Festival of Lessons and Carols
Plan to join members of St. Matthew’s along with others from the Darlington community on Wednesday, December 14 at 7:00 p.m. as we present our annual Festival of Lessons and Carols.
The Festival is a worship service of hymns, carols, choral works, and organ selections that celebrates the birth of Jesus. The members of our Chancel Choir will lead us through this special and moving service. Our Festival is based on an original service which occurred on Christmas Eve 1880 in a wooden shed used by the Bishop of Truro (later the Archbishop of Canterbury) as his cathedral. In 1918 that first service was adapted for use in the chapel of King’s College, Cambridge by its Dean, Eric Milner-White. Wherever the service is heard and however it is adapted, whether the music is provided by choir or congregation, the pattern and strength of the service, as Dean Milner-White pointed out, derive mainly from the lessons. “The main theme is the development of the loving purposes of God as seen through the windows and words of the Bible.”
This year’s service will be followed by a light reception in the parish hall. Don’t miss this wonderful, yearly celebration!
Saint Matthew’s Church is located at 210 S Main Street, Darlington. www.saintmatthews.us