CHURCH SERVICES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 19, 19 December 1932, Page 2

CHURCH SERVICES

SINGING OF CAROLS. Special musical services were conduct ed m most of the Palmerston North Churches last evening in view of the approach of Christmas and there were largo congregations present. Anthems and carols were sung. The recently enlarged St. Peter’s Church at Terrace End- was crowded at evensong, when the preacher was the vicar. Rev. D. J. Davies, B.So. The service was greatly enjoyed and the singing was delightful. The choir rendered very effectively the anthem “Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion.” Carols sung were “Good King Wenceslas,” “The First Noel,” and “The Mangey Throne.” A. quartette (Airs W. Coutts, Aliss Linton, Messrs E. G. Spraggon and King) sang “Sleep, Holy Babe.” Rev. D. J. Davies, after an inspiring address in which he made particular reference to children and mother love, conveyed to all the season’s felicitations and expressed the hope that the true Christmas spirit would be with all. ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH. Large congregations attended All Saints’ Anglican Church yesterday when special music for the Christmas season was sung. In the morning there was choral Communion, which was sung to J. Holmes ' Runnicles’s setting in F Alajor. In the evening the choir sang the anthem “And the Glory of the Lord” and the carols “In Dulci Juliilo,” “Veni Excelsis Gloria,” “The First Noel,” “A Child is Bom To-day” and “AVhat Child is This?” the latter sung to the ancient 15th century Greensleeves folk tune. A most impressive service concluded with the singing of the “Seven-Fold Amen.” Prior to the service commencing, Air Runnicles presented a half hour’s organ recital from “The Phantasy of Christmas “Carols” (J. E. West) and “Pastoral Symphonv” (from “The Messiah”). CUBA STREET CHURCH. The usual service at the Cuba Street Aletliodist Church last evening was suspended when a special musical service was conducted. The choir had arranged for the presentation of excerpts from Semper’s Christmas cantata, “The Nativity of Christ,” and the ’skill with which the numbers were sung reflected considerable credit on the choristers and their conductor, Air H. T. Pitcher. The opening choral number was the stirring, “Behold, I Bring Glad Tidings,” and, with quartettes, duets and solos interspersed, the beautiful Christmas music was heard to full advantage. The soloists were Misses AI. Dumbleton and G. Young, Airs Coupe, Airs Cottam and Mr Perrin, while Air Holdaway was also heard in the mixed quartette. The organist, Miss R. Simmons, rendered a most sympathetic accompaniment and was most effective in the excerpt from “The Alessiali”—“Ho Shall Feed His Flock,” which was taken as a contralto solo by Airs Coupe. ST. PAUL’S CHURCH. The evening service at St. Paul’s Aletliodist Church, Broadway Avenue, last evening was very largely attended, when special Christmas music was presented. Air A. J. McLeavey sang a solo, “Remember Now Thy Creator.” Rev-. A. N. Scotter, who conducted the service, spoke on “The Povyer of the Baby,” and emphasised its influence in the home, the community and in religion. After the sermon the choir, under All- Treguartha’s direction, sang the carols, “Good King AY’enceslas” and “Sleep, Holy Babe,” while the congregation joined in the singing of four others. Airs W. H. J. Watson was at the organ. During the day special offerings were received in aid of the Alasterton Orphanage. At the morning service there was a parade of Girl Guides and Boy Scouts, vvhen an appropriate address was delivered.