DECK THE HALLS: The Sanctuary of Thomasville’s First Presbyterian Church is decked out in holiday splendor for the Christmas season.

THOMASVILLE- First Presbyterian Church of Thomasville has long offered special music presentations during the holidays, but this December, two musical offerings will celebrate the Christmas season.

FPC’s annual Lessons & Carols, a service of music, Christmas carols and scripture readings, will mark the Advent season this year at both Sunday morning services on December 10. Because of the unique nature of each service – more contemporary at 9 a.m. and more traditional at 11 a.m. – the music featured in each Lessons & Carols service will reflect those distinct worship styles.

Bryan Watt, Director of Arise Worship, is set to helm the early Lessons & Carols presentation, while Iain Quinn, Director of Music and Organist, will oversee music in the traditional service. Senior Pastor Dr. Timothy H. Filston will lead both services, assisted by Associate Pastor Rev. Tyler Wilson and liturgists and readers from the church congregation.

First Presbyterian is also offering an evening Christmas concert on Wednesday, December 13, at 7 p.m., with a three-part program beginning with John Rutter’s “Dancing Day,” featuring female voices and harp, followed by anthems by Rutter, Peter Aston, John Gardner and William Mathias performed by the FPC Church Choir, wrapped up with a selection of familiar Christmas carols sung by both the choir and the audience, accompanied by the FSU Faculty Brass Quintet.

Musicians lending their talents to the Christmas concert, along with the FPC Church Choir, include Quinn, organ; Noël Wan, harp; Christopher Moore and Madison Barton, trumpet; Michele Stebleton, horn; Hana Beloglavec, trombone; and Matthew Hightower, tuba.

The December 13 concert takes place in First Presbyterian’s historic church sanctuary, located at the intersection of Dawson and Jackson streets. The public is invited to attend. Admission is free, but a suggested voluntary donation of $15 will benefit First Presbyterian Church’s local mission partners and projects. These musical offerings provide a perfectly paired lead-in to Thomasville’s holiday season and the celebration of Christmas.