On December 21, at the 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. services, the Chancel Choir, soloists, string ensemble and organ will present Mary's stirring words, the Magnificat, set by 18th century Italian composer Giovanni Battista Pergolesi. Hundreds of composers over the centuries have put Mary's words to music, and we have heard many of them in our church. This particular setting in is both charming and powerful. Pergolesi lived only a short time (1710-1736) and wrote church music (we have also sung his Stabat Mater on good Friday several times) and operas.