AN ADVENT SERVICE OF LESSONS & CAROLS

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Third Sunday of Advent

First Presbyterian Church December 13, 2020Knoxville, TN 11:00 a.m.

Th e An n u n c iatio n by Italian Renaissance master, Sandro Botticelli(1445-1510). The painting hangs in the Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy.

1. I want to walk as a child of the light.I want to follow Jesus.God set the stars to give light to the world.The star of my life is Jesus.

REFRAIN

In him there is no darkness at all.The night and the day are both alike.The Lamb is the light of the city of God.Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.

2. I want to see the brightness of God.I want to look at Jesus.Clear Sun of righteousness, shine on my path,and show me the way to the Father.

REFRAIN

3. I’m looking for the coming of Christ.I want to be with Jesus.When we have run with patience the race,we shall know the joy of Jesus.

REFRAIN

PRELUDE Comfort Ye My People, Every Valley Shall Be Exalted George F. HandelEric White, Tenor

WELCOME

LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE - LOVE Terri and Gwythian Ramsay

OPENING HYMN 377 I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light Houston

THE BIDDING PRAYERBeloved in Christ, as we await the great festival of Christmas, let us prepare ourselves so that we may be shown its truemeaning. Let us hear in Holy Scripture how the prophets of Israel foretold that God would visit and redeem the waitingpeople. Let us rejoice, in our carols and hymns, that the good purpose of God is being mightily fulfilled. Let us celebrate thepromise that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, will bring all peoples and all things into the glory of God’s eternal kingdom.The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poorhave the gospel preached to them. But first, let us pray for the world that God so loves, for those who have not heard thegood news of God, or who do not believe it; for those who walk in darkness and the shadow of death; and for the Churchin this place and everywhere, that it may in pure joy lift up the light of the love of God. These prayers and praises let ushumbly offer to God, in the words that Christ himself taught us.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (said by all)Our Father, who art in heaven , hallowed be thy name . Thy kingdom come ,thy will be done ,one earth as it isin heaven .Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts ,as we forgive our debtors; and lead us notinto temptation ,but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,forever. Amen .

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AN ADVENT SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS

FIRST LESSON Isaiah 40:1-8 To God’s people in exile in a faraway land, the prophet Isaiah announces good news:

God is returning and bringing the exiles home.

CAROL Call to Advent Arr. Jerome WilliamsO Come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lowly exile here, until the Son of God appears. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

SECOND LESSON Jeremiah 23:5–6 The prophet Jeremiah offers hope for a righteous branch in the line of David, a just King who is yet to come.

CAROL Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus Robert A. HobbyCome, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us;

let us find our rest in thee. Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art, dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart. Born thy people to deliver, born a child,

and yet a king; born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring. By thine own eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone; by thine all sufficient merit,

raise us to thy glorious throne. Rule in all; hope of all. Come, expected Jesus. Come.

THIRD LESSON Zechariah 9:9–10 Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem is prophesied, heralding God’s coming reign of justice and peace.

CAROL Dance the Hosanna Paul LaubengayerHosanna in the highest; blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest; blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

FOURTH LESSON Isaiah 9:2–5 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light:

Jesus, who has come to break the powers of sin, evil, and death.

OFFERTORY CAROL Daughter of Zion Handel/BurkhardtDaughter of Zion, shout for joy, shout aloud, Jerusalem! See,

your King now comes to you, yea He comes, the Price of Peace.

DOXOLOGY

FIFTH LESSON Isaiah 35:1–6 The vengeance and salvation of the Lord are declared, as the earth and God’s people are redeem

CAROL Veni Jesu Luigi CherubiniTranslation of Latin text: Come to me, Oh, Jesus my Love.

SIXTH LESSON Luke 1:26–35, 38 The angel Gabriel announces to the virgin Mary that she will give birth to a ruler whose reign shall never end.

CAROL Ave Maria Franz SchubertNathan Pace, Violin

SEVENTH LESSON Mark 1:1–15 John the Baptist proclaims the coming of Jesus, who is anointed by his

Father to bring the good news of the Gospel.

CAROL Come, Thou Long Expected-Jesus Hal HopsonCome, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us;

let us find our rest in thee. By thine own eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone; by thine all sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne. Come, thou long expected Jesus,

born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in thee. Come, Lord Jesus, come.

1. Lo, he comes with clouds descending,once for our salvation slain;thousand, thousand saints attendingjoin to sing the glad refrain;Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!Christ the Lord returns to reign.

2. Now redemption, long expected,comes in solemn splendor near;all the saints this world rejected

thrill the trumpet sound to hear:Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!See the day of God appear!

3. Yea, amen, let all adore thee,high on thine eternal throne;Savior, take the power and glory;claim the kingdom as thine own.Come, Lord Jesus; come, Lord Jesus; come, Lord Jesus.Thou shalt reign, and thou alone!

First Presbyterian Church 620 State Street, Knoxville, TN 37902

865-546-2531 - www.fpcknox.org

CLOSING HYMN 348 Lo, He Comes With Clouds Descending Helmsley

POSTLUDE Sleepers Wake! A Voice is Calling Johann S. Bach

Th e f lo w e rs to d ay are presented to the glory of God and in honor of the wedding of Angelica Dorothy Molnar andAlexander Grayson McGavic, who were married on December 11th.

LEADING IN WORSHIP

The Rev. Dr. Jeff McCrory Jr., Transitional PastorThe Rev. Meredith Loftis, Associate Pastor

Mr. Mark Pace, Organist/Choirmaster/Harpist

CHANCEL CHOIR

Quartet One:Joan Holladay, Tracy Pace, Katrin Smith, Carrie Wright

Quartet Two:Ryan Ford, Steve Fox, Susan Fox, Holli Rogers

Quartet Three:Connie Blair, Cynthia Smith, Frederic Wagoner, Eric White

INSTRUMENTALIST

Mr. Nathan Pace, Violin

During the Christmas season your generous donationshave served to support the flower ministry of our devotedflower guild. We are mindful of the difficulties of this yearand our hope is to lift the spirits of the congregation and thecommunity with displays inside the sanctuary and around thechurch grounds. Many have been separated from loved onesand we hope you might perhaps honor a special familymember or donate in memory of someone. We would loveto create arrangements with them in mind.

The deadline for inclusion in this year's Christmas flower bulletin is Sunday, December 21, 2020. When filling out the formplease enter one name per line. Suggested donation is $20.00 per name.

You may also email your information to laura@fpcknox.org and pay on-line by going to our website www.fpcknox.organd clicking “Give” on the right and clicking on “Donate” on the left and clicking “Give on Line.” Be sure to fill in“Christmas Flowers” on the “other” category.Questions? Email Holli Eckert Rogers at hollinger4611@gmail.com

THE FORM IS FOR CHRISTMAS FLOWERS ONLY.

DEADLINE FOR INCLUSION IN THE BULLETIN FOR CHRISTMAS IS DECEMBER 21, 2020

IN MEMORY OF____________________________________________________________________

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IN HONOR OF______________________________________________________________________

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GIVEN BY_________________________________________________________________________

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