Advent and Christmas at Rochester Cathedral

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Celebrate this Christmas at Rochester Cathedral Get into the festive spirit during the run up to Christmas with a carol service or two. All our traditional services are un-ticketed and open to everyone – just make sure you arrive in good time to get the best seat! If you're attending with friends and family, our Café in the Crypt offers a great meeting point, with a warm welcome, hot drinks and delicious home-baked cakes. Our Advent calendar: Advent procession 1 December 6pm An atmospheric candlelit service of music, readings and prayers for Advent in celebration and anticipation of the birth of Jesus Christ. The service starts in darkness with candlelight gradually spreading throughout the Cathedral following the Choir’s journey from West to East. Dickens Carol Services 7 and 8 December, 12.30pm and 3pm During the popular Dickens Festival weekend we hold four themed services, full of festive spirit and charm. It’s a great opportunity to come in from the cold and sing some of your favourite carols. A Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols 21 and 22 December, 7.30pm Choristers, candles and carols for everybody to join in: nothing compares with the experience of a traditional carol service in Rochester Cathedral, which has witnessed over a thousand Christmases. There’s even a choice of two dates – come twice if you like! Children's Nativity Service 24 December, 3pm This is the service for children aged 0–100. Featuring our Sunday Club and Children’s Choir, you’re guaranteed a lively spectacle, including a play and a lot of singing. Children, why not come dressed as a character from the Christmas story? Christmas Eve Carol Service 24 December, 4.15pm A wonderful opportunity to listen to our choristers sing in perfect harmony. This service will be held in the Quire. The Eucharist of Christmas Night 24 December, 11.30pm As we await the birth of Christ we gather together at midnight to celebrate the first Eucharist of Christmas. Carols for all and music from the Cathedral Choirs, including Holy Communion and a sermon. Christmas Day Holy Communion 25 December, 8am Our traditional Holy Communion on Christmas morning. The Eucharist of Christmas Morning 25 December, 10.30am The principle service of Christmas day, with Holy Communion, sermon and carols for both the congregation and Cathedral Choirs. To view all the Christmas services at a glance, please visit our website: VISIT WEBSITE Ticketed Events Tickets are now available for our popular Christmas Concert and Britten's Ceremony of Carols. Feel Festive at Rochester Cathedral's annual Christmas Concert Rochester Cathedral’s renowned choir returns for our popular Christmas Carol concert, one of the highlights of the festive season. Buy your tickets now for this very special event, suitable for the whole family. The concert will include performances by the Rochester Cathedral Choristers and the Rochester Cathedral Children’s Choir. The Carol concert takes place on Friday 6 December, 7.30pm BUY TICKETS Experience Benjamin Britten's A Ceremony of Carols in the atmospheric setting of our medieval crypt The ever-popular, inspiring work for children’s voices and harp, Rochester Cathedral Choristers, accompanied by harpist Carys Hughes, will be performing Britten’s stunning arrangements of medieval carols. Following the performance there will be a short drinks reception. Saturday 14 December, 7pm BUY TICKETS

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United Advent Service - call for singers

THE DRIVE METHODIST CHURCH, SEVENOAKS

Minister: Rev Dermot Thornberry

Dear Friends,

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN SEVENOAKS AND DISTRICT

ADVENT CAROL SERVICE – Sunday, 1^st December 2019

at The Drive Methodist Church at 6.30pm

It has been a tradition of the North West Fellowship of Churches to begin Advent with a joint service. This year the invitation is extended to all CTSD churches.

We realise that some churches will be making their own arrangements but others  may welcome this opportunity to join us.

An ecumenical choir has been a special feature of our Advent Services and we hope that even more singers will come along this year.

Please invite singers from your choir and congregation to join the united choir.

MUSIC FOR THE CHOIR.             Copies can be provided if required

Hark the glad sound                                   (Thomas Merritt)

A Song of the New Creation          (Anne Harrison)       RSCM Sunday by Sunday 57

Come, Lord Jesus, come    (Martin How)             New Oxford Easy Anthem Book No 1

When Mary gathered summer’s yield  (German traditional tune)    RSCM Carol Book

People, look east     (arr. Malcolm Archer)       New Oxford Easy Anthem Book No 49

The Peace of God    (John Rutter)                                 New Oxford Easy Anthem Book No 55

REHEARSAL                       4.30pm on the day

with a cup of tea and piece of cake between rehearsal and service

DRESS          Ladies, please wear any shade of blue or something that will tone in

                        Men, suits with white or blue shirts and ties, please

Please let me know by 12^th November at the latest,

how many singers of each voice will be coming ,

and what music you require on the day or in advance if you wish.

Please also let me know if there is someone from your church

who would be willing to read a Lesson.

I look forward to hearing from you

            Best wishes

Valerie Ruddle  (Choir Director)

01732 – 450355       valruddle7@hotmail.co.uk

Churches Together Annual Meeting 14th November