“A gift to the community,” that is how long-time member Kay Huffman describes the Williamsport Music Club’s upcoming “Christmas Music by Candlelight” program.

This will be the 85th year of the program, which has been held annually since 1937, only missing the year 2020.

This year’s service will be held at 4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 3, at the Pine Street United Methodist Church, 441 Pine St.

Marilyn Burget and Kay Huffman, long-time members, are co-chairs of the program featuring beloved Christmas music.

After an opening welcome from the club president, Katharine Cimini, the “Federation Collect” by Gertrude Rohrer, will be sung by Ryan Workman, with Ellen Boll at the piano.

Other soloists will include Dianne Peeling playing a Joseph Martin arrangement of “Away in a Manger” on the piano; Jamie Chambers, flute, will play “I Wonder as I Wander,” with Diane Havrilla accompanying on piano. Wayne Harris, tenor, will sing “The Birthday of a King” accompanied by David Koskey, piano. Devorah Straub will be singing both “Gesu Bambino” and “O Holy Night” accompanied by Ellen Boll. Ellen Boll will also perform the piano solo “I Saw Three Ships.” A handbell quartet from Pine Street United Methodist Church, under the direction of Karl Ivers and accompanied by Carol Waltz, will perform “Coventry Carol.”

A Williamsport Music Club Choral ensemble of members and friends, directed by Kay Huffman and accompanied by Carol Waltz will sing “Christmas Choral Fantasy.”

Organ music for the program will include prelude music: “Sheep May Safely Graze,” a duet played by Carol Waltz, organ and Leatha Kieser, piano; followed by “Christmas Chimes” performed by Carol Waltz, organ. The offertory will be “Caroling, Caroling” performed by Leatha Kieser, organ and the postlude, “Festivity on Here We Come A-Caroling,” will be played by David Koskey, organ.

Attendees will join in singing “O Come All Ye Faithful”, with Jamie Chambers playing a flute descant, “Angels We Have Heard on High” and “Silent Night,” to guitar accompaniment played by Karl Ivers during a candle-lighting ceremony.

Ushers will collect a free will offering to benefit the local American Rescue Workers.