BORDEN — St. John’s Anglican Church held its Christmas service the morning of Dec. 22 with Bible readings read by Lorraine Olinyk, and Brenda Tumbach, gospel reading by Rev. Carr and prayers of the people by Sandra Long. There were special Christmas carols sung and Holy Communion was observed. A special presentation was given to Rev. Sheldon and Rosann Carr, with a floral arrangement delivered to their home earlier in the week, and on Sunday a special plaque and other gifts were given. The poinsettias that had been bought by congregants in memory of loved ones and decorated the church for over three weeks were taken home on Sunday. Dec. 30 at 2 p.m. Rev. Carr will hold a Christmas service at the Borden Care Home and on Jan. 10 the regular Bible Study group will meet at 11 a.m. and each Friday thereafter at 11 a.m.
Rev. Sheldon and Rosann Carr receiving gifts from St. John’s Anglican Church Dec. 22. | Photos by Lorraine Olinyk
An Old Fashioned Christmas Concert was held in the Borden Community Centre on Sunday, Dec. 22 at 4:30 p.m. with a freewill donation at the door, hosted by Carrie Harkness. The centre walls were decorated with wreaths, stockings and colourful shopping bags and poinsettias set on Christmas serviettes on the tables. The program started with children Brielle and Tessa singing Tell Me and Last Christmas. Allison told a few jokes. Charlotte Dubkowski played the keyboard for Archie Wainwright and Carrie Harkness to sing Mary Did You Know? And Have Yourself a Merry Christmas. Archie sang It’s A Marshmallow World and Let There Be Peace on Earth.
Stan Windel, who is blind, used a braille tablet to sing The Cross is My Christmas Tree and Christmas Halleluiah. Fritz Muehlhausen, playing guitar, sang Show Us Who You Are, Choir of Shepherds and then Amanda and his two children joined in for Joy to the World and the children sang Jingle Bells.
Avery Fairbrother played guitar and sang Jingle Bells, then with his wife Mary playing the piano, Peter Thiessen sang Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy and Greatest Story Ever Told. Peter told a story, Christmas Guest, a different version of T’was The Night Before Christmas.
Aven Grace sang Come Back to Us At Christmas and playing guitar, sang Some Children See Him and Circle of Love. Peter gave the blessing then everyone enjoyed a meal of ham, turkey, buns, salads, cheese and crackers and a variety of baked goodies. After the meal Per Vinding, accompanied by Ken Olsen on guitar, sang Ava Maria, played the harmonica for Silent Night and whistled three different versions of Away in a Manger.
Harvey Cymbalisty, who has won numerous awards at the gospel concerts in Nashville, sang There’s a New Kid in Town (Bethlehem), O Holy Night, Welcome Christmas (from How the Grinch Stole Christmas) and I Want to Wish You a Merry Christmas. Carrie with the children sang Do You See (Hear, Know) What I See? and A Prayer for Peace. Then Carrie was presented with a large white cape and sang This Be the Time, a song she had written. Door prizes were then drawn for and handed out to the lucky winners.
Aven Grace performs at the Christmas concert.
Carrie Harkness and children singing at the Christmas concert Dec. 22.
Ken playing guitar as Per Vinding plays harmonica on Dec. 22.
Fritz and Amanda Muehlhausen and children singing at concert Dec. 22.
