Advent Lessons & Carols

St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Hillsborough, will hold a service of Advent Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 9, beginning at 5 p.m. Readings of the nine scripture lessons will be interspersed with congregational hymns and carols and choral anthems. The music for the service explores both quiet vigil and restless anticipation of Christ’s coming. The Raleigh Convocation Choir and the St. Matthew’s Adult Choir will join forces in anthems for Advent, such as Carsen Cooman’s “Adam lay ybounden,” Henry G. Ley’s “Come, thou long-expected Jesus,” Edgar Pettman’s harmonization of “The angel Gabriel,” and arrangements of “The Cherry Tree Carol” and “There is no rose” by St. Matthew’s Music Director David Arcus, who will lead from the organ and conduct the choirs. The public is cordially invited to mark this sacred time with word and song by attending this moving and meaningful service.