Ouachita to present 22nd annual Service of Lessons and Carols on Dec. 4
November 30, 2018
- Meagan WoodardOuachita Baptist University will present its annual Service of Lessons and Carols
on Tuesday, Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m. in Ouachita’s McBeth Recital Hall in Mabee Fine Arts
Center. The service is free and open to the public.
A Service of Lessons and Carols is unique among Ouachita’s Christmas festivities;
its focus is coordinating scripture with music, and the service will feature faculty,
staff and students from each of Ouachita’s academic schools. The lessons are a series
of scripture readings from Exodus, the prophetic books of the Bible and the gospels.
In addition to the lessons, the Ouachita Singers, Women’s Chorus and Handbell Ringers
will lead and perform carols. Those attending are invited to sing the carols at specified
times during the service.
“The service calls our campus community to focus on the incarnation of God in Jesus
Christ, celebrating the miraculous advent by immersing us in the biblical narrative,”
said Dr. Rob Hewell, professor of music, director of the Worship Studies Program and
director of online learning initiatives.
“I like Lessons and Carols because the two auditioned choirs and handbells combine
to create a beautiful time of worship,” said Emily Siemens, a member of Women’s Chorus
and junior musical theatre major from Bentonville, Ark. “We get to celebrate Christmas
in a very sweet, joyful manner.”
This year’s student scripture readers include: Charity Curlin, a senior psychology
major from Arkadelphia, Ark.; Ruthie Lenards, a junior elementary education major
from Jonesboro, Ark.; Mikaela Monahan, a freshman communications and media/strategic
communications major from Alexander, Ark.; and Noah Worley, a sophomore biology major
from Camden, Ark.
Faculty and staff readers include: Jeanie Curry, assistant professor of accounting;
Dr. Ray Franklin, professor of Christian missions; Dr. Keldon Henley, chief of staff
and vice president for institutional advancement; Missy Lewis, compliance officer
and IT services project coordinator; and Dr. Ben Sells, president.
Ensembles performing include: Ouachita Singers, directed by Dr. Gary Gerber, dean
of the School of Fine Arts, professor of music and director of choral activities;
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 residence. The remaining carols will be congregational carols accompanied by organist
Bart Morrison.
“It’s always an honor to get to glorify God through song,” said Scotty Scott, a senior
musical theatre major from Bentonville, Ark. “With Lessons and Carols, we are able
to praise the birth of our Savior and rejoice in its glory. I find that very special.”
For more information, contact Dr. Rob Hewell at hewellr@obu.edu or (870) 245-5133.
By Meagan Woodard
November 30, 2018
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