The musicians of St. Paul's Episcopal Church present a traditional "Lessons and Carols" concert at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at the church in Healdsburg. The public is welcome to attend and sing traditional Christmas carols while hearing the St. Paul's choir accompanied by Music Director Paul Blanchard playing the Bigelow pipe organ.
"Lessons and Carols" tells the story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus in nine short Bible readings interspersed with the singing of Christmas carols, hymns and choir anthems. The service was first performed in 1880 in Cornwall, and it slowly spread throughout Great Britain. It was first performed at King's College, Cambridge, in 1918. The service has been held at King's College every year since and is broadcast on radio and television. The service was first performed in the United States in 1916.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church is located at the corner of East and Matheson Streets, one block east of Healdsburg's downtown Plaza.