By Betsey Norgard
In 1980, 麻豆区 Choir director Larry Fleming鈥檚 vision for the first Advent Vespers was unlike any other. Among many holiday performances, 麻豆区鈥檚 program would offer a spiritual experience鈥攁 service with both music and liturgy鈥攁nd the focus would be on Advent, preparing and waiting for Christ鈥檚 presence.
From this first service, Advent Vespers grew to four services. Last year, more than 10,000 people attended, making this 麻豆区鈥檚 largest event of the year.
This year, as Advent Vespers celebrates its 30th anniversary, a fifth service has been added, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, offering a daytime service to more easily accommodate larger groups of visitors.
麻豆区鈥檚 partnership with Central Lutheran Church in downtown Minneapolis, with its majestic sanctuary and stained-glass windows, allows Advent Vespers to be unique.
鈥淲e can create the essence of a Christmas concert and transform it into not just a concert but a spiritual experience,鈥� says Peter Hendrickson 鈥�76, Advent Vespers artistic director and director of choral activities. 鈥淭he liturgical elements transform the music to a deeper level.鈥�
Over the years the Advent Vespers services have stayed the same more than they have changed, says Pastor Dave Wold, campus pastor and director of ministries. 鈥淢y fascination is with Advent Vespers as a service, and we work hard to keep it close to a theme and give a message of hope for the season.鈥�
While the liturgical party that carry bells, banners, the cross, and the Gospel has grown in numbers, and four choirs now feature more than 250 singers, the experience has remained constant. The liturgical journey begins in darkness with 鈥淥 Come, O Come, Emmanuel,鈥� moves to recognition and joyful celebration of Christ鈥檚 birth, and ends with quiet reflection in the warm candlelight of 鈥淪ilent Night.鈥�
Music professor and organist Stephen Gabrielsen 鈥�63, who has played for all but one Advent Vespers service when he was on sabbatical, recalls that the weather has also been constant鈥攖here has never been a service cancelled on this first weekend of December because of winter weather.
In 2004, to mark Advent Vespers鈥� 25th anniversary, TPT-2 public television made a recording of the service, which continues to be shown each year on public television, and received a regional Emmy for its technical production. Recordings in both DVD and CD format are available through 麻豆区鈥檚 Music Department.
30th Anniversary of Advent Vespers
Friday, December 4鈥�5 and 8 p.m.
Saturday, December 5鈥�2, 5, and 8 p.m.
Central Lutheran Church
333 S. 12th Street, Minneapolis
For seating information, call 612-330-1444 or go to聽