The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-12-27
OBSERVANCE OF XMAS
IN CHURCHES
Exercise, Held In Each Parish TO
Commemorate Great Event


The true Christmas spirit and All
that it means was httingly observed
in SkoNhepan churches last Sunday
Each Of the pastors. in his morning
sermon. touched on the present war
and the outlook for universal peace
and brotherhood Programs were
carried out as has been the custom in
uast years and thru each exercises ran
the bencfcent influence of Him whose
birth the holiday commentaries.
Rev George Merriam in his Christ
mas sermon at the Bethany Baptist
church, Sunday morning, cited some
cheerful facts on present conditions in
time Of war mentioning in the course
Of his remarks the capture of Jeruse-
lem and the apparent manner in which
the women and children of the coun-
try are awakening to its needs. At
the opening of the services Mrs. Ethel
Whittier Ames played Christmas Joy
and the chorus sang "Hark the Notes
of Jov'. Mrs. Edward Estabrook
rendered Hold Thy Salvation fol
lowed by tenor solo, by A. r. Wat
son The offertory was in f Flat by
Reed and the Postlude was Lansings
"Christmas March In the evening
very delightful exercises were held at
The church under the direction OF the
Ella NJ. Mitchell Philathea Class. The
evening program consisted OF a song
shepherds of Bethlehem" with A X.
Watson and Miss Helen Merriam as
soloists; christmas Lullaby was
Sung by the Misses Helen Merriam,
Marie Fletcher, Rachel Conant and
Alice e. Written Readings by Miss
Iva Jackins and Miss Isabelle Thomas
together with 1.-THE Evening Song by
Mrs Ames. completed the program.
Monday evening there was social
gathering in the vestry of the Bethany
Church at which the refreshments
we're provided by Mr. and Mrs. Cecil
Gates
At the First Baptist church, Sunday
morning a Yuletide devotional service
was conducted by the pastor, Rev. U.
II. Tracy Phi. D.. with Mrs. Philo Stew
ord az musical director and Mrs. How
ard Friend assisting at the organ. AT
the opening of the service the choir
rendered praise His Holy Name. The
anthem by the choir was And There
We're Shepherds" with solos by Miss
Mary LYONS and Miss Carrie Thorn
son together with bass solo by David
LYONS. During the Offertory Lees
Hall sang Christmas carol which
was much enjoyed DR.. Tracy preach
ed powerful sermon dealing with
the relation of Christmas to the pres
ent world crisis.
Christmas time was further ohserV-
ed at the First Baptist church by the
presentation of a humorous cantata
4
/ The success of this affair was due to
the interest of those taking part and
the untiring efforts of Miss Gertrude
Carter and Mrs Philo Steward who
had charge of the program. The
program was as follows. Anthem,
Awake and Hear the Angels Sing
by the choir led by Mrs. Philo Stew
ard. scene The family sitting room,
solo with sextette 'Tis Christmas
Eve, Messrs. Tracy, Hall, Cockburn
and the Misses Thomson Bessie and
Annie Scott chorus. Sweet Bells OF
Christmas family and children; solo,
"Iinder the Xmas Star, Lucille Bach
elder. solo with sextet; BED Time
Now. Miss Annie Scott; chorus We
Want to Wait for Santa Claus" by
children; "rhe Angels Lullaby, An
gels chorus; duet, AN Auto Sleigh
for Santa Claus, Miss Annie Scott
and Thomas Cockburn; chorus sailor
OOIR MI Lynn anu Niioi 10 N"N'' -
Our Grandfathers' Days. Scene Il
The Hospital 81 Put the Ought in
Auto Sleigh, Leighton Tracy; chorus,
Well Take Care of You Santa" Red
Cross nurses: solo and chorus Just
As Good AS New, Mr.. Thomson and
chorus. Scene III-Solo and sext-
cite, Take Us Back to Old Fashioned
Xmas. Thomas Cockburn duet 1.-TWO
Spirits of Love Are We, Mr.. Lyon
and Mr.. Thomson, chorus Hello
Santa Claus and Uncle Sam, child
rem; chorus, "A Savior Is Born"
Angels chorus and solo by Miss Mary
Lyon: solo Sailors Cannot Stay" Mr..
Lyon; solo and chorus Gods Love
is Over All" Mr. Cockburn; obligato
by Miss Annie Scott.
The chorus of angels was made up
OF members OF the Star Philathea
class while the members of Mrs.
Browns and Miss Thomson's classes
we're Red Cross nurses. The sailors
we're members of the Wantoknowit
Club while the Junior and Primary
phpils represented the neighborhood