e e r t h c a e P t A * CandlelightServices *
The Birth of Jesus In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:1-7
Dear Friends: Welcome to Christmas Eve at Peachtree. As the old standard goes, “I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams.” In our haste, Christmas can seem a veneer of glitter and lights and an extra set of tasks over our usual list. Come Christmas Eve, we finally look up and around for the significance toward which we’ve been building. The good news is that Christmas is not just a place of dreams or a myth of hearth and home to which we wax nostalgic annually. Tonight we remember and celebrate the power of a true story. In a drafty stable in Bethlehem, God became an Event. His love happened in history, in the flesh of a helpless human infant. In the words of St. Augustine, “He became as we are, that we might become as He is.” This Christmas we continue our tradition of helping others experience a life-changing Habitat for Humanity home. It’s fitting to honor a family who found “no room in the inn” by providing a roof over the head of a needy family in our community. A new Habitat home in Atlanta costs about $50,000. My prayer is for us to show at least one family what it looks like when God draws near. May this be a wondrous evening of joy at God’s great love.
Your Pastor,
Vic Pentz Peachtree Presbyterian Church Atlanta, GA
Candlelight Services
December 24, 2013 | 6:00, 8:00 & 10:00 PM, Sanctuary
Prelude Chiming of the Hour *Call to Worship Pastor: The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. People: The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it. Pastor: The true light that gives light to all people has come into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. People: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. ALL: And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. O Come, let us adore Him!
— From Isaiah 9:2-7 and John 1:5-10
*Processional Carol O Come, All Ye Faithful.............................................................................................................. ADESTE FIDELES arr. John Rutter
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; Refrain: 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 We would embrace Thee with love and awe, Who would not love Thee, loving us so dearly? (Refrain) Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation; Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God, all glory in the highest; (Refrain) Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning, Jesus, to thee be all glory given. Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing. (Refrain)
Lighting of the Advent Wreath Anthem (6:00 & 8:00PM) Gloria......................................................................................................................................Simon Johnson
This piece was commissioned in 2013 by the Peachtree Music Ministry in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Nicholas Bowden as Principal Organist of Peachtree Presbyterian Church. Simon Johnson is the organist of the historic St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.
Translation: Glory to God in the highest! And on earth peace to all men of good will We praise Thee! We bless Thee! We worship Thee! We glorify Thee! We give thanks to Thee According to Thy great glory! 4
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Candlelight Services Anthem (10:00PM) For Unto Us a Child is Born from Messiah.............................................................. George Frederick Handel Scripture Reading The Christmas Story: Readings from Matthew 1 and Luke 2 *Congregational Carols Angels We Have Heard on High..............................................................................................................GLORIA Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains, And the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains. Refrain Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be Which inspire your heavenly song? (Refrain) O Little Town of Bethlehem.................................................................................................................. ST. LOUIS 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 years are met in thee tonight.
How silently, how silently, the wondrous Gift is giv’n; So God imparts to human hearts the blessings 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. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.......................................................................................................MENDELSSOHN 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 th’angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
Hail the heav’nly Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, ris’n with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, born that man no more may die. Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth. Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
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Candlelight Services
December 24, 2013 | 6:00, 8:00 & 10:00 PM, Sanctuary
Christmas Prayer Offertory Ten Thousand Joys.............................................................................................. Don Marsh and Karen Dean The Chancel Choir Elizabeth Claxton Castillo and Clay Hilley, soloists Meditation Draw Near.......................................................................................................................................Vic Pentz Luke 2:8-20 (pew Bible, page 1591) Senior Pastor Candlelighting Anthem O Holy Night........................................................................................................................... Adolphe Adam arr. John Rutter The Chancel Choir Sonja Foster, violin; John Irvin, tenor Congregational Carol Silent Night.................................................................................................................................. STILLE NACHT Silent night! Holy night! All is calm, all is bright, Round yon Virgin Mother and Child! Holy Infant, so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night! Holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight, Glories stream from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing: “Alleluia; Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is Born.” Silent night! Holy night! Wondrous Star, lend thy light; With the angels let us sing, “Alleluia to our King; Christ the Savior is born: Christ the Savior is born.”
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Candlelight Services *Benediction *Congregational Carol Joy To The World................................................................................................................................. ANTIOCH Joy to the world! The Lord is come; Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing….
Joy to the world! The Savior reigns: Let men their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sounding joy…. He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love…. *Postlude
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Candlelight Services
December 24, 2013 | 6:00, 8:00 & 10:00 PM, Sanctuary
Leading The Worship 6:00 PM Vic Pentz, senior pastor Marnie Crumpler, executive pastor Bryan Dunagan, teaching pastor 8:00 PM Vic Pentz, senior pastor Chuck Roberts, pastor for congregational life Jay Madden, pastor for mission 10:00 PM Vic Pentz, senior pastor Mark Crumpler, pastor for teaching and spiritual formation Vicki Harrington Franch, pastor for pastoral care
Families Lighting The Advent Wreath 6:00 PM Ann and Cliff Bargeron, Carson and Avery 8:00 PM Wendy and Harold Turner, Maddie and Austin 10:00 PM Linda and Bill Schaeffer
Candlelighters
Students from Peachtree’s Middle-School Ministry at 6:00 PM Students from Peachtree’s High-School Ministry at 8:00 PM Peachtree college students and Peachtree young adults at 10:00 PM
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Candlelight Services Leading Music In Worship
The Chancel Choir, Peachtree Youth Choir and Guests Mary Hoffman, director of music ministries Nicholas Bowden, principal organist Elizabeth Claxton Castillo, Clay Hilley, and John Irvin, soloists Sonja Foster, violin
Musicians Trumpet
Brandon Craswell Ryan Moser Chip Crotts
Horn
Jason Eklund Anna Dodd
PEACHTREE PRESBY TERIAN CHURCH
Trombone
Josh Bynum Mark Williamson Garett Arrowood
Tuba
Eric Bubacz
Timpani Joel Morris
Percussion
Paula Williams
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If you are a guest with us today,
we invite you to consider making Peachtree your church home in 2014.
Join Us for Worship on Sundays
Sunday mornings at 8:20 AM: Communion in the Wilson Chapel Sunday mornings at 8:45, 10:00 and 11:15 AM: Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary Sunday mornings at 8:45 and 11:15 AM: Contemporary Worship in the Summit For more information about joining Peachtree, please contact Rebecca Madden, Connections Director, at 404-842-2173 or rmadden@peachtreepres.org. To learn more about Peachtree Presbyterian Church, visit us at peachtreepres.org
PEACHTREE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 3434 Roswell Road NW | Atlanta, Georgia 30305 www.peachtreepres.org | 404.842.5800