Prepare for Christmas with beautiful songs and scripture readings when St. Nicholas’ Episcopal Church holds its annual Lessons and Carols service at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 17. The West Texas Winds ensemble will accompany the church choir.
Rather than a traditional worship service that anchors around a sermon, this style of service consists of Christmas songs interspersed with scripture readings, the Rev. Amy Haynie said in a news release.
“This service is ideal for anyone who wants to hear the story of God, or re-hear it, to remind themselves of the holiness of the season of Christmas,” she added.
Haynie said there will be four lessons with accompanying musical responses.
“Lessons and Carols are one of the most beloved English traditions of Advent and Christmas and are celebrated by many denominations,” Haynie added. “The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols was first celebrated at King’s College, Cambridge, on Christmas Eve, 1918.”
The music will be beautiful to hear, promised Julie Wingfield, church organist.
“Music will include both sacred and popular selections,” Wingfield said, “and the service is designed to focus on the color, warmth and delight of the Christmas season.”
Songs include “Creator of the Stars at Night,” “Lo, How a Rose e’er Blooming,” “What Child is This,” “Sing of Mary” and “Joy to the World.”
Members of West Texas Winds are Caryn Crutchfield, oboe, Chris Chance, clarinet, Sonja Millichamp, horn, Philip Hill, bassoon, and Lyndsay Eiben, flute. Communion will follow the lessons and carols, and this service will last approximately 90 minutes. Lunch will follow in the parish hall.
The service and lunch are open to all.
For more information, contact the Rev. Amy Haynie at (432) 694-8856. St. Nicholas’ Episcopal Church is located at 4000 West Loop 250 North in Midland.
