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THE MUSICIANS

EPIPHANY LUTHERAN CHAPEL CHOIR Gene Bahls Lane Carlisle Riki Delamar Kerry Gibson Mary Lou Gomes Jeanette Hinckson-Fraser Bruce Hefner Margaret Hill Cathy Hubbard Craig Hudson Robert Lange James Livermont, Baritone Greg Potratz, Tenor Karen Schroeder William Schroeder Michael L. Thompson Art Viohl DONALD T. HARRIS MUSIC DIRECTOR AND ORGANIST

Trio ensemble Soloists INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE Robert Astolos, clarinet Laurie Bunn, recorder

Christopher Gomes, tambourine Michael L. Thompson, clarinet

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SANCTUARY CHOIR

Tory Bouchillon, Soprano Laurie Bunn

Janet Carmichaels Day Kennon

Scarlett McCurry Teresa McCurry

Joe Moon Jon Paschal

Jim Patrick Darcel Tabb

Danny Vining Perri Walden Cy Wolverton

ALAN BUNN, DIRECTOR

ALICE WALKER, ORGANIST AND ACCOMPANIST

Sunday, December 18 Fourth Sunday of Advent 10:00 Sunday School 11:00 Worship Service 12:00 Session Meeting 5:00 Youth Connection Goes Christmas Caroling Tuesday, December 20 4:00 Exercise Class Saturday, December 24 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Worship Sunday, December 25 Christmas Day 11:00 Worship Service Monday, December 26 Church Office Closed

This Week at FPC Pledge Update: We have 72 pledges totaling $377,730. We still need your pledge. Cards are available in the narthex.

Women’s Bible Study Books for the January Study Group are available in the church office. On Sundays you may check with Alice Walker after worship.

January Special Circle Lesson: Elizabeth Martin Pope will present Lesson 8 "Abrahamic Faiths" from the PW study book "Who Is Jesus?" on January 3, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. in the Martin Fellowship Hall, including a more in-depth discussion of Islam. Elizabeth grew up in this church and is the daughter of Chris and Barbara Martin. She is a doctoral candidate and graduate assistant at UGA's Department of Lifelong Education Administration and Policy. She has a Master's Degree in Islam and a BA in Religion. An invitation is extended to all to hear this talented young lady whose early years were nurtured within the walls of our church.

WELCOME TO FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF COVINGTON

If you would like information about membership or the programs, mission, and fellowship of the church, speak to the pastor as you leave or call the church office at 770-786-7321.

The Rev. William B. Wade, Jr. Pastor

e-mail: wbwade75@gmail.com telephone: 770-786-7321

A Festival Service of Nine Lessons and Carols

First Presbyterian Church

Covington, Georgia

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The congregation is invited to listen in silence to the organ music before the service begins. Please silence cell phones during the service.

PRELUDE

Toccata on "O Little Town of Bethlehem" Robert Lind

O Come, Little Children Diane Bish

Alice Walker, organ

Angel Medley Terry Osman Handbell Choir

* Congregation please stand, if able.

†Will Vining-surgery 12/22 (grandson of Danny and Beth Vining) †Carol Dunbar-recovering from surgery †Alton Cochran-home †Donald Vining-Recovery from spine surgery (brother, Danny Vining) †Joyce V. Williams-Recovery from mastectomy (sister, Danny Vining) †Rick Gunter-recovering from cataract surgery †Jamie Huckaby Fairchild-cancer †Kalin Patin-6 month old boy, born prematurely experiencing problems †Chuck Hodges-treatment for lymphoma (friend of Patti Lanford) †Ursula Kaminski-cancer treatment †Louise Strickland-home †Rebecca Kirby-cancer (family of Scarlet McCurry) †Danny Vining-prostate cancer/new treatment †Ron Swatty-heart problems, brother-in-law of Charles Ardis) †Lecia Landolt-chemo for pancreatic cancer (Patti Lanford) †Ann Hill-ovarian cancer (Theodosia Wade’s cousin) †Mitchell Jessup -cancer (father of Nick Jessup) †Sharon Walton-chemotherapy (friend of Patti Lanford) †Sophia Hawley-Cystic Fibrosis †John Fish-cancer (Bryson Wade’s uncle) †Roger Gossage-awaiting transplant †Jan Coulon-home †Jim Stalvey, Jr.-melanoma

Assisted Living/Nursing Homes: †Russ Cole-Rockdale Healthcare †Jeanne Cannon-Darien, GA †J. L. Johnson -Dogwood Forest Alpharetta, GA Riverside †Joy Knight -hospice care †Martha Borders †Rita Harrell Merryvale †Guy McGiboney †Bill Taylor †Betty Robinson †Louise White †Betty Goins †Hughie Hudson Prayers and sympathy We extend our sympathy to Rita and Dale Tingler and family in the death of Rita’s mother, June Thompson on December 12, 2016. Celebration Jim and Jean Elder will celebrate the 59th anniversary of their marriage this week.

Hospital Visitor: Alice Walker

In Our Thoughts and Prayers

Dan Walden, Director of Youth and Children’s Ministries, is assisting with leading worship today. Please enter the sanctuary in a spirit of reverence as we prepare to worship God. Remember to turn on your cell phones when you leave. Recordings of Sunday sermons can be accessed on the church website: www.fpccov.org.

Worship Notes

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*PRAYER OF DEDICATION God of grace and mercy, as we prepare for the Savior’s birth, make our hearts leap for joy at the sound of your words. Keep us steadfast in hope, and faith-ful in service, that we may receive his presence and proclaim the good news of his reign; for we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION *RECESSIONAL HYMN

POSTLUDE Joy to the World G. F. Handel

1. 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!

2. Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ the everlasting Lord! Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of the virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail the incarnate Deity. Pleased in flesh with us to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel. Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!

3. Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the sun of righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, Risen with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, Born that we no more may die, Born to raise us from the earth, Born to give us second birth. Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!

Words CHARLES WESLEY

Music FELIX MENDELSSOHN Hymn arrangement WILLIAM H. CUMMINGS

Descant SIR DAVID WILLCOCKS

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CAROL “The Word Was God” Words, ST. JOHN 1 Music ROSEPHAYNE POWELL

CAROL “Fum Fum Fum”

WORDS AND TUNE CATALONIAN FOUR-HAND ARRANGEMENT HOWARD HELVEY

CONCERNS AND CELEBRATIONS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE THE LORD’S PRAYER p. 35 in front of hymnal *CAROL

Words and Music JOHN FRANCIS WADE Translation FREDERICK OAKELEY

Descant SIR DAVID WILLCOCKS

THE OFFERING OF SUBSTANCE AND LIFE OFFERTORY Angels We Have Heard on High French Carol

All: 1. O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant! O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem Come and behold him, born the king of an-gels. O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

2. The highest, most holy, Light of light eternal Born of a virgin, a mortal he comes; Son of the Father now in flesh appearing! O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

Choir: 3. Sing, choir of angels, sing in exultation. Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God, glory in the highest. O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

All: 4. Yea, Lord, we greet thee, Born this happy morning; Jesus, to thee be glory given! Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing; O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

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A Festival Service of

Nine Lessons and Carols

Sunday, December 18, 2016, 11:00 a. m.

Order of Service

PRELUDE as listed on previous page

WELCOME

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE All children are invited to come and gather around the Advent Wreath.

Josh, Teresa, Cassidy, Jenna and Joshua McCurry

Let us rejoice in God our Savior, who has done great things for us. Today we light the fourth Advent candle, the candle of joy. We gather as a people of hope, peace, love and joy. The light of these candles reminds us that once we were a people who waited in darkness, but the light of Christ, which illuminated the world long ago in a manger in Bethlehem, holds the darkness back. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Now we wait and prepare for the coming of Christ with singing and celebration and the spirit of rejoicing, because good news of a great joy has come to all people. For unto us a child is born, a Savior who is Christ the Lord. Let us rejoice and be glad! May the candle of joy give light to the world! We now light the candle of joy.

Let us pray: Almighty God, prepare our hearts so that the dear Christ may enter in and be born in us. Make us bearers of the good news and great joy, which comes to all people; for we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN “Once in Royal David’s City”

Solo: 1. Once in royal David’s city stood a lowly cattle shed, where a mother laid her baby in a manger for his bed: Mary was that mother mild; Jesus Christ, her little child.

Choir: 2. He came down to earth from heaven who is God and Lord of all, and his shelter was a stable, and his cradle was a stall; with the poor and meek and lowly, lived on earth our Savior holy.

All: 3. Jesus is our childhood’s pattern; day by day like us he grew; he was little, weak and helpless; tears and smiles like us he knew; and he feels for all our sadness, and he shares in all our gladness.

4. And our eyes at last shall see him, through his own redeeming love; for that child so dear and gentle is our Lord in heaven above; and he leads his children on to the place where he is gone.

Words CECIL F. ALEXANDER Melody HENRY JOHN GAUNTLETT Harmonization ARTHUR H. MANN, 1914

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*PRAYER OF ADORATION FIRST LESSON William B. Wade, Jr. GENESIS 3

God tells sinful Adam that he has lost the life of Paradise and that his seed will bruise the serpent’s head.

CAROL “Jesus Christ the Apple Tree”

Words, ANONYMOUS Setting, ELIZABETH POSTON SECOND LESSON Laurel Ardis GENESIS 22

God promises to faithful Abraham that in his seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.

CAROL “I Wonder as I Wander”

Words, APPALACHIAN FOLK SONG Setting, THOMAS COKER

THIRD LESSON Jake McCarthy ISAIAH 9 The prophet foretells the coming of the Savior.

*CAROL Choir: Comfort, comfort you my people Tell of peace, thus says our God. Comfort those who sit in darkness Bowed beneath oppression’s load. Speak you to Jerusalem Of the peace that waits for them: Tell them that their sins I cover, And their warfare now is over.

Words, JOHANNES OLEARIUS, Translation CATHERINE WINKWORTH Tune and harmonization, GENEVAN PSALTER

FOURTH LESSON Sophia Hawley ISAIAH 11

The peace that Christ will bring is foreshown.

CAROL “A Shoot Shall Come Forth” ISAIAH 11 (paraphrased) Setting, RICHARD HORN

All: 2. For the herald’s voice is calling in the desert far and near, Bidding us to make repentance since the kingdom now is here. O that warning cry obey! Now prepare for God away; Let the valleys rise in meeting And the hills bow down in greeting.

3. Make you straight what long was crooked, Make the rougher places plain, Let your hearts be true and hum-ble, As befits God’s holy reign. For the glory of the Lord Now o’er earth is shed abroad; and all flesh shall see the token, that God’s word is never broken.

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FIFTH LESSON Tom Stillerman ST. LUKE 1 The angel Gabriel salutes the Blessed Virgin Mary.

CAROL “Ave Maria” Angelus Domini nuntiavit Maria, Et concepit de Spiritu sancto.

Ave Maria, gratia plena Dominus tecum Benedicta tu in mulieribus Et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Jesus. Et verbum caro factum est Et habitavit in nobis. Sancta Maria, mater Dei, Ora pro ora pro nobis peccatoribus. Nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.

SIXTH LESSON Adriane Ivey ST. LUKE 2 St. Luke tells of the birth of Jesus.

CAROL “Cradle Hymn” Words, ISAAC WATTS Setting, KIM ANDRE ARNESEN

SEVENTH LESSON Allie Hay ST. LUKE 2 The shepherds go to the manger.

*CAROL

FRENCH CAROL Translation JAMES CHADWICK Hymn setting EDWIN SHIPPEN BARNES, 1937

EIGHTH LESSON Michael Thompson ST. MATTHEW 2

The wise men are led by the star to Jesus. CAROL “Star Carol” Words and Music JOHN RUTTER

NINTH LESSON Patrick Carmichael ST. JOHN 1 St. John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation.

The Angel of the Lord visited Mary, and she conceived of the Holy Spirit, and the Word was made flesh, and He dwells in us. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Setting, FRANZ BIEBL

1. Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains, and the moun-tains in reply echoing their joyous strains. Gloria in excelsis Deo!

2. Shepherds, why this jubilee why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be which inspire your heavenly song? Gloria in excelsis Deo!

3. Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing; come adore on bended knee Christ, the Lord, the newborn king! Gloria in excelsis Deo!