DURHAM, N.C. — Duke Chapel’s Christmas Eve services are back, attracting hundreds of people from near and far for the long standing holiday tradition.
Church leaders say you don’t have to be a regular at the chapel to attend one of the four Christmas services on Dec. 24.
Duke Chapel is offering free public worship services at 2 p.m., 5 p.m., 8 p.m., 11 p.m., with each offering a little something different.
- 2 p.m.: The children’s Service is a 35 minute service built for families with kids, offering Christmas carols, scripture readings, a pageant and the Christmas story of Jesus’ birth.
- 5 p.m.: The Durham Children’s Choir service features music from the young performers along with the Amalgam Brass ensemble and Chapel organists. The congregation will be led in singing Christmas carols and Dean Powery will preach a sermon.
- 8 p.m.: The Holy Communion service will offer the sacrament as Dean Power preaches. The Bell Durham handbell ensemble will play, and the Amalgam Brass ensemble and Chapel organist will lead the congregation in Christmas carols.
- 11 p.m.: The Traditional Service of Nine Lessons and Carols takes place by candlelight and welcomes in the Christmas holiday as the clock strikes midnight. The service features singers from the Duke Chapel Choir and Schola Cantorum, music from harpist Anita Burroughs-Price and the Chapel organist who will lead the church in music and carols. Scripture reading will also take place. An ASL signer will be on hand at this service.
Everyone is welcome to attend the service, but Rev. Dr. Luke A. Powery, dean of Duke Chapel, says you’re encouraged to get there early. Parking is free and available in the Bryan Center Parking Garage located at 125 Science Drive in Durham.
If you are unable to make it to the 11 p.m. service, there’s no need to worry. Spectrum News 1 will broadcast the Lessons and Carols service live on channel 1 and on the Spectrum News App.