Full House for Lessons and Carols at St. Christopher's, West Van
A full church greeted the abundance of wonderful music on December 14th at St. Christopher’s West Vancouver. Music Director Annabelle Paetsch PhD. added to the usual choir and organ: the piano, an oboe,(Douglas Hagerman), a violin, (Edgar Bridwell), and the St. Christopher’s Bell Ringers!
The service began with a handbell prelude followed by the Pastoral Symphony from the Messiah by Handel. This sensitively set the scene for the processional hymn, “Once in Royal David’s City”.
Various readers drawn from the church’s large areas of service began the readings starting with Rector’s Warden Evelyn Baker. The choir presented its first anthem, “Christ Be Our Light” by Farrell, a work that was written in a moving waltz tempo that exemplified the feelings of anticipation and delight that Christmas brings.
Two more anthems were interspersed among the readings and carols: “Peace, Peace, Peace” by Kingsmore, and “Star Carol” by Rutter.
Other readers were Kari Dignum, David Raftery, Georgie Rivers, Vivienne Adams, Kelly Marsh, Miles Dignum, Mort Shannon, (People’s Warden), and the Rector, The Reverend Michael McGee.
The St.Christopher’s Bell Ringers were Bev. Atkinson, Sally Zaplatynsky, Mary Pat Dickson, and The Venerable Jeannette Stigger.
A mulled wine and dessert reception was enjoyed by the entire congregation following the service