2018 Christmas Eve Candlelight Services Bulletin

Christmas

AT PE AC H T R EE

CA NDLELIGHT SERVICES 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM, 8:00 PM

The Birth of Jesus This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

— Matthew 1:18–23

Dear Friends, Welcome to Christmas at Peachtree Church! The celebration of Jesus’ birth is one of those magical moments when heaven and earth seem so close to one another, as if the supernatural is breaking through the barriers of what holds us apart from God as well as others. The prophet Isaiah foretold the birth of Jesus in this way: “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.” Over 2,000 years ago, as Jesus was born, God came to earth as a baby and nothing would ever be the same. I pray that you are drawn to the manger of our Savior, Jesus Christ, born that night and you will leave changed forever.

I am so glad that you are with us, and I hope you will consider returning to worship with us. To give you a little taste of what is to come, our Christmas present to you (as you exit the service) is a copy of a new book by Bob Goff. The title of the book is Everybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People. Bob gives a pathway for a more liberated existence by revealing a truth as simple to say as it is hard to do: love people, even difficult ones, without inhibition, insecurity, or restriction. To kick off the new year, Bob will be speaking at Peachtree on January 6. We would love for you to join us.

Our Christmas tradition at Peachtree is for our offering to construct a home for Atlanta Habitat for Humanity. It is our 155th home! We are reminded that the One who had no place to lay His head came to bring us to His Father’s house. A safe dwelling is a signpost of God’s eternal provision and greatest invitation.

With Christmas joy,

Dr. Richard Kannwischer Peachtree Presbyterian Church Atlanta, GA

Prelude

CHIMING OF THE HOUR Introit

The First Noel arr. Kim Walker-smith

SCR IPT UR E R E A DING: LUK E 2 Congregational Carol†

O Come, All Ye Faithful Adeste Fidelis, arr. John Rutter

Welcome

R ESPONSIV E SCR IPT UR E R E A DING Anthem

For Unto Us a Child Is Born from Messiah, G. F. Handel

Congregational Carol Medley † Angels We Have Heard on High Gloria It Came Upon a Midnight Clear Carol Hark, the Herald Angels Sing mendelssohn

SCR IPT UR E R E A DING: TIT US 3:4 – 7

† Those who are able, please stand.

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Anthem

Mary’s Boy Child André Thomas

CHR ISTM A S PR AY ER Life of the Congregation Offertory Anthem

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling arr. Mack Wilberg

CHR ISTM A S MESSAGE Dr. Richard Kannwischer · Senior Pastor

C A NDLE LIGHTING Anthem

O Holy Night Adolphe Adam, arr. John Rutter

Congregational Carol Silent Night Stille Nacht

BENEDICTION Congregational Carol† Joy to the World Antioch

Postlude

† Those who are able, please stand.

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LE A DING THE WOR SHIP Dr. Richard Kannwischer senior pastor Vicki Harrington Franch Pastor for Pastoral Care Jay Madden Pastor for Mission Chuck Roberts Pastor for Congregational Life

LIGHTING THE ADVENT WR EATH 2:00 pm Laura & David Axelson; Emma, Mary, Margaret, and Rachel Meg & Ben Wright, Nathan and Molly 4:00 pm Ann & Darren Short, Lilly Grace and Caroline 6:00 pm Suzann & Terry Moore, Kate and Terry 8:00 pm Anne & Will Katz, Amelia and Lydia

LE A DING MUSIC IN WOR SHIP The Chancel Choir, The Peachtree Youth Choir, and Guests Mary Hoffman Director of Music Ministries Steven Wooddell Organist Joel Thompson Pianist Jonathan Hart Guitar Alison Turner Soloist John Irvin Soloist Marcus Hopkins-Turner Soloist

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MUSICI A NS Violin

Jessica Wu Lisa Morrison Benito Thompson

Viola

Yinzi Kong

Cello

Guang Wang

Doublebass Joe McFadden

Woodwinds

Trombone

Hollie Lawing Pritchard Duane Gingrich

Timpani

Mace Hibbard

Joel Morris

Horn

Percussion

Jason Eklund

Paula Williams

Trumpet

Jonathan Swygert John Bryant

HABITAT FOR HUM A NIT Y And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. — Luke 2:7

Imagine preparing for the birth of your child and having nowhere to go, and the relief that comes when you have a place that you can call your own. Through our Christmas offering, we will have the opportunity to provide the gift of first-time homeownership to a family through our partnership with Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, and housing to families impacted by Hurricane Michael in the gulf of Florida. Join us by giving today and volunteering during our next Habitat build March 16–May 11. Let us prepare room for our neighbors!

YOU’RE INVITED JANUARY 6!

Join us in welcoming Bob Goff, author of Everybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People.

Bob will preach at all services.

JOIN US ON SUNDAYS Communion in Wilson Chapel: Sundays at 8:20 am Traditional Worship in Sanctuary: Sundays at 8:45 and 10:00 am Contemporary Worship in Sanctuary: Sundays at 11:15 am For more information about joining Peachtree, please contact Rebecca Madden, Connections Director, at 404.842.2173 or RMadden@PeachtreeChurch.com.

To learn more about Peachtree Presbyterian Church, visit us at PeachtreeChurch.com.

3434 Roswell Road NW | Atlanta, Georgia 30305 PeachtreeChurch.com | 404.842.5800