Provo Community Congregational United Church of Christ

We are delighted to announce the 46th Annual Carols by Candlelight on Sunday, December 8th and Monday, December 9th with special guest international musician, storyteller, and podcast host of “The Apple Seed” Sam Payne, and the Utah Valley Interfaith Choir.

Tickets will be available beginning November 15th for $5 per person. Visit our online ticket site to purchase your tickets.

Carols by Candlelight began in 1978 and has become a tradition now in its forty-sixth year. Long-time Provo residents, Shirley and Monroe Paxman, started this beloved event humbly within their home. The evening included scripture, carol singing, and of course, candle lighting, celebrating the anticipation and celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Word spread. As its popularity grew, Carols by Candlelight became too large to be held within their home. The Provo Community Church now serves as the home of this tradition, as hundreds come to experience the spirit and magic these special nights bring.

Sam Payne is a national and international musician and storyteller. He hosts The Apple Seed, the long-running podcast featuring stories for families and was part of the Peabody-nominated team that created Treasure Island 2020, the serial podcast based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel. As a live performer, Sam has brought his stories and songs to halls in Canada, Bulgaria, Tokyo, and from coast to coast in the United States, including performances at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in the nation’s capital, the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee, and the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival in Lehi, Utah. Sam serves as the Weber State University Storytelling Fellow and has written books and stage pieces including Sanctuary: The Story of Zion for the centennial of the National Parks Service, Echoes of Hammers and Spikes (with Suzanne Christensen) for the sesquicentennial of the completion of the first transcontinental railroad, and One of a Million Stars, commemorating the 14-year mission of the Mars rover Opportunity.

Utah Valley Interfaith Choir, formed in 2014, seeks to strengthen the Christian interfaith community in Utah Valley by celebrating what we have in common and sharing faith through music. Choir members work a variety of jobs, hold varying perspectives on religion, politics, social issues, and have their own personal tastes. Though, the all-volunteer choir has a mutual love of singing and music, and that is what allows everyone to come together in harmony. The choir is under the direction of Dave Lewis, and David Kime.

Over 120 crèches representing traditions around the world will be on display. Religious art from the Religious Art Academy at Lindon Community will be on showcase in the historic Meno Trope Hall Auditorium.

Music from members of Wasatch Chorale, James Moyar and Heritage Bagpipes, OneVoice in a Chord, Wasatch A Cappella, and members of Utah Valley Interfaith Choir will fill the air in the beautiful Sanctuary throughout the night featuring the talents of voice, pipe, keyboard, and more.

Refreshments will also be served. Don’t miss this favorite location of the December Art Stroll on December 6th from 5.50-9:10pm!

It was just a week ago, but we had so much fun at our Fall Faire! and Benefit Concert with the band Molly in the Mineshaft, we thought we had to share some of our photo memories with you!

There were tons of games, prizes, tasty treats and drinks, and sweet tunes to tap your foot to, as well as friends old and new!

A special thanks to Dave and Kena for putting this together, as well as our helpers Bret, Ken and Dana, Joanne, Susan, Alex and Cathleen, Louise and family, Lafe and Diane Conner and family, and our special storytelling guest Melva Gifford!

We are so appreciative of Pastor Alex Brown and our pulpit supply pastors this year Adrienne Rossetti, William Davis, Evan Rogers, George Lower, Bret Pope, and Susan Murphy. They bring varying experiences, insights, and stories to their messages of how to better follow Christ. THANK YOU!