THOMASVILLE — A “Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” will be held at First Presbyterian Church on Sunday.

The festival’s prelude of instrumental music will beginsat 6:40 p.m. and the show will start at 7 p.m. The event will bein the church sanctuary at 225 E. Jackson Street.

First Presbyterian has presented a Christmas candlelight service of music and scripture annually since 1932. It is a special celebration of the season for members of the congregation and the community.

Since 1974, the service has been based on the historic “Festival of Lessons and Carols” held annually at King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, England.

Under the direction of Troy Robertson, the program will feature traditional carol settings and Christmas works for choirs, soloists and instruments.

Rev. Dr. Stephen Murray, Rev. Timothy Scoonover and seven lay members of the church will read the nine scripture lessons outlining the Christmas narrative, from the fall of humanity to the foretelling of Christ’s coming and the story of his birth.

The 2009 festival will begin with the traditional candlelight processional carol “Once in Royal David’s City” and will feature a variety of works, old and new, for various combinations of voices and instruments.

Highlights of the program include “A Babe Is Born” by English composer William Mathias and settings of “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming,” “Ding Dong! Merrily on High,” and “Of the Father’s Love Begotten.”

In addition to the Chancel Choir, festival participants will include the church’s Youth Choir, soprano soloists Lizabeth Malanga and Emmy Williams, and treble soloists Caroline Wolff and David Wolff.

The instrumental ensemble for the service comprises church organist Richard Carlson and guest musicians from the Florida State University College of Music Karen Large on flute, Min-Young Cho on violin, Robert Barnes on cello, and Leo Welch on classical guitar.

The service will last approximately one hour and a nursery will be provided. Members of the community are cordially invited to attend.