Advent Events at Charlotte Congregational Church

Sundays, Dec. 3 through 24, at 10:00 a.m.
Worship services and lighting the Advent wreath.

Messiah Sing, Dec. 3, 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Musicians from the Vermont Symphony Orchestra and the Burlington Chamber Orchestra will gather at the Charlotte Congregational Church for a rendition of Handel’s Messiah. Now in its seventh year, the family-friendly event invites audience members to sing along with the performance of the rousing Christmas classic, which will be conducted by Anne Decker.

“The church lights up with people,” said Jane Kittredge, a violinist with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra. Kittredge began organizing the event at CCC with her mother, the Rev. Susan Cooke Kittredge, after holding similar Messiah events at a church in central Vermont and deciding it would be a wonderful tradition to begin here. “There’s such a beauty, and a simplicity, to Handel’s music that is very comprehensive and comforting and endearing,” she said. “It’s just a wonderful music that doesn’t get old.” The piece tells the story of Jesus’ life in three parts, beginning with the angel Gabriel visiting Mary and prophesying Jesus’ birth. The second and third parts of the Messiah tell the story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

“It’s a good thing to bring children to, to introduce them to the incredibly important musical traditions that happen at Christmas, aside from Christmas carols,” said Rev. Kittredge. She added that hearing the story of Jesus’s life, “told in a classical way, is a great introduction for kids.”

Tickets for the event are $15, or $40 for a family of four.

Advent Hours of Sanctuary, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
On Tuesdays, Dec. 5, 12 and 19, the church sanctuary will be open for prayer and meditation.

Gun Violence Vigil, Dec. 11, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Individual prayer followed at 6:45 p.m. by group prayer and reflections

Carols of Many Lands, Dec. 15, 6:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
All are invited to come and sing carols, new and old!

Christmas Pageant, Dec. 17 at 10:00 a.m.

Christmas Concert with Elisabeth von Trapp, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m.  Admission by donation. All proceeds will benefit Malayaka House Orphanage in Entebbe, Uganda.

Christmas Eve, Dec. 24
Morning service at 10:00 a.m.
Family service at 4:30 p.m.
Candlelight service at 7:00 p.m.

All events are open to the public and are free (unless otherwise indicated). For more information, see our website or call (802) 425-3176.