St. John's Church Offering Holiday Services

This just in from St. John’s Church:

St. John's Church will offer a number of special events during the Christmas season.  Please see below for a full listing of the exciting concerts and services that will be presented at our historic Hyde Park church during this festive and sacred holiday.

Christmas Concert: Sunday, December 16, at 5 p.m.

Organist and choirmaster Simon Morley will conduct the annual St. John’s Christmas Concert, which will include “A babe is born” by William Mathias; “Jesus Child” by John Rutter; “Sans Day Carol" by John Rutter; and "In the bleak mid-winter" by Harold Darke.   The concert is free.  There will also be a reception to which all are invited following the concert in Rudisill Parish Hall, adjacent to the church.

Christmas Lessons and Carols: Sunday, December 23, at 10 a.m.

The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is a service of Christian worship celebrating the birth of Jesus that 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 from Genesis, the prophetic books and the Gospels, interspersed with the singing of Christmas carols, hymns, and choir music.  This combined service will take the place of our regular 9:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. services.

Children’s Service with Christmas Pageant: Monday, December 24 at 4 p.m.

Children of the parish will bring the Christmas story to life in an annual St. John’s tradition on Christmas Eve.  The Bishop of Southwest Florida, the Right Reverend Dabney Smith, will be the celebrant.

Christmas Eve Service: 6 p.m.

Music by the Combined Choirs

Christmas Eve Midnight Service: Music begins at 10:30 p.m., service at 11 p.m.

Music sung by our Ensemble will include works by Harold Darke, William Mathias, and John Rutter

Christmas Day

Service: 10 a.m.

All events will take place at St. John’s Church, 906 South Orleans Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33606. For more information, please call 813.259.1570.