A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Sunday, December 15 • 4:00 p.m.

The Chancel Choir will sing a mix of new and time-honored favorites at A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 15 at 4:00 p.m. The music ranges from energetic and rhythmic to serene and reflective. Included will be Ding Dong! Merrily on High by Mack Wilberg, I Saw Three Ships in a new tune by Reginald Jacques, Johann Sebastian Bach’s stately chorale Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light,  This Endris Night by Malcolm Archer, Carl Schalk’s beautiful Where Shepherds Lately Knelt, and John Rutter’s tranquil  Nativity Carol.

This beautiful service retells the Christmas story from the Old Testament through the birth of Christ to the visits of the shepherds and magi. Scripture lessons are interspersed with carols sung by the choir. One of the ways Central makes this a community event is by inviting civic leaders to read the scripture passages along with our pastors and lay readers. This year’s readers include Jeanette Jackson, Central United Methodist Church Chancel Choir, Pete Ludlow, Musical Director of The Well, Central United Methodist Church, Allie  Walker, Help 4 Kids, Anthony Hodge, Pastor, Cumberland United Methodist Church, Terry Fleming, Florence District Superintendent, South Carolina United Methodist Conference, Katri Skinner, Co-Lay Leader, Central United Methodist Church, Rev. Meg Jiunnies, Minister of Faith Formation and Discipleship, Central United Methodist Church, Rev. Derrick Cattenhead, Associate Pastor, Central United Methodist Church, and Rev. Thomas Smith, Senior Pastor, Central United Methodist Church. The offering received will be used to support Help4Kids. Come early to enjoy a recital of Christmas organ music at 3:40 p.m. and stay afterward for a reception.