Language may appear a barrier since the entire service, including the choir's performance, is in Chinese. But expats are warmly welcomed during Christmas celebrations with simultaneous English interpretation services.

Also available in every church is a Chinese-English bilingual version of the New Hymnal, a collection of traditional hymns worldwide and some contemporary Chinese compositions.

Expats are encouraged to sing in their own languages alongside Chinese attenders and choir members.

The choral skill of local church choirs is unique and outstanding, after years of training with a method developed by veteran conductor Ma Geshun (born in 1914), a professor of choral music from Shanghai Conservatory of Music. Performances are usually accompanied by piano.

In Hongkou District's Jinlin Church, not far from the Bund, a string ensemble will provide excellent support for a choir of nearly 100 members, enabling the church to mount some masterpieces by great religious composers.

In previous celebrations, they performed George Frederic Handel's "Messiah," Felix Mendelssohn's "Elijah" and various cantatas by Johann Sebastian Bach.

This year their carol services on the nights of December 24-25 will see them perform excerpts from Bach's "Christmas Oratorio'' and a suite of popular carols.

Apart from great singing, the church itself is abundant in history. Built in 1923 in memory of Young John Allen (1836-1907), an American Methodist who started a mission in this area in late 19th century, the church has been connected with many key Chinese cultural and political figures.

Charlie Soong, the father of Soong Ching Ling, used to serve in the church as a pastor. His youngest daughter Soong Mei Ling was a choir member before becoming Madame Chiang Kai-shek. Chiang himself was baptized here.