Christmas Eve at MCC
"We don't sing 'Come some of ye faithful."
On Friday December 24, Memorial Congregational Church welcomes all to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ in the Christmas Eve service, highlighted by special activities of the Senior High Fellowship and Youth Group, the Sudbury Bell Ringers, the lighting of the Christ Candle, carol singing, and congregation's candle lighting.
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MCC continues its historic traditions of the Christmas Eve service. At 6:00 PM, the teen youth organizations, the Senior High Fellowship and Youth Group, enact the birth of Jesus on the front lawn of the church. Assuming the roles of Joseph, Mary, the Angels, Wise Men, and Shepherds, the fully costumed teens and pre-teens, and their leaders portray the scene where all came to see the newborn Christ child. Drivers on Concord Rd often stop to watch the scene, sometimes still and other times in motion.
At 7:00 PM, the Sudbury Bell Ringers, directed by Sudbury resident Betty Drum, will precede the service with ringing of traditional winter and Christmas favorites; the congregation assembling for worship is invited to join in singing Christmas carols accompanied by the bells.
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Worship begins at 7:30 PM, with Rev. Tom O'Brien welcoming all to take the evening to put behind the frenetic activities - shopping, concerts, and parties et al – and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. The peacefulness of the MCC Christmas Eve service sets all in a relaxed mood, allowing Christmas Day to arrive with warmth and calm.
Throughout Advent the children of MCC have led the ceremony of the Lighting of the Advent Wreath, symbolizing Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. On Christmas Eve, the families of Ilene and Sue Whelpley (respectively of Sudbury and Framingham) and of Ed and Judy Hawkins (of Sudbury) will light the Christ Candle, concluding this reflective annual Advent tradition.
Rev. Tom O'Brien's meditation follows singing of several other favorite Christmas carols interspersed with readings from the Hebrew Bible book of Isaiah, and from Chapter 2 of the Gospel according to Luke.
The final tradition of the MCC Christmas Eve service sends all members and visitors home in a peaceful, settled mood: the darkened sanctuary slowly comes to light as the congregation lights candles one by one. Beginning in the front pew, Rev. Tom will light the first candle and then offer the flame to the candles held by parishioners in the front pew on both sides of the sanctuary. On each side, the flame is offered to the next person with an unlit candle, and the lighting proceeds to the very last unlit candle, held by the last worshipper in the last row. The lighting proceeds as the congregation sings Silent Night, accompanied by a single instrument, this year played on mandolin by MCC member Dan Pettengill.
The previously announced worship service on Christmas Day will not take place. On Sunday December 26, with Rev. Tom O'Brien away for the holiday, Dan Pettengill, with Director of Music Cathy Meyer, will lead a hymn sing service. Pettengill, a Sudbury resident and long term member, is the eyes behind the shutter of many MCC photographs published in a variety of CNC newspapers including Sudbury Town Crier.
Memorial Congregational Church is a member congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC). MCC has an open and affirming ministry to all people regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability or financial situation. All areas of the building are handicapped accessible. Sunday worship service begins at 10 am, and childcare for infants and toddlers is provided from 9:00 AM until 11:30 AM.
Information on MCC worship services, music programs, Christian education, Outreach, and teen programs may be found at the church web site on the Internet at http://MCCsudbury.org. Watch for 'This Week at MCC' columns in most Metrowest area community newspapers. Find us on Facebook at http://facebook.com/mccsudbury. Follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/MemCCEvents. You can reach the church office and staff by phone at 978-443-3885, or by email at office@mccsudbury.org. The church is located at 26 Concord Road in Sudbury. Directions to the church may also be obtained from the church website. Click on the 'About Us' tab and then click 'Directions/Map'.
