompaniment by Phil Crevier at the organ and piano.

The service of nine lessons and carols is a beautiful and meaningful way to greet Advent, according to Mr Coffman. Although of fairly recent origin, these services have become popular throughout the English-speaking world. The entire Christmas story is told through readings from the Bible and songs. The readers are drawn from all age groups in the congregation. The adult and children’s choir will present music from five centuries and the congregation will have the opportunity to sing several traditional carols.

Keith Roberts will sing the introit, “Truth from Above,” to open the program then the Children’s Choir and the women of the choir will process singing “Ceremony of Carols.” The congregation will join in the singing of the opening hymn, “Let all Mortal Flesh Keep Silent.”

Lesson 1 will feature the Senior Choir singing “Adam Lay Ybounden” followed by Lesson 2, “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates,” a hymn, with the congregation.

Lesson 3 and 4 will feature the choir and duets from within the choir singing “Comfort, Comfort, Ye” and “There Is No Rose.” Robin Collins will solo with the choir for Lesson 5, “Angelus ad Virginum” followed by Lesson 6, another hymn, “Once in Royal David’s City.”

The Children’s Choir will sing Lesson 7, “The Rocking Carol” and “Away in a Manger.” Lesson 8 is a hymn, “Break Forth Oh Beauteous Heavenly Light.” “Jesus Christ, The Apple Tree” will be Lesson 9 by the Senior Choir. Everyone will join in the closing hymn, “O Come, All Ye Faithful.”

Mr Coffman and his wife, Ms Kelly, are new directors of the Senior and Children’s Choir, respectfully. Each has a long resume of musical accomplishments, both vocal and instrumental. He plays horn with a brass band and orchestra, she is a pianist, and both are vocalists.. They began with the Newtown Congregational Church in September.