Word and music come together to celebrate the birth of Jesus in "Lessons and Carols Service: A Prelude to the Advent Season," hosted by Fresno Pacific University.
The service is collection of songs and Scripture readings. Performances are at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, November 23, in First Congregational Church, 2131 Van Ness Blvd. There is no admission charge but tickets are recommended. For tickets, call the FPU Music Office at 453-2267 or the church at 227-8489. A freewill offering will be taken.
The FPU Concert Choir will perform the singing parts. Readers will be university students, parents, faculty and staff. Instrumental music will be provided by Clifford Bagley, organist at First Congregational Church, which co-sponsors the event.
"Lessons and Carols" comes from the Church of England. First performed in 1918 at King's College, part of Cambridge University, the original service was adapted from an order by E.W. Benson, later Archbishop of Canterbury.
Roy Klassen conducts the 39-voice Concert Choir. A music faculty member since 1977, he earned a doctorate from Arizona State University. Klassen also conducts the San Joaquin Chorale and the chancel choir at Butler Church.
The concert is part of the FPU Pacific Artist Series.