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-