CHURCH SERVICES

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 12, 28 December 1926, Page 5

CHURCH SERVICES

ON CHRISTMAS DAY. ST. MATTHEW’S, HASTINGS. On Christmas morning communion services wore held at 6,7, 8,9, 10 (children) and II o’clock, there being very large congregations. During the morning Archdeacon Brocklehurst, in his address, spoke very sympathetically on “ The Birth of Christ. ’' On Sunday morning the Rev. John Hobbs preached a sermon on “The New Year and its Responsibilities,” and a carol service was held in the evening, when the choir sang the cantata “The Holy Child,” the solos being taken by Miss F. Pratt (soprano), Messrs Wrighton (tenor) and Biyant (bass). At the close, Mr C. B. Spinney gave a short recital on the organ, with much devotional effect.' CATHOLIC CHURCH. Despite the bad weather prevailing on Christmas Eve, the Catholic Church, Hastings, was taxed to its uttermost limits by the large congregation which attended Mid-night Mass. Father Tymons was the celebrant, and the choir sang “' i Mass of the Good Shepherd” ; aer), Mrs Budd singing the “Qui t jllio,” the contralto solo. Miss Payuter took the soprano solo in the “Adesto Fedelis” and Mrs Buck, Miss Paynter, Messrs G. Lee and Braithwaite sang the quartette. Father Tymons preached a touching sermon on “The Nativity,” and a large number of tho congregation received Holy Communion. Madame Le Leivre was at the organ. Other services were held at 7.30, 9 and 10.30 a.m., each being largely attended ST. ANDREW’S. In the Hastings Presbyterian Church, the Christmas season was marked by a service in the morning, conducted by the Rev D. J. A. Shaw, who preached on ‘ ‘ The Meaning of Christmas,” to a large attendance of worshippers. THE METHODIST. The Rev Fred Copeland conducted the Christmas service at the Methodist Church, Hastings, on the morning of the festival, when he delivered a beautiful address on “The Birth of the Saviour.” There was a large congregation, who contributed generously to the collection taken up in aid of the Methodist Orphanage at Masterton. THE BAPTISTS. Christmas morning was observed iq the Hastings Baptist Church by the holding of a service conducted by too Rev T. Keith Ewen, who preached a powerful sermon from the text “When the fulness of the time was come, God sent for His Son,” in the presence of a large congregation. On the Christmas Sunday evening the same preacher spoke on “The Wonder ful Saviour,” emphasising the purifying effects the birth of tho Savour had upon all mankind and their works. During the service Mr J. W. Burridge contributed a tenor solo, entitled “A Wonderful Saviour.” SALVATION ABMY. During the Christmas the Salvation Army rendered carols throughout Hastings and Havelock North.