Local Church holds Service of Lessons and Carols

In 1918, at King's College in Cambridge, the then-Dean of the college, Eric Milner-White planned the school's first Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, based on an order designed by E.W. Benson, who would become Archbishop of Canterbury. The basic format of the service consisted of nine lessons telling of the birth of Jesus Christ, accompanied by nine carols that usually provide a commentary on the various lessons.

In the nearly 100 years that the King's version of this service has been in existence, and especially since the service has been broadcast worldwide, churches have opted to adapt the service for their own use, with the mainstay of the service, the nine lessons, being left untouched.

On Sunday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m., The Episcopal Church of the Annunciation in Lewisville will hold its own service of Nine Lessons and Carols.

The service of Lessons and Carols, which has now become an annual event at the Church of the Annunciation, is led musically by the Parish Choir of Annunciation, under the direction of the Organist/Choirmaster Stephen Gourley. The choir is accompanied by Assistant Organist Beau Baldwin. The service music consists of congregational hymns and carols sung by the choir.

Of choosing carols for this specific service, Gourley says, "It was very crucial that the carols not only complement each other, but most importantly complement the lessons. The end result is combination of familiar pieces and less familiar pieces of various styles, spanning five centuries."

A special addition to this year's service is guest organist Jesse Eschbach. Dr. Eschbach is Professor of Organ at the University of North Texas (Denton), and will join with the Annunciation Chamber Singers in offering 30 minutes of pre-service music.

During the planning of this year's service, extra efforts were made to make this more inclusive for the community. In Milner-White's original plans for the service, the lessons were to be read by various officials in the church, ranging from a chorister to bishop. At Annunciation, the lessons will be read by various leaders from the city of Lewisville.

Readers this year are, in order of the lesson they will read: Police Chief Russell Kerbow; Alyssa Ramirez, representing Annunciation's Episcopal Youth for Christ; Dean Roy Culberson, North Texas Central College (Corinth/Flower Mound campuses); Councilman T.J. Gilmore, City of Lewisville; Scott Milligan, parishioner of Annunciation; Carolyn Ely, representing the Montessori Episcopal School; Chris Winston, Director of Music, Lamb of God Lutheran Church; Fire Chief Tim Tittle; and the Reverend Freda Marie Brown, Assistant Priest at Annunciation.

The Reverend Canon Courtland Moore writes, "I am pleased that we are able to offer this service to the wider community and especially for the participation of community leaders as readers of the nine lessons. The Festival of Lessons and Carols is meant to be a vehicle of beauty and devotion for all people, not just members of our parish."

The Episcopal Church of the Annunciation is located at 602 North Old Orchard Lane, Lewisville, at the corner of Old Orchard and College Parkway. There will be childcare available for those who require it. For more information, please visit www.annunciationlewisville.org, or call the church office at (972)-221-3531.

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