A Service of Lessons and Carols to be held at Ouachita on Dec. 8
November 30, 2015
- Kelsey BondOuachita Baptist University’s School of Fine Arts will present its 19th annual A Service
of Lessons and Carols on Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 7:30 p.m. in Mabee Fine Arts Center’s
McBeth Recital Hall. The service is free and open to the public.
The service is an interpretation of a tradition made popular by the Chapel at King’s
College in Cambridge, England, where a service of scripture readings and communal
music helps to focus the participants on the advent of Christ.
“The service calls our community to focus on the incarnation of God in Jesus Christ,
celebrating the miraculous advent by immersing us in the biblical narrative,” said
service coordinator Dr. Rob Hewell, director of Ouachita’s worship studies program.
The “lessons” portion of the service includes scripture readings by Ouachita students,
faculty and administrators. It is part of Ouachita's unique tradition for the scripture
to be read from a different translation each year; this year’s translation will be
the New American Standard Bible. The congregational carols, a varying set of seasonal
songs, are chosen to set the tone of the service and are intended for everyone to
sing together. Additional carols are presented by three of Ouachita's musical ensembles.
Both elements of the service work together to create an experience unlike any other,
perfectly in time to prepare one's heart for the holiday season. “Indeed, it is a
worship experience of the highest order,” Hewell said.
Groups performing in this year’s service are the Ouachita Singers, directed by Dr.
Gary Gerber, dean of OBU’s School of Fine Arts; Women’s Chorus, directed by Dr. Becky
Morrison, assistant professor of music; and Handbell Ringers, directed by John Alec
Briggs, instructor of voice. Adam Haas, visiting assistant professor of music, will
accompany the congregational carols on the organ.
Those who will read scripture throughout the service include: Amy Arego, a freshman
psychology major from Pearcy, Ark.; Susan Atkinson, registrar; Chandler Blake, a sophomore
business administration/management major from Frisco, Texas; Dr. Kathy Collins, chair
of OBU’s Department of Education; Rebekah Davis, a junior mass communications major
from Benton, Ark.; Dr. Ray Franklin, associate professor of Christian missions; Dr.
Mark McGraw, assistant professor of Spanish; Kathleen Suit, senior theatre arts major
from Hot Springs, Ark.; and Dr. Charles Wright, interim president. Ian Cosh, vice
president for community and international engagement, will serve as host.
For more information, contact Dr. Rob Hewell at [email protected] or (870) 245-5133.
By Kelsey Bond // Photo by Victoria Williams
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