WELCOME Rev. Catherine Nance PRELUDE Christm as Angels Overture arr. Jeff Cranfill Orchestra CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Matt Hall Minister: I hear a voice in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, Make straight in the desert a highway for our God. People: I believe every valley shall be lifted up and every mountain and hill be made low; I believe the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain, I believe the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. *HYMN No. 234 O Come, All Ye Faithful 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; True God of true God, Light from Light Eternal, Lo, he shuns not the Virgin s womb; Son of the Father, begotten, not created; Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation, O sing, all ye citizens of heav n above! Glory to God, all glory in the highest; 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;
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH Russell & Julie George (10:30 am) CHORAL RESPONSE: REJOICE! REJOICE! EMMANUEL SHALL COME TO THEE, O ISRAEL! PASTORAL PRAYER & LORD S PRAYER Rev. Hall Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. RECEIVING OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS OFFERTORY *DOXOLOGY Angels W e Have Heard on High arr. Gwyneth Walker (Tuba and Organ) Praise God From W h om All Blessings Flow! Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures, here, below! Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts! Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel! Born is the King of Israel! HURON CAROL A unique selection in this year s cantata is Huron Carol. The story of Christ s birth is understood by cultures of widely varying times and places. Huron Carol is a beautiful re-telling of the Christmas story written around 1643 by Jean de Brébeuf, an early French missionary in Canada. He used the Wendat (Huron) language and cultural ideas that would have resonated with the Huron Native Americans. The recurring phrase Jesous ahatonhia is Wendat/Huron for Jesus is born. The term Gitchi Manitou can be translated God the great Creator.
Presented by the Chancel Choir and Orchestra Conductor: Terry D. Wilson Organist/Pianist: Dwain Pesterfield Assistant Conductor: Susan Daves Reading The Coming of God Ann Weems Rev. Sarah Slack Glory to God (from A Savior is Born) Sussex Carol arr. Randol Alan Bass arr. Elaine Hagenberg Huron Carol Reading Angels Carol Soloist: Alicia Gates, soprano The Birth of Jesus Luke 2:1-20 arr. Dan Forrest Rev. Slack by John Rutter Away in a Manger Jesus Child arr. Mack Wilberg by John Rutter Reading The Birth of Jesus the Messiah Matthew 1:18-25 Rev. Slack Ding Dong! Merrily on High Brass Ensemble Silent Night Fum, Fum, Fum! Hark! The Herald Angels Sing arr. K. Lee Scott arr. Eric Nelson arr. Mack Wilberg arr. Mack Wilberg *BENEDICTION Rev. Hall *POSTLUDE Fanfare on Hark the Herald Angels Sing by Robert Hobby * Those who are able, please stand
Terry D. Wilson Susan Daves Dwain Pesterfield Sue Eddlemon Lora Doherty Crystal Irwin Samantha Ousley Sarah Ringer Bruce Kan Karen Kirkman Caroline Pope Shelley Armer Julie Simpson Alicia Hooker Jeannine Wilkinson David Slack Shelby Shankland Julie Carter Christa Honaker Julie Larson Erin Bray Lisa Michaels Zach Millwood Emily Mantooth Meredith Simpson Mitzi Hall Joel Tillman Tim Michaels Christopher George Jeff Jennings Eric Simpson Alex Colclough Susannah Clabough Noah Backus The offering taken up during the 7:00 pm presentation of the Chancel Choir Cantata will go to Camp Wesley Woods. Please see your insert or visit 1stchurch.org/Christmas for more information on giving.
Lunch will be served afterward in Wesley Hall. The 1st UMC Praise Band and the Morning Glory Chorus have also been hard at work preparing beautiful music for the season. Watch several selections from their Christmas specials at: WWW.1STCHURCH.ORG/CHRISTMAS 804 Montvale Station Road, Maryville 37803 865-982-1273