Christmas Candlelight Service at Centenary College Set for Friday, Dec. 5; Program Open to the Public

	Luminaries lead to Centenary College's Brown Memorial Chapel for a Candlelight Christmas Service. (Centenary News Service file photo)

SHREVEPORT, LA -- Centenary College's 2003 Candlelight Christmas Service will include a public service of readings, prayer, music, song and candlelighting on Friday, Dec. 5 in Brown Memorial Chapel. The program is free and open to the public. Pre-service music by the Centenary String Ensemble will begin at 5:45 p.m. and the service will begin at 6 p.m.

Music will be provided by the Centenary Carillon Handbell Choir, directed by Mary Caldwell; Dr. Hollice Watson, organist; the Centenary Camerata, Cantare and Chorale singers, conducted by Dr. Julia B. Thorn; the Centenary College Choir, directed by Dr. Will K. Andress and accompanied by Drew Ley and Josh Melson; and the Centenary String Ensemble, directed by Laura Crawford and accompanied by Gay Grosz.

The Centenary Choir will present Hodie Christus Natus Est, What Sweeter Music and This Little Babe from Ceremony of Carols.

Camerata will sing Of the Father’s Love Begotten, Lo How a Rose E’er Blooming and Christmas Lullaby. The Centenary Chorale will sing Love Came Down at Christmas and the Centenary Cantare and Carillon Handbells will present There is No Rose.

The Centenary String Ensemble will present the prelude with several selections of gathering music for Christmas. The ensemble performers are Robert Schaumburg, Tim Nicholson and Holly Richardson, violins; Carrie Collins, viola; and Sarah Kate Ross and David Pennywell, cellos.

Centenary students presenting prayers or readings are John Rabenhorst, president of the Student Government Association, and scripture readers Sean Hennigan, Megan Saucier, Wes Peptione and Kristen Paxson. Chaplain Betsy B. Eaves will deliver the message, “What Are We Waiting For?” and President Kenneth L. Schwab will lead the lighting of the candles.

The congregation will be invited to sing several familiar Christmas hymns, including Hark the Herald Angels Sing; O Come, O Come, Emmanuel;O Come All Ye Faithful; Silent Night; and Joy to the World. Dr. Watson will accompany the hymns and will play the postlude, Variations on a Swiss Noel.

After the service, the congregation is invited to attend a reception and Carillon Handbell Choir performance and visit with Santa in Magale Library. For further information, contact the Centenary Chaplain's Office at 318-869-5156.

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