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Idaho Enterprise

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

The Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, hosted by the First United Presbyterian Church of Malad and put on by the Malad Interfaith Council, was held on Saturday, December 24. Toni Werk, Clerk of Session for the Presbyterian Church, presided at the program. The capacity crowd at the “Little Church on the Hill” enjoyed singing traditional Christmas carols throughout the program. Art Martinez of the local Catholic parish read excerpts from the scriptures about the birth of Christ. Carols and musical numbers were interspersed throughout the readings.


Many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints participated in the program. The lighting of the candles on the Advent Wreath was done by the Olin and Natalie Hannum family while the congregation sang “The Candle Song.” Special musical numbers were presented by Brian and Anita Jeppsen, who sang “Mary, Did You Know?”; Emily Rossow, Carrie Ann Jensen and Pennie Wolf, who sang “No Golden Carriage, No Bright Toy”; and Hannah Anderson, who performed “Carol of the Bells” and an unusual arrangement of “Joy to the World” by Kurt Bestor on her violin. 


As the evening progressed, young actors presented the nativity scene. Angels were Addler Garrett, Winona Young, Temperance Garrett, Bella Snow, Shaylynn Snow and Caroline Whipple; the angel choir sang “Away in a Manger.” Shepherds were Vivian Young, Jaquelynn Young and Bronson Garrett. The Three Kings were William Whipple, Jaxon Snow and Casey Young. Adelyn Brower played Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Asher Brower played Joseph.


After the closing song, the Service of Lights began with everyone holding a small candle that was lit by the larger candles carried by Toni Werk and Darla Thurber. As the lights were dimmed so that candle light filled the chapel, the congregation sang “Silent Night.”