MONROE - The annual Deutscher Weihnachtsgottesdiesnt (German Christmas Communion Service) will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1 in the sanctuary of St. John's United Church of Christ, 1724, 14th St., Monroe.
Conducted entirely in German, the ecumenical service is led by retired Monroe German teacher, Karen Luond Fowdy, assisted by St. John's interim senior minister, Rev. Tiff Bates. An English translation of the entire service is provided.
The service follows a format of nine lessons and carols, with native speakers from the Monroe Swiss Singers reading the scripture. Music includes the congregational singing of familiar carols, anthems sung by the Monroe Swiss Singers, and handbell pieces played by the Monroe United Methodist Church Handbell Choir, directed by Julie Shipe McClain. Deborah Krauss Smith, director of the Monroe Swiss Singers, will also serve as organist.
Founded in 1862 by Swiss and German immigrants, services at St. John's were conducted in German until the 1920s and Christmas Day communion services were continued in German until 1955. The service was reinstituted in 1972 by the Rev. Wolfgang Koehler, a German native who served the congregation from 1969 to 1981. Following Koehler's retirement, a number of German-speaking pastors led the service, primarily Rev. Erwin Pegel, also a native of Germany, who served Zwingli UCC in Monticello until his retirement. In 2009, the service went to its present format.
Refreshments and fellowship follow the service.
There is an elevator on the sanctuary's east side with a drive-up drop-off point for those with mobility concerns. Childcare is also available.
More information is available by calling the church office at 608-325-2165, by visiting www.Monroe SwissSingers.org/germanservice.html or www.Facebook. com/MonroeSwissSingers
Conducted entirely in German, the ecumenical service is led by retired Monroe German teacher, Karen Luond Fowdy, assisted by St. John's interim senior minister, Rev. Tiff Bates. An English translation of the entire service is provided.
The service follows a format of nine lessons and carols, with native speakers from the Monroe Swiss Singers reading the scripture. Music includes the congregational singing of familiar carols, anthems sung by the Monroe Swiss Singers, and handbell pieces played by the Monroe United Methodist Church Handbell Choir, directed by Julie Shipe McClain. Deborah Krauss Smith, director of the Monroe Swiss Singers, will also serve as organist.
Founded in 1862 by Swiss and German immigrants, services at St. John's were conducted in German until the 1920s and Christmas Day communion services were continued in German until 1955. The service was reinstituted in 1972 by the Rev. Wolfgang Koehler, a German native who served the congregation from 1969 to 1981. Following Koehler's retirement, a number of German-speaking pastors led the service, primarily Rev. Erwin Pegel, also a native of Germany, who served Zwingli UCC in Monticello until his retirement. In 2009, the service went to its present format.
Refreshments and fellowship follow the service.
There is an elevator on the sanctuary's east side with a drive-up drop-off point for those with mobility concerns. Childcare is also available.
More information is available by calling the church office at 608-325-2165, by visiting www.Monroe SwissSingers.org/germanservice.html or www.Facebook. com/MonroeSwissSingers
