Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
In spite of the snow, Pilgrim will hold a Candlelight service at 10:00 tonight!
Worship & Church School: 10:00 a.m. Sundays
The Christmas Star
On December 20, Pilgrim children, youth and adults will bring to the nativity story to life with the reading and dramatic interpretation of “The Christmas Star.” This original story was written by Rev. Charlotte Frantz as a Christmas gift for the children in the first congregation she served. It has been re-written as a drama by Rachael Kresha. The service begins at 10:00 a.m.
At 4:00 in the afternoon, Pilgrims will go Christmas carolling. They will return to the church at 6:00 for a pizza party. Come one, come all! Enjoy the winter weather and help spread a little Christmas cheer!
Christmas Oratorio by Camille Saint Saens
On Sunday, December 13, the Pilgrim Choir will present Saint Saens’ Christmas Oratorio as the focus of our worship service. Saint-Saens’s Christmas Oratorio (or Oratorio de Noel) was written in 1858 when the composer was just 23.
The Christmas Oratorio opens with a Prelude subtitled ‘In the style of Sebastian Bach’ harkening back to Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. This opening prelude sets the scene for the Christmas story: its lilting pastoral quality creates images of the shepherds tending their flocks in the fields. In the remaining movements, the vocal soloists take turns representing different characters such as the narrator of the story or as the angel who announces the birth of the baby Jesus while the chorus represents a multitude of angels singing to the glory of the Lord. The final movement of the piece, which follows the model of old French Christmas songs, is a virtual hymn of praise of all creation in the presence of God.
The Christmas Oratorio opens with a Prelude subtitled ‘In the style of Sebastian Bach’ harkening back to Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. This opening prelude sets the scene for the Christmas story: its lilting pastoral quality creates images of the shepherds tending their flocks in the fields. In the remaining movements, the vocal soloists take turns representing different characters such as the narrator of the story or as the angel who announces the birth of the baby Jesus while the chorus represents a multitude of angels singing to the glory of the Lord. The final movement of the piece, which follows the model of old French Christmas songs, is a virtual hymn of praise of all creation in the presence of God.
Advent-Christmas at Pilgrim
We’re already had our Hanging of the Greens service on the first Sunday of Advent! The greens and white lights are up in the sanctuary, the poinsettias have arrived and the purple paraments declare the season of Advent. It’s a time for waiting, watching, wondering and worshiping! This Sunday is our annual Advent Worshop–lunch follows the worship service and then children, youth and adults can make gifts, tree ornaments, and Christmas decorations. If you aren’t into crafts, join those who have chosen to watch The Soloist on DVD.
On December 13, the Pilgrim Choir, accompanied by Velda Bell on organ, will present Saint Saens’ Christmas Oratorio as the focus of our morning worship. The service begins at 10:00.
On December 20, children, youth and adults will present an original story, The Bethlehem Star, as part of our worship service.
And on Christmas Eve we gather at 10:00 to worship the Christ Child and wonder at the gracious love of God sent in human form so long ago.