Music Sunday and Christmas Pageant at Willow Grove Church

In the season of Advent when Christians prepare their hearts and homes for Christmas, Willow Grove Presbyterian Church invites the community to worship and adult classes during the month of December. On Sunday, December 16, the church will celebrate Music Sunday and the Annual Christmas Pageant.  The choir, under the direction of Paul DiDario, will sing What Child Is This? and  Persone Hodie from the Oxford Collection of Carols.   Mr. DiDario, a graduate of the Julliard School of Music and Music Director of Willow Grove Church, will play a special piece on the harpsichord, Sonata #513 by Scarlatti. 

Then children and youth of the church will present a modern Christmas pageant “Hark! Angels Are In the ‘Hood, the Neighborhood”.  The story of Jesus’ birth will be told with a modern twist.  As the congregation sings Christmas carols, the ancient story will come to life as children act out the story.

The Sunday Adult Forum Classes that are held after worship in Kiep Lounge will focus on the themes in Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s book God Is In the Manger.  Rev. Cynthia Cochran-Carney will lead discussions on this collection of writings by this great Christian writer. Bonhoeffer was a German Lutheran pastor, theologian, and dissident anti-Nazi in the 1930’s.  His writings on Christianity's role in the secular world have become widely influential. His books The Cost of Discipleship and Letters and Papers from Prison  are modern classics. The themes will also be reflected in Sunday sermons—Waiting, Mystery, Redemption, and Incarnation.

During the week, the community is invited to the Thursday Morning Bible Study to a series entitled  Rejoice! A Study of Four Christmas Carols. Christmas carols are some of the most evocative parts of the season for many. We will explore the history behind four of our favorite carols and the biblical images woven into each song. The four hymns will be "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,”  "Silent Night, Holy Night," "O Little Town of Bethlehem," and  "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." Study group meets on Thursdays at 10:00 am in Kiep Lounge.

Willow Grove Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) is a vital Christian community for all ages.  It is located in Scotch Plains at 1961 Raritan Road, across the street from the Scotch Plains Southside Firehouse and Southside Soccer Field, and near the corner of South Martine Avenue. All our facilities are handicap-accessible.  Check our website for other ministries.  www.willowgrovechurch.org or call the church (908)232-5678.