CHURCH ACTIVITIES

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1931, Page 7

CHURCH ACTIVITIES

SERVICES IN NEW PLYMOUTH.

Special Christmas music was given at New Plymouth church service? on Sunday. At the Whiteley Church morning service the Rev. R. B, Gosnell pyeached on “The Inn That Missed its Chance,” and at the evening service the subject of the Rev. Clarence Eaton s address was “The Transforming Influence of Christmas.’’ The music included the carols, “Good Kin« Wenceslas,” “Waken Christian Children,” and “Come Ye Lofty,” and the anthem, “Glory to God. in the Highest” (Pergolese). Mrs. S. O. Jones sang Mendelssohn’s “If with all your hearts,” and Mr, 8... P, Bellringer sang Gounod’s “Nazareth” with, choral refrain.

At the. Fitzroy Methodist Church the preachers were the Rev. W. J. Henderson and the Rev. R. B. Gosnell respectively. Anthems were sung by the choir and solos by Mrs. A., B. MacDonald and Mr.,,J. Benson at the evening service. A special Christmas carol, “Christ is Born,” was sung very effectively by a choir of very small children, and the Sunday school orchestra assisted at the morning service. Mr. E. Holden and Mr. W? Holder were 'choirmaster and organist respectively. A children’s service during the afternoon, conducted by Student Don Alley, was well attended. Special gatherings were held by some of the Sunday schools during the weekend. Children, from New Plymouth Anglican Sunday schools gathered in good numbers at St. Mary’s hall on Saturday night for the annual prize-giving ceremony. The prizes were presented by Miss Devenish, and a Christinas tree had been arranged for the kindergarten pupils. Then followed a Nativity pageant, organised by the Rev. R. Fordham Clark, depicting events in the Holy Land at the time of the birth of Christ. The anniversary service and presentation of prizes of the Vogeltowh Methodist Sunday school was held on Sunday afternoon. The service was conducted by the Rev. R. B. Gosnell, who gave a most interesting address, and later presented each scholar with a book. Another interesting ceremony was the christening of Baby McEwan. At the close of the service Mr. Gosnell, on behalf of the parents and residents generally expressed appreciation of the' work of Mr. H. V. S. Griffiths, the superintendent, and Miss Avann in connection with the Sunday school, making special reference to their indebtedness to Mr. Griffiths. 1