PRINCETON, N.J. ― Princeton Theological Seminary’s Library presents an evening of Christmas stories in song on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 7:00 p.m. in the Iain R. Torrance Atrium in the new library.
“That Holy Night” will feature a quartet of local professional musicians performing twentieth-century sacred and secular Christmas carols by Alfred Burt, Benjamin Britten, Gustav Holst, G.E.C. Ryley, and more.
Seasonal refreshments will be served and a display of seasonal material from the library’s collection will be on view.
The event is free and open to the public. For directions to the campus and more information, visit www.ptsem.edu/library or email library.events@ptsem.edu.
SAN ANSELMO, Calif. ― San Francisco Theological Seminary’s 39th annual Service of Lessons & Carols will be held Dec. 6th & 7th in the seminary’s Stewart Memorial Chapel. The services start at 7 p.m. each evening and will be followed by a reception on adjacent Geneva Terrace. This year, the conductor for the Lessons & Carols choir is Daniel Conosa, music director at First Presbyterian Church of nearby San Rafael.
This year’s theme is “My Heart Shall Sing” which comes from the hymn, My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout, which is featured in the new Presbyterian Hymnal. The hymn is based on Mary’s Magnificat, which can found in the Gospel of Luke 1:46-55.
The service attracts people from a broad spectrum of religious persuasions, making it one of the most popular campus events all year. Started in 1975 by SFTS Professors David Esler and Wil Russell, Lessons & Carols follows the pattern and liturgy of the Advent festival as presented in King's College Chapel at Cambridge University in England.
“The Lessons & Carols service is one of the highlights of the academic year,” said Rev. Scott Clark, chaplain and associate dean of students at SFTS. “The SFTS Seminary Singers lead worship with amazing music, and we invite folks from across the community to serve as readers, as we tell the Advent story. Stewart Chapel is decorated for the season and there’s a great reception with cookies and cider afterwards.”
LOUISVILLE ― The annual service of lessons and carols at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary will be Dec. 6 at 11:30 a.m. in Caldwell Chapel on campus.
This treasured event will feature the seminary choir, under the direction of Organist and Choir Director, the Rev. Louie Bailey, and readers from the seminary community.
An “Apples for Advent” reception will be held immediately following the service in the seminary’s Winn Center.
AUSTIN, Texas ― Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary’s Advent Vespers service will be held Dec. 6 at 7:00 p.m. in the seminary’s Shelton Chapel.