The Annual Festival of Lessons & Carols
Friday, December 5, 2025
4:00 p.m and 7:00 p.m.
Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel
An Invitation to Tonight’s Service
Elmhurst University extends a warm welcome to all attending this year’s Festival of Lessons & Carols. This cherished tradition unites students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the Elmhurst community to celebrate the enduring themes of light, hope and peace that mark this special holiday season.
Since 1961, Elmhurst has shared in this historic observance, first celebrated at King’s College Chapel in Cambridge, England, in 1918. Through the readings and songs offered this evening, we are invited to reflect upon the stories that speak to the human experience—stories of faith, compassion and renewal that continue to inspire across generations and traditions.
The Festival of Lessons & Carols offers a moment of peace in the midst of a busy season—a time to gather in community, to listen and to find meaning in beauty, harmony and hope. Whether one comes to this service in a spirit of faith, reflection or gratitude, may it remind us that light continues to shine in times of darkness, and that compassion and community remain central to our shared humanity.
As an institution dedicated to learning, service and belonging, Elmhurst University affirms the values that unite us across difference, and that call us to lives of purpose and care for one another. May the words, and music of this evening, and the peace and promise of this season fill your hearts with joy, and strengthen our shared commitment to compassion, understanding and community.
Best wishes for a joyful and restorative holiday season and a hopeful new year.
Dr. Troy D. VanAken President, Elmhurst University
The Annual Festival of Lessons & Carols
December 5, 2025, 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel Elmhurst University
Prelude
Organ Prelude
My Lord, What a Mornin’ Henry T. Burleigh Stephen Uhl Brass Choir
Welcome
4:00 p.m.—Dr. Annette M. VanAken, Presidential Spouse
7:00 p.m.—Dr. Troy D. VanAken, President
The Call to Gather
Rev. Dr. Kris Hewitt ’98
Procession
Long Is Our Winter Anonymous Combined Choirs
Soloist:
4:00 p.m.—Alexandria Martin ’26
7:00 p.m.—Mahek Javed ’25
Processional Cross
4:00 p.m.—The Forster Jensen Family: Chuck Forster, ’73, ’98, ’04, Jean Augensen Forster, ’73, Heather Forster Jensen, ’08, Matt Jensen, Lucas Jensen
7:00 p.m.—The Stelter Family: Jacob Stelter, ’11, Heather Stelter, ’12, Laura Stelter
Lighting of the First Advent Candle
4:00 p.m.—The Forster Jensen Family
7:00 p.m.—The Stelter Family
The Candle of Hope
We light this candle to proclaim the coming of hope into the world. Because of Christ, we not only have hope, but we believe that good is stronger than evil. God wants us to work for good in this world.
The Bidding Prayer
4:00 p.m.—The Forster Jensen Family
7:00 p.m.—The Stelter Family
Congregational Carol Joy to the World
Text: Issac Watts, 1719
Joy to the World
Tune: George Frederic Handel, 1742 alt. Lowell Mason, 1848
love His peat, and re na songs the sing her joy, their men makes earth love, tions em His pre rocks, pare ture Let and ing Let grace, come! reigns! hills, him and of His and of sing, Heav'n right na eous and ries Joy ture rules He ture na na room, plains Joy the glo the floods, ness heart and the to sing, ry the and re to ders the fields won eve while peat Let the re and and Heav'n, ceive sound won of sound ders His and Heav'n ing love, joy, and of ing prove ploy, King! re and ders, peat earth, Heav'n won world, world the and re and the is ior truth Lord Sav won peat with sound ders the joy 1. 2. 3.
THE FIRST LESSON: THE FALL
Genesis 3:8–15
4:00 p.m.—Avaion Viverette ’27
7:00 p.m.—Sam Cotton ’27
Reader: The Word of the Lord Congregation: Thanks be to God
Carol
The Truth Sent From Above Ralph Vaughan Williams Combined Choirs
Stephen Uhl, organ
THE SECOND LESSON: ABRAHAMIC COVENANT
Genesis 22:15–18
4:00 p.m.—Eric Ruiz
7:00 p.m.—Dr. Connie Mixon
Reader: The Word of the Lord Congregation: Thanks be to God
Congregational Carol
Ding Dong Merrily on High
Ding Dong Merrily on High
ri ful tin E'en en Ding, bells bells Pray chime, ple sung be by ring is sis! be i ly o, rhyme eve are the sing sky i ti o, ful gel cel swung i ye ly ing dong! you so, ri the here Mer Ho rin Glo du ing, gers, sing a, en, peo you ex ple ma May o, an song, ye Ver i low, riv'n priest dong! san with Heav'n na And Ding, time and stee your in let beau ers in ly prime ly on be high, low, ti your 1. 2. 3.
George Ratcliffe Woodward, 1924
Lighting of the Second Advent Candle
4:00 p.m.—Xela Blumenberg ’29
7:00 p.m.—Zachary Carter ’26
The Candle of Peace
We light this candle to proclaim the coming of peace into the world, for Christ is called the “Prince of Peace.” Christ’s name is also Emmanuel, “God with us.” The presence of Christ with us gives us peace day by day.
THE THIRD LESSON: FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN
Isaiah 9:2–6
4:00 p.m.—Jessica Sullivan-Wilson ’10
7:00 p.m.—Rev. Arlene Christopherson ’78
Reader: The Word of the Lord Congregation: Thanks be to God
Congregational Carol It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Text: Edmund Hamilton Sears, 1849
Tune: Richard Storrs Willis, 1850
fore the That with proph glo of good ver Earth, o Its the world of And The gold: From fling, whole the Earth, years near cir cling gold: en's their in all et rious the bards ing er gels gels bend ev harps song lo, world came sing. sol will the shall on peace give emn gra splen For It told, old, the back "Peace When still King": of gels the an By up cious song lay, the ness dors the to Which all From When To cient the clear, on, mid has night tening age an now hear Comes To round touch Earth all, heav the are an on days an sing. 1. 2. 
3
THE FOURTH LESSON: A SHOOT FROM JESSE
Isaiah 11:1–9
4:00 p.m.—Alexander Blumenberg
7:00 p.m.—Heather Meyer
Reader: The Word of the Lord Congregation: Thanks be to God
Carol Creators of the Stars of Night
Heather Sorenson University Singers
Maddie Miller ’29, vocal solo Eliana Kiltz ’28, flute Raphael Lausa ’26, violin
THE FIFTH LESSON: GABRIEL
Luke 1:26–38
4:00 p.m.—Christy Kunjumon Peter ’26
7:00 p.m.—Netochukwu Olayemi Kalu ’26
Reader: The Word of the Lord Congregation: Thanks be to God
Carol
One Sweet Little Baby Glenn McClure & Wes Kinneson University Singers arr. Shawn Kirchner
Lighting of the Third Advent Candle
4:00 p.m.—Megan Alderson ’13, MLD ’18
7:00 p.m.—Megahn Webber
The Candle of Joy
We light this candle to proclaim the coming of joy into the world. This joy is ours not only at Christmas but always.
THE SIXTH LESSON: BIRTH OF THE CHILD
Luke 2:1–7
4:00 p.m.—Cheryl Tiede ’74
7:00 p.m.—Rev. Jane Hawkins ’81
Reader: The Word of the Lord Congregation: Thanks be to God
Carol Alleluia Paul Basler Chorale & Collegiate Choir
Hannah Hadraba, horn
Anthony Cox, percussion
THE SEVENTH LESSON: SHEPHERDS AND ANGELS
Luke 2:8–20
4:00 p.m.—Lia Kampman
7:00 p.m.—Dr. Keri Alioto
Reader: The Word of the Lord Congregation: Thanks be to God
Carol Pat-a-Pan
Traditional French Burgundian carol arr. David Conte Chorale
Lighting of the Fourth Advent Candle
4:00 p.m.—Kristin Bukata ’28
7:00 p.m.—Emily Mikos ’28
The Candle of Love
We light this candle to proclaim the coming of love into the world. Such great love helps us to love God and one another.
THE EIGHTH LESSON: MAGI
Matthew 2:1–11
4:00 p.m.—Kristin Grace Crisostomo ’26
7:00 p.m.—Andrew Fapp ’26
Reader: The Word of the Lord Congregation: Thanks be to God
Carol Betelehemu Via Olatunji Collegiate Choir arr. Wendell Whalum
Liam Eber ’29, baritone Armani Smith ’28, tenor Anthony Cox ’28, percussion
Congregational Carol Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
H a r k ! T h e H e r a l d A n g e l s S i n g
Te x t: C ha rl e s We s l e y ( 1 7 0 7 - 1 7 8 8 ) , a l t & b & b & b & b
1 . 2 . 3 .
Tune : M E ND E L S S O H N, F e l i x M e nd e l s s o hn ( 1 8 0 9 - 1 8 4 7 ) a rr. Wi l l i a m H . C ummi ng s ( 1 8 3 1 - 1 9 1 5 )
Re fr a i n T h e h e r a l d - a n ge l s - si n g, " G l o r y - t o t h e n e w b o r n - k i n g! " & b
-c i l e d ! " wo mb bi rth -
J o y
Ve i l e d
R i s ' n f ul , i n wi th - a l l f l e s h he a l ye the i ngna G o d i n ti o ns he a d hi sri s e , s e e ; wi ng s , jo i n ha i l l i g ht the the _ i n a nd tri c a r l i f eumph na te too f D e a l l the i hes ki e s ; ty. bri ng s ,wi th
P l e a s e d H a i l , the _ a n a s the g e l ma n S o n - i c wi th o f - ho s t us R i g h pro to te o usc l a i m, d we l l , ne s s !" C hri s t J e H a i l i s s us , thebo rn o ur he a v' n i n E m bo rnB e th ma n P ri nc el e u o fhe m! " e l ! P e a c e !-
Ha r k !
THE NINTH LESSON: WORD MADE FLESH
John 1:1–14
4:00 p.m.—Dr. Annette M. VanAken
7:00 p.m.—President Troy D. VanAken
Reader: The Word of the Lord Congregation: Thanks be to God
Carol
The First Nowell
Mack Wilberg Combined Choirs
Eliana Kiltz, flute
Hannah Hadraba, horn
Lighting of the Christ Candle
4:00 p.m.—Davionne Jakes ’27
7:00 p.m.—Pricilla Washington ’29
The Christ Candle
Additional instrumental parts arr. Annabel Punzel
We light this candle to proclaim the coming of the light of God into the world. Jesus Christ is the greatest gift who makes all these other gifts possible. So, we light the Christ candle now, as we think about what Christ’s coming means to each one of us.
Congregational Carol
Silent Night
bb & bb
e n i o r a tl y i s yo ur - pe a c e . bo rn! bi rth & bb 1 . 2 . 3
pe a c e , bo rn! bi rth, s l e e p
The Blessing
Rev. Dr. Kris Hewitt ’98
Carol
O Holy Night
Combined Choirs
Soloists:
4:00 p.m.—Molly Glover ’26, Courtney Langley ’26
7:00 p.m.—Aron Gomez ’25, Dylan Catapat ’26
Benediction
Rev. Dr. Kris Hewitt ’98
Chaplain: Go in Peace to Love and Serve the Lord
Congregation: Thanks be to God
Recessional
s l e e p C hri s t J e i n the s ushe a v S a v C hri s t e n i o r a tl y i s yo ur -
a v S a v C hri s
Adolphe Adam
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel 13th Century Plainsong Combined Choirs
Postlude
Toccata on Lo! God Comes with Clouds Descending Brenda Portman
Head Ushers
4:00 p.m.—Daniela Barca ’19, MLD
7:00 p.m.—Chris Darschewski
Ushers
Resident Life & Orientation Student Leaders
Lighting
Ian Murphy ’28
7:00 p.m. Livestream—Sunrise Communications, Inc.
Music Department Faculty
Sarah Jaewon Catt, Director of Choral Activities
Emma Castaldi, Director of Chorale
Dr. James Hile, Music Department Chair
Dr. Adam Kehl, Director of Bands
Taka Matsunaga, Director of Orchestras
Stephen Uhl, Collaborative Pianist
Collegiate Choir
Tenor 1
Aron Gomez
Sam Greene
Aaron Nowicki
Bartlomiej Sporna
Enkhtushig Ulziibat
Tenor 2
Andrew Fapp
Brenden Infante
Haven Wallgren-Lemmerman
Daniel Vita
Bass 1
Nicolas J. Homsi
Jimmy Kitzman
Xavier Martinez
Armani Smith
Bass 2
Daniel Catt
TJ Countryman Jr.
Liam Eber
Andre Reilly
Quin Washington
Chorale
Soprano 1
Chloe Berkich
Chloe Brosseit
Jamie Cruz
Danielle Ferrer
Hannah Joyner
Isabelle Kimpiob
Clara Lee
Camryn Nowak-Brown
Adora Spoor
Destiny Thompson
Keila Villegas
Soprano 2
Leunita Ajroja
Maria Anna Bagry
Nana Bormpoli
Abigail Du Bois
Elena Hernandez-Rahman
Arielle Jordan Herrero
Sofia Holloway
Josephine Mensik
Perri Pavlik
Angelica Rubio
Irina Vazquez
Olha Zorina
Stephanie Thomas
Alto 1
Rebecca Allison
Becca Cameron
Cece Cole
Nicole Gagnon
Ava Irarragorry
Ja’Mya Jackson
Abigail Komperda
Bre Long
Pavlina Panagiotidis
Jordan Pickett
Valentina Pizzoferrato
Jocelyn Ramos
Christine Rowe
Amar Tadros
Alieah Villariny
Alto 2
Allison Alcock
Lauren Barager
Kristin Bukata
Gianna Failla
Molly Glover
Sarah Horist
Mariah Kirschten
Lexi Lawrence
Alexandria Martin
Cheyenne Martin
Maddie Miller
Lanisa Rosales
Yaneli Solorio
Dina Tuz
Ariana Venecia
University Singers
Soprano 1
Liana Guerrero
Courtney Langley
Grace Loris
Maddie Miller
Miranda Muffler
Annabel Punzel
Soprano 2
Ella Boyden
Francesca Cherdron
Tori LaPointe
Alexandria Martin
Madison Sutherland
Alto 1
Josephine Mensik
Camryn Nowak-Brown
Sydney Selewa
Mahek Javed
Isabelle Suarez
Alto 2
Anna Keeny
Kristin Grace Crisostomo
Alexandra Krieger
Pavlina Panagiotidis
LaQuinna Essie Rodriguez
Tenor 1
Aron Gomez
John Mbayo Kasongo
Haven Wallgren-Lemmerman
Tenor 2
Armani Smith
Dylan Catapat
Raphael Lausa
Bartlomiej Sporna
Bass 1
Jack Birkner
Andrew Fapp
Brenden Infante
Aidan Pelletier
Bass 2
Ira Cortes
TJ Countryman Jr.
Xavier Martinez
Jason Yost
Brass Choir
Trumpet
Ryan Katz
Berkley Murphy
Charlie Rossi
Aldre Delos Santos
Jacob Trzeciak
Amanda Youngren
Horn
Hannah Hadraba
Christina Morris
Hayden Rutherford
Trombone
Daniel Catt
Damir Facsko
Nathanial Gibson
Ian Martinez
Patrick Nacorda
Ariana Venecia
Euphonium
Milton Nonato
Maximus Joseph Siergiej
Ethan J. Soltys
Tuba
David Johansson
