Christmas
AT PE AC H T R EE
CA NDLELIGHT SERVICE
The Nativit y G . K . C H E S T E RT O N
The thatch of the roof was as golden, Though dusty the straw was and old, The wind was a peal as of trumpets, Though blowing and barren and cold. The mother’s hair was a glory, Though loosened and torn, For under the eaves in the gloaming — A child was born.
In the time of dead things it is living, In the moonless grey night is a gleam; Still the babe that is quickened may conquer, The life that is new may redeem. Ho! princes and priests, have ye heard it? Grow pale through your scorn; Huge dawns sleep before us, stern changes — A child is born.
Oh! if man sought a sign in the deepest, That God shaketh broadest His best; That things fairest, are oldest and simplest, In the first days created and blest. Far flush all the tufts of the clover, Thick mellows the corn, A cloud shapes, a daisy is opened — A child is born.
And the mother still joys for the whispered First stir of unspeakable things; Still feels that high moment unfurling Red glories of Gabriel’s wings. Still the Babe of an hour is a master, Whom angels adorn, Emmanuel, Prophet, Anointed — A child is born.
Though the darkness be noisy with systems, Dark fancies that fret and disprove; Still the plumes stir around us, above us, The wings of the shadow of love. Still the fountains of life are unbroken, Their splendour unshorn; The secret, the symbol, the promise — A child is born.
To the rusty barred doors of the hungry, To the struggle for life and the din; Still with brush of bright plumes and with knocking, The kingdom of God enters in. To the daughters of patience that labour, That weep, and are worn; One moment of love and of laughter — A child is born.
Dear Friends, The lights really do seem to shine brighter at this time of year, reminding us that the longing and promise of Christmas is that God is nearer than we realize. God comes to unlikely times and places and people to offer His loving reign and hope. My prayer for you this Christmas is that celebration will turn into vocation for the whole year. One of my professors, Dallas Willard, used to say “more people have lost their faith due to a lack of imagination than reason.” An example of faithful creativity is C. S. Lewis’s beloved The Chronicles of Narnia, a timeless classic for all ages to enter deeper into the Christian journey. At the conclusion of today’s service, we would love for you to take home our present to you, one of the copies of one of the stories of Narnia. I have read them numerous times throughout my life, and they have never failed to inspire and enrich my own story with God. Starting in January, we will draw from each of the seven books as we gather for worship on Sunday mornings. I will deliver all of the messages, while professional actor, Tom Key, will be providing dramatic readings every week from Lewis’s story. “Further up and further in!” was the cry of the Narnians to explore the vast beauty of God’s heavenly, new creation together, and it is my hope that this season will draw us further into the wonder of that expedition. For decades, Peachtree’s Christmas offering has served to construct a new home for a family through Atlanta Habitat for Humanity. This year, we continue the tradition with our 156th home for a family in our community. Join me in extending shelter to a family in need as a signpost of God’s great welcome to each and every one of us into “the house of the Lord forever” (Ps. 23:6). With Christmas joy,
Dr. Richard Kannwischer Peachtree Presbyterian Church Atlanta, GA
Prelude Introit
King of Kings Arr. Dan Galbraith
Call to Worship
The Nativity G. K. Chesterton
Congregational Carol†
O Come, All Ye Faithful Adeste Fidelis, arr. John Rutter
R ESPONSIV E SCR IPT UR E R E A DING LUK E 2:8 – 20 Anthem
Glory to God from Messiah, G. F. Handel
Congregational Carol†
Hark, the Herald Angels Sing Mendelssohn
CHR ISTM A S PR AY ER Offertory Anthem
Festival First Nowell Dan Forrest
CHR ISTM A S MESSAGE Dr. Richard Kannwischer · Senior Pastor
† Those who are able, please stand. 4
C A NDLE LIGHTING Anthem
O Holy Night Adolphe Adam, arr. John Rutter
Congregational Carol
Silent Night, Holy Night arr. Wil Brown
BENEDICTION Congregational Carol† Joy to the World Antioch
Postlude
Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella Keith Chapman
LE A DING MUSIC IN WOR SHIP Mary Hoffman Director of Music Wil Brown Director of Contemporary Worship Steven Wooddell Organist Jason Maynard Pianist Alison Turner Soloist Elizabeth Claxton-Castillo Soloist John Irvin Soloist
† Those who are able, please stand. 5
LE A DING THE WOR SHIP December 18 · 7:00 pm Dr. Richard Kannwischer senior pastor Rev. Vicki Harrington Franch Associate Pastor Dr. Jay Madden Associate Pastor Dr. Chuck Roberts Associate Pastor December 24 · 2:00 pm Dr. Richard Kannwischer senior pastor Rev. Vicki Harrington Franch Associate Pastor Dr. Barry Gaeddert Associate Pastor Dr. Chuck Roberts Associate Pastor
December 24 · 4:00 pm Dr. Richard Kannwischer senior pastor Dr. Barry Gaeddert Associate Pastor Dr. Jay Madden Associate Pastor Dr. Chuck Roberts Associate Pastor
December 24 · 6:00 pm Dr. Richard Kannwischer senior pastor Rev. Vicki Harrington Franch Associate Pastor Dr. Jay Madden Associate Pastor Dr. Chuck Roberts Associate Pastor
December 24 · 8:00 pm Dr. Richard Kannwischer senior pastor Rev. Vicki Harrington Franch Associate Pastor Dr. Barry Gaeddert Associate Pastor Dr. Chuck Roberts Associate Pastor
LIGHTING THE ADVENT WR EATH December 18 · 7:00 pm Gaylen & Jeffrey Baxter December 24 · 2:00 pm Trenton & Jon Chasteen; Sam, Sally, and Ann Reeves December 24 · 4:00 pm Ashlea & Nick Neal; North and Hope December 24 · 6:00 pm Melinda & Jon Rue Julianna & Spencer Cagle; Carter, Davis & Will Elizabeth Rue Amanda & Jonathan Rue Kelly Robinson & Daniel Rue December 24 · 8:00 pm Kathy & Dennis Nichols; Andy, Alex, William, and Wesley
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MUSICI A NS Woodwinds Mace Hibbard
Horn
Jason Eklund
Trumpet
John Bryant Jonathan Swygert
Trombone
Mark Boehm Hollie Lawing Pritchard
Violin
Percussion
Viola
Josh Brundage
Elizabeth Fayette Jessica Wu Benito Thompson
Joel Morris Paula Williams
Guitar
Yinzi Kong
Drums
Guang Wang
Cello
Paul Barrie Torin Degnats
Doublebass
Bass
Tim Aucoin
Rex Crawford
HABITAT FOR HUM A NIT Y And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. — Luke 2:7
Imagine preparing for the birth of your child and having nowhere to go, and the relief that comes when you have a place that you can call your own. Through our Christmas offering, we will have the opportunity to provide the gift of first-time homeownership to a family through our partnership with Atlanta Habitat for Humanity. Join us by giving today and volunteering during our 156th Habitat build March 7 – May 2. Let us prepare room for our neighbors!
FURTHER UP AND FURTHER IN Join us beginning January 5 for our sermon series based on C. S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia. Each week, Dr. Richard Kannwischer will bring a message of challenge and encouragement from one of the seven books in this compelling collection of fantasy novels with theological Christian themes.
For the schedule of sermons and correlating books as well as other opportunities and resources to engage this literary masterpiece, visit:
PeachtreeChurch.com/NarniaSeries JOIN US ON SUNDAYS Communion in Wilson Chapel: Sundays at 8:20 am Traditional Worship in Sanctuary: Sundays at 8:45 and 10:00 am Contemporary Worship in Sanctuary: Sundays at 11:15 am For more information about joining Peachtree, please contact Rebecca Madden, Connections Director, at 404.842.2173 or RMadden@PeachtreeChurch.com. To learn more about Peachtree Presbyterian Church, visit us at PeachtreeChurch.com.
3434 Roswell Road NW | Atlanta, Georgia 30305 PeachtreeChurch.com | 404.842.5800