The eighth annual Celebration of Lessons and Carols in Kinderhook begins at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, December 17 th, at the Kinderhook Reformed Church, 21 Broad Street (US Route 9), Kinderhook, NY 12106.

This event has proven very popular throughout the region, drawing attendees from the
Capital District, the Berkshires, and Dutchess and Greene Counties, in addition to Columbia County. Included are readings, congregational singing, and choral and organ music of the Christmas season. Last year’s Celebration of Lessons & Carols was very enthusiastically received, with over 350 attending.

Nine readers from throughout the larger community will be joined by a choir of nearly forty experienced singers under the musical direction of David Smith. Assisting will be Justan Foster, organist of the Old Dutch Church in Kingston. Pastor Rudy Visser will preside.

Arrival by 3:45 p.m. is recommended, when the preludes to this year’s Celebration of Lessons & Carols will begin. Throughout the service all will be invited to sing traditional hymns and carols. Choral offerings will include works from the 17 th through the 21 st centuries, by Rutter, Vaughan Williams, Vittoria, Sweelinck, Smith, Shaw and others.

This year’s preludes will include a French-style free improvisation based on Christmas tunes.

David Smith notes that the Celebration of Lessons & Carols is “open to all, regardless of faith or denomination. Although its format is based upon that used at King’s College in Cambridge, England, it has been appropriately adapted for use in Kinderhook. This seems just the thing for a late afternoon in the Christmas season. I am especially delighted that so many fine singers from past years, including members of the Broad Street Chorale, will be returning once again.”

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

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