O Come, Let Us Adore Him

A Christmas Festival of Lessons & Carols

29th Annual Celebration at First Evan

December 10, 2017

Presented By First Evan Worship Choir with Orchestra

Philip Webb, Tenor SoloistChildren and Readers from the Congregation

Orchestral Prelude

Choral Introit

“Gloria in Excelsis Deo”

(choir)

Angels from the realms of glory, hear our joyful song below, For we sing the wondrous story of the shepherds long ago.

Though at first they trembled, fearing, joyful tidings bid them rise; Heavenly hosts then bright appearing

Sang these praises in the skies: Gloria in excelsis Deo! Peace on earth, good will to men!

Gloria in excelsis Deo! Hasten now to Bethlehem!

All good souls who’ve gone before us, Hear this ancient Christmas lay;

On this night we join in chorus, Love came down this Holy Day! He awaits us in the manger, smiling there in purest white.

Unto us He is no stranger, but Creator, Life, and Light! Gloria in excelsis Deo! Peace on earth, good will to men!

Gloria in excelsis Deo! Hasten now to Bethlehem!

Heav’n and nature here abiding, hear the bells of ages ring! Woods and rivers, shout glad tidings,

Tell the wonders of your King! Mountains, cry aloud forever, solid rocks, now weep for joy!

Sun, moon, stars, all sing together!Let this song our hearts employ:

Gloria in excelsis Deo! Peace on earth, good will to men! Gloria in excelsis Deo! Hasten now to Bethlehem!

Gloria in excelsis Deo! Amen!

Welcome & Opening Prayer Cole Huffman, Senior Pastor

Carol

(all, standing)

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O, come ye, to Bethlehem.

Come and behold Him, born the King of angels; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, O sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above! Glory to God, all glory in the highest;

O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

Child, for us sinners poor and in the manger, With joy we embrace Thee, with awe and love; Who would not love Thee, loving us so dearly?

O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

Yea, Lord we greet Thee, born this happy morning!Jesus to Thee be all glory giv’n;

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. Amen!

(please be seated)

Interlude

from MagnificatJ. S. Bach

Orchestra

"Carol of the Bells"

Lesson #1 Come in Longing

Genesis 3:8-15

“Come, O Redeemer, Come”

(solo, choir)

Father, enthroned on high, holy, holy, Ancient eternal Light, hear our prayer.

Lord, save us from the dark of our striving, Faithless and troubled hearts weighed down.

Come, O Redeemer, come; grant us mercy.Come, O Redeemer, come; grant us peace.

Look down upon our need; Lord, be with us.Heal us and make us free from our sin.

Come, O Redeemer, come; grant us mercy.Come, O Redeemer, come; grant us peace.

Father, enthroned on high, holy, holy, Ancient eternal Light, hear our prayer.

Lesson #2 Come in Anticipation

Isaiah 9:2, 6-7

“He Shall Reign Forevermore”(Matt Maher and Chris Tomlin)

(choir)

In the bleak midwinter all creation groans For a world in darkness, frozen like a stone. Light is breaking, in a stable for a throne.

And He shall reign forevermore, forevermore. And He shall reign forevermore, forevermore.

Unto us a Child is born, the King of kings and Lord of lords. And He shall reign forevermore, forevermore.

If I were a Wise Man, I would travel far.And if I were a shepherd, I would do my part. But poor as I am, I will give to Him my heart.

And He shall reign forevermore, forevermore.And He shall reign forevermore, forevermore.

Unto us a Child is born, the King of kings and Lord of lords.And He shall reign forevermore, forevermore.

Here within a manger lies The One Who made the starry skies,

This Baby born for sacrifice; Christ, the Messiah. Into our hopes, into our fears, the Savior of the world appears;

The Promise of eternal years—Christ, the Messiah.

And He shall reign forevermore, forevermore.And He shall reign forevermore, forevermore.

Unto us a Child is born, the King of kings and Lord of lords.And He shall reign forevermore, forevermore.

Lesson #3

Come in Hope

Micah 5:2

“O Little Town of Bethlehem”

(all)

O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see Thee lie!Above Thy deep and dreamless sleep

The silent stars go by.Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;

The hopes and fears of all the yearsAre met in thee tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above, While mortals sleep, the angels keep

Their watch of wond’ring love.O morning stars together, proclaim the holy birth

And praises sing to God the King, And peace to men on earth.

(choir)

How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is giv’n!So God imparts to human hearts the blessing of His heav’n.

No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.

(all)

O Holy Child of Bethlehem; descend to us, we pray!Cast out our sin and enter in; be born in us today.

We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell! O come to us, abide with us,

Our Lord Emman—uel!

Lesson #4

Come in Expectation

Luke 1:26-27, 30-35, 38

“Almost There”

(choir)

Mary, full of innocence, carrying the holy Prince; You’re almost there, you’re almost there.

Mother of the living Word, trusting in the voice you heard; You’re almost there, you’re almost there.

You’re almost where the angels see Redemption’s plan unfolding. All hope is in the Son you’ll bear; you’re almost there.

A lonely road, a willing heart, pray for strength to do your part; You’re almost there, you’re almost there.

Trust the Father to provide, Bread of heaven prophesied;You’re almost there, you’re almost there.

You’re almost where the waiting ends, delivering the life within,The answered prayer, Emmanuel; you’re almost there.

You’re almost where the journey ends, Where death will die and life begins.

The answered prayer, Emmanuel; you’re almost, almost there.

You’re almost where the waiting ends, delivering the life within,The answered prayer, Emmanuel; you’re almost there.

You’re almost where your journey ends, Where death will die and life begins.

The answered prayer, Emmanuel; you’re almost there.

You’re almost there.

Lesson #5

Come and Behold Him

Luke 2:1-7

"Christ is Born"

(solo)

Christ is born, Christ is born.We worship and adore You,

O Holy Child of heaven;O God incarnate, One with the Holy Spirit,

And with the Father.

We lift our song of praise to Thee!Redeeming love and grace has set us free!

For Christ has conquered victorious over sin,And He will reign eternally.

The Son of God, our Hope, our great Redeemer,The Prince of glory.

We lift our songs of praise to Thee!Redeeming love and grace has set us free!

We long for heaven, and for His return.And we will praise Him for all eternity.

Christ is born!Christ is born!

Lesson #6

Come and Fear Not

Luke 2:8-12

"Wonderful News"

(solo & choir)

There's an angel up in the sky; O, what a glorious sight.

Shepherds are a tremblin' at what He has to say,"Rejoice, for a Savior is born, Emmanuel, Christ the Lord."

Then a mighty host of angels joined in to proclaim:"Wonderful news, heavenly news,

Messiah is born, the waiting is through.There in Bethlehem You will find the Holy Great I AM.

Go now and see Jesus the King, More than just a Baby, He's the Prince of Peace.Tell the whole world it's true, wonderful news."

It's a message that remains the same, And we still need to share it today,

Redemption's promise revealed in a cattle stall.He came to set the captives free,

Bring deliv'rance to a people in need. Now it's our turn to go and proclaim salvation's call.

"Wonderful news..."

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace,Emmanuel, God with us,

Alpha, Omega, Deliverer, King of kings, Hail the Son of Righteousness.

Holy One, Morning Star, Breath of Life, Great I AM, Redeemer, Friend, come and adore.

Rock of Salvation, Provider, Light of the world, He is the Christ, the Lord of lords!

"Wonderful news..."

Lesson #7

Come and Give Glory

Luke 2:13-14

"Gloria"

(choir)

Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Lesson #8

Come and Wonder

Luke 2:15-20

"Holy Night (O Holy Night)"(Matt and Beth Redman)

(choir)

One sacred holy night, shepherds in their fields,Startled by angel cry, brightest light,

A song they'd never heard and glory all around;Heavenly symphony, hear the sound!

God has come! We are on holy ground.Holy night! Holy night! Your glory's shining bright

Upon that holy night in the fields of Bethlehem.

The wise men traveled far guided by this star.Majesty, mystery, promised King.

God has come; we can feel Heaven here.Holy night! Holy night! Your glory shining brightUpon that holy night in the streets of Bethlehem.Holy night! Holy night! Your glory shining bright

Upon that holy night when their eyes beheld the King.

Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born!

O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Just like that holy night when their eyes beheld the King!O holy night.

Lesson #9

Come and Rejoice

John 1:1-4, 14

"Come and Worship!"

(all, standing)

It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth

To touch their harps of gold: “Peace on the earth, good will to men,

From heaven’s all gracious King!”The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.

Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”

Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies;With the angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King.”

Angels we have heard on high, Sweetly singing o’er the plains,

And the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains. Gloria in excelsis Deo, gloria in excelsis Deo!

(choir)

Born is the King, born is the King of Israel!

(all)

The first Noel, the angel did say, Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;

In fields where they lay keeping their sheep, On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel!

(choir)

Born is the King, born is the King of Israel! He is born!

(please be seated)

Lesson #10

Come and Adore

Colossians 1:15-20

“O Holy Night”

(solo, choir)

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining, It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth;

Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!O night divine! O night when Christ was born!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming, With glowing heart by His cradle we stand; So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,

Here came the wise men from the Orient land.The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,

In all our trials born to be our friend;

He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger. Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!

Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!O night divine! O night when Christ was born!

Message Cole Huffman, Senior Pastor

“Beautiful Savior”

(all, standing)

Beautiful Savior! Lord of the nations. Son of God and Son of Man!

Glory and honor, praise, adoration, Now and forevermore be Thine.

(choir)Now and forevermore be Thine!

"Joy to the World"

Joy to the world! The Lord is come:Let earth receive her King!

Let every heart prepare Him room,And heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing,

And heaven and heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the earth! The Savior reigns:Let men their songs employ,

While fields and floods, rocks, hill and plainsRepeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,Nor thorns infest the ground:

He comes to make His blessings flowFar as the curse is found, far as the curse is found,

Far as, far as the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness,And wonders of His love, and wonders of His love,

And wonders, wonders of His love.

(choir)

And wonders, wonders of His love!

Benediction

Orchestra

BassCelloFluteFrench HornBass Guitar Guitar Handbell

OrganPianoViolin

Betsy ManSarah NowlinNerida HerzDoris ShiffletteBrandon HerringtonBucky Walters Kathy Orr, Debbie Park, Bonnie Roelofs

Trent EnglandJamie ScholikAudrey Fuhrman,Daniel Gilbert,Lori Gilbert

“Evening Prayer,” by E. Humperdinck (1892); “Gloria in Excelsis Deo,” by David Warner/Mack Wilberg, © 2007 Oxford University Press; “Come, O Redeemer, Come,” by Fernando Ortega/arr. RM; © 1996 Izzy Sol Songs; “He Shall Reign Forev-ermore,” by Matt Maher/Chris Tomlin, © 2015 Worship Together Music (BMI) sixsteps Songs/ S. D. G. Publishing (admin at CapitolCMGPublishing.com); “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” by Phillips Brooks, arr. by Dan Forrest (ASCAP) © 2017 by Beckenhorst Press, Inc.; “Almost There,” by Amy Grant/Wes King/Michael W. Smith, © 2014 and this arr. 2016, by This is Your Time Music/Grant Girls Music/Lotterthanme Music (admin at CapitolCMGPublishing.com); “Christ Is Born,” by Giacomo Puccini; “Wonderful News,” by Phil Barfoot/Rebecca J. Peck, © 2008 Paradise View Publishing; “Gloria,” by Ludwig van Beethoven; “Holy Night,” by Matt Redman/Beth Redman, © 2016, this arr. 2017 Thankyou Music/admin by Integrity Music/worshiptogether.com Songs/sixsteps Music/Said and Done Music; “Come and Worship,” by Edmund Sears/Richard Willis/arr. by Bob Krogstad, © 1989 Word Music; “Beautiful Savior,” arr. by Melius Christiansen; “O Holy Night,” by John Dwight/ Adolphe Adam/ arr. by Bob Krogstad; “Joy to the World,” by Isaac Watts/Lowell Mason/arr. by Mack Wilberg, © 2001 Oxford University Press; CCLI #47316

Instrumentalists from First Evan

9:00 a.m. Marie Fowler, England Sarah Yak, SudanVivian Danis, NetherlandsPablo Varela, ArgentinaJacob Kute, SudanSteven Yeo, South KoreaKheng Leav, CambodiaBetty Baird, JamaicaStephanie Zywicki, Brazil/IsraelDon Van, Vietnam

Lesson 10:45 a.m.Bethany Fichthorn Jonathan Klassy Floyd Williams Zoe Bozeman Levi AndersonChip Barger Ellie Fuhrman Matthew Thornton Nancy Knous Dewey Hemphill

The Lord has blessed our church with a wonderful diversity of people, reflected as we honor those in our midst who were born in other countries by having them read the Lessons during the 9:00 a.m. service. We want to also give testimony thereby to the fact that Jesus came into the world for ALL the peoples of the earth. At the 10:45 a.m. service we are using readers from a broad spectrum of age groups in our congregation.

Readers

1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.

10.

Members of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and friends Bob Westbrook, Contractor

Church Decorations

Cover Artwork "Seeing Shepherds" by Daniel Bonnell

Program Design/Layout Stephanie Johnson, Jan Spurlin Tenor Soloist Philip Webb (www.philipwebb.net) Soloists JemmiLou Rye, John McWhorter Sound Nick Toebbe, Ryan Wiley Worship Ministry Assistants April Fichthorn, Jan Spurlin

Ron Man, Pastor of Worship/Missionary in Residence, Director

Special Thanks

Carolyn AgaposDavid AllenJudy BairdBecky BanksMartha BanksTeresa BlantonAllan BowdenHeidi BranamSara ButlerSara CoatesLinda CookGrace CumbeeTwyla DixonJeff FendleyApril FichthornBarbara FlanaganLoren FriesenEric FuhrmanJoanna FuhrmanBeverly GarrisonGlynnAnn GossDeborah Graves

Charlie HammondNancy HartGlenda HartmannJamie HenwoodChip HillLorinda HillJohn HodgesBernie HousholderEileen HughesBuddy JonesRick JordanSpencer JordanLinda LambertJacob LaurenceColleen LipscombPeggy MasseyMark McKenzieJohn McWhorterDebra MeadowsFelicity MeadowsDaniel NewmanDarrell Raber

Rachel RogersJemmiLou RyePhil SistrunkHugh SpellJan SpurlinShirley St. HilaireKellye StellingMolly StellingAnnette StevensonBarbara StewartMyrna StorckChristie TaylorGreg ThompsonDan TorvikDaryl VrbasSharon WapplerSharon WhiteLeesa WilkinsonSusanna WinterMindy WisemanSara Wright

Amy Person, Zeinab Alhage, Laurie Armistead, Tawni Ballinger, Jennifer Barger, Eli Berry, Edie Bateman, Carolyn Bowden, Jo Anne Clark, Kelley Cunningham, Cherry Friesen, Val Gosney, Olivia Hackett, Wesley Hatcher, Jean Hoppe, T. J. Lopez, Kathryn LaVire, Debra Meadows, Sarah Nowlin, Patsy Wheeler, First Evan Maintenance Staff

First Evan Worship Choir

(used by permission)

Seasonal Calendar

This MorningInternational Brunch

10:30 a.m., Fellowship Hall

Sunday, December 17Regular Schedule

Sunday School, 9:00 a.m.Fellowship, 10:15 a.m.–10:45 a.m., Fellowship Hall

Worship Service, 10:45 a.m.–noon, Sanctuary Elementary Children worship with parents

Regular Programs for Nursery and PreschoolEvening Service, 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 24No Sunday School

Worship Service, 10:45 a.m.–noon, Sanctuary Elementary and Preschool Children worship with parents

Child care: 2 years old and under

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service5:00 p.m., Sanctuary

with Children's NativityChild care: 2 years old and under

December 23, 25, 26, and 30, 2017 and January 1, 2018

Church offices closed. For year-end giving, the Finance Office will be open

December 27, 28, and 29 until 5:00 p.m. and on Sunday, December 31 until 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 31 No Sunday School

Worship Service, 10:45 a.m.–noon, Sanctuary Elementary and Preschool Children worship with parents

Child care: 2 years old and under Evening Service, 6:00 p.m.

Offering chests are located at all the main entrances or you may give through our app or online: www.firstevan.org/giving.

Yes, Christmas is a feast for children, not just because of the tree that we decorate and light, but in the much deeper sense that children alone are unsurprised that when God comes to us on earth, He comes as a child.

Alexander Schmemann