December 16, :30 a.m.

Transcription

1 December 16, :30 a.m. First Baptist Church, Dalton, GA 311 North Thornton Ave. Dalton, GA

2 A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. Welcome Jonathan Barlow The Prelude I Wonder as I Wander Celebration Ringers, Strings, and Flute arr. Brian Childers Lighting the Candle of Joy The Wonder of Christmas Soloist and Congregation Joel Raney Advent Litany During Advent we listen for the wonder of God s Word. During Advent we reach beyond the noise and distractions of this world. During Advent we ponder the good news that is our great joy. During Advent we speak words of hope to those engaged in life s struggles. During Advent we offer words of peace to those overcome by life s fears. Lighting the Candle of Joy Bridgette Poag Ryan and Tracy Webb Griffin and Sophie

3 Once in Royal David s City The Processional Carol Choir, Handbells, Violin, and Piano arr. Howard Helvey The Bidding Prayer Susan Deal The First Lesson God announces in the Garden of Eden that the seed of woman shall bruise the serpent s head. (Genesis 3:8-15) Reader: Campbell Fox Of the Father s Love Begotten Choir, Piano, and Cello arr. Jay Rouse The Second Lesson God promises to faithful Abraham that in his seed all the nations of the earth be blessed. (Genesis 22:15-18) Reader: Jackson Kersey People Look East O Come, All Ye Faithful Choir and Orchestra Congregation, Choir, and Orchestra arr. John Leavitt arr. David Willcocks O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant O come, ye, O come ye to Bethlehem! Come, and behold Him, born the King of angels! Refrain: O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord! Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation! Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God, all glory in the highest! Refrain. Yea, Lord we greet Thee, Born this happy morning. Jesus, to Thee be all glory giv n; Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing. Refrain. Jehovah Elohim The Third Lesson Christ s birth and Kingdom are foretold by Isaiah. (Isaiah 9:2-7) Reader: Sophia Shepherd Choir and Piano arr. Joel Raney

4 Song of Bethlehem The Fourth Lesson The Prophet Micah foretells the glory of little Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2, 4) Reader: Suzanne Hooie Choir and Piano Molly Ijames The Fifth Lesson The Angel Gabriel visits the Virgin Mary. (Luke 1:26-33, 38) Reader: Justin Safley Mary, Did You Know? Choir, Soloist, and Orchestra arr. Craig Courtney Candlelight Carol The First Noel The Sixth Lesson Matthew tells of Christ s holy birth. (Matthew 1:18-25) Reader: Becca Morrow Choir and Orchestra Congregation, Choir, and Orchestra John Rutter arr. David Willcocks The first Noel the angel did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields where they lay; In fields where they lay keeping their sheep, on a cold winter s night that was so deep. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel. Born is the King of Israel. For all to see there was a star shining in the east beyond them far; And to the earth it gave great light, and so it continued both day and night. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel. Born is the King of Israel. Then let us all with one accord sing praises to our heavenly Lord, who hath made heav n and earth of naught; and with His blood mankind hath brought. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the King of Israel. Star Carol The Seventh Lesson The Shepherds go to the manger. (Luke 2:8-16) Reader: Jerry Wilburn Choir and Orchestra John Rutter

5 Benedictus Joy Has Dawned Child in the Manger The Eighth Lesson The Wise Men are led by the star to Jesus. (Matthew 2:1-11) Reader: Phillip Cannon Choir and Orchestra The Ninth Lesson John unfolds the mystery of the Incarnation. (John 1:1-14) Reader: Jonathan Barlow Choir, Piano, and Flute Congregation, Choir, Piano, and Organ Dan Forrest arr. Brian Buda BUNESSAN Child in the manger, infant of Mary; outcast and stranger, Lord of all; Child who inherits all our transgressions, all our demerits on Him fall. Offertory Prayer Sussex Carol Once the most holy Child of salvation gently and lowly lived below; now as our glorious mighty Redeemer, see Him victorious o er each foe. The Offertory Presentation to God Prophets foretold Him, infant of wonder; angels behold Him on His throne; worthy our Savior of all our praises; happy forever are His own. Graham Fox arr. Dale Wood Congregation, Choir, Piano, and Organ Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him, above ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel! The Choral Benediction An Irish Christmas Blessing Choir, Piano, and Strings Jay Rouse Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus The Postlude Organ arr. Jason Payne

6 100 YEARS OF LESSONS AND CAROLS History of A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, Kin s College, Cambridge A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols was first held on Christmas Eve It was planned by Eric Milner-White, who, at the age of thirty-four, had just been appointed Dean of King s College after experience as an army chaplain which had convinced him that the Church of England needed more imaginative worship. (Milner-White also devised the College s Advent Carol Service in 1934, and was a liturgical pioneer and authority during his twenty-two years as Dean of York). The Choir was then directed by Arthur Henry Mann, who had been Organist since 1876, and was very dubious about this innovation. It included sixteen trebles as laid down in King Henry VI s statutes, but until 1927 the men s voices were provided partly by Choral Scholars and partly by older Lay Clerks, and not, as now, by undergraduates. Eric Milner-White and Arthur Henry Mann. A revision of the Order of Service was made in 1919, involving rearrangement of the lessons, and from that date the service has always begun with the hymn Once in Royal David s city. In almost every year the choice of carols has varied, and some new ones have been introduced by successive Organists: Arthur Henry Mann, ; Boris Ord, ; Harold Darke (Ord s substitute during the war), ; Sir David Willcocks, ; Sir Philip Ledger, and, from 1982, Stephen Cleobury. The backbone of the service, the lessons and the prayers, has remained virtually unchanged. The original service was, in fact, adapted from an order drawn up by E. W. Benson, later Archbishop of Canterbury, for use in the wooden shed which then served as his cathedral in Truro at 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve, C. Benson recalled: My father arranged from ancient sources a little service for Christmas Eve nine carols and nine tiny lessons, which were read by various officers of the Church, beginning with a chorister, and ending, through the different grades, with the Bishop. The idea had come from G. H. S. Walpole, later Bishop of Edinburgh. Almost immediately other churches adapted the service for their own use. A wider fame began to grow when the service was first broadcast in 1928 and, with the exception of 1930, it has been broadcast annually, even during the Second World War, when the ancient glass (and also all heat) had been removed from the Chapel. Sometime in the early 1930s the BBC began broadcasting the service on overseas programs. It is estimated that there are millions of listeners worldwide, including those to Radio Four in the United Kingdom. In recent years it has become the practice to broadcast a recording of the service on Christmas Day on Radio Three, and since 1963 a shorter service has been filmed periodically for television. Recordings of carols by Decca, EMI and, more recently, on the College s own record label have also served to spread its fame. In these and other ways the service has become public property. From time to time the College receives copies of services held many thousands of miles from Cambridge, and these show how widely the tradition has spread. The broadcasts, too, have become part of Christmas for many far from Cambridge. One correspondent writes that he heard the service in a tent on the foothills of Everest; another, in the desert. Many listen at home, busy with their own preparations for Christmas. Visitors from all over the world are heard to identify the Chapel as the place where the Carols are sung. Wherever the service is heard and however it is adapted, whether the music is provided by choir or congregation, the pattern and strength of the service, as Dean Milner-White pointed out, derive from the lessons and not the music. The main theme is the development of the loving purposes of God... seen through the windows and the words of the Bible. Local interests appear, as they do here, in the Bidding Prayer; and personal circumstances give point to different parts of the service. Many of those who took part in the first service must have recalled those killed in the Great War when it came to the famous passage all those who rejoice with us, but on another shore and in a greater light. The center of the service is still found by those who go in heart and mind and who consent to follow where the story leads.

7 Susan Deal Minister of Music and Worship Patti Cannon.Pianist Sandra Blackwell...Organist The Sanctuary Choir Nick Amonett Judy Amos Betty Andersen Paul Anderson Debbie Autry Peggy Campbell Jane Chance Tommy Deal Randy Dockins Lori Etheridge Bradley Fox Graham Fox Rick Fromm Martha Greene Lisa Gregg Sherrian Hall Debra Haney Ann Harrell Rhonda Harris Donna Harrison *Danielle Jones Jim Jones Judy Jones Kaye Jones Brandon Kersey Alice Kimsey Ben Laughter Tomoko Little Kenny Lowery Lori Lowery Brian McAllister *Andrew Moore Savannah Moore Kathy Morgan Teresa Neighbors Ron Nix Cindy Petway Mary Alice Phillips Randy Poplin Tammy Poplin Beth Wood Powell Ken Russell Chip Sellers Marshalyn Simmons Tish Sitton Cara Smith Cheryl Smith Lane Smith Cheryl Stalans Nancy Taylor Carole Whaley Dixon White *Soloists Celebration Ringers Debby Barto Jane Chance Larry Flanagan Linda Flanagan Martha Greene Jane Jarrett Danielle Jones Wendy Norfleet Cindy Petway Cara Smith Nancy Taylor Instrumentalists Violin I Violin II Viola Cello Sheri Peck Paula Pasqua Laurie Minner Sharon Reed Flute Oboe Percussion Allison Hilles Teresa Spilko Andy Harnsberger Karen Clement Kirk Hilles

8 Welcome! It is our privilege to have you worshipping with us today at First Baptist Church of Dalton! Today you are worshipping with a strong and vibrant congregation with a missional heart, who is committed to revealing the living presence of Jesus Christ in our world today. Would you allow us the pleasure of getting to know you a little better by completing the visitor registration card from the pew rack and placing it in the offering plate later in the service? You are also invited to submit prayer requests using the prayer cards in the pew rack. Please pass your prayer card to the center aisle where it will be collected during the Prelude. Hearing devices are available for those who need them. Please ask an usher for assistance. Childcare is also available for preschoolers during our worship services. Information and assistance are available at our Preschool Registration Suite Area. A Children's Worship Cart including worship bulletins, activities, books, etc. is available beside the piano door in the Sanctuary. So that we might maintain a spirit of worship, please turn off all cell phones and electronic devices as you enter the Sanctuary. This Week at First Baptist Sunday, December 16 9:15 a.m. Churchwide Gathering/Depts and Classrooms 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Morning Worship/Sanctuary 2:30 p.m. Deacon Shut in Caroling 5:30 p.m. Youth Christmas Party/Youth Center 6:00 p.m. Christmas Without Them Service Monday, December 17 4:00 p.m. New Horizons Choir Rehearsal Coffee House Christmas Rehearsal Tuesday, December 18 4:00 p.m. Kid s Café-Soul Food/Youth Center Wednesday, December 19 4:45 p.m. Fellowship Supper/Fellowship Hall 5:30 p.m. Coffee House Christmas/Fellowship Hall Thursday, December 20 7:00 a.m. Men s Prayer Breakfast/Oakwood Friday, December 21 7:30 p.m. Arabic Congregation/Fellowship Hall Our prayer partner during worship today is Linda Brown. Our bell ringers in worship today are Brax and Briggs Bennett. A much-needed pause from the busy-ness of the Christmas season is our Silent Christmas Eve Communion Service. Not a word is spoken during the entire service. Communion is served as the organ portrays the life and death of our Savior, through the familiar hymns of the church. The service concludes with the congregation singing Silent Night as the candlelight spreads throughout the sanctuary. First Baptist Church Staff Jonathan Barlow Senior Pastor Phillip Cannon Executive Pastor Susan Deal Minister of Music and Worship Brenda Dedmon Children s Learning Center Director Derrell Grantham Minister of Activities and Senior Adults Suzanne Hooie Minister of Missions and Community Ministry Dr. Billy Nimmons Pastor Emeritus Bridgette Poag Minister to Children and Their Families Justin Safley Minister to Youth and Their Families N. Thornton Ave www. fbcdalton.org Dalton, GA 30720