Last Saturday, KDMusic had the privilege of supporting Wexford Presbyterian in leading worship for a National Advent Sunday Service, recorded in RTÉ Television Studios, Dublin for a broadcast over RTÉ 1 Television, RTÉ Radio 1, & RTÉ player.
It was a deeply meaningful and happy visit for the Wexford church plant [backed by PCI's Council for Mission in Ireland (CMI)] – newly reopened this summer, as they travelled together to share the message of “good news and great joy” (Luke 2) with the whole nation.
So, it was an equal privilege for us to come down from Belfast and Coleraine to eat with them, hear their encouraging news, and provide the music for the service. Especially nice to be on theme with our new version of 'A Wexford Carol' for believers from the town the gave the world this famous carol!
Wexford Presbyterian & KDMusic, Advent Sunday Service RTÉ TV, Dublin
Worship Team (KDMusic)
Gillian Brown – vocals
Finlay Brown – cajón
Ian Hannah – keys
Dave Whitcroft – guitar & vocals
The service is edited by RTÉ’s Religious Broadcasting department, led by Roger Childs. We are grateful to producer Emmet McCarthy and his team for the guidance and support for the recording, and to Wexford Presbyterian for inviting KDMusic to worship alongside them.
“It’s just lovely, when you get to see people singing with all their heart, what an encouragement worship songs can be for a congregation.”
📺 Watch & Listen Back
Links will be live once the service has aired, around 14th December.
RTÉ Player – Sunday Service
RTÉ Religious Programming – https://www.rte.ie/religion
Our green room was next to Paddy Kielty from The Late Late Show –
we’re hoping a few carols might have drifted through!
🎶 Songs Featured in the Broadcast
| Song | CCLI | Link |
|---|---|---|
| The Grace (Benediction) | 7175472 | https://kdmusic.co.uk/the-grace |
| A Wexford Carol (Do Not Be Afraid) | 7184141 | https://kdmusic.co.uk/a-wexford-carol |
| Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence | 7249855 | https://kdmusic.co.uk/let-all-mortal-flesh-keep-silence |
| Blessed Assurance (New worship arrangement) | Public Domain | – |
| Silent Night (Acoustic arrangement) | Public Domain | – |
The KDMusic team at RTÉ – Dave Whitcroft, Gillian Brown, Finlay Brown and Ian Hannah
Advent Song Highlights
🎼 A Wexford Carol (Do Not Be Afraid)
A dramatic modern Celtic arrangement highlighting the specifics of the angel’s proclamation in Luke 2.
📌 CCLI 7184141
🔗 https://kdmusic.co.uk/a-wexford-carol-(do-not-be-afraid)
✨ The Grace
Chosen to close the service – a Trinitarian benediction that summarises the hope and assurance in the gospel that Advent looks forward to.
📌 CCLI 7175472
🔗 https://kdmusic.co.uk/the-grace
🕯 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
An ancient liturgical text set to a reflective arrangement on piano & acoustic guitar. Ideal for early Advent and candlelit Christmas services. (First used as a communion song as early as 275 AD in Syria!)
📌 CCLI 7249855
🔗 https://kdmusic.co.uk/let-all-mortal-flesh-keep-silence
Makeup for Ministers & musicians before RTÉ Advent recording!
📖 Message & Readings
Rev. Dave Curran of Wexford Presbyterian, preached on the story behind much loved Carol ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’ “The good news and great joy” from Luke 2 for every person watching . Church members led readings and prayers, giving the broadcast a strong sense of worship in community, and those people really can sing!
Studio rehearsal – Camera, sound checks, positioning, and prepping our hearts to lead worship
Planning Worship for Advent & Christmas?
Use A Wexford Carol as a reflective moment in Advent services or carol gatherings.
Start Advent 1 or 2 with Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence.
Close any December service with The Grace.
Acoustic or smaller congregations can use the arrangements exactly as performed for broadcast.
🎼 Free Worship Leader Packs available via each KDMusic song page (lyrics, chords, planning notes).
Wexford Presbyterian & KDMusic at RTÉ, sharing an Advent message of hope with the nation
Thanks
Wexford Presbyterian – for the invite, a real pleasure to join with you in witness & worship
Roger Childs & RTÉ Religious Broadcasting Team – for making this broadcast possible
Explore More Advent & Christmas Songs from KDMusic
Advent & Christmas Worship Playlist:
https://kdmusic.co.uk/christmas-advent
Independent Reviews & Broadcasts:
https://kdmusic.co.uk/external-verification-of-kdmusic
If this broadcast encourages you, feel free to share a song or resource with your worship team or congregation this season.