Morrilton’s First United Methodist Church, 201 South Chestnut, will present their 23rd annual Festival of Lessons and Carols Candlelight Service on Monday, December 17, at 7:00 p.m.
The service will include the reading of scripture, congregational singing, a cappella and accompanied works sung by the Chancel Choir, organist/pianist Zoe Butler, and soloist John Gibson. Special guests will be violinist Trisha McGovern Freeney and percussionist/composer Sean Sweeden.
Repertoire will include:
• Prepare the Way, O Zion, by Kenneth Dake
• Adam Lay Ybounden, by Sean Sweeden
(Winner of the 2016 Welcome Christmas Carol Contest, sponsored by the American Composers Forum and VocalEssence. Sweeden’s composition was premiered by VocalEssence in their 2017 Welcome Christmas performances and recorded for national broadcast in 2018 via American Public Media).
• Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying, by J.S. Bach / arr. John Shannon
• What Star Is This, with Beams So Bright?, by Howard Helvey
• Rosa Mystica, by Chrysogonus Waddell, OCSO
• The God Whom Earth and Sea and Sky, by James J. Chepponis
• Still, Still, Still, arr. Norman Luboff
• The First Noel, by Andrew Huish
• Brightest and Best, arr. Shawn Kirchner
• God Sent Forth His Son, by Allen Orton Gibbs
• ….and several congregational carols
Members of the Chancel Choir and special guest singers will be Nancy Allen, Helen Allison, Mallory Brannon, Kathy Bryan, Alex Clark, Dr. Barbara Clements, Dr. Jon Clements, Pat Donnell, Beth DuVall, Annemarie Eaton, Holly Ruth Gale, John Gibson, Nan Gibson, Leann Haynes, Landon Kirkland, Marcel Lemmer, Amanda Lunsford, Kay Osborne, Rev. Katie Pearce, Rebecca Roetzel, Clay Sanders, Gail Snyder, Pat Sweeden, Dr. Sean Sweeden, Chris Turner, Joan Ummel, Rev. Wesley Ummel, Evan Willis, and Doug Woolery. Zoe Butler is the organist/pianist, Preston Sweeden is the music director, and Rev. Katie Pearce is the pastor.
Everyone is invited to attend, admission is free, and a nursery will be provided. Refreshments will be served afterward.
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