OBU to present Service of Lessons and Carols

ARKADELPHIA — Ouachita Baptist University will present its annual Service of Lessons and Carols at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 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 11 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,” Gary Gerber, dean of Ouachita’s School of Fine Arts, said in a news release. “It’s a more worshipful and meaningful experience.”

“It truly is a celebration in acknowledgement of Advent as well as Christmas,” said 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: Jennifer Pittman, lecturer in English and director of Speer Writing Center; Tim Knight, dean of the Patterson School of Natural Sciences; Phil Hardin, assistant to the president for administration; and Ben Sells, president.

Performing six carols will be Ouachita Singers, directed by Gerber; Women’s Chorus, directed by Becky Morrison, assistant professor of music; and Handbell Ringers, directed by Arnold Rawls, associate professor of music and artist in residence. 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.”

Contact Hewell at hewellr@obu.edu or 870-245-5133 for more information.