INTROIT
Masters in this hall, hear ye news today brought from over sea and ever I you pray:
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Nowell! Nowell! Nowell!
Nowell sing we clear!
Holpen are all folk on earth, Born is Godés Son so dear: Nowell! Nowell! Nowell!
Nowell sing we loud!
God today hath poor folk raised, and cast a-down the proud.
Going o’er the hills, through the milk-white snow, heard I ewes bleat, while the wind did blow:
Then to Bethlem town we came two by two, and in a sorry place heard the oxen low: ( REFRAIN )
Therein did we see a sweet a goodly may, and a fair old man, upon the straw she lay: And a little child on her arm had she, “Wot ye who this is?” said the hinds to me: ( REFRAIN )
This is Christ the Lord, masters, be ye glad! Christmas is come in, and no folk should be sad: ( REFRAIN )
WELCOME & OPENING PRAYER
Dr. Richard Kannwischer | Senior Pastor
Rise Up, Shepherd | arr. Brenda E. Austin peachtree youth bells
Follow the Star | J. Jakari Rush asa bradley and johnetta tillman, soloists • chancel choir
Follow, follow, follow, the star
There’s a star in the east on Christmas morn. Rise up, shepherd, and follow. It will lead to the place where the Christ was born. Rise up, shepherd, and follow.
If you take good heed to the angel’s words. Rise up, shepherd, and follow
You’ll forget your flocks; you’ll forget your herds. Rise up, shepherd, and follow
Rise up, shepherd, and follow Follow the star of Bethlehem.
There’s a babe, in the hay, that will bring us joy. Rise up, shepherd, and follow He will lead us in love and eternal light. Rise up, shepherd, and follow
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN
The First Noel | THE FIRST NOEL
Fum, Fum, Fum! | arr. Martha Lynn Thompson peachtree youth bells
SELECTIONS FROM GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL'S MESSIAH
And the Glory of the Lord | Isaiah 40:5 chancel choir
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
Thus Saith the Lord | Haggai 2:6-7; Malachi 3:1 wendel stephens, soloist
Thus Saith the Lord of Hosts: Yet once a little while, and I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land; and I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come. The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in; Behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts.
But Who May Abide | Malachi 3:2 clarence bell , soloist
But who may abide the day of His coming? And who shall stand when He appeareth? For He is like a refiner’s fire.
And He Shall Purify | Malachi 3:3 chancel choir
And He shall purify the sons of Levi, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.
Behold! A Virgin Shall Conceive | Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23 sarah dempster, soloist
Behold! A virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel: God with us.
O Thou that Tellest Good Tidings to Zion | Isaiah 40:9 sarah dempster, soloist • chancel choir
O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain; O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; Lift it up, be not afraid; Say unto the cities of Judah, behold your God! Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion! | Zechariah 9:9-10 alyssa martin, soloist
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy king cometh unto thee. He is the righteous Saviour, and He shall speak peace unto the heathen.
There Were Shepherds Abiding in the Field | Luke 2:8-11, 13 elizabeth castillo, soloist
There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And lo! the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying:
Glory to God | Luke 2:14 chancel choir
Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, good will towards men.
CONGREGATIONAL CAROL
Angels We Have Heard on High | arr. Johnnie Carl
Christmas Carillon | arr. Margaret R. Tucker chancel bells
Come, Lord Jesus | Dustin Kensrue wil brown, soloist
Come Lord Jesus come Come Lord Jesus come Come Lord Jesus come Come Lord Jesus come
Come again to claim Your own come to reap what You have sown All creation weeps and groans for You
It's to You that we belong it's to You we lift our song How our spirits look and long for You
Like a thief in dead of night come our everlasting light Let Your brilliance shame the brightest day With Your voice like endless seas wielding swords, and stars, and keys Bring the nations to their knees we pray
For though fitful is our flame You're from age to age the same Jesus faithful is Your name and true
So until the sun does rise ‘till Your trumpets rend the skies Help us keep our restless eyes on You
A Babe is Born | William Mathias chamber chorale
A babe is born all of a may, to bring salvation unto us. To him we sing both night and day. Veni Creator Spiritus (I came, Creator and Spirit)
At Bethlehem, that blessed place, the child of bliss now born he was; And him to serve God give us grace, O lux beata Trinitas (O light of the blessed Trinity)
There came three kings out of the East, to worship the King that is so free, with gold and myrrh and frankincense, A solis ortus cardine (From the point of sunrise)
The angels came down with one cry, a fair song that night sung they in worship of that child: Gloria tibi Domine (Glory be to You, Lord)
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus | arr. Marianne Forman chamber chorale and peachtree youth choir
Come, Thou long-expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free; from our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in Thee; Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth Thou art; dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart!
Joy to those who long to see Thee, Dayspring from on high appear; come, Thou promised Rod of Jesse, of Thy birth we long to hear! O’er the hills the angels singing news, glad tidings of a birth; “Go to Him your praises bringing; Christ the Lord has come to earth.”
Come to earth to taste our sadness, He whose glories knew no end; by His life He brings us gladness, our Redeemer, Shepherd, Friend. Leaving riches without number, born within a cattle stall; this the everlasting wonder: Christ was born the Lord of all!
Born Thy people to deliver, born a child, and yet a King, born to reign in us forever, now Thy gracious Kingdom bring. By Thine own eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone; by Thine own sufficient merit, raise us to Thy glorious Throne!
Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming | ES IST EIN ROS’ peachtree youth choir
Lo, how a rose e’er blooming from tender stem hath spring, of Jesse’s lineage coming, as men of old have sung. It came a floweret bright, amid the cold of winter when half spent was the night.
Lo, How a Rose | Dr. Stephen Michael Newby tim parham, soloist • chancel choir
Lo how a rose e’re blooming from tender stem hath sprung, of Jesse’s lineage coming as saints of old have sung. it came a floweret bright amid the cold of winter when half spent was the night.
Isaiah ‘twas foretold it this Rose I have in mind. With Mary we behold it, the Virgin mother kind. To show God’s love aright she bore to us a Savior when half spent was the night.
This flower who fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere. True man yet very God from sin and death he saves us, and lightens every load.
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN
What Child Is This? | GREENSLEEVES
Do You Hear What I Hear? | arr. Joel Raney chancel bells
What About the Child? | Debi Dixon debi dixon, soloist
Children are wishing and dreaming for presence under the tree. Candle lights are all a glow A chill of winter is in the air.
Songs of Christmas past and new Bells are ringing through and through The kind of words we love to hear Are saying, “I love you.”
But, what about the Child, who was born just to die? What about the Child, precious gift to us from on high? And what about the Babe, whose future was the Cross; To die to save this world from sin so our souls would not be lost.
Buying shopping and spreading cheer to everyone you meet. Joys of friends both far and near, there’s food for all to eat.
As families gather together, there’s laughter in the air. Oh, how nice it is to see each one and tell them just how much you care.
But, what about the child in swaddling clothes he laid? Sweet and humbled, Precious Lamb in a manger filled with hay. And what about the hope that someday we’ll all be free Free from burdens sin and shame this Child has come to make us free.
His name is Jesus, Emmanuel with us. Oh, Jesus, Savior of the Universe Oh, Jesus, let all the earth proclaim. This Child has come to set us free, He’s the Lamb for sinner’s slain. This Child has come that all might see That Jesus is his name. For unto us a Child is born and Jesus, is His name.
Thou Who Wast Rich | Trad. French carol/arr. Douglas Mears alvard mayilyan, soloist
What is that pleasant fragrance, shepherds, which delights all our senses? Is there nothing like it among the spring flowers? What is that pleasant fragrance, shepherds, which delights all our senses?
Shepherds go to Bethlehem, and in a manger a Savior has just been born to you. Come, let nothing prevent you from worshipping your Redeemer. Shepherds go to Bethlehem, and in a manger a Savior has just been born to you.
Thou who wast rich beyond all splendor, all for love’s sake becamest poor; thrones for a manger did surrender, sapphire paved courts for stable floor.
Thou who wast rich beyond all splendor, all for love’s sake becamest poor.
Thou who art God beyond all praising, all for love’s sake becamest man; stooping so low, but sinners raising, heavenward by thine eternal plan.
Thou who art God beyond all praising, all for love’s sake becamest man.
Thou who art love beyond all telling, Savior and King, we worship thee. Emmanuel, within us dwelling, make us what thou wouldst have us be. Thou who art love beyond all telling, Savior and King, we worship thee.
BENEDICTION
Dr. Chuck Roberts | Senior Associate Pastor
Go, Tell It on the Mountain | arr. Dr. Stephen Michael Newby chancel choir • soloists • orchestra
REFRAIN:
Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere; go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!
While shepherds kept their watching over silent flocks by night, behold throughout the heavens there shown a holy light.
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Down in a lowly manger our humble Christ was born, and brought us all salvation that blessed Christmas morn.
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MUSIC PROGRAM STAFF
Dr. Stephen Michael Newby | Minister for Worship
Mary Hoffman | Director of Music
Wil Brown | Director of Contemporary Worship
Steven Wooddell | Organist
Heather Ellison | Director of Children’s Music
Debi Dixon-Trahan | Artist in Residence
Sarah Dempster | Music Associate
Jim Wood | Chancel Bell Director
Jason Maynard | Principal Pianist
John Phillips | Youth Choir Accompanist Sean Savage | Youth Music Assistant
THE CHANCEL CHOIR
SOPRANO
Lynn Barry
Alex Bragg
Elizabeth Castillo*
Karen DeZearn Wendy Eavenson
Sheila Fraser
Staci Graham Janifer Jo Janet King
Stephanie Kirkpatrick
Barbara Malm
Alyssa Martin*
Nancy Newman Suzanne Niemela
Emily Roberts*
Beth Stephenson Ellen Warden
ALTO
Marie Bowles
Teresa Cross
Sarah Dempster
Christi Downing
Jennifer Hanna*
Lara Longsworth*
Alvard Mayilyan* Emily Monroe
Judith Norback
Gala Pope
Kathryn Roberts Mary Saville
Cathy Sasser
Jeanne Scarborough Tiffany Stewart
Jane Word
* denotes Staff Singer
TENOR
Jeff Akana*
Sam Grisham
Jonathan Hart* Bill Henderson Stephen Rogers Sean Savage* Don Sheffield
BASS/BARITONE
Clarence Bell*
Steve Bing
Robert Cribb
Richard Ellison
Gene Horn
Carter Hudson
Tim Parham* Evans Scarborough
Wendel Stephens*
