WELCOME Rev. Catherine Nance PRELUDE Christm as Angels Overture arr . Jeff Cranfill Orchestra CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Matt Hall Minister: I hear a voice in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” People: I believe every valley shall be lifted up and every mountain and hill be made low; I believe the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain, I believe the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. *HYMN No. 234 O Come, All Ye Faithful

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. True God of true God, Light from Light Eternal, Lo, he shuns not the Virgin’s womb; Son of the Father, begotten, not created; 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. 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.

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH Russell & Julie George (10:30 am) CHORAL RESPONSE: REJOICE! REJOICE! EMMANUEL SHALL COME TO THEE, O ISRAEL! PASTORAL PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER Rev. Hall Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. RECEIVING OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS OFFERTORY Angels W e Have Heard on High arr. Gwyneth Walker (Tuba and Organ) *DOXOLOGY Praise God From W h om All Blessings Flow! Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures, here, below! Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts! Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel! Born is the King of Israel!

HURON CAROL A unique selection in this year’s cantata is “Huron Carol”. The story of

Christ’s birth is understood by cultures of widely varying times and places. “Huron Carol” is a beautiful re-telling of the Christmas story

written around 1643 by Jean de Brébeuf, an early French missionary in Canada. He used the Wendat (Huron) language and cultural ideas that would have resonated with the Huron Native Americans. The recurring

phrase “Jesous ahatonhia” is Wendat/Huron for “Jesus is born.” The term “Gitchi Manitou” can be translated “God the great Creator”.

Presented by the Chancel Choir and Orchestra Conductor: Terry D. Wilson Organist/Pianist: Dwain Pesterfield Assistant Conductor: Susan Daves Reading Rev. Sarah Slack

The Coming of God Ann Weems

Glory to God (from A Savior is Born) arr. Randol Alan Bass

Sussex Carol arr. Elaine Hagenberg Huron Carol arr. Dan Forrest Soloist: Alicia Gates, soprano Reading Rev. Slack

The Birth of Jesus Luke 2:1-20

Angels’ Carol by John Rutter Away in a Manger arr. Mack Wilberg Jesus Child by John Rutter Reading Rev. Slack The Birth of Jesus the Messiah Matthew 1:18-25 Ding Dong! Merrily on High arr. K. Lee Scott Brass Ensemble Silent Night arr. Eric Nelson Fum, Fum, Fum! arr. Mack Wilberg Hark! The Herald Angels Sing arr. Mack Wilberg

*BENEDICTION Rev. Hall *POSTLUDE Fanfare on Hark the Herald Angels Sing by Robert Hobby

* Those who are able, please stand

Terry D. Wilson Susan Daves

Sue Eddlemon Lora Doherty Crystal Irwin Samantha Ousley

Sarah Ringer Bruce Kan Karen Kirkman Caroline Pope

Shelley Armer Julie Simpson

Alicia Hooker Jeannine Wilkinson

David Slack

Shelby Shankland Julie Carter

Christa Honaker Julie Larson

Erin Bray Lisa Michaels

Zach Millwood Emily Mantooth

Meredith Simpson Mitzi Hall

Joel Tillman Tim Michaels Christopher George

Jeff Jennings Eric Simpson

Alex Colclough

Susannah Clabough Noah Backus

Dwain Pesterfield

The offering taken up during the 7:00 pm presentation of the Chancel

Choir Cantata will go to Camp Wesley Woods. Please see your insert

or visit 1stchurch.org/Christmas for more information on giving.

865-982-1273

WWW.1STCHURCH.ORG/CHRISTMAS

Lunch will be served afterward in Wesley Hall.

The 1st UMC Praise Band and the Morning Glory Chorus have also been hard at work preparing beautiful music for the season.

Watch several selections from their Christmas specials at:

804 Montvale Station Road, Maryville 37803