Christmas Vespers Concert and Candlelight Dinner

     Christmas Vespers and Candlelight Dinner at Garden City Community Church took place on Sunday, December 16th. The public was invited and newcomers came.  
     The two part event started in the Sanctuary with the theme "A Service of Lessons and Carols" in celebration of the upcoming birth of Jesus Christ. Beautiful music was performed by three different choirs: the Adult Choir, the Carol Choir (children in second grade through fifth grade), and the Handbell Choir. In addition to GCCC's five regular soloists: Hope Hudson, soprano, Tammy Hensrud, soprano, Hanne Andreasen, contralto, John Hudson, tenor, and Clark Perry, bass, the Adult Choir was joined by guest artists: Kim Foxen, soprano, Michael Castoro, tenor, and John M. Simmons, bass. Carols and hymns that were performed included "A Christmas Carillon," "For Unto Us," and the more familiar "Joy to the World" and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing."
     Music Minister, Frank Crosio stated, "The service of Nine Lessons & Carols had its origins in England in the 1880s at Truro Cathedral, but attained world-wide fame through yearly radio broadcasts from the chapel of King's College Cambridge. Since then churches all over the world have held similar services of their own using the Nine Lessons as a springboard and adding carols and hymns from their own traditions." 
     The Candlelight Dinner was coordinated by the Membership, Life and Development Committee. Dinner was “Italian– style”, including home-made lasagna, meat sauce, salad and delicious home-made tortoni and cookies.      
     Membership, Life and Development chairman, Paul Birkenstock said, “The Vespers music and dinner afterwards was a great success, measured in smiles and full stomachs. We all had a great time sharing the holiday spirit.”
     The public is invited to join us in celebrating the true spirit of the Christmas season with three Christmas Eve services at the Garden City Community Church. A wonderful night of prayerful services with joyous music is planned.  People are asked to bring optional “green gifts”, non-perishable food items.  The food collected will help the hungry in our area.
     4:00 pm- Family Service- Geared for children and families.                                                
     8:30 pm- Candlelight Communion Service with musical prelude starting at 8:15 pm.  
     11 pm- Candlelight Communion Service with musical prelude starting at 10:45 pm.
     The Garden City Community Church is located at the corner of Stewart Avenue and Whitehall Boulevard.  Please call 746-1700 e-mail ChurchOffice@GardenCityCommunityChurch.org or go to www.GardenCityCommunityChurch.org for more information.
     photos by Suzie Alvey)