Special Advent/Christmas season planned at St. Mary's Episcopal Church
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This banner year for St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Hillsboro, draws to a close with two wonderful musical programs, two Christmas Eve services and a special New Year’s Eve service.
On Sunday, Dec. 5 at 3 p.m., the Southern State Singers will present their 2010 Christmas Concert in St. Mary’s sanctuary. The program will include both sacred and secular Christmas selections from spirituals to well-known musicals, a motion picture theme to holiday favorites, including "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and "‘Twas the Night Before Christmas." The Southern State Singers is a vocal music group made up of both students from Southern State Community College and members of the Hillsboro and Highland County communities. The Singers are under the direction of John Glaze, with Cheryl Porter, accompanist for the group. There will also be a special display of nativity sets and crèches on loan from St. Mary’s parishioners.
The very next Sunday, Dec. 12 at 2:30 p.m., John Glaze, organist of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, will present a very special program of seasonal Advent and Christmas music. (2009 was the season of restoration for the renowned 1885 Koehnken & Grimm pipe organ in historic St. Mary’s. The historic pipe organ had been rebuilt in 1933 to update it from the original “tracker action” to an enlarged instrument. Last summer, the organ was transformed by the Muller Organ Company of Croton, Ohio, into a digital age instrument with technologic advancements giving it a transposer, MIDI capability and 99 levels of memory – functions previously found only on electronic organs.) This beautifully restored instrument, controlled by John’s talented hands and feet, will fill the sanctuary with incredibly rich music. The program will also include seasonal selections by other parish musicians on flute, a dulcimer trio and possibly additional instruments.
“Organ and more” music will also be included in St. Mary’s two Christmas Eve services this year. The early service at 7 p.m. is perfect for families with children and early bedtimes! The late service begins at 11:30 and ushers in Christmas with Holy Eucharist and traditional music. (Children are of course very welcome at both services.) Rev. Judi Wiley will also officiate at an additional Holy Eucharist service at 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, Friday, Dec. 31.
As always, the music programs are without charge and are open to the public. Everyone in the community is also invited to join with St. Mary’s congregation at any or all of our services. Each Sunday, the church resonates with sounds of glorious organ music during the 10 a.m. services. St. Mary’s is located at the corner of North High and East North Streets in Hillsboro.
-Submitted by Hollis Stevenson