December 19, 2021 Submitted by The Rev. Tim Schenck
As we prepare to celebrate Christmas at the Episcopal Parish of St. John the Evangelist (172 Main Street), we’re pleased to offer a variety of service options to mark our Lord’s birth.
In order to observe Christmas while keeping people safe, we will offer six services between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. One will be held outdoors; two will be live-streamed; and two will require reservations to sit in the pews (though there will be overflow seating); and all will have capacity limits, as well as ventilation, inside the worship space itself. Masks are required at all indoor services.
On Christmas Eve, we are holding five services. A brief (15-minute), outdoor children’s service will be held at 2:00 pm with movement and the telling of the Christmas story.
At 3:00 and 5:00 pm, our Family Services will include an interactive telling of the Christmas story with carols and the Holy Eucharist. The children’s choir will sing at the 5:00 pm service.
Our 7:00 and 9:00 pm services will include Christmas music, sermon, the Holy Eucharist, and the singing of Silent Night by candlelight. At the earlier service, music will be led by a vocal quartet; at the late service, the full St. John’s Choir will sing.
The most socially-distanced service will likely be on Christmas Day, if you prefer to shift your Christmas Eve tradition. This contemplative service will include Christmas carols, sermon, and the Holy Eucharist.
While five of our services offer open seating, please note that our 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm family services require reservations to sit in the pews. Log onto www.stjohns-hingham.org to check availability. For those without reservations, there will be a large screen in the parish hall to view the service, and a priest will celebrate communion with those in the hall.
The 5:00 pm and 9:00 pm services on Christmas Eve will be live-streamed via our website and the parish Facebook page.
However this all unfolds, and however you decide to celebrate this year, please know that Christ our Savior will be born!