11 am Worship Service, Third Sunday of Advent, December 17, 2023

Service of Lessons and Carols

Prelude: An English Christmas - arr. Douglas E. Wagner Handbell Choir & Organ

Introit: Of the Father’s Love Begotten - 16th Century Plainsong/arr. Erikson (Choir & Handbells) UMH 184 (3)

Lighting of the Advent Candles & Choral Response: Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah - arr. Wold

Processional Hymn: Once in Royal David’s City - UMH 250

vs 1 solo voice – David Rabin

Hymn: Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light (stanzas 1 & 3) - UMH 223

First Lesson from Genesis 3: 8-15, 17-19

Anthem: Ding Dong! Merrily on High - 16th C French Melody/arr. Hal Hopson

Second Lesson from Genesis 22: 15-18

Anthem: I Saw Three Ships - Traditional/arr. Edwin Fissinger

Handbell Anthem: Still, Still, Still - Traditional German Carol/arr. Cathy Moklebust

Third Lesson from Isaiah 9: 2; 6-7

Anthem: O Magnum Mysterium - Evan Ramos

Fourth Lesson from Micah 5: 2-5a

Anthem: Joseph’s Carol - John Rutter, Jason Kossol, baritone

Hymn: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear - UMH 218

Fifth Lesson from the Gospel of Luke 1:26-35; 38

Anthem: The Angel Gabriel - Basque Carol/arr. Richard Shephard

Instrumental Anthem: Christmas Angels - Traditional Carols/arr. C. Stephenson

Sixth Lesson from the Gospel of Luke 2: 1-7

Anthem: Gesù Bambino The infant Jesus - Pietro A. Yon, Caroline Parker, alto

Seventh Lesson from the Gospel of Luke: 2:8-16

Anthem: Ukrainian Bell Carol - Mykola Leontovich/arr. Judy Hunnicutt

Eighth Lesson from the Gospel of Matthew 2: 1-11

Anthem: O Holy Night - Adolphe Adam, Allyson Baxter, soprano

Hymn: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night (stanzas 1, 2, 5 & 6) UMH 236

Ninth Lesson from the Gospel of John 1: 1-14

Anthem: Christ, the Appletree - “Distress” from Sacred Harp/ arr. David W. Music

Becky Wood & Katie Leegins-Vinson, soprano, Caroline Parker, alto and Jason Kossol, baritone

Pastoral Prayers

Doxology: In the Bleak Midwinter (vs.4) - UMH 221

Hymn: Joy to the World - UMH 246

Choral Benediction: Good Christian Friends, Rejoice - UMH 224 (2)

Postlude: In dulci jubilo - Wilbur Held

Rev. W. Donald Warren, Rev. Rhonda Grant Jordan and Rev. Kuda Kwashe Kagura

Cheryl Stephenson, Director of Music Ministries & Bill Wood, Organist

Note: All music is used with church owned music and hymnals and under Jarvis CCLI License # 1408863.