Churches unite for Ecumenical Carol Service in Sharbot Lake

Craig Bakay | Dec 13, 2017

Sunday in Sharbot Lake featured the seventh year of Ecumenical Carol Service put on by six ministerials in the area.

“This is our second time here at St. James Major,” said Rev. Mark Hudson. “We rotate around the different churches.

“We’d like to hold it outside like the summer service at the beach but you never know what the weather’s going to be.”

Hudson said when they started out, they held the Carol Service on Saturday nights “but the seniors seemed to prefer we hold it in the afternoon.”

“It’s a popular service with good representation from many faiths and participation from a lot of lay people.”

For example, Richard and Lois Webster greeted guests as they arrived and did the offering (which goes to the Food Bank), Hudson did the welcome and opening prayer, George Weiss read Isaiah 7:10-14, Nelda Whan read Isaiah 11:1-10, Art Shaw did a solo, the Kids Zone Ministry did Shout it Out, Irene Hawley told the Legend of the Candy Cane, Lois Webster read Luke 2:8-20 and Father Jonathan Askwith gave a message and the closing prayer.

Christmas Carols included Silent Night, O Come All Ye Faithful, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, Joy to the World and O Little Town of Bethlehem.

Bob Miller also performed a couple of carols.

“I’ve sorta gravitated towards the best unknown carols there are,” he said.

Refreshments and fellowship followed the service.

Participating ministerials included St. Andrews Anglican Church, St. James Major Catholic Church, Parham Free Methodist Church, Sharbot Lake Centennial Pastoral Charge, Sharbot Lake Pentecostal Church and the Praise Church.