Annual Lessons and Carols Service Held at Cedar Crest's Interfaith Chapel

On December 11, the Protestant Community of Cedar Crest held its 9th Annual Lessons and Carols service in the Interfaith Chapel at Cedar Crest in Pompton Plains.

The service features the choir singing four anthems. The congregation joined in the singing of beloved carols. Readers of Scripture provided the story of Christ's birth from the book of Genesis and Original Sin to the birth of the Christ child and redemption for His believers.

Anthems included Mary Did You Know?, Angels Singing Peace on Earth, Goin’ to Bethlehem, and Go Tell It! Carols included well-known favorites such as O Come All Ye Faithful, Away in the Manger, and Joy to the World among others. George Swope, organist and choir director, and Elaine Thomas, pianist, performed an organ/piano duet arranged by Joel Raney titled, “The Gospel of Peace,” triggering applause from the congregation. Following the service, each member of the congregation received a tree ornament depicting the manger scene.

This is one of the four special services held at the community each year and, as always, anyone from Cedar Crest and its neighboring towns may attend.

A Candlelit Christmas Eve Service will be held at 7 p.m. and the Christmas Service at 10 a.m.

The Protestant Community at Cedar Crest is a non-denominational congregation led by Reverend Dennis Rockett and supported in its ministry by George W. Swope, a professional organist and choir director, and Elaine Thomas, pianist and Council President.

Photo: The Protestant Choir with George Swope and Elaine Thomas

About Lessons and Carols
The Lessons and Carols service began at King's College Cambridge during the second world war and is broadcast each year on Christmas Eve or Day. In its original form, there are nine lessons, with prayers (or collects), a sung carol and a choir anthem. The Lessons are Biblical and come from both Old and New Testaments going from creation to temptation, the early prophets and their messages of a coming Messiah, the founding of the tribes of Israel (there are 12), the story of Abraham and Sarah, the angels’ visitation to Mary, the retelling of the birth of Christ in the Gospels, and the awe of the shepherds and gifts of the magi. There is no sermon in the service; the readings and music stand on their own. The music includes old standard carols sung by choir and congregation, anthems--both newly composed and selections from the long-span of choral music sung by the choir.