The Charles Wesley Choir of Main Street United Methodist Church will present their annual Christmas service of music and worship this Sunday, December 20 at 7:00 p.m. The cantata for this service will be “Let There Be Christmas” by Joseph Martin. The service will be led by The Reverend Bruce Sayre, Pastor of Main Street United Methodist Church, and music will be under the direction of Robin Thompson, Organist and Director of Music, and Shaw Thompson, Conductor.
“Let There Be Christmas” is a service in song and a joyous celebration of hope and peace for the Christmas season. Familiar carols, narration, and congregational participation combine with jubilant songs of praise and to energize the spirit of the season in our community of faith. Songs include a Christmas Overture and Processional; The Advent Rose; The Divine Expectation; Concertato on “O Little Town of Bethlehem;” Carols from a Quiet Manger; Arise! (Hodie Christus natus est); Bleak Midwinter’s Gift; Let There Be Christmas; and A Joyful Gathering of Carols.
The Charles Wesley Choir will be accompanied by Polly Elkins, pianist; Roderick Brown, clarinet; David Lu, violin; Kristen Slaughenhoupt, flute; and Kurt Slaughenhoupt, trumpet. The narrator will be Gerald Berry. The choir will be composed of Gerald Berry, Arlene Boyd, David Boyd, Nancy Clay, Annie De Young, Elaine Green, Holly Jacobs, R.L. Kannaday, Julia A. McLaurin, Doug Newton, Jamie Sue Stephens, Rebecca Thompson, and Nell Vincent. Emeritus members of the choir are John Curtis and Ruth Rogers. Guest Singers for the service are Alex Elliott, Chrissy Fennel, Glen Gourley, Beth Rouse, and Jerri Turbeville. Soloists for the cantata are David Boyd, Alex Elliott, and Rebecca Thompson.
The Sarah Allen Handbell Choir will provide the prelude. The three octave bell choir will offer arrangements of the familiar carols “Joy to the World” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” Members of the bell choir are Annie De Young, Elaine Green, Chris Harris, Teresa Holder, Margaret Moody, Joan Rogers, Mae Samaha, Ann Sayre, Rebecca Thompson, Robin Thompson, and Shaw Thompson.
A reception in Asbury Hall provided by the Main Street United Methodist Women will follow the service. There is no admission to the service, but an offering will be taken. Members of the Dillon community and surrounding areas are invited to join in this celebration of the birth of the Christ child.
