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TRANSCRIPT
A Service of Lessons and Carols
Prelude “A Christmas Hymn” arr. R. Smith Orchestra
Chiming of the Hour
Welcome and Announcements
* Call to Worship
* Carol “Once in Royal David’s City” No. 140 Stanza 1: Youth Choir
Stanzas 2 & 3: Congregation and Choir
* Opening Prayer (Unison)
Eternal God,
through long generations you prepared a way
for the coming of your Son,
and by your Spirit
you still bring light to illumine our paths.
Renew us in faith and hope
that we may welcome Christ to rule our
thoughts and claim our love,
as Lord of lords and King of kings,
to whom be glory always. Amen.
Paradise Lost
First Lesson Genesis 3:8-15
Carol “See Amid the Winter’s Snow” arr. D. Forrest
Choir and Orchestra
See amid the winter's snow,
Born for us on earth below,
See, the gentle Lamb appears,
Promised from eternal years.
Hail thou ever blessed morn,
Hail redemption's happy dawn,
Sing through all Jerusalem:
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Lo, within a manger lies
He who built the lofty skies;
He, who, throned in light sublime,
Sits amid the cherubim. (continued)
Sacred Infant, all divine,
What a tender love was thine,
Thus to come from highest bliss
Down to such a world as this.
The Promise to Abraham
Second Lesson Genesis 22:1-8
Carol “What Child Is This” arr. C. Mockelbust
Handbell Choir and Strings
Light in the Darkness
Third Lesson Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
Mario and Sherry DiPietro
Reader 1: Come and hear the good news!
Reader 2: The Shepherd Candle reminds us that the lowly shepherds were the first to hear the glorious news of the birth of Christ. Just as they received the news, they too became messengers who became witnesses of the birth of the Messiah.
People: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation.” Isaiah 52:7
Reader 2: “And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:8-11
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NURSERY STAFF Georgia McGovern—Infants Sherry Erickson—Toddlers
NURSERY VOLUNTEERS TODAY 9:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Ellen Young Joanna Griese
CHILDREN’S CHURCH (3-Year-Olds—1st Grade)
9:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Kallie Bennett Ginna Lister Rosie Edwards Rett Lister
SAFE PLACE Wayne Prins
DECEMBER GREETERS 9:00 a.m. Amy Moore and Jim DeLoache
10:00 a.m. Amy Moore and Jim DeLoache 11:00 a.m. Floride Caldwell and Nick Caldwell
DECEMBER USHERS 9:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Greg Lucas, Head Mary Crittendon, Head Steve Lewis, Assistant Carey York, Assistant Angela Lucas Eddie Crittendon Bob Hunt Caroline Lucas Drew Crittendon Phil Darity Anna Crittendon Harv Rettberg John Fulcher Denise Rettberg
DECEMBER SOUND & LIGHT 9:00 a.m. Chris Stover 11:00 a.m. Robert Sams
UPCOMING AT EPC:
EPCMiddle will meet this evening at the home of Karie & Michael Ellison at 5:30 p.m. for Prayer, Praise and Pizza. We will finish around 7:00 p.m. This Wednesday we will be visiting Foothills Presbyterian Community. We will have regular afterschool time and leave for the home around 6:00 p.m.
EPCHigh will meet this evening at 5:30 p.m. at the home of Karie & Michael Ellison for Prayer, Praise and Pizza. Andrea Seeley will be speaking to us about her experience in Asia. We should finish around 7:00 p.m.
December Wonderful Wednesdays December 7 3:00-6:00 p.m.: Shop in Ten Thousand Villages (Church Parlor) 5:30 p.m.: Dinner
6:15 p.m.: Adult Advent Class. Children’s Gift Making Workshop.
December 14 at 6:15 Join us to welcome the Christ Child as our children present the nativity story.
Christmas Caroling Sunday, December 18 at 6:00 pm Come and spread some Christmas cheer as we make a joyful noise! Meet in the office side parking lot to load buses and cars to caravan to the homes of some of our church members.
MEMBER NEWS
The known hospitalization this week was Mary Jo Phail.
We express Christian love and sympathy to Rosemary Holtzendorff in the death of her sister, Jessica Noble, of
Vancouver Island, Canada, who died on November 19, 2016.
Congratulations to Clara Waddell and Taylor Nunamaker who were married on Saturday, November 19, 2016.
Easley Presbyterian Church
Second Sunday of Advent December 4, 2016—11:00 a.m.
A Service of Lessons Carols
Peaceable Kingdom
Fourth Lesson Isaiah 11:1-9
Carol “While Shepherds Watched” arr. C. Dobrinski
Handbell Choir
The Annuciation
Fifth Lesson Luke 1:26-38
Sermon “Let It Be to Me According to
Your Word”
Carol “Breath of Heaven” arr. C. Courtney
Duet: Mary Ann Merritt and April DuBose
Orchestra and Orchestra
I have traveled many moonless nights,
Cold and weary with a babe inside,
And I wonder what I’ve done.
Holy Father, You have come and chosen me now
To carry Your Son.
I am waiting in a silent prayer.
I am frightened by the load I bear.
In a world as cold as stone
Must I walk this path alone?
Be with me now, be with me now.
Breath of Heaven, hold me together,
Be forever near me, Breath of Heaven.
Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness,
Pour over me Your holiness for you are holy,
Breath of Heaven.
Do you wonder, as you watch my face,
If another should have had my place?
But I offer all I am for the Mercy of your plan,
Help me be strong, help me be, help me.
Breath of Heaven, hold me together,
Be forever near me, Breath of Heaven.
Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness,
Pour over me Your holiness for you are holy,
Breath of Heaven.
Birth of the Christ Child
Sixth Lesson Luke 2:1-7
Carol “Silent Is the Night” arr. by J. Althouse
Choir and Orchestra
Hush, hush, Silent is the night.
But Christ will come to Mary
before the morning light.
Hush, hush. Peace to all the earth,
For tonight will come a Savior,
and tonight a holy birth.
Be still, be still. Silent is the night.
Be still, be still; Silent is the world tonight.
Hush, hush. Look up in the sky.
There’s a star above a manger.
hear a newborn baby cry.
Hush, hush. See the holy one.
Sing a lullaby, so He may sleep,
for He is God’s own Son.
Shepherds and Angels
Seventh Lesson Luke 2:8-20
* Carol “Love Has Come” No. 110 Congregation and Orchestra
Gift of the Wise Men
Eighth Lesson Matthew 2:1-11
Offertory “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” arr. Hirt
Handbell Quartet
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Carol “Angels from the Realms of Glory” arr. D. Forrest
Choir and Orchestra
Marianne Norris and Betsey Matheny
Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o'er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation's story,
Now proclaim Messiah's birth:
Come and worship, Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!
Shepherds, in the fields abiding,
Watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with man is now residing,
Yonder shines the infant Light;
Come and worship, Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!
Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great desire of nations,
Ye have seen His natal star;
Come and worship, Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!
All creation join in praising
God, the Father, Spirit, Son.
Evermore your voices raising
To the eternal Three in One!
Come and worship, Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!
The Word Became Flesh
Ninth Lesson John 1:1-14
Carol “The Work of Christmas” arr. D. Forrest
Choir and Strings
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost, To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry, To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations;
To bring peace among brothers,
To make music from the heart.
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins.
Benediction
Postlude “Worship Christ the Newborn King” arr. D. Forrest
Orchestra
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Orchestra Members:
Flute: April Thompson
Flute: Jaron Deming
Oboe: Rebecca Pape
1st Clarinet: David Perry
2nd Clarinet: Alan Nowell
1st Violin: Kathy Perry
2nd Violin: Katelyn Payne
Viola: Brent Hooper
Cello: Robin Davis
Percussion: Josef Wehunt
Welcome to Easley Presbyterian Church
VISITORS—If you are visiting today, we would like you to know that it is always a privilege to have
you with us. It is our hope that you will find a warm welcome and an atmosphere to worship God.
Please sign the Friendship Registry located in the pew!
Adult Choir:
Sopranos
Tammy Darity
Shari Hurne
Cheryl Ledford
Mary Ann Merritt
Brenda Thompson
Molly Ulshafer
Claudia York
Altos
Melanie Branham
Edith Christian
Mary Jo Covington-Harris
Jean Devich
April DuBose
Anna Goodwin
Barbara Gutwein
Anne Kilpatrick
Tracey Lake
Marge Moon
Talita Prins
Rose Wilson
Tenors
John DuBose
Steve Freeman
Monty Oxendine
Tal Seabrook
Judy Seeley
Basses
Gregg Branham
Jim DeLoache
Duane Hurne
Jim McInnis
Charlie McMillen
Richard Mintz
Wayne Prins
Gary Thompson
Director of Music, Robert Norris
Organist, Marianne Norris
*Marian Dawkins
John DuBose
Beth Furr
Anna Goodwin
Allison LaBrash
* Handbell Quartet
*Sonja Lowery
Deke Van Wagner
*Erica Van Wagner
*Linda Reed
Tal Seabrook
Handbells:
People: “Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth. Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up your might and come to save us!” Luke 2:4
Reader 2: “And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.” Luke 2:17-18
People: “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.” Psalm 107:2-3
Reader 1: Come and hear the good news!
Musical Response: (all) Shepherds in the fields abiding, Watching o’er your flocks by night, God with us is now abiding, Yonder shines the infant light: Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ the newborn King!
Reader 2: Let us pray. O Lord, you are our Shepherd; you provide our every need.
People: We praise you for your guidance; may we be a light that guides others to you.
Reader 2: You lead us to green pastures and cool waters; you refresh our souls.
People: As we are so generously fed, may we in turn generously feed others.
Reader 2: You guide us in the proper way to go;
People: As you have given hope, may we be beacons of hope to your world.
Reader 2: Even though we are often afraid, fear has no hold over us; you are always near and your instruction brings us comfort.
People: May we likewise protect the marginalized and speak comfort to the hurting. Reader 2: You prepare a banquet of celebration; you claim us as your own, and overwhelm us with your blessings.
People: May we always provide room at your table for others to join; may your blessings pour over us, and in us, and through us. Amen.
Reader 1: Come and hear the good news!
Musical Response: (all) Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ the newborn King.
Prayer with Children
3-Year-Olds — 1st Grade leave for Children’s Church.
Carol “The Shepherd’s Carol” arr. D. Forrest
Choir and Orchestra
As lately we watched
o’er our fields through the night,
A star there was seen of such glorious light.
All through the night, angels did sing
Carols so sweet of the birth of a King.
His throne is a manger, His court is a loft,
But hosts of bright angels in strains sweet and soft,
Him they proclaim, our Christ by name,
And earth, sky, and air,
straight are filled with His fame.
Then, shepherds, be joyful, salute your new King,
Let hills and vales ring to the song that ye sing.
Blest be the hour, welcome the morn
For Christ our dear Savior on earth now is born.
All through the night, angels did sing
Carols so sweet of the birth of a King. -2-