DECEMBER 22, 201910:00 AM

ADVENTLESSONS &

CAROLS

ADVENT LESSONS & CAROLSPRELUDEIn Dulci Jubilo(arr. Dupré)Yuri McCoy

PROCESSIONAL HYMN 104 Once In Royal David’s CityStanza 1 Solo (Ruby Jefferies)Stanza 2 ChoirStanzas 3–4 Congrega on

LIGHTING THE LOVE CANDLEThe Cooper Family

BIDDING PRAYER Steve Wells

Beloved in Christ, in this Advent season, let it be our care and delight to hear again the message of the angels, and in heart and mind to go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass, and the babe lying in a manger.

Therefore let us read and mark in Holy Scripture the tale of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience unto the glorious redemp on brought us by this Holy Child.

But first, let us pray for the needs of the whole world; for peace on earth and goodwill among all His people; for unity within the church, and especially in this, our own community.

And let us remember, in His name, the poor and helpless, the cold, the hungry, and the oppressed; the sick and them that mourn, the lonely and the unloved, the aged and the li le children; all those who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love him not.

Lastly, let us remember before God all those who rejoice with us, but upon another shore, and in a greater light, that mul tude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom in the Lord Jesus we are one forevermore.

These prayers and praises let us humbly offer, Amen.

FIRST LESSONGenesis 3:8–19

God announces in the Garden of Eden that the seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent’s head.Keisha Smith

CAROLJesus Christ the Apple Tree (Poston)Chamber Choir

English composer, Elizabeth Poston, sets “Jesus Christ the Apple Tree” with a fluid melody wri en in the style of a simple folk tune and round. The 18th century text, wri en by a Bap st minister, Joshua Smith, echoes verses from both the Old and New Testaments. Christ is alluded to as the “tree of life;” strong, beau ful, and abundantly frui ul. Just as the apple tree provides shelter, so Christ provides respite to a weary soul. “This fruit doth make my soul to thrive, It keeps my dying faith alive.” Claire Frazier

SECOND LESSONGenesis 22:15–18 God promises to faithful Abraham that in his seed the na ons of the earth shall be blessed.Newton Kimura

HYMN 79 O Come, O Come, EmmanuelStanzas 1 & 4

THIRD LESSONIsaiah 9:2, 6–7

Christ’s birth and kingdom are foretold by Isaiah.Elias Bongmba

HYMN 136 Where Shepherds Lately KneltStanza 1 ChoirStanza 3–4 Congrega on

FOURTH LESSONIsaiah 11:1–3a, 4a, 6–9

The peace that Christ will bring is foreshown.JoAnn Hopper

REFLECTIONLo How A Rose E’er BloomingMarc Rosenberg, guitar

CAROLA Spotless Rose(Mealor)Chamber Choir

In this prophecy-rich text, Christ is both the rose (Song of Solomon 2) and the root of Jesse (Isaiah 11), symbols from two prophecies that have been woven together in song since as early as the fourteenth century. The se ng in

the middle of a cold, dark winter night makes the rose’s blooming all the more splendid and unlikely, sugges ng that then — as is also o en the case, today — salva on came unexpectedly, making it all the sweeter.Lauren Benesh

FIFTH LESSONLuke 1:26–35, 38

The angel Gabriel salutes the Virgin Mary.Penny Taylor

CAROLWhat Child(Lohman)Agape

“What Child is This?” was penned by William Cha erton Dix, an Englishman from Bristol, in 1865. Dix was 29, a mari me insurance manager, and deeply depressed due to a near-fatal illness that le him bedridden for months. During this me, Dix read extensively from the Bible resul ng in a spiritual renewal and a prolific period of wri ng hymns and poems. It is not known for certain who paired the poem with the then-400-year-old English folk-song of “Greensleeves,” a beloved tune now inextricably linked with Dix’s text. However, the version the choir sings today is set to a score wri en by Paul Lohman in 1998. While less haun ng and ques oning, the music draws our a en on to the joyful news of Christ’s birth.Greta Buehrle

SIXTH LESSONLuke 2:1–7

Luke tells of the birth of Jesus.Ben Carlson

OFFERTORY CAROLSweet Li le Jesus Boy(MacGimsey/Sjolund)Regina Hearne, soloistSanctuary Choir

“Sweet Li le Jesus Boy” was wri en in 1934 by white composer Robert MacGimsey, who, influenced by his upbringing in rural Louisiana among a predominantly African American community, wrote it with the intent of portraying it as an American slave song. Living amidst the difficulty of the Great Depression, MacGimsey was burdened by the realiza on that so many missed the true message of Christ. The text conveys a sadness and gravity that focus on Jesus’ humble birth in a manger, the mistreatment He suffered during His life, and His rejec on by many s ll today. This song is an apology to Jesus and a plea for forgiveness – “We didn’t know you’d come to save us Lord; Our eyes were blind, we couldn’t see; We didn’t know who you were.”Erin Luce

SEVENTH LESSONLuke 2:8–16

The shepherds go to the manger.Becky Clevenger

CAROLWho Is He in Yonder Stall (Young)One Accord

There is a restless quality to the resume of Benjamin Russell Hanby’s life, as if he knew he had much to accomplish in 34 years. The gospel of jus ce and mercy unfurled its banner over his life as a pastor, educator, musician, and editor, modeled by his family’s par cipa on in the Underground Railway. His best loved songs commemorate his journey: “My Darling Nellie Gray,“ the true story of a slave couple separated by their master; “Up On the Housetop” the iconic Christmas favorite he wrote to support his family; and finally, “Who is He in Yonder Stall?,” wri en within a year before his death, not just a Christmas song but a contempla ve hymn encompassing the whole of Jesus’ iden ty, from birth to resurrec on. Martha Dooli le

EIGHTH LESSONMa hew 2:1–12

The wise men are led by the star to Jesus.Nick Homan

CAROLRune of Hospitality(Houkom)Marc Rosenberg, guitarChamber Choir

Taken from a 19th century Gaelic text, “yestereen” means yesterday evening and “Triune” refers to the Trinity. An unexpected guest is shown hospitality and in return the guest blesses the hosts. As Christ-followers we are called to show kindness and hospitality to all. “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” Ma hew 25:34. Ali Cooper

NINTH LESSONJohn 1:1–14

John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarna on.Addie Carpenter

CAROLSir Christemas (Mathias)Sanctuary Choir

Sir Christemas is believed to have commanded his first audience around 1500, appearing in the Ritson Manuscript, a 15th century English Choir book. Author unknown, his song exists in several versions, including that of William Mathias, our chosen composer/arranger. Mathias’ rhythmic, theatrical rendi on captures the spirit of Sir Christemas’ declara on of good news and call to celebra on. This Social Leader of Christmas enjoys the company of two other anonymous carols in Mathias’ Ave Rex, a collec on of three contras ng anonymous medieval carols. Martha Dooli le

HYMN 103 O Come, All Ye FaithfulStanzas 1–3

TAKING THE LIGHT OF LOVE INTO THE WORLDThe Ballard Family

SUNG BENEDICTIONYea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning,Jesus, to Thee be all glory given;Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!

FLOWERSThe Sanctuary flowers at this special

me of the year are given in tribute and memory of the wonderful Chris an women who were members of the Reba Sunday School Class. Their lives, lived well, were a major part of building and suppor ng this Church for so many years through their spirit, kindness, grace, and love for all.

PARTICIPANTSThe Ballard family carries the Love candle into the world. Brook and Heather have four amazing kids, Kelley, Dylan (15), Peyton (8), and Sophie (8). The Ballard family is interwoven into the fabric of the South Main family and lead, share, and love so well.

The Cooper family lights the Love candle this morning. Ben and Ali started visi ng South Main when their boys, Micah (8) and Jonah (6), were preschoolers. The en re Cooper family is musical and shares their talents weekly at SMBC.

POSTLUDE Toccata on Vom Himmel Hoch(Edmundson)Yuri McCoy

CCLI #1763254

DISCOVER/SHARENo Fellowship Lunch Today We will resume Sunday lunch on January 5.

Christmas Eve Schedule 3:00 PM Manna Christmas 5:00 PM Christmas Eve Service in the Sanctuary 9:00 PM Christmas Eve Service in the Chapel

Church Office ClosedThe church office will be closed December 25, 26, and January 1 in observance of holidays.

December 29 Schedule 10:00 AM Worship in the Sanctuary 11:00 AM Church wide brunch in the Fellowship Hall

January Worship ScheduleOn January 5, we return to regular Sunday morning schedule:9:00 AM Worship

10:10 AM Sunday School 11:15 AM Fellowship Lunch 11:20 AM Worship

Resolve to Have Financial Peacein the New Year!Financial Peace University (FPU) is a 9-week, life-changing program that empowers and teaches you how to make the right money decisions to achieve your financial goals. FPU sessions will begin January 12 mee ng from 12:45-2:15 PM in The Commons. You may also contact Jennifer Gribble at 832-368-2910 or jennifer@smbc.org with any ques ons. The cost is $50.00 per kit (couples may share a kit). Scholarships are available.

January 5 Food Pantry Collec on Sunday

January 8Midtown Midweek resumes

January 12Blood Drive, 8:30 AM-1:00 PM in the gymDeacon Ordina on, 6:00 PM

January 13SMILE moves to Monday’s in 2020

January 14MainStreamers moves to Tuesday’s in 2020

GOAL$1,144,774NEED: $1,800,578

$ 344,196

End of Year NeedBetween today and the close of books on Tuesday, December 31, we need to give $800,578 in order to fully fund our 2019 budget; that is only $9,622 more than we gave in the same period at the end of last year. We can do it. For informa on on giving, go to www.smbc.org/giving.

Steve Wells Pastor

Carey Cannon Minister of Music & Worship

Greg Funderburk Minister for Pastoral Care

Brad Jernberg Minister of Administra on for Opera ons

PASTORAL TEAMSusan Moore Minister of Administra on for Communica ons

Dolores Rader Minister to Families

Ma WaltonMinister for Discipleship

Worshiping, discovering, and sharing Christ’s love

4100 MAIN STREET, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002-9693

(713) 529-4167 • SMBC.ORG

CCLI #1763254