Ouachita to host annual Service of Lessons and Carols on Dec. 5
November 21, 2017
- Rachel BrutonOuachita Baptist University will present its annual Service of Lessons and Carols
on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 7:30 p.m. in McBeth Recital Hall. The service is free and open
to the public.
This service is a series of nine scripture readings, called lessons, ranging from
Genesis to the gospel of John, interspersed among eleven carols that reflect on Advent
and Christmas themes. This year’s readings will be from the New International Version.
The format for the service is adapted from traditional Lessons and Carols services
dating back to the late 1800s.
“It’s a worship service, not so much a concert,” said Dr. Gary Gerber, dean of Ouachita’s
School of Fine Arts. “It’s a more worshipful and meaningful experience.”
“It truly is a celebration in acknowledgement of Advent as well as Christmas,” said
Dr. Rob Hewell, chair of Ouachita’s Worship Arts Department and director of the Worship
Studies Program. “The service focuses on the incarnation of God in Christ and how
that story is told through scripture and song “The fact that we read scripture throughout
the entire evening makes this a very biblical service.”
This year’s student scripture readers include: Brooklyn Parker, Brittney Schroder,
Nick Quinn, Addison Crow and Matt Douglas. Faculty and staff readers include: Dr.
Jennifer Pittman, lecturer in English and director of Speer Writing Center; Dr. Tim
Knight, dean of the Patterson School of Natural Sciences; Phil Hardin, assistant to
the president for administration; and Dr. Ben Sells, president.
Ouachita Singers, directed by Gerber; Women’s Chorus, directed by Dr. Becky Morrison,
assistant professor of music; and Handbell Ringers, directed by Dr. Arnold Rawls,
associate professor of music and artist in resident; will perform six carols. The
remaining five carols will be congregational carols accompanied by organist Bart Morrison.
“The choirs present such glorious music, but the real heart of the evening is everyone
singing together,” Hewell noted. “Faith in God through Christ are at the heart of
who we are as Ouachita. This provides the people who come moments in the middle of
a very busy season to focus on eternal values. Traditions take us places, and keep
us focused on important things. For just an evening, we can really focus on these
eternal truths about who God is and how He has rescued us through Christ.”
For more information, contact Dr. Rob Hewell at [email protected] or (870) 245-5133.
By Rachel Bruton
November 21, 2017
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