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AFestivalofNineLessonsandCarols

Broadcastat8pmon24December2018

Kindlynotethatthisisarepeatbroadcastoflastyear’srecordingbyVOXCapeTown

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TheFestivalofNineLessonsandCarols

heFestivalofNineLessonsandCarolstellsthestoryofthefallofhumanity,thepromiseoftheMessiahandthebirthofJesus. It is told through nine short Bible readings,

interspersedwiththesingingofChristmashymnsandcarols.Theformatwasbasedonanorderofservicedrawnupin1880whichhassincebeenadaptedbychurchesallovertheworld.ThemostfamousversionisbroadcastannuallyonChristmasEvebytheBBCfromKing’sCollege,Cambridge.Each December, VOX Cape Town presents its own locally-flavouredadaptationoftheFestivalofNineLessonsandCarols.TheservicetakesplaceatStAndrew’sChurchinKildareRoad,Newlands,andagainatStAndrew’s Presbyterian Church in Somerset Road, Cape Town,continuingthetraditionledformanyyearsbytheStGeorge’sSingers.Forthethirdyearrunning,VOXCapeTown’sFestivalofNineLessonsand Carols will broadcast on Fine Music Radio on Christmas Eve,bringingthisuniquemusicalcelebrationtoamuchwideraudience.

Aboutthemusic

hemusic for this Festival ofNineLessons andCarols hasbeenselected to reflect a diversity of musical traditions and styles.The service begins with plainchant from the 9th century – an

invocationof theHoly Spirit (Veni, Creator Spiritus).After theFirstLesson, which describes the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, thecomposerofPula,Pula!(“Rain,Rain!”)remindsusthat:“Waterismorethananessentialresourceforsurvival; it isasymbolofcleansingandpurificationthatmovesbeyondthephysical.”AsthecomingoftheSaviourisrevealedinthesubsequentreadings,alively Spanish “villancico” (carol) describes how “God protected theprecious Ewe [the Virgin Mary]from the Wolf [the Devil]”. This isfollowed by a gentle hymn, Bethlehem Down, composed by PeterWarlockwhowon the Daily Telegraph’s annual carol competition 91years ago for thiswork.A sprightly setting ofBogoróditse Djévo byArvo Pärt (1990) contrasts thewell-known version by Rachmaninoffpresentedinour2016FestivalofNineLessonsandCarols.

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ThepopularhymnAway inaMangerandthetraditionalPolishcarolInfant holy, Infant lowly provide a fewmoments of quiet reflectionaftertheSixthLesson.ThenewsofthebirthofJesusspreadsrapidly,asportrayedinasweepinglydramaticpiecebyFrancisPoulencfromhis“QuatreMotetspour le tempsdeNoël” (“FourChristmasMotets”)andtheclose-harmonydepictionoftheWiseMenwhoFollowThatStartoBethlehem.ThisFestivalofNineLessonsandCarolsconcludeswith thepremièrerecordingofanewSouthAfricancarolespeciallycommissionedbyVOXCapeTowntoexpandthelocalchoralrepertoire.EntitledChristmasinAfrica,thetext iswrittenbySouthAfricanpoetMargaretKollmerandhas been set tomusic by Cape Town-based composerMaikeWatson.Watson’s scoreevokes “twinkling stars, story-timeandprayers in theveld”, thereby setting the scene for a unique and locally-relevantcelebrationofChristmas“underaSouthernsky”.Finally,wearedelightedthatErikDippenaarhasjoinedVOXCapeTownfor this broadcast onFine Music Radio.Erik's vast experience as anorganistandaccompanistbringsaspecialflairtothisrecording.JohnWoodland

OrganPrelude

Indulcijubilo(“Insweetrejoicing”)BuxWV197DieterichBuxtehude(1637-1707)

OpeningHymn

Solo OnceinroyalDavid’scity, Stoodalowlycattleshed Whereamotherlaidherbaby Inamangerforhisbed: MarywasthatMothermild, JesusChristherlittlechild.

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Choir Hecamedowntoearthfromheaven WhoisGodandLordofall, Andhisshelterwasastable, Andhiscradlewasastall; Withthepoorandmeanandlowly, LivedonearthourSaviourholy.All Andthroughallhiswondrouschildhood Hewouldhonourandobey, Loveandwatchthelowlymaiden, Inwhosegentlearmshelay; Christianchildrenallmustbe Mild,obedient,goodashe. Forheisourchildhood’spattern, Daybydaylikeushegrew, Hewaslittle,weakandhelpless, Tearsandsmileslikeusheknew: Andhefeelethforoursadness, Andhesharethinourgladness. Andoureyesatlastshallseehim, Throughhisownredeeminglove, ForthatChildsodearandgentle IsourLordinheavenabove; Andheleadshischildrenon Totheplacewhereheisgone. Notinthatpoorlowlystable, Withtheoxenstandingby, Weshallseehim;butinheaven, SetatGod’srighthandonhigh; Whenlikestarshischildrencrowned Allinwhiteshallwaitaround. FirstversesungbyJennivanDoesburgh WordsbyC.F.Alexander MusicbyH.J.Gauntlett HarmonisedbyA.H.Mann DescantbyDavidWillcocks

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TheBiddingPrayerReadbyReverendNatalievanRooyen

elovedinChrist,beitthisChristmasEveourcareanddelighttoprepare ourselves to hear again themessage of the angels; inheart andmind to go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing

whichiscometopass,andwiththeshepherdsandtheWiseMenadoretheChildlyinginhisMother’sarms.LetusreadandmarkinHolyScripturethetaleofthelovingpurposesof God from the first days of our disobedience unto the gloriousRedemption brought us by this Holy Child; and in companywith thewholeChurchletusmakethisChurchgladwithourcarolsofpraise:But let us first pray for the needs of hiswholeworld; for peace andgoodwilloveralltheearth;forunityandfellowshipwithintheChurchhecametobuild.

Andletusatthistimerememberinhisnamethepoorandthehelpless,thecold,thehungryandtheoppressed;thesickinbodyandmindandthem thatmourn; the lonely and the unloved; the aged and the littlechildren;andallwhoknownotthelovingkindnessoftheLord.

Let us also remember before God all those who rejoice with us, butuponanothershoreandinagreaterlight,thatmultitudewhichnoonecannumber,whosehopewasintheWordmadeflesh,andwithwhom,inthisLordJesus,weforevermoreareone.

Theseprayersandpraisesletushumblyoffertothethroneofheaven,inthewordswhichChristhimselfhathtaughtus:

Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is inheaven.Giveus thisdayourdailybread.And forgiveusourtrespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us.And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.Amen.

The Almighty God bless us with his grace: Christ give us the joys ofeverlasting life:andunto the fellowshipof thecitizensabovemaytheKingofAngelsbringusall.Amen.

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ChoralPrelude

Veni,CreatorSpiritus(“Come,CreatorSpirit”)Come,HolySpirit,Creatorblest,andinoursoulstakeupThyrest;comewithThygraceandheavenlyaidtofilltheheartswhichThouhastmade.Ocomforter,toTheewecry,OheavenlygiftofGodMostHigh,Ofountof lifeandfireof love,andsweetanointingfromabove.Oh,mayThygraceonusbestowtheFatherandtheSontoknow;andThee,throughendlesstimesconfessed,ofboththeeternalSpiritblest.NowtotheFatherandtheSon,Whorose fromdeath,beglory given,withThou,OHoly Comforter, henceforth byallinearthandheaven.Amen.

Plainchantfromthe9thcentury

FirstLesson

GodtellssinfulAdamthathehaslostthelifeofParadiseandthathisseedwillbruisetheserpent’shead.Genesis3:8-15(ReadbyAaronJuritz)

Carol

Pula,Pula!(“Rain,Rain!”)

Letitrain,Lettheriverflow,Lettherivercleanourhearts,Andhealthebarrenearth.

Composedin2016byFrancoPrinsloo(b.1987,SouthAfrica)

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SecondLessonGodpromisestofaithfulAbrahamthatinhisseedshallallthenationsoftheearthbeblessed.Genesis22:15-18(ReadbyJennivanDoesburgh)

Carol

Ríu,Ríu,Chíu

Ríu,ríu,chíu,theguard[shepherd]bytheriver:GodprotectedourEwefromtheWolf.

The furious wolf tried to bite her, but almighty Godprotected herwell; hemade her in such away that shecouldknownosin,avirginunstainedbyourfirstfather’s[Adam’s]fault.

Thisnew-bornChildisamightymonarch,thepatriarchalChristclothedinflesh;heredeemedusbymakinghimselftiny:hewhowasinfinitebecamefinite.

Look to it! It concerns you all: God made her [Mary]ameremother; hewhowas her fatherwas born of hertoday;andhewhocreatedhercallshimselfherson.

SoloversessungbyChrisArnoldandNicholasGorven

TraditionalSpanishcarolsometimesattributedtoMateoFlechatheElder(1481-1553)

ThirdLesson

GodtheprophetforetellsthecomingoftheSaviour.Isaiah9:2,4-7(ReadbyAntheavanWieringen)

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Hymn

All Lo!Hecomeswithcloudsdescending,Onceforfavouredsinnersslain;

ThousandthousandsaintsattendingSwellthetriumphofhistrain:

Alleluia!(threetimes) Godappears,onearthtoreign. Everyeyeshallnowbeholdhim Robedindreadfulmajesty; Thosewhosetatnaughtandsoldhim, Piercedandnailedhimtothetree, Deeplywailing,(threetimes) ShallthetrueMessiahsee.

Thosedeartokensofhispassion. Stillhisdazzlingbodybears,Causeofendlessexultation Tohisransomedworshippers: Withwhatrapture,(threetimes) Gazeweonthosegloriousscars!Yea,amen!Letalladorethee, High,onthineeternalthrone;Saviour,takethepowerandglory: Claimthekingdomforthineown: Ocomequickly!(threetimes) Alleluia!Come,Lord,come!

WordsbyC.WesleyandJ.Cennick

18th-centuryFrenchmelodyarrangedbyDavidWillcocks

FourthLesson

TheprophetMicahforetellsthegloryoflittleBethlehem.Micah5:1-3(ReadbyDavidPatrick)

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Carol

BethlehemDown

“WhenHeisKingwewillgiveHimtheKings’gifts,Myrrhforitssweetness,andgoldforacrown,Beautifulrobes,”saidtheyounggirltoJoseph,Fairwithherfirst-bornonBethlehemDown.BethlehemDownisfullofthestarlight,Windsforthespices,andstarsforthegold,Maryforsleep,andforlullabymusicSongsofashepherdbyBethlehemfold.WhenHeisKingtheywillclotheHimingrave-sheets,Myrrhforembalming,andwoodforacrown,HethatliesnowinthewhitearmsofMarySleepingsolightlyonBethlehemDown.HereHehaspeaceandashortwhilefordreaming,Close-huddledoxentokeepHimfromcold,Maryforlove,andforlullabymusicSongsofashepherdbyBethlehemfold.

PeterWarlock(1894-1930)withwordsbyBruceBlunt

FifthLesson

TheangelGabrielsalutestheBlessedVirginMary.StLuke1:26-38(ReadbyDrBarrySmith)

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Carol BogoróditseDjévo

Rejoice,OmotherofGod.VirginMary,fullofgrace,theLordiswiththee;Blessedartthouamongwomen,Andblessedisthefruitofthywomb,ForthouhastbornetheSaviourofoursouls.

Composedin1990byArvoPärt(b.1935,Estonia)fortheFestivalofNineLessonsandCarolsatKing’sCollege,Cambridge

Hymn

All OlittletownofBethlehem,Howstillweseetheelie!AbovethydeepanddreamlesssleepThesilentstarsgoby.YetinthydarkstreetsshinethTheeverlastinglight;ThehopesandfearsofalltheyearsAremetintheetonight.

Omorningstars,togetherProclaimtheholybirth,AndpraisessingtoGodtheKing,Andpeacetomenonearth;ForChristisbornofMary;And,gatheredallabove,Whilemortalssleep,theangelskeepTheirwatchofwond’ringlove.

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Choir Howsilently,howsilently,Thewondrousgiftisgiv’n!SoGodimpartstohumanheartsTheblessingsofhisheav’n.Noearmayhearhiscoming;Butinthisworldofsin,Wheremeeksoulswillreceivehim,stillThedearChristentersin.

All OholyChildofBethlehem,Descendtous,wepray;Castoutoursin,andenterin,Beborninustoday.WeheartheChristmasangelsThegreatgladtidingstell:Ocometous,abidewithus,OurLordEmmanuel.

WordsbyBishopPhillipsBrooksEnglishtraditionaltunearrangedbyRalphVaughanWilliamsDescantbyThomasArmstrong

SixthLesson

StMatthewtellsofthebirthofJesus.StMatthew1:18-23(ReadbyLesleyJennings)

Hymn

Awayinamanger,nocribforabed,ThelittleLordJesuslaiddownhissweethead.Thestarsinthebrightskylookeddownwherehelay,ThelittleLordJesusasleeponthehay.Thecattlearelowing,thebabyawakes,ButlittleLordJesusnocryinghemakes.Ilovethee,LordJesus!Lookdownfromthesky,Andstaybymysideuntilmorningisnigh.

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Benearme,LordJesus;IasktheetostayClosebymeforever,andloveme,Ipray.Blessallthedearchildreninthytendercare,Andfitusforheaven,tolivewiththeethere.

WordsanonymousTunebyW.J.KirkpatrickarrangedbyDavidWillcocks

Carol

Infantholy,InfantlowlyPolishcarolarrangedbySirDavidWillcocks(1919-2015)

SeventhLesson

Theshepherdsgotothemanger.StLuke2:8-16(ReadbyKylePaulssen)

Hymn

All Whileshepherdswatchedtheirflocksbynight, Allseatedontheground, TheangeloftheLordcamedown, Andgloryshonearound.

Men ‘Fearnot,’saidhe(formightydread Hadseizedtheirtroubledmind); ‘GladtidingsofgreatjoyIbring Toyouandallmankind.’

All ‘ToyouinDavid’stownthisday IsbornofDavid’sline ASaviour,whoisChristtheLord, Andthisshallbethesign:’

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Ladies ‘Theheav’nlybabeyouthereshallfind Tohumanviewdisplayed, Allmeanlywrappedinswathingbands, Andinamangerlaid.’

All Thusspaketheseraph;andforthwith Appearedashiningthrong OfangelspraisingGod,whothus Addressedtheirjoyfulsong:

‘AllglorybetoGodonhigh, Andtotheearthbepeace; Goodwillhenceforthfromheav’ntomen Beginandnevercease.’WordsbyNahumTateMusicfromEste’sPsalterDescantbyBobChilcott

Carol

Quemvidistispastoresdicite

Tellus,shepherds,whomhaveyouseen?Relatetous,whohasappearedonearth?Wehaveseenanew-bornbabe, andchoirsofangelspraisingGodtogether.Proclaimwhatyouhaveseen, andannouncethebirthofChrist.

Composedin1952byFrancisPoulenc(1899-1963,France)

EighthLesson

ThewisemenareledbythestartoJesus.StMatthew2:1-11(ReadbyMichaelMarchant)

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CarolFollowThatStarComposedbyPeterGritton(b.1963,England)

NinthLesson

StJohnunfoldsthegreatmysteryoftheIncarnation.StJohn1:1-14(ReadbyReverendDouglasBax)

Hymn

All Ocome,allyefaithful Joyfulandtriumphant, Ocomeye,OcomeyetoBethlehem; Comeandbeholdhim BorntheKingofAngels: Ocome,letusadorehim, Ocome,letusadorehim, Ocome,letusadorehim, ChristtheLord!

GodofGod,LightofLight,Lo!HeabhorsnottheVirgin’swomb;VeryGod,Begotten,notcreated: Refrain

Sing,choirsofangels,Singinexultation,Sing,allyecitizensofheav’nabove;GlorytoGodinthehighest: Refrain

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Yea,Lord,wegreetthee,Bornthishappymorning,Jesu,totheebeglorygiv’n;WordoftheFather,Nowinfleshappearing:

Ocome,letusadorehim, Ocome,letusadorehim, Ocome,letusadorehim, ChristtheLord!

WordstranslatedbyF.OakeleyandW.T.BrookeComposerunknownMusicarrangedbyDavidWillcocks

Carol

ChristmasinAfrica(2017)

ChristmasinAfricaunderaSouthernskyOnaneveningwarmweallrecallAtinyinfant'ssigh.ChristmasinAfricaunderaSouthernskyWherepeoplerejoicewithheartandvoiceInawondrouslullaby.Wozamoyaoyingcwele(ComeHolySpirit)Al-le-lui-ui-ia.ChristmasinAfricaunderaSouthernskyWheremountainmistmeetstheseasidekissedAndapenguinwaddlesby.

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ChristmasinAfricaunderaSouthernskyWherethebushpigroamsfarawayfromhomeAndasunbirdsingsonhigh.

SololinessungbyJennivanDoesburghandMichaelMarchantMusicbyMaikeWatson(b.1989,SouthAfrica)WordsbyMargaretKollmer(b.1936,SouthAfrica)ThiscarolwasespeciallycommissionedbyVOXCapeTownforthe2017FestivalofNineLessonsandCarols.VOXsupportsthegenesisofnewmusictoexpandandinvigoratethelocalchoralrepertoire.

TheCollectforChristmasEveReadbyReverendNatalievanRooyenOGod,whomakestusgladwiththeyearlyremembranceofthebirthofthyonlyson,JesusChrist:Grantthataswejoyfullyreceivehimforourredeemer,sowemaywithsureconfidencebeholdhim,whenheshallcometobeourjudge;wholivethandreignethwiththeeandtheHolySpirit,oneGod,worldwithoutend.Amen.TheBlessingReadbyReverendNatalievanRooyenMay hewho by his incarnation gathered into one things earthly andheavenly,grantyouthefullnessofinwardpeaceandgoodwill;andtheblessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, beuponyouandremainwithyoualways.Amen.

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FinalHymn

All Hark!Theherald-angelssingGlorytothenew-bornKing;Peaceonearthandmercymild,Godandsinnersreconciled:Joyfulallyenationsrise,Jointhetriumphoftheskies,Withtheangelichostproclaim,ChristisborninBethlehem.

Hark!Theherald-angelssing Glorytothenew-bornKing.

Christ,byhighestheav’nadored,Christ,theeverlastingLord,LateintimebeholdhimcomeOffspringofavirgin’swomb:VeiledinfleshtheGodheadsee,Hailth’incarnateDeity!Pleasedasmanwithmantodwell,Jesus,ourEmmanuel.

Hark!Theherald-angelssingGlorytothenew-bornKing.

Hailtheheav’n-bornPrinceofPeace!HailtheSunofRighteousness!Lightandlifetoallhebrings,Risenwithhealinginhiswings;Mildhelayshisgloryby,Bornthatmannomoremaydie,Borntoraisethesonsofearth,Borntogivethemsecondbirth. Hark!Theherald-angelssing Glorytothenew-bornKing.WordsbyC.Wesley,T.Whitefield,M.MadanandothersMusicbyMendelssohnDescantbyDavidWillcocks

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OrganVoluntary

Indulcijubilo(“Insweetrejoicing”)BWV729JohannSebastianBach(1685-1750)

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MusicrecordedinStAndrew’sPresbyterianChurch,CapeTown,on9December2017byPaulPetersenandSergioTrout

ReadingsrecordedinStAndrew’sPresbyterianChurch,CapeTown,on12December2016byNolanChiat

ExecutiveProducers:PatricvanBlerk,JohnWoodland,

KylePaulssenandPaulPetersen

MasteredatCapeTownSound

©VOXCapeTownMMXVII

ArtworkbyCaseyDriver

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VOXCapeTownisgratefultoMarkJennings,RodneyTrudgeonandtheteamatFMRformakingthisbroadcastpossible.

FMRbroadcastson101.3FMinCapeTown,107.9FMinFishHoekandNoordhoek,94.7FMinHoutBayandLlandudno,97.1FMontheAtlanticSeaboard,

DStvAudioChannel838andworldwideonwww.fmr.co.za.

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AboutVOXCapeTown

ocontinuethechoral legacyof theStGeorge’sSingers, ledforoverfiftyyearsbyDrBarrySmith,anewsinginggroupformed under the direction of John Woodland in 2015.

VOXCapeTownwillspanmusicalhistoryinitsfocusonacappellaworks,oratoriosandlocalcompositionstoenrichthemusicallifeof Cape Town. VOX intends to invigorate local choral musicthroughimaginativeprogrammingandstagingtocreateintimate,immersivesensoryexperiences.In pursuit of this aim, VOX has recently embarked on a series of“New Soundscapes” – concerts designed to expose Cape Town’saudiences to fresh choral sounds. The most popular of these,“Trust the Silences”, comprised choral music written within the lastthreedecadesrepresentingadiversityofgenresfromEricWhitacretoRadiohead.More recently,“Northern Lights: A Baltic Voyage”, treatedlistenerstoasmorgasbordofcontemporarycomposersfromtheNorth.Besidesperformingintraditionalchoralspaces,VOXhasparticipatedinthe“In the Dark”series in the Youngblood Art Gallery and alsopresented a unique pairing of wine and choral music at GrootConstantia. Outreach and community involvementare importantaspects of VOX’s musical and social vision and these include fruitfulcollaborations with Fine Music Radio and local ensembles suchasCamerataTintaBarocca.TocoincidewiththecentenarycelebrationsoftheFestivalofNineLessonsandCarols,firstsunginCambridgein1918,tonight’srecordingisnowavailableforpurchaseinahandsomesleeve.ItisavailablefromClassics4UorfromUpbeatMusicinSeaPoint,oryoumaycontactusdirectlyathello@voxcapetown.com.ThealbumisalsoavailablefordigitaldownloadviamostonlinemusicstoressuchasiTunesandAmazon.

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VOXCapeTown2017Soprano:SuzanneBuchanan,ElisedeKock,ChristinaGoodall,ChloeJoustra,MaryanneMcLachlan,StephaniePulker,NyamburaShawa,JennivanDoesburgh,AntheavanWieringenAlto:HeleneCooke,ElinorDriver,KarenHahne,LesleyJennings,JenniferMatlock,JeanWestwoodTenor:PeterBorchers,TrevorCloete,RogerHunter,MichaelMarchant,OwenRogers,ChristiaanvanWoerden,StefanZwiegersBass:ChrisArnold,CaseyDriver,ShaunFebruary,NickGorven,BrentJohnson,AaronJuritz,KylePaulssen,JohnRennie,JohanvanderWaltOrgan:ErikDippenaarDirector:JohnWoodlandWhatdidyouthinkaboutthisyear’sbroadcastoftheFestivalofNineLessonsandCarols?Letusknowbyemailingusathello@voxcapetown.comorbyconnectingwithusonsocialmedia@VOXCapeTown.

AboutStAndrew’sPresbyterianChurch

tAndrew'sPresbyterianChurch,CapeTown,isthemotherchurchofPresbyterianisminSouthAfrica.ItwasbuiltwiththeassistanceoftheBritishGovernmentasaScottishPresbyterianChurchand

opened in 1828 for the Scottish community including the ScottishgarrisoninCapeTownwhichwaswellrepresentedinthechurch.Asaresultofthelatter,StAndrew’sisstilltheregimentalchurchoftheCapeTownHighlanders.Theirrollofhonouriskeptthereandtheirflagsarelaidupinthechurch.StAndrew'shasabeautifulorganthatisoveracenturyoldandisusedintwoserviceseverySunday.TheseareanAfrikaansserviceat09h00and an English service at 10h30. A service is also held at 09h30 onChristmasDay.Thechurchmaybecontactedon0214191059.

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