INGLEWOOD NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, 16 December 1932, Page 2

INGLEWOOD NEWS

SERVICE OF ST. ANDREW’S. CHRISTMAS CAROLS SUNG. At St. Andrew’s Church of England, Inglewood, on Tuesday, a feast of Christmas was given to a large congregation who thoroughly appreciated it. The service began by the large choir of 26 voices going in procession to the choir stalls, singing the hymn “Praise My Soul the King of Heaven.” When they reached their places the anthem adapted by V. Novello from the old traditional melody “Adeste Fideles” was rendered, Mrs. A. Grant taking the solo. This lent the air of the expectancy of Christmas, and set the bright festival tone which characterised the service throughout. Shortened festal evensong was sung, Bunnett’s setting for the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis being used. The Christmas lessons, the first giving the prqmise of the Messiah, from Isaiah’s prophecy, and the second St. Luke’s version of the fulfilment of that prophecy, were read. At the close of evensong proper the choir sang “God Came From Teman,” by Steggall, Mrs. Harrington taking the solo. This anthem was sung splendidly by the choir, which brought out the majesty of composition in a very able manner.

After the singing, of the hymn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” Archdeacon G. H. Gavin, New Plymouth, gave a very enlightening address on the meaning of Christmas, giving in the course of it some helpful thoughts and suggestions as.to how to make one’s Christmas Communion of real benefit to oneself and one’s neighbours.

After the address another -Christmas hymn was sung, “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing,” followed by a carol for men’s voices, assisted by the choir, “We Three Kings of Orient,” telling the story of the visit of the three Magi. Messrs Feaver, Wedgswood and Mutter represented Melchior, Casper and Balthazar respectively. Mrs. Sunderland, who had come from Hawera to assist, gave a very sympathetic rendering of the contralto solo “O Now That Tellest Glad Tidings to Zion,” from Handel’s Messiah. Following the two carols, “Good King Wenceslas,” Mr. Harrington being king and Miss Mutter the page, and the “First Nowell.” The hymn, “As Shepherds Watched,” was sung, after which Archdeacon Gavin offered a short prayer and gave the Benediction. As a final act of praise and worship the choir and congregation rose and, facing the altar, sang the Te Deum. The service closed with the choir moving' in procession to their vestry to the simple yet majestic strains of the hymn “Our Day of Praise Is Done.” As a retiring voluntary the organist, Miss Wilson, played the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah. Afterwards the visitors,- congregation and choir adjourned to the Parish Hall, where a social hour was spent and supper was served- Among those present was Rev. Fussell, Waitara. who assisted in the service.