On Advent IV, December 21, we celebrate a Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols at both the 11am and 4pm services. The service at 11am is followed by a said Eucahrist at the High Altar while the service at 4pm is not.
The format of the Nine Lessons and Carols service was designed by Edward White Benson (who later became Archbishop of Canterbury). Nine lessons are interspersed among the carols and motets sung by the choir, and the carols and hymns sung by the congregation.
The lessons cover the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus. The nine lessons are read by nine representatives of our parish: a Chorister, a Member of the Sunday School, a Gentleman of the Choir, the Director of Music, the Headmaster of the Choir School, a Member of the Congregation, a Warden of the Parish, a Priest of the Parish, and finally the Rector.
These two services are among the best attended of the year at Saint Thomas Church. In past years there have always been enough seats for all who have wanted to attend but we strongly advise arriving early for the best seats.
Come and join us in worship on Fifth Avenue on Advent IV
