Fourth Sunday in Advent 

Christmas Play

Today’s service will be held indoors in the sanctuary as an in-person service and also live streamed at this link.  Click on “live” for the live stream.  Join us!   

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Gathering Music                                          Polly Dunford

Welcome and Announcements     Autumn Donnelly        

Advent Song “When God is a Child”   (verses 1-4)                   Handout

Words by Brian Wren; Music by Joan Collier Fogg

1989. Hope Publishing Co.  All rights reserved.

Hope is a star that shines in the night, leading us on till the morning is bright.

When God is a child there’s joy in our song. The last shall be first and

the weak shall be strong, and none shall be afraid.

 

Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth, giving a promise of safety and worth.          

When God is a child there’s joy in our song. The last shall be first and

the weak shall be strong, and none shall be afraid.

 

Joy is a song that welcomes the dawn, telling the world that Jesus is born.

When God is a child there’s joy in our song. The last shall be first and

the weak shall be strong, and none shall be afraid.

 

Love is a flame that burns in our heart, Jesus has come and will never depart.

When God is a child there’s joy in our song. The last shall be first and

the weak shall be strong, and none shall be afraid.

 

Fourth Sunday in Advent:      Ed Yokley

Lighting the Fourth Advent Candle of Love             Michael Little Bell      

Voice 1: “Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19)

Voice 2: What does love feel like in the new world?

Voice 1: Love feels like knowing I am a sacred piece of a magnificent whole.

Many Voices: Love feels like acceptance and gratitude. Love feels like being cherished.

Voice 2: Advent is the beginning of this new world, a better world, where you, and me, and all of God’s creation are treasured and beloved.

Voice 1: May it be so.

Voice 2: (Fourth Advent candle is lit.) Amen.

Many Voices: Amen.

Hymn and Offertory                           “People Look East”    Hymnal #105              

1)  People, look east.  The time is near of the crowning of the year.

Make your house fair as you are able; trim the hearth and set the table.

People, look east and sing today:  Love, the Guest, is on the way.

2)  Furrows, be glad.  Though earth is bare, one more seed is planted there.

Give up your strength the seed to nourish, that in course the flower may flourish.

People, look east and sing today:  Love, the Rose, is on the way.

3)  Birds, though you long have ceased to build, guard the nest that must be filled.

Even the hour when wings are frozen God for fledging time has chosen.

People, look east and sing today:  Love, the Bird, is on the way.

4)  Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim one more light the bowl shall brim,

shining beyond the frosty weather, bright as sun and moon together.

People, look east and sing today:  Love, the Star, is on the way.

5)  Angels, announce with shouts of mirth Christ who brings new life to earth.

Set every peak and valley humming with the word, the Lord is coming.

People, look east and sing today:  Love, the Lord, is on the way.

 

Prayers of the People

 

North Anderson Community Church, Presbyterian

presents

“He’d Come Here”

     A Christmas message in three Acts

      Based on the original story by Harriett Richie

     Adaptations by Tim Ensworth and Diane Lee

Introduction by Diane Lee

A MOMENT:  Ann Miller

Act 1:  The Nativity

Narrators:  Sarah Shumpert and Rob Gentry

Mary and Joseph:  Rosie Thompson and Drew Whitley

Baby Jesus:  Celia Albu Amer

Head Angel:  Suzy Bailey

Heavenly Host:  Nancy Fox, Julie Ray, Karen Manley

Shepherds: Manella Calhoun, Andi Nelson, Ann Blackwood

Kings:  Steve Morgan, DuPre Calhoun, Ray Hudgins

Soloist:  Kristin Cascio

 

Act 2:  The 11 PM Christmas Eve Service at Church

The Family:  Mom:  Ann Miller

Dad:  Keith Ray (Understudy - Rob Gentry)

Daughter:  Katey Shore

Son:  Sumter Cothran

Minister:  TJ Fisher  (Understudy - Cierra Donnelly)

Musicians:  Polly Dunford and Laurie Gentry

Choir:  Kristin Cascio, Vicki Conrad-Wright, Lin Hagen, Patti Pitts,

Kyle Bruenning, Sharon Fowler, Rob Gentry, Phyllis Morgan

 

“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”

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 new-born king!”

Act 3:  Ray’s Diner

Rita:  Maggie Miller

One-Armed Man:  Tom Wright

The Family:  Ann Miller, Keith Ray, Katey Shore, Sumter Cothran

The DJ:  Kyle Bruenning

Customers:  Trevor Stoute, Cierra Donnelly, Evan Branyon, Cole Miller,

Thor Raines

The Traveling Family:  Salee Allawi, Abed Najm and Celia Albu Amer

REFLECTION:  Ann Miller

 

“Silent Night, Holy Night”

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.

Production Crew:  Director:  Diane Lee

Pianist:  Polly Dunford

Assistant Directors:  Laurie Gentry and Vicki Conrad-Wright

Costume Designer:  Lin Hagen

Props Mistress:  Patti Pitts

Set Construction:  Pat Bell, DuPre and Manella Calhoun

Sound:  Kyle Bruenning

Lighting:  Reed Shumpert

 

Special Thanks to Market Theatre and Cary Jones

 

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Reprinted with permission under One License #A-625711.  All rights reserved.

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Enjoy the Winter Solstice Walk in the Labyrinth following the Christmas Play.

Calendar of Service -  

December 24 - Dr. Keith Ray; Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, 7 pm

December 28 - Lessons and Carols

January 4 - David Johnson, Epiphany Stars, 1st Sunday Potluck

January 11 - Rev. Tricia Lytle

January 18 - Rev. Dr. Steve Morgan

January 25 - TBD

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The next Meet and Eat will be on Wed., January 7, at 5:30 pm at Thai Lotus on Highway 81.

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A new group, Al-Anon, is now using the church building on Saturdays from 9:30-10:30.  Volunteers have been asked to open and close the building for them.

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