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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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