Lexington Presbyterian To Hold Festival of Lessons and Carols, Christmas Eve Services A traditional service of the Lexington Presbyterian Church, the Christmas Festival of Lessons and Carols, will be held during the 11 a.m. worship service on Sunday, Dec. 21. This will be the church’s only worship service that day.
In the service of Lessons and Carols, a series of Old and New Testament scripture passages are read, marking the loving purposes of God from the first days of human disobedience, through the covenant with Abraham, the great prophecies, and concluding with the gospel accounts of the nativity of Christ. Between the reading of the lessons there is music ‒ carols, anthems, and hymns ‒ offered by choirs and congregation. The Festival of Lessons and Carols, which dates from late 19th-century England, was first used at the Lexington church during the 1950s by the late Mary Monroe Penick, who served as the church’s director of music for 46 years until her retirement in 1977. The observance has continued under the direction of Penick’s successor, William McCorkle.
Reading scripture lessons this year will be the church’s pastor, the Rev. Drew Ditzel; director of Christian education, Sandra Hayslette; director of music, McCorkle; and several members of the congregation.
At the service of lessons and carols, McCorkle will lead the choirs of the church in the singing of carols, hymns and anthems. The Lam Handbell Choir, with clarinetist Mark Gallagher, and under the direction of McCorkle and Mayumi Smitka, will offer “Realms of Glory,” a sparkling work by Matthew Compton, incorporating several carols; and Derek Hayes’s comforting “Away in a Manger.”
The children of the church will sing the iconic “Hey, Hey, Anybody Listening?’ by the Christian song-writing duo, Richard Avery and Donald Marsh.
The choir of the church will sing “Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light” from the Christmas Oratorio of J.S. Bach; Elizabeth Poston’s wellloved setting of “Jesus Christ, the Apple Tree;” “Lullay, My Liking” by Gustav Holst; Richard Wayne Dirksen’s “A Child, My Choice;” the classic carol “Unto Us a Boy is Born” in a composite arrangement by two choral giants, David Willcocks and William Llewellyn; Alec Rowley’s bright “Shepherds Loud Their Praises Singing;” and William Mc-Corkle’s sparkling “Bethlehem, Bethlehem.” Solo music will include Benjamin Britten’s arrangement of “I Wonder as I Wander” and Max Reger’s “The Virgin’s Slumber Song.” Soloists for the service will include Melissa Holland, Sue Ann Huger, Philip Coulling, Maia Browning Olsen and Christine Schadeberg.
Hymns and carols to be sung by the congregation and choirs together will include “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “Once in Royal David’s City,” “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing,” and “O Come, All Ye Faithful.” -Lexington Presbyterian plans two worship services for Christmas Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 24, at 5 and 7:30 p.m.
The 5 p.m. family Candlelight service, with scripture readings and music, will include a pageant presented by the young people of the church under the direction of Sandra Hayslette. Entitled “The Long Walk to Bethlehem,” focuses on the Wise Ones’ trip to find the savior, with the star as a guide.
At the 7:30 Candlelight service, the Rev. Drew Ditzel, will offer a meditation and will lead the congregation in celebration of the Lords’ Supper. The service will include Christmas hymns as well as special music by the choir and guest musicians. Congregational singing will begin at 7:20 p.m.
On the final Sunday of the year, Dec. 28, the church will hold one worship service at 11 a.m. Sandra Hayslette will preach on passages from Luke’s gospel. Special music will be offered by James Baker, saxophone; Mac Baker, guitar; Christine Schadeberg, keyboard; and solo vocalists.
The congregation and choirs of Lexington Presbyterian Church welcome all members of the community to these holiday services. For those wishing to participate virtually, the service will be livestreamed on YouTube through the church’s website www.lexpres.org.
