At 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 21^st there will once again be a memorable Celebration of Lessons & Carols at the Kinderhook Reformed Church. Included in what has truly become a regional event will be readings, congregational singing, and choral and organ music, all of the Christmas season.

Nine distinguished readers drawn from the Columbia County community will be joined by an ensemble of over forty singers under the direction of David Smith. Pastor Rudy Visser will preside. Last year’s event was very enthusiastically received, with over 400 attending. An early arrival is recommended.

The prelude to this year’s Celebration of Lessons & Carols will begin at 3:45 p.m. Throughout the festivities all attending will be invited to sing traditional hymns and carols. Choral offerings will include works by Holst, Lauridsen, Mendelssohn, Morley, Ord, Philips, Rutter, Saint-Saëns, Smith, and Willcocks.

This year a piece by David Smith written in 2012 to honor the 300^th Anniversary of Kinderhook Reformed Church will be performed once again: a setting of the 16^th-century text “Cast off all doubtful care,” for choir and soloists.

In past years the Celebration of Lessons & Carols has been very well attended.  Arrival by 3:45 p.m. is suggested. Lessons & Carols will conclude at 5:30 p.m.

David Smith notes that this event is “open to all in Columbia County and beyond. Although its format is based upon that used at King’s College in Cambridge, England, it has been effectively adapted for Kinderhook. This seems just the thing for a late afternoon in the Christmas season.” Smith adds that he is “thrilled that of so many fine singers from past years will be returning once again.”

Pastor Rudolph Visser observes that “The Kinderhook Reformed Church has been serving the community for three centuries. Now with boldness we are in the beginning of our fourth century in the life of the church. We pray that our annual Lessons and Carols will once again be a blessing for all in the community.”

The church is handicapped accessible and parking is available.  For further information please visit www.kinderhookreformedchurch.com, or call 518-758-6401.