The weather outside was frightful, but indoors the spirit was warm and festive at Perkins’ annual Advent Worship, held December 6 at Perkins Chapel. More than 150 people ventured out in the cold and rain to attend the two services at 4 and 8 p.m.
This was the first Advent service led by Marcell Silva Steuernagel, Perkins’ new Director of the Master of Sacred Music program. Centered on three Nativity canticles (lyrical passages) found in the gospel of Luke, the liturgy alternated between scriptural readings, traditional congregational hymns, and five new compositions commissioned especially for the occasion.
“I got feedback from quite a number of people who really enjoyed the worship,” said Steuernagel. “They felt the new music shed fresh light on these nativity canticles. And people participated quite vigorously in song!”