Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at Messiah

The final countdown to Christmas has begun. Below are the links to YouTube which will allow you to connect with our very special video of Christmas Lessons and Carols. This will be our primary worship experience as a community this Christmas. The video premieres at 4:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The service is preceded, at 3:45 p.m., by 12 minutes of music for harp. You may choose to watch the videos, in sequence, as they premiere or at any time that’s convenient for you. Please feel free to share both programs with your friends and family.

It’s worth noting that all of the music and images in the films are intimately connected to The Church of the Messiah, it’s ministries, and it’s building. Our thanks to everyone who worked so hard to produce this offering for our church and the wider community during this very challenging Christmas. We are very proud of the result.

To view the harp prelude to our Christmas service, beginning at 3:45 p.m. on December 24: https://youtu.be/QDK-5N5Y1H8

To view our Christmas Lessons and Carols, beginning at 4:00 p.m on December 24.: https://youtu.be/SuTy1jYdYmY

To stream directly to your television (Apple Tv, Roku, Amazon Fire, etc.) Use the YouTube app and search for Messiah Rhinebeck

Please note that if you view the harp prelude at 3:45. p.m., you will then need., at 4:00 p.m., to click on the link for the Christmas Lessons and Carols to participate in that service. You may also view the videos at any time during the Christmas season.

There is also a link below to be able to view or download our bulletin for the service.

Bulletin: A Service of Lessons and Carols for Christmas Eve

Also listed below are the Christmas Music and Flowers/Video Offerings that have been given as memorials or in thanksgiving.

A List of Christmas Remembrances: Christmas Music & Flowers/Video Offerings

Just to remind you all that Christmas Eve, we will be holding a Zoom Open House from 2pm to 4pm. That link is listed below this announcement. On Christmas Day at 10am via Zoom, we will hold a very quiet and informal time of prayer and reflection. This service will not be recorded so we will be able to see one another.

Instructions on Accessing Zoom

https://zoom.us/j/5815151562

In addition to the gift of our Christmas Lessons and Carols, we were able to send to our members holiday centerpieces for their homes. Our thanks to all the volunteers who helped deliver these centerpieces: Meredith Hovey, Anne Hemenway, John Wilson, Kris Perry, Leanora Kovacs, Pam Wright, Rev. Gwyneth Murphy, Alison Lankenau, Stephen Frost, Michael Privitera, Joe Rauen, and Nancy Richard.

I hope that this Christmas, when we are unable to be with one another to celebrate the birth of Jesus, will still be a time for our deep connection to grow. I send my love for a healthy, safe Christmas to you all.

Yours in faith,

Fr. Richard

Getting Involved