Music Ministries

Two exciting developments are taking place right now in the music ministries. First, our Children’s Choir program is finally getting underway! K-3 choir will meet from 9:00- 9:30 am on Sunday mornings, and 4-6 choir will meet from 11:15- 11:45 on Sunday mornings. Children’s choir is a great opportunity for children to learn about music and singing fundamentals, while also learning fun songs and occasionally performing during worship services. If you have questions, please feel free to contact Anthony Dahl. Children’s choir will begin meeting on 11/1.

Second, the Chancel Choir will be performing an exciting “Lessons and Carols” Christmas cantata this year, combined with the choir from Holy Cross UMC in Stockton. The Lessons and Carols service tradition dates back to the 1880’s. It is a telling of the story of Jesus’ birth, told in nine short scripture readings interspersed with the singing of anthems and carols. We will be performing the cantata at St. Paul’s during service on 12/13, and then at Holy Cross on 12/20.

If you would like to join the choir, either as a regular member or just to perform in our cantata, please see Anthony Dahl, or just show up to our rehearsal! We rehearse Thursday nights at 7:15 pm in the music room.

Advent, Christmas, and Cantata Rehearsal Schedule

Thursday Rehearsals as normal at 7:15 pm

Thanksgiving Week Rehearsal either Tuesday, 11/24 or Wednesday, 11/25 (TBA)

Cantata Dress Rehearsal will be Thursday, 12/10 at 7:00pm (location will be Holy Cross UMC)

First Cantata Performance is Sunday, 12/13 at 10:00am (location St. Paul’s UMC, Manteca)

Call Time is 9:15am

Second Cantata Performance is Sunday, 12/20 at 10:30am (location Holy Cross UMC)

Call Time is 9:45am

Choir will perform at the 11:00 pm service on Christmas Eve. However, we will not rehearse earlier in the day at our normal time.

The choir will not sing Sunday, 12/27, or Sunday 1/3.

There will be no rehearsal Thursday 12/31.

Rehearsals will resume Thursday, January 7^th at 7:15 pm.

A History of Lesson and Carols

The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is a format for a service of Christian worship celebrating the birth of Jesus, which is traditionally followed at Christmas. The story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus is told in nine short Bible readings, interspersed with the singing of Christmas carols and hymns.

The format was based in an order drawn up by Edward White Benson, later Archbishop of Canterbury, for Christmas Eve (December 24) 1880 in Truro, Cornwall. The service took place in a temporary wooden shed serving as his cathedral. It has since been adapted and used by other churches all over the world. In the UK, the service has become the standard format for schools’ Christmas carol services.

The best-known version is broadcast annually from King’s College, Cambridge, on Christmas Eve. It features carols by the famous Choir of King’s College, Cambridge.

Lessons and Carols most often occur in Anglican churches, and in some Roman Catholic and Lutheran parishes and institutions. However, numerous Christian churches have adopted this service, or a variation on this service, as part of their Christmas celebrations.