Advent Lessons and Carols at St. Peter’s Dec. 5

The annual service of Advent Lessons and Carols, with a format patterned on the service first held at King’s College, Cambridge, on Christmas Eve 1918, will be conducted at 5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 5, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lewes. 

James Douglas, organist and music director at historic St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Annapolis, Md., will conduct the St. Peter’s parish choir, accompanied by T.J. Thomas, St. Peter’s director of music. Members of the church’s bell choir will also participate in the service.

“Our annual service of Advent Lessons and Carols features readings, choral music, and congregational hymns anticipating the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ,” said Thomas.

The choral music will range from a 16th century work, Palestrina’s “Matin and Vesper Responsories,” to Charles Wood’s 1915 repertoire anthem, “O Thou the Central Orb.”

The nine lessons, drawn from both the Old and New testaments, will be read by the church’s clergy and lay members, as well as residents from the community. The Rev. Jeffrey Ross, rector of St. Peter’s, will officiate.

Currently, masks are required for all attending in-person services and live performances.

Recent major renovations to St. Peter’s Church at Second and Market streets included the installation of a high-definition broadcast system.

This service, as well as many of the St. Cecilia Music Guild offerings this season, will be broadcast live and remain available for later viewing at St. Peter’s YouTube channel.

To learn more, go to stpeterslewes.org.