Lessons and Carols at St. John's Episcopal Cathedral

This annual service includes lessons and music for the Christmas season presented by the Cathedral Choir under the direction of Tim Tuller, Canon for Music.

The cathedral is located at 256 East Church Street in Jacksonville and the the service will be held on December 31st at 5:00 PM, on the Feast of the Holy Name.

This is one of Jacksonville's finest annual offerings and you won't want to miss it. (Hint: Arrive early. It's often very packed!)

Organ Concert at All Saints Episcopal Church

Brenda McNeiland, Organist and Choirmaster of All Saints Episcopal Church sends the following invitation:

All Saints is hosting a fine organist in recital Sunday January 13 at 5 p.m. See the attached poster for more details.Dr. Tompkins is the Organ Professor at Furman University, as well as Organist at First Baptist Church in Greenville SC, a recording artist (Solemnity and Joy CD on Pro Organo) and frequent performer (Kennedy Center, Piccolo Spoleto, National and Regional AGO conventions, MTNA, College Music Society, American Public Media's Pipedreams.) in national circles.You are cordially invited to attend.Best wishes,Brenda McNeiland

This concert will be a benefit for Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church after the loss of their sanctuary on the morning of December 22nd.

(Click on the poster for a larger view.)

Decorating the Nave and the Sanctuary

Scenes from the Festival Choir's "Norwegian" Gift Exchange

Jane K. was our hostess for the evening. (Click on the pictures for a larger view.)There was lots of good food and a couple of people asked for the recipe for the butterscotch dessert, so here it is:

You'll need 60 Ritz crackers, 1 stick of butter, 1 1/2 cups of milk, 2 boxes of instant butterscotch pudding, 1 quart vanilla ice cream (don't try to substitute ice milk or yogurt or you'll have a disaster!), an 8 oz tub of Cool Whip. Crush the crackers and mix in melted butter. Lay this in the bottom of your pan (reserve a little for the topping). Mix the pudding and milk, then mix in the ice cream. Spread pudding/ice cream mixture over the crackers. Put Cool Whip on top, then sprinkle on the remaining cracker/butter mixture. Freeze or refrigerate. It's delicious either way.

You can use any flavor of instant pudding, but butterscotch is the best.

First Coast Ringers and the Jacksonville Children's Chorus in Concert Together

Festival Choir Annual Advent Photo

Members of the Festival Choir posed for the annual advent photo this morning (12/16/07) after the 8:30 Service of Lessons and Carols. Bill D. took the photo again and did a great job. There is not a single person who can say they don't look great in this picture. Thanks Bill!!

Handbell Choirs Ornament Exchange

The handbell ringers had a party/ornament exchange hosted by the Tallmans. The ornament exchange was the kind where ornaments come wrapped. Once you unwrap an ornament, you can elect to keep it or to "steal" one from someone else. In these games, I almost never go home with the gift I like the best, but this time I got a winner. The top photo is of the ornament that I brough home - a hand made glass ornament by Charleston artist Heather Martinez.

In the next photo, Laurie A. and Reagan (unsure of spelling) guard the stairway.

Next: (L to R) Partygoers Brian M., Lynn M., Roger F., Sharon F., Deborah P., Bob W.

Next: Leslie A., Karen R., Laurie A., Rose T.

Last photo: Lynette and Mark W., Missy D.

Thanks to the Tallmans for a fun evening.

Bach Vespers Photos

Thank you to Bill Daugherty for taking these pictures of our Bach Vespers Service. The top photo shows the choir with orchestra. The bottom photo is of our incredible soloists: Lindsey Tuller and R. Hugh Patterson.

Bach Vespers: December 9th, 7:00 PM

J.S. Bach's Cantata No. 140

"Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme"

On Sunday evening, December 9, 2007 at 7:00 PM, members of St. Mark's and several singers from the community will present "Wachet Auf" within the context of a service of Lutheran Vespers (evening prayer). The choir of 25 voices will be accompanied by an orchestra.

The cantata is based on the hymn "Wake, Awake, For Night Is Flying."

Our soloists are Lindsey Tuller and R. Hugh Patterson.

If you are already feeling overwhelmed by the "Christmas" season, this will be a chance to slow down and appreciate the message of Advent.

Please invite all of your friends and family to attend this special worship service.

An offering will be taken and a reception will follow the service.