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AFestivalofNineLessonsandCarols

Broadcastat18h00onChristmasEve2017

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TheFestivalofNineLessonsandCarols

heFestivalofNineLessonsandCarolstellsthestoryofthefallofhumanity,thepromiseoftheMessiahandthebirthofJesus.ItistoldthroughnineshortBiblereadings,

interspersedwiththesingingofChristmashymnsandcarols.Theformatwasbasedonanorderofservicedrawnupin1880whichhassincebeenadaptedbychurchesallovertheworld.ThemostfamousversionisbroadcastannuallyonChristmasEvebytheBBCfromKing’sCollege,Cambridge.

EachDecember,VOXCapeTownpresentsitsownlocally-flavouredadaptationoftheFestivalofNineLessonsandCarols.TheservicetakesplaceatStAndrew’sChurchinKildareRoad,Newlands,andagainatStAndrew’sPresbyterianChurchinSomersetRoad,CapeTown,continuingthetraditionledformanyyearsbytheStGeorge’sSingers.Forthesecondyearrunning,VOXCapeTown’sFestivalofNineLessonsandCarolswillbroadcastonFineMusicRadioonChristmasEve,bringingthisuniquemusicalcelebrationtoamuchwideraudience.

Aboutthisyear’smusic

hemusicforthisyear’sFestivalofNineLessonsandCarolshasbeenselectedtoreflectadiversityofmusicaltraditionsandstyles.Theservicebeginswithplainchantfromthe9thcentury–

aninvocationoftheHolySpirit(Veni,CreatorSpiritus).AftertheFirstLesson,whichdescribesthefallofmanintheGardenofEden,thecomposerofPula,Pula!(“Rain,Rain!”)remindsusthat:“Waterismorethananessentialresourceforsurvival;itisasymbolofcleansingandpurificationthatmovesbeyondthephysical.”

AsthecomingoftheSaviourisrevealedinthesubsequentreadings,alivelySpanish“villancico”(carol)describeshow“GodprotectedthepreciousEwe[theVirginMary]fromtheWolf[theDevil]”.Thisisfollowedbyagentlehymn,BethlehemDown,composedbyPeterWarlockwhowontheDailyTelegraph’sannualcarolcompetition90yearsagoforthiswork.AsprightlysettingofBogoróditseDjévobyArvoPärt(1990)contraststhewell-knownversionbyRachmaninoffpresentedinlastyear’sFestivalofNineLessonsandCarols.

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ThepopularhymnAwayinaMangerandthetraditionalPolishcarolInfantholy,InfantlowlyprovideafewmomentsofquietreflectionaftertheSixthLesson.ThenewsofthebirthofJesusspreadsrapidly,asportrayedinasweepinglydramaticpiecebyFrancisPoulencfromhis“QuatreMotetspourletempsdeNoël”(“FourChristmasMotets”)andtheclose-harmonydepictionoftheWiseMenwhoFollowThatStartoBethlehem.

Thisyear’sFestivalofNineLessonsandCarolsconcludeswiththepremièreofanewSouthAfricancarolespeciallycommissionedbyVOXCapeTowntoexpandthelocalchoralrepertoire.EntitledChristmasinAfrica,thetextiswrittenbySouthAfricanpoetMargaretKollmerandhasbeensettomusicbyCapeTown-basedcomposerMaikeWatson.Watson’sscoreevokes“twinklingstars,story-timeandprayersintheveld”,therebysettingthesceneforauniqueandlocally-relevantcelebrationofChristmas“underaSouthernsky”.

Finally,wearedelightedthatErikDippenaarhasjoinedVOXCapeTownforthisbroadcastonFineMusicRadio.Erik'svastexperienceasanorganistandaccompanistbringsaspecialflairtothisyear'srecording.

JohnWoodland

OrganPrelude

Indulcijubilo(“Insweetrejoicing”)BuxWV197

DieterichBuxtehude(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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TheBiddingPrayer

ReadbyReverendNatalievanRooyen

elovedinChrist,beitthisChristmasEveourcareanddelighttoprepare ourselves to hear again the message 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 his whole world; 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 thecitizensabovemay theKingofAngelsbringusall.Amen.

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ChoralPrelude

Veni,CreatorSpiritus(“Come,CreatorSpirit”)

Come,HolySpirit,Creatorblest,andinoursoulstakeupThyrest;comewithThygraceandheavenlyaidtofilltheheartswhichThouhastmade.

Ocomforter,toTheewecry,OheavenlygiftofGodMostHigh,Ofountoflifeandfireoflove,andsweetanointingfromabove.

Oh,mayThygraceonusbestowtheFatherandtheSontoknow;andThee,throughendlesstimesconfessed,ofboththeeternalSpiritblest.

NowtotheFatherandtheSon,Whorosefromdeath,beglorygiven,withThou,OHolyComforter,henceforthbyallinearthandheaven.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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SecondLesson

GodpromisestofaithfulAbrahamthatinhisseedshallallthenationsoftheearthbeblessed.

Genesis22:15-18(ReadbyJennivanDoesburgh)

Carol

Ríu,Ríu,Chíu

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

Thefuriouswolftriedtobiteher,butalmightyGodprotectedherwell;hemadeherinsuchawaythatshecouldknownosin,avirginunstainedbyourfirstfather’s[Adam’s]fault.

Thisnew-bornChildisamightymonarch,thepatriarchalChristclothedinflesh;heredeemedusbymakinghimselftiny:hewhowasinfinitebecamefinite.

Looktoit!Itconcernsyouall:Godmadeher[Mary]ameremother;hewhowasherfatherwasbornofhertoday;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,Infantlowly

PolishcarolarrangedbySirDavidWillcocks(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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Carol

FollowThatStar

ComposedbyPeterGritton(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.

SololinessungbyJennivanDoesburghandMichaelMarchant

MusicbyMaikeWatsonwithwordsbyMargaretKollmerThiscarolwasespeciallycommissionedforVOXCapeTownforthisyear’sFestivalofNineLessonsandCarols.VOXsupportsthegenesisofnewmusictoexpandandinvigoratethelocalchoralrepertoire.

TheCollectforChristmasEve

ReadbyReverendNatalievanRooyenOGod,whomakestusgladwiththeyearlyremembranceofthebirthofthyonlyson,JesusChrist:Grantthataswejoyfullyreceivehimforourredeemer,sowemaywithsureconfidencebeholdhim,whenheshallcometobeour judge;wholivethandreignethwiththeeandtheHolySpirit,oneGod,worldwithoutend.Amen.TheBlessing

ReadbyReverendNatalievanRooyenMay he who 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”)BWV729

JohannSebastianBach(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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VOXisgratefultoMarkJennings,RodneyTrudgeonandtheteamatFMRformakingthisbroadcastpossible

FMRbroadcastson101.3FMinCapeTown,107.9FMinFishHoekandNoordhoek,94.7FMinHoutBayandLlandudno,97.1FMontheAtlanticSeaboardandworldwideonwww.fmr.co.za

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AboutVOXCapeTown

ocontinuethechorallegacyoftheStGeorge’sSingers,ledforoverfiftyyearsbyDrBarrySmith,anewsinginggroupformedunderthedirectionofJohnWoodlandin2015.

VOXCapeTownwillspanmusicalhistoryinitsfocusonacappellaworks,oratoriosandlocalcompositionstoenrichthemusicallifeofCapeTown.VOXintendstoinvigoratelocalchoralmusicthroughimaginativeprogrammingandstagingtocreateintimate,immersivesensoryexperiences.

Inpursuitofthisaim,VOXhasrecentlyembarkedonaseriesof“NewSoundscapes”–concertsdesignedtoexposeCapeTown’saudiencestofreshchoralsounds.Themostpopularofthese,“TrusttheSilences”,comprisedchoralmusicwrittenwithinthelastthreedecadesrepresentingadiversityofgenresfromEricWhitacretoRadiohead.Morerecently,“NorthernLights:ABalticVoyage”,treatedlistenerstoasmorgasbordofcontemporarycomposersfromtheNorth.

Besidesperformingintraditionalchoralspaces,VOXhasparticipatedinthe“IntheDark”seriesintheYoungbloodArtGalleryandalsopresentedauniquepairingofwineandchoralmusicatGrootConstantia.OutreachandcommunityinvolvementareimportantaspectsofVOX’smusicalandsocialvisionandthisincludesfruitfulcollaborationswithFineMusicRadioandlocalensemblessuchasCamerataTintaBarocca.

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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

openedin1828fortheScottishcommunityincludingtheScottishgarrisoninCapeTownwhichwaswellrepresentedinthechurch.Asaresultofthelatter,StAndrew’sisstilltheregimentalchurchoftheCapeTownHighlanders.Theirrollofhonouriskeptthereandtheirflagsarelaidupinthechurch.

StAndrew'shasabeautifulorganthatisoveracenturyoldandisusedintwoserviceseverySunday.TheseareanAfrikaansserviceat09h00andanEnglishserviceat10h30.Aserviceisalsoheldat09h30onChristmasDay.Thechurchmaybecontactedon0214191059.

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