Central Campus Westminster. North Campus Connecting Point

Transcription

1 Westminster North Campus Connecting Point A festival of Lessons and Carols December 5, 2018

2 From the Director of Worship and Music Greetings! Thank you for joining us for Christmas at Westminster! In recent years, the theme of this service has varied greatly, as it will likely vary greatly in the future. We have been blessed to feature international concert and opera artists as our soloists, and have collaborated with the finest orchestral musicians in town. We have also undertaken a presentation of Handel s iconic Messiah, and given countless high school aged musicians their first experience with the work, as well as exposure to professional soloists and instrumentalists. This year, we are pleased to collaborate with our friends from Central Presbyterian Church and Rose State College. Special thanks are due to Jan McDaniel, Director of Music at Central Presbyterian Church, and Dr. Tracey Gregg- Boothby of Rose State College, and their musicians for the collaborative spirits and their help in preparing for this service. As I began the planning for this year s service, I felt deeply the need to simplify the message. I sat for much longer than usual in the planning stages as I looked for the perfect way to utilize the full complement of our resources to refocus our congregation and community on the arrival of the long-expected Christ child. On the suggestion of my friend and colleague, Jan McDaniel, I selected this Festival of Lessons and Carols by John Leavitt as the centerpiece of our service. I chose it because I believe that our society needs to be reminded of promises kept, and the ability of the love of God and our love for one another to transcend any difference or difficulty that may present itself. We want you to listen to the reading of the ancient lessons of scripture and ponder how they apply today. We hope that you will sing fervently when you are asked to do so, and that the choral responses and musical reflections might increase your joy, deepen your perspective, and remain with you this holiday season. It is our goal this evening to set you firmly in the spirit of Advent and Christmas. As you ve probably gathered from the microphones, cameras and frantic technicians in our midst, this service is being live-streamed to our internet congregation and recorded for a delayed television broadcast on KOCO at 1 p.m. on Sunday, December 23rd. In order to preserve the integrity of the recording, please silence your cell phones and other electronic devices. Should your children become agitated, or should you succumb to a coughing or sneezing fit, please step out until you are comfortable so as not to disrupt the service. It is my sincere hope that the intentionally peaceful and introspective nature of the music in this service brings into your focus the gifts of Peace, Hope, Joy, and Love that we receive through the coming of Jesus Christ this advent and Christmastide. I urge you to take these gifts with you into the world and shine their light into the darkness this holiday season. Yours in Christ s Service, Josh Phelps, Director of Worship and Music Westminster Presbyterian Church -Please remember to silence cell phones- *This sign is an invitation, to all who are able, to stand as they offer God thanks and praise.

3 Prelude Christmas at Westminster Steve Thompson, Organ Welcome Rev. Dr. Paul J. Kirbas *Gathering Carol: Once in Royal David s City Verse 1: Isabelle Strecker, Mezzo-Soprano Alexander/Gaunttlet *The Congregation Stands and Sings as Directed Verses 2,3: Choir *Verse 4: Choir and Congregation: Not in that poor lowly stable with the oxen standing by, Shall we see Him, but in Heaven, set at God s right hand on high. Then like stars, his children crowned, all in white, His praise will sound. *The Bidding Prayer Glenn Dunn The First Lesson: To Us a Child Is Born Isaiah 9: 2-7, p. 494 Rev. Abbey Walker Response: Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light Johann Sebastian Bach The Second Lesson: The Branch From Jesse Isaiah 11: 1-9, p. 496 Dr. William Brewer Response: Lo, How a Rose E er Blooming Michael Praetorious The Third Lesson: A Promised Ruler of Bethlehem Micah 5:2-5a, p. 671 Mary Lee Jones *Carol: O Little Town of Bethlehem Brooks/Redner Verses 1, 2: Choir *Verse 3: Choir and Congregation: O Holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us we pray. Cast out our sin, and enter in; be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell. O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Immanuel.

4 Christmas at Westminster The Fourth Lesson: The Birth of Jesus Foretold Luke 1:26-38, p. 43 Jan McDaniel Musical Reflection: My Soul Doth Magnify the Lord from The Redeemer My soul doth magnify the Lord, my spirit hath rejoiced in God, my Savior; for He hath regarded the lowly estate of His handmaiden: for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Robert Cundick For He that is mighty hath done to me great things, and holy is His name. For His mercy is on them that fear Him, from generation to generation. He has shewed His strength with His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen His servant Israel in remembrance of His boundless mercy; as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever. Robin McAlister, Soprano Response: O How Joyfully Traditional German Carol The Fifth Lesson: The Birth of Jesus Luke 2: 1-7, p. 44 Anne Dawson Response: Away in a Manger William J. Kirkpatrick Musical Reflection: Little Hands Little hands that bring us love, come to us from God above; Come to us this Christmas night, come to us, Lord Jesus Christ. Hold our hands to guide our way, So might we know your love each day. Little feet that bring us peace, come to us so strife may cease, Come to us this Christmas night, come to us, Lord Jesus Christ, Guide our feet to lead our way, So might we share your peace each day. Little looks from eyes that shine, come to us with hope divine, Come to us this Christmas night, come to us Lord Jesus Christ, Grant us hope to light our way, So we might live with hope each day. Westminster SPARK Chorus; Katie Watson and Keegan Rose, Directors; Dr. Sallie Pollack, Piano Carol McClure The Sixth Lesson: The Shepherds and Angels Luke 2: 8-16, p. 44 Dr. Tracey Gregg-Boothby Response: Ding Dong! Merrily on High Traditional French Carol The Seventh Lesson: The Visit of the Magi Matthew 2:1-11, p. 1 Rev. Dr. Paul J. Kirbas Carol: As With Gladness, Men of Old Verses 1, 2: Choir Dix/Kocher *Verse 3: Choir and Congregation: In the heav nly country bright need they no created light; Thou its light, its joy, its crown, Thou its sun which goes not down; There forever may we sing Alleluias to our King.

5 Christmas at Westminster Meditation: THE SIGN OF THE STAR Rev. Dr. Paul J. Kirbas Pastoral Prayer Rev. Abbey Walker Presentation of the Offering Offertory: O Holy Night! O holy night! The stars are brightly shining, It is the night of our dear Savior s birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Til He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn; Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices! O night divine, the night when Christ was born O night, O holy night, O night divine! O night, O holy night, O night divine! Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His gospel is peace. Chains He shall break, for the slave is our brother; And in His name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, let all within us praise His holy name; Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we! His power and glory evermore proclaim! Regina Grimaldi, Soprano Adolphe Adam The Eighth Lesson: The Escape to Egypt Matthew 2:13-18, p. 1 Catherine McDaniel Response: The Coventry Carol Elena McRae, Libby Hoffman, Soloists Robert Croo Ninth Lesson: The Word Became Flesh John 1:1-14, p. 70 Rev. Michelle Junkin Response: Only Begotten, Word of God Eternal *Closing Hymn: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Hark! The herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King; Peace on Earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled. Joyful, all you nations, rise; join the triumph of the skies. With angelic hosts proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem! Hark! The herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King! Christ, by highest heav n adored, Christ, the Ever-lasting Lord, Late in time behold Him come, offspring of a virgin s womb. Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see; Hail incarnate Deity! Pleased as man with us to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel! Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the New-Born King! Hail the heav n born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, ris n with healing in His wings! Mild He lays His glory by, north that man no more may die, Born to raise each child of earth, born to give us second birth. Hark! The herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King! 9th Century Text Charles Wesley *Blessing and Benediction Postlude: Finale on Vom Himmel hoch Grace Jackson, Organ Scholar Hymn and scripture text printed with permission granted by CCLI License # Arr. Walter Pelz

6 Christmas at Westminster Leading in Worship Pastor/Head of Staff: Rev. Dr. Paul J. Kirbas Senior Associate Pastor of Congregational Life: Rev. Michelle Junkin Associate Pastor for Youth and Education: Rev. Abbey Walker Commissioned Lay Pastor: Glenn Dunn Director of Worship and Music: Josh Phelps Organ: Steve Thompson, Principal Organist; Grace Jackson, Organ Scholar Westminster Orchestra Flute: Jennifer Slater Oboe: Lisa Harvey Reed Clarinet: Dawn Lindblade, Suzanne Tirk Bassoon: Rodney Ackmann Violin: Tova Olkinetzky, Michelle Fraser, Patrick Conlon, Chris Contreras, Justin Pourtorkan Viola: Jennifer Scott, Orlando Ramirez Violincello: Steve Fraser, James Shelly Bass: Michael Geib Harp: Gaye LeBlanc Percussion: David Steffens, Seth Boothby, Lisa Hart Westminster Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir Westminster Matin Ringers Handbell Choir Josh Phelps, Director of Worship and Music Westminster SPARK Chorus Katie Watson, Keegan Rose, Conductors Rose State Chorus Dr. Tracey Gregg-Boothby, Conductor Central Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir Jan McDaniel, Director of Music

7 December 23rd 4th Sunday Of Advent Only one 10:30 AM Service North Campus 5 PM Service December 24th Christmas Eve Services 10:30 AM - Family Service North Campus 5 PM - Christmas Eve Service 8 PM - Traditional Service 11 PM - Traditional Service wtih Communion December 30th First Sunday After Christmas Worship Service North Campus Only one 5 PM service No Christian Education

8 Westminster Presbyterian Church 4400 North Shartel ~ Oklahoma City, Oklahoma ~ (405) ~ Sunday mornings on KOKH & KOCO 5 (check local listings) Online via our LiveStream at