The Living Christmas Tree 2015 “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son…” (Gal.4:4) Focusing upon Galatians 4:4 as our theme for Advent and the Living Christmas Tree has helped to guide our worship life at First Baptist as we seek to better understand “the fullness of time.” One of the Greek words for time is Kairos, which can be defined as “a moment of indeterminate duration, a moment in which everything happens”. I love that phrase! We search for God’s timing in our lives and find in Kairos the nature of something that is permanent (everlasting) and something that can be measured in terms of quality as well as quantity. Jesus came that we might find life and have it abundantly. His life and Spirit are indeed everlasting, changing us permanently and forever. Thanks be to God for his indescribable Christmas gift! We pray that the Living Christmas Tree will include experiences of those “God-moments” when the wonder of the Christmas event comes alive and “fullness of time” becomes incarnate in you. Merry Christmas! Billy Orton Minister of Music and Worship First Baptist, Huntsville
Our guest artist Ken Medema Legally blind Christian musician Ken Medema’s passion for music began at the tender age of five while playing on his mother’s piano. Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1942, he grew up during a time when blindness was not widely accepted. Children shunned the young Medema for being different, and he spent much of his childhood alone seeking solace in music. Medema started professional musical instruction when he was eight. Through the careful instruction of his teacher, young Medema was able to use Braille music sheets and his memory to learn the classics. He was encouraged to be innovative with his music style and his musical talent flourished. In 1969 Medema received a Master’s Degree in Music Therapy from Michigan State University. Medema began recording albums for Word and Shawnee Press in 1973, and in 1985, founded Brier Patch Music in Grandville, Michigan. Across the years, Ken has shared his passion for learning and discovery through storytelling and music with an ever-growing circle of followers around the world. Ken has been performing for over 40 years in many different venues: churches, conventions, colleges, corporations and more, for groups ranging from 50 to 50,000 people. Though blind from birth, Ken sees and hears with heart and mind, singing stories from his audience and accenting themes and perspectives from speakers and workshop leaders. Ken custom designs every musical moment through improvisation and new composition to bring each event to life. Ken and his wife Jane, make their home in Alameda, California. Together they work on program designs for Ken’s events, make time to explore new developments in religion, psychology and culture. They share a passion for movies (yes, Ken is an avid movie consumer), books, new music and politics, and love keeping up with two feisty grandchildren. SCHEDULE FOR 2015 LIVING CHRISTMAS TREE PRESENTATIONS Thursday, December 17, 7:30 p.m. Friday, December 18, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, December 19, 11:00 a.m. (A Tree for the Children) Saturday, December 19, 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, December 20, 3:00 p.m. (abridged presentation) Sunday, December 20, 5:30 p.m.
WHNT 19 TELEVISION BROADCAST The FBC Television Ministry will present a 90-minute live broadcast of The Living Christmas Tree 2015 on WHNT-2 on Saturday, December 19, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. It will re-air on WHNT-19 on Christmas Morning at 4:30 a.m. Set your DVRs!
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT COMMUNION SERVICE Thursday, December 24 | 5:00 p.m. | Sanctuary
In the Fullness of Time The Carillon ringing Carols and Noels of Christmas - Michael Moore and Darrell Eldridge Pre-Service Music from Orchestra and Organ Greeting – Jud Reasons, Executive Pastor Music for Prelude and Processionals Selections each night chosen from:
International Festival of Carols .............................................................................................................. Dan Goeller Joy to the World; Angels We Have Heard on High; Go, Tell It on the Mountain; God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen; Coventry Carol; Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Yule Feast at Locksley’s Castle ........................................................................................................... Robert Nugent Mary, Did You Know?............................................................................... Green and Lowry/arr. Richard Kingsmore A Christmas Festival ............................................................................................................................. Leroy Anderson Christmas Concerto (Concerto Grosso No. 8) ................................................... Arcangelo Corelli / trans. Mark Hindsley Orchestra
A Christmas Suite ............................................................................................................................ arr. Charles Callahan Angels We Have Heard on High ......................................................................................................... arr. Fred Bock Sherry Upshaw Christy, organ
Special Feature – Camerata Sparkman (Friday, 7:30 p.m.)
FBC
What Child is This (Chelsea Owens and Adric Smith, soloists)................................................................. arr. Craig Courtney Noel Fantasy .................................................................................................................................. David Waggoner Lux Aurumque (Caitie Traynom and Madison Hall, soloists) ............................................................................. Eric Whitacre Student Choir and Band (Saturday, 7:30 p.m.) Carol of the Bells ....................................................................................................................... arr. Peter Wilhousky I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day ..................................................................................................arr. Joshua Spacht In the Bleak Midwinter (Emily Frady, soloist / Britney McEwen and Andrea Jesup, interpretive movement)........ arr. Phillip Keveren And the Stars Shall Dance ...................................................................................................................... Ken Medema
Welcome and Prayer – Jud Reasons
Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord...................................................................................................................Stephen Schwartz (Ken Medema and Choir from aisles)
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence .................................................................................................. Traditional French Carol words from Liturgy of St. James (5th century) and Sylvia G. Dunstan Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand; ponder nothing earthly minded, for with blessing in His hand, Christ our God to earth descendeth, our full homage to demand.
Worthy is our earthly Jesus! Worthy is our cosmic Christ! Worthy your defeat and vict’ry. Worthy still your peace and strife. You, the everlasting instant; You, who are our death and life.
Congregational Carols ................................ Silent Night, Holy Night ............................................................ Carol 134 Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come ................................................. Carol 102 The Music of Ken Medema Instrumental Interlude (As choir loads the Tree) Music from the Tree
Magnificat (from Magnificat in D) ................................................................................................................. Johann Sebastian Bach Behold That Star (with O Holy Night)..................................................................................... arr. Dan Goeller/David Huntsinger Solo - Suzanne Hefner/Patricia Kennedy
Away in a Manger (with Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne) .................................................................................. arr. Robert Sterling
Worship in Song (Christmas solo on selected nights) David Giambrone, tenor..................................Every Valley (from Messiah) .................................George Frideric Handel Gaines Gravlee, Jr., bass ................................... Sweet Little Jesus Boy .......................................... Robert MacGimsey Vicki Woods, soprano ............................. Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella .................................... arr. Mark Hayes The Reading of Scripture
E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come .........................................................................................................................Paul Manz It Came Upon the Midnight Clear ............................................................................................................. arr. Daniel Semsen The Music of Ken Medema
Go Tell Elizabeth - Medema Hush, Missus Teenage Mary ..................................................................................... Ken Medema/arr. Calvin Taylor With Living Christmas Tree Choir and FBC Orchestra
Here Is the One - Medema All the Way to Bethlehem ......................................................................................................................... Ken Medema With FBC Children’s Choirs, Living Christmas Tree Choir, FBC Orchestra, and Congregation
O Come, All Ye Faithful (Carol 103, Stanza 1); Away in a Manger (Carol 110, Stanza 1); The First Nowell (Carol 124, Stanza 1); O Come, All Ye Faithful (Carol 103, Stanza 1)
Special Feature selection from FBC Young Musicians and Music Makers (Saturday, 4:30 p.m.) Jesus Is Born, Let the Earth Rejoice! ................................................................................................... Cindy Berry Congregational Carol ................................ O Little Town of Bethlehem .......................................................... Carol 107
Hark, the Herald Angels Sing ..................................................................................................................... arr. Mack Wilberg Bellsong Fantasy ............................................................................................................................................... arr. John Wasson Sing Noel .......................................................................................................................................................... arr. David Hamilton Solo - Laura McCamy/Janet Campbell
Meditation – Billy Orton, Minister of Music and Worship
Hallelujah Chorus (from Messiah) ............................................................................................................. George Frideric Handel Postlude - Sherry Upshaw Christy, organ Joy to the World ....................................................................................................................... arr. Al Travis/Fred Bock ORCHESTRA VIOLIN
FLUTE
BASSOON
TRUMPET
TUBA
Daniel Bearden* Eileen Brethen Laura Elrod* Jacob Frank* Emanuel Nedelcu* Gretchen Perry* Dawn Phillips Viljar Weimann*
Jana Clark Emily DePlachett Amy Helser Katreena Mullican
Noah Hoppe-McQueen Susan Keene
Danny Hallman Kevin Insley Dale Proctor EC Richardson Werner Smock Mark Soutullo Bruce Zeiger
Nelson Parker
VIOLA
CLARINET
Mike Kirk
Amy Brown Kayla Dailey David Hoppe Michelle Kirk Amelia Lane
BARITONE SAXOPHONE
Chris Lanier* Robin Pettey Wallace*
CELLO Ariana Arcu* Marilyn Rue*
BASS John Gordon
OBOE Eric Clark Gary Parks*
BASS CLARINET Joan Gilsdorf
ALTO SAXOPHONE Laura Ashcom Chris Gattis Jim Rogers
TENOR SAXOPHONE
TROMBONE
Laura Ashcom
Roberto Burton Steve Fischer* Alan Jones Johnny Kirk
HORN
EUPHONIUM
Robert Price Anne Reasons Connor Smith Suzy Young
Susan Field Emily Parker
PERCUSSION Nan Kirk Bobby Nance* Ken Smith James Smock
HARP Katie Hoppe-McQueen
ORGAN Michael Moore
ORGAN/PIANO Sherry Upshaw Christy
SYNTHESIZER Roberto Burton * Denotes guest player
HANDBELL RINGERS Janet Creech LeAnne Fowler Diane Gordon
MaryAnn Moon Lisa Morris
Nannette O’Dell Jane Orton
Angela Seanor Becky Soutullo
Emily Frady Gayle Franklin Diane Gordon Benita Hines Kara Holton Belinda Horton Hayley Jarnagin Melissa Lewallen Jennifer Matthews Doris McCain Britney McEwen Amy McKenzie Lisa Moon Joy Moore Sue Morgan Nancy Morton Betty Myers Rachel Nedelcu Nannette O'Dell Jane Orton Patti Palmer Billie Perkins Angela Seanor Ann Smith Cheryl Steely Kay Taylor Reneé Vander Veer Louise Walker Ellen Williams Cyndi Wilson Rosemary Wolfe Joyce Zackie
Randy Taylor Laura Walke Michael White Len Worlund
SINGERS SOPRANO Karen Anderson Ellen Bailes Johnnie Barnes Beth Bice Leah Boyd Myrna Boyd Bertie Bramm Kwai-Weng Brethen Dot Broad Cindy Brown Nancy Campbell Becky Caneer Kimberly Collette Rebekah Coriell Debbie Coulter Janet Crawford Polly Crawford Charlotte Davis Annette Dohrman Mary Dohrman Christy Eldridge Sarah Estess Becky Foshee Lindsey Giambrone Mary Beth Gordon Joann Hadaway Kathy Hatley Suzanne Hefner Lea Hoppe Darlene Hornsby Mindy Hyatt Jana Jones Patricia Kennedy Rose Kuhn Kathy Lane Elaine Leffel Patti Lindow Barbra Martin Laurel Matthews Lois Matthews Laura McCamy Sue McElyea
Cindy McKay Bethany Minshew Betty Moore Alicia Pettis Linda Powers Dottie Richardson Barbara Sizemore Becky Soutullo Amber Stewart Anne Stone Donna Thornton Natalie Tidwell Renita Walton Kara White Jennifer Woodrow Lindsay Woodrow Betsy Woods Vicki Woods
ALTO Elaine Alspach Patty Atherton Cynthia Barr Lindsey Bayer Brooke Bowlin Sandy Bowlin BJ Boyanton Janet Campbell Karen Campbell Pat Chambers Kari Childress Ellyn Christian Gail Clever Gail Cooper Janet Creech Linda Davis Michaela DuBose-Schmitt Tara DuBose-Schmitt Bonnie Edmondson Donna Estill Elisa Fairless Lynnette Feusner Jennifer Fowler LeAnne Fowler Sarah Fowler
TENOR Earl Alspach Jim Bendickson David Giambrone Allen Godwin Terry Jarnagin Wayne Owen Ed Perkins Gerald Roberts Warren Schmitt David Sizemore Bill Stone
BASS Alex Adams Larry Alexander Mike Anders Art Brown Wilton Causey John Christy Ben Darby Alberto Duarte Wyatt Dunn Dean Estill Scott Field John Geiger Gaines Gravlee, Jr. Tom Guffin Bill Hadaway John Hearne Joseph Jordan Rodger Keene Timothy Kibbey John Kuhn Brian Leffel Dave McKenzie Darren Myers Dennis O'Dell Bill Renfroe Chuck Rosecrans Robert Searcy Bob Smith Jim Splawn Tim Vander Veer Benjamin Vaughn Jeff Vaughn Will Weir Thomas Wolfe Joe Zimmerman
In Memoriam Roy Henderson June 13, 1925 – March 19, 2015
Jerry Davis September 25, 1943 – March 23, 2015
A faithful choir member at the time of his death, Jerry Davis’ family asked that memorials be made to the Sanctuary Choir of First Baptist Church. As the choir sings in the aisles tonight please notice the candles they are holding. These new candles were purchased with a portion of the gifts received from Jerry’s friends and family.
The Living Christmas Tree Through the Years To view past LCT programs and archival video visit our website at www.fbchsv.org/lct
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH CHILDREN’S CHOIRS (Saturday, 4:30 p.m.) (GRADE 3) Zadie Boyd Landon Broadway Summer Broadway Julia DuBose-Schmitt Rachael Felder Jamarious Lightner Zachary Merrick Matthew Ponder
MUSIC MAKERS (GRADE 1) Christian Alderson Bryce Benson Riley Bradford Hudson Broadway Nora Hardy Daniel Laster Story Mackey Ryan Merrick Eli Richardson Madison Smith Harper Takacs Symara Thomas Katie Thompson Elena Wight
LEADERSHIP Lea Hoppe, director Kwai-Weng Brethen, accompanist Jennifer Fowler LeAnne Fowler Mark Mucci
(GRADE 2) Sophie Armstrong Lily Cook Abby Goodwin Katherine Heard Sarah Bryant Heard Ellie Helms Michael Huppenberger Janessa Lightner Kayla Trujillo
YOUNG MUSICIANS (GRADE 4) Matthew Boyd Patience Bradford Miracle Cawthorn Hannah Clement Ella Jane Cook Morgan Dasher Ethan Engberg
Madelaine Goodwin Heidi Hoskins Holli Hoskins Cade Mackey Dane Miller Caroline Sisco Joshua Smith Anna Katherine Spangler Jacob Thompson Lucy Tillery Lesly Trujillo (GRADE 5) Kuba Alderson Matthew DePlachett Hardy Helms Azariah Hodges Bella Insley LJ Lightner Abigail McElwee Mason Pearce Megan Quinn Felipe Trujillo Madeline Windsor
(GRADE 6) Brandon Anthony Morgan Anthony Holden Blake Alaina Boyer Grayson Carroll Joseph Felder Chrissy Foshee Michael Matthews Marshall Miller Anna Beth Schocke Felipe Trujillo Samantha Woodrow LEADERSHIP Anne Reasons, director Sherry Upshaw Christy, accompanist Alex Adams Janet Creech Ann Gattis Diane Gordon
FBC CHILDREN IN NATIVITY Landon Broadway Hudson Broadway Nora Hardy
Heidi Hoskins Holli Hoskins
Cade Mackey Story Mackey Michael Matthews
Dane Miller Marshall Miller
Matthew Ponder Eli Richardson Lucy Tillery
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH STUDENT CHOIR AND BAND (Saturday, 7:30 p.m.) Hollon Accardi Sam Alderson Kendal Aldridge Carson Blake Erin Blythe Kentrell Bone, Jr. William Boothe Brooke Bowlin Leah Boyd Eileen Brethen Elizabeth Broadway-Sheible Kaylyn Bugg Kayla Collins Libby Compton Matthew Compton Sarah Cook Noah Darby
Justin Daugherty Kristen Daugherty Erin DePlachett Wyatt Dunn Lauren Faulkner Emily Frady Jonathan Frady Stephen Frady Taylor Freisen Claire Hampton Grace Hoffman Hayley Jarnagin Laura Leffel Jonathan Leviner Laurel Matthews Mackenzie McDaniel Britney McEwen
Joseph Morris Jackson Mucci Juliana Mucci Alexander Norris Anna Phillips Caroline Quinn Alexander Schocke Martina Shores Peter Sizemore Hannah Steinberg Joseph Tillery Luke Tillery Anna Underwood Evan Willoughby Olivia Willoughby Maxwell Windsor Ellie Woodrow Lindsay Woodrow
LEADERSHIP Billy Orton, director Anne Reasons, assistant director Jeremy Wilkerson, student band leader Sherry Upshaw Christy, accompanist Tina Darby Lara Daugherty Jennifer Matthews Kenneth Matthews Joe Morris Lisa Morris Dana Mucci Mark Mucci Suzanne Norris Jane Orton Laura Roberts Phillip Roberts Connie Shores Barbara Sizemore David Sizemore Jeff Vaughn Vicki Woods
CAMERATA SPARKMAN (Friday, 7:30 p.m.) The newly-formed Camerata Sparkman is the top choral group at Sparkman High School in Harvest, Alabama. Under the direction of David Giambrone, Camerata Sparkman has performed for various school and civic organizations across Madison County. This is their first performance in conjunction with the Music Ministry of First Baptist Church Huntsville, and they are grateful to have this opportunity to serve! 1ST SOPRANO Madison Hall Mikayla Holliday Caitie Traynom Abby Wallace
2ND SOPRANO Aiesha Desarme Macenzie Hankins Bailey Milligan Makenna Nichols Chelsea Owens Brianna Walker
ALTO Hannah Bevis Emily Frady Candace McCoy Ashley Patterson Sheridan Schafe
TENOR Jacob Daugherty Cameron DuVall Matthew Gay Adric Smith
BASS Tylor Harris Tanner Huff Sam Lukins Adam Roberts Joe Rury
Living Christmas Tree Ministry Team We are so thankful for the many persons who have given of themselves in time, talent, and energy. The LCT has been a church-wide project! The Ministry Team members listed below served as chairs of their sub-committees and represent just a portion of the many who have served so willingly in preparation for this presentation. LCT Coordinators – Kathy Lane / LeAnne Fowler Publicity – Beth Hoffman / Will Weir Lighting – Dru Murphree / Darrell Eldridge LCT Ticket Office Coordinator – Sherry Jarnagin TV and Video – Charles Boyd / Steve McKay Tree Construction – Mike Kirk / Paul Glover Audio – Kyle Christian Tree Decoration – Jamie Richardson / Lucy Glover Media Direction – Jeremy Wilkerson Parking – Hunter Hoskins Safety – Alex Adams Sanctuary Aesthetics – Brenda Bounds Sanctuary Choir Liaison – BJ Boyanton Logistics – Kimberly Collette Orchestra Liaison – Emily Parker Ushers – Clifton Sisco
THE MUSIC MINISTRY EXPRESSES SPECIAL GRATITUDE TO THE FOLLOWING: Debbie Bell, Scott Goosby, Roger Hayes, and the FBC Custodial Staff Pam LaPier and the FBC Kitchen Staff Angela Seanor and the FBC Childcare Staff FBC Children’s Ministry – Leigh Halverson, Minister to Children Children of the FBC Missions Classes – Hope Mackey, Coordinator Children of the FBC Music Classes – Emily Parker, Coordinator Nancy Morton, Janet Creech and Kathy Lane – Choir Librarians Emily Parker and Susan Keene – Orchestra Librarians The FBC Television Ministry Huntsville Chamber Music Guild Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Huntsville Community Chorus Association
Huntsville Police Department HEMSI for providing emergency medical service Saint Photography C & A Printing Colonial Graphics Group H.G. Peake Company – T-shirt Design WAAY-31 WHNT-19 Lamar Advertising WLRH Lite 96.9 www.OurValleyEvents.com www.RocketCityMom.com
The Music Ministry would like to express their gratitude to Laura Roberts for her years of service as a music ministry staff member and her contributions to the Living Christmas Tree. Laura has continued to serve in a volunteer capacity for this year’s Living Christmas Tree. Her spirit of hospitality and teamwork helped to shape our current LCT Ministry Team and staff members and we are forever grateful.
Music and Worship at First Baptist Huntsville Over 200 singers and instrumentalists, joined by many others assisting with technical and logistical responsibilities, have helped to bring this year’s LCT to life through sharing their God-given time and talent. The Music Ministry at First Baptist Church provides rich and meaningful opportunities for communicating the Christian message in creative fashion. There is a place for you! Highlights this year have included a dramatized presentation of Mendelssohn’s Elijah, an orchestra feature concert, music groups for students and senior adults performing in off-site mission or tour settings, the Opus 48 Artists Series, record attendance at our Music Camp for children, and a virtuosic guest organ recitalist in concert with FBC chamber singers. Our signature Bluegrass and Stained Glass incorporated the annual hymn festival emphasis, as well. 2016 will hold many new opportunities for all ages as FBC calls a new pastor! Find your place of service in a music ministry group.
See back page for 2016 opportunities. Contact us at musicministries@fbchsv.org or (256) 428-9421 for more information.
Music and Worship Ministry Staff Billy Orton, Minister of Music and Worship Sherry Upshaw Christy, Associate Minister of Music and Organist Jeremy Wilkerson, Minister of Contemporary Worship and Media Director Emily Parker, Children’s Choir Coordinator Lea Anne Hardy, Music Ministry Assistant Amy Helser, Music Ministry Assistant Vicki Woods, Music Ministry Intern (Fall, 2015)