A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols |
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Here at St. John’s, we have an annual tradition of offering one of the most beautiful Christmas services in the Anglican tradition, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. Held at 5 p.m. every New Year’s Eve, this service is a journey in music and scripture through the story of salvation: the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus. The service consists of nine short Bible readings, interspersed with the singing of Christmas carols, hymns and choral music.
The history of this service dates back to 1878 in England. That year, the Royal Cornwall Gazette reported that the choir of Truro Cathedral would sing a service of carols at
10 p.m. on Christmas Eve:
The Choir of the Cathedral will sing a number of carols in the Cathedral on Christmas Eve, the service commencing at 10 p.m. We understand that this is the wish of many of the leading parishioners and others. A like service has been instituted in other cathedrals and large towns and has been much appreciated. It is the intention of the choir to no longer continue the custom of singing carols at the residences of members of the congregation.
In 1880, Edward Benson, Bishop of Truro in Cornwall, formalized the service with Nine Lessons for use on Christmas Eve. The first service took place at 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve of that year in the temporary wooden structure which was serving as the cathedral while the new cathedral was being built. The service has subsequently been in continuous use in Truro since 1880.
The well-known Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King's College, Cambridge, was first held on Christmas Eve in 1918. It was introduced by Eric Milner-White, the Dean of the College, who believed that more imaginative worship was needed by the Church of England. The order of service was adapted from the order created for Truro Cathedral 38 years earlier. The King’s College service was first broadcast by the British Broadcasting Corporation in 1928 and has been broadcast every year since, except for 1930. This service serves as the model for our Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols here at St. John’s.
This year, our service will include a diverse mixture of well-known carols and wonderful new compositions, containing music and poetry spanning a period of nearly a millennium. Please make plans to join us at 5 p.m. December 31 as we bring in the New Year with scripture and song!
~Timothy Tuller, Canon for Music
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Sunday, January 1, 2023
The Feast of The Holy Name
8 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Cathedral
Preacher: The Very Reverend Kate Moorehead Carroll
10 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Cathedral*
Preacher: The Very Reverend Kate Moorehead Carroll
Offertory Anthem: Still, Still, Still
Arr. Traditional Austrian Carol
The Celebration Singers
There are no formation classes today. Children are welcome to pick up Worship Bags from the Narthex. Formation for all ages resumes next Sunday, January 8.
*This service is live-streamed on our website and
YouTube channel.
11 a.m. New Year's Potluck
Taliaferro Hall
1 p.m. Church Without Walls
Dean’s Garden
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Helpful Links
8:45 to 11:10 a.m. Hakimian Nursery Open
8:45 to Noon Cathedral Bookstore Open
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New Year's Day Potluck
Sunday, January 1 | 11 a.m. | Taliaferro Hall
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Let's welcome the new year on Sunday, January 1 with a New Year's Day potluck lunch. The church will provide ham. Please bring a traditional side (black-eyed peas, cornbread, collard greens, anyone?) or a dessert to complete our New Year’s meal. Happy New Year! |
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Cathedral Bookstore & Gift Shop Sale Ends Tomorrow! |
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Digital Disciples
Sunday, January 8 & 15 | 9 a.m.
Please join Digital Disciples Sunday, January 8 at 9 a.m. Our speaker will be the Rev. Gregg Kaufman, a Retired ELCA Lutheran Pastor, talking about Should Christ’s Church Play a Role in Healing America’s Democracy?
On Sunday, January 15 at 9 am. Our speaker will be Melissa Wyer, founding member of Digital Disciples, contemplative and friend leading a discussion called Sparking Gratitude: A Spiritual Show and Tell. The only preparation necessary is to bring something that sparks gratitude like an object, a pet or a memory. All are welcome! Click Zoom button below to join.
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BYOB Series: The Un-Named Women of the Gospels
Sundays, January 8 - February 12 | 9 a.m. Bernie Dooly Library
An in-person Bible study focusing on the un-named women in the Gospel whose faithful responses to Jesus impact the Kingdom narrative.
What can we learn from these women as we seek to follow Jesus in the new year? How can the nameless, powerless, marginalized among us teach us how to be more faithful? Interested? Come and BYOB (Bring Your Own Bible)
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Contemplative Epiphany Eucharist
Sunday, January 8 | 5 p.m. | Cathedral
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Holy Communion will be offered in a quiet, meditative manner. It will take one hour from the beginning to dismissal. The worship time will be marked by a reading from the Gospels, petitionary prayer, communion in the round, and much-wanted and needed silence. |
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Cathedral at the Beaches
For those who live “way east,” here’s an opportunity to gather close to home. We’re forming a small group comprised of St. John’s Cathedral members who live at the beaches. The format of our meetings will be supper followed by a theological discussion on Christian topics.
We’ll begin with an eight-week series of discussions about first-season episodes of The Chosen, the highly regarded television show about the life of Jesus. We’ll meet Mondays January 9 through February 27 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. The class is free, but registration is required. Limited to 8 participants. More information and registration can be found in Realm. Please register using the link button below.
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Quiet Garden Morning:
Who is my neighbor?
Saturday, January 14 | 9 to 11 a.m.
Cummings Chapel & Cathedral Grounds
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In the season of Epiphany, when the Holy is manifest in many showings, we will examine the question posed to Jesus, "who is my neighbor?" Participants are encouraged to stay for the Martin Luther King Brunch immediately following. Both events are free, but registration is required for brunch (see the instructions below).
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Martin Luther King Day Brunch
Saturday, January 14
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Taliaferro Hall
Sponsored by the Sidney B. Parker Chapter of the UBE
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Join us for a Martin Luther King Day Brunch with the Sidney B. Parker Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE). Facing Our Fears and Capturing Our Dreams is the theme. The keynote speaker is Dr. Geraldine Baker.
The event is free, but a reservation is required. Please call (904) 354-1053 to reserve your seat by January 6, 2023. Donations will be accepted at the door.
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Apex Theater Studio presents
The Diary of Anne Frank
All are welcome to join us for this amazing show! Click the button below for tickets.
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Save the Date:
Saturday, January 21
Explore Hogans Creek with Groundwork Jax
10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
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Kay Ehas, CEO of Groundwork Jacksonville, the City of Jacksonville’s nonprofit partner in creating the 30-mile Emerald Trail and restoring McCoys Creek and Hogans Creek, will talk to us about the current status of the restoration effort. We will walk from St. John's Cathedral to Hogans Creek to get a first-hand look at the creek's current condition. We will begin the morning in Cummings Chapel.
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Check the new calendar out! Let us know how you like it! |
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We had so many beautiful Christmas services. We are so grateful to see everyone who came out in the cold. Ans a huge thanks to our Cooking & Baking Ministry who prepared an amazing Christmas breakfast for everyone as well! |
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Sunday, January 1
Caroline Lingaitis, Susan Regnier
Monday, January 2
Brighton Hakimian
Tuesday, January 3
Oupa Seane
Wednesday, January 4
Janet Germany, Ruby Lefferd
Belle Whitlock-Rene'
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Thursday, January 5
Karla Edgar, Rev. Eric Kahl
Rev. Deacon Saundra Kidd
Allen Riggs, Richard Still
Friday, January 6
John Roberts, Sonya Rood
Katherine Stallings
Saturday, January 7
Pennye Arehart, Doug Childs
Patricia Roberts, Patricia Young-Jones
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As a Christian community, we want to support you in every way possible. Our clergy and lay ministers visit hospitals, bless babies born and those that are dying, counsel the sick, and offer comfort in any way that we can. Please let us know what you need and how we can pray for you. Call the Church Office anytime (904) 356-5507 and ask for Pastoral Care. If you are calling after hours, just press 4, and your call will be routed to a member of the clergy. |
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