The ancient text of Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming uses imagery to CHURCH CALENDAR illustrate the birth of Christ. The rose is Jesus and it has grown Sunday, December 23 out of the stump, or family tree, of Jesse. A family tree that connects the humble birth of Jesus to the royal throne of King 9:30 am Sunday School/Bible Study David. After 400 years of God’s silence, Christ’s arrival is as 10:30 am Fellowship Time – Lobby 11:00 am Worship wondrous as a rose growing out of a stump in the middle of winter. He is out of place and time, unforeseen, beyond what was hoped for. Monday, December 24 Lo, How a Rose: . Church Office Closed 6:00 pm Christmas Eve Candlellight Service We are grateful to Kaye Parmenter for permission to use her artwork. (image © Kaye Parmenter. British Watercolour Artist: www.kayeparmenter.co.uk) Tuesday, December 25 & Wednesday, December 26 Merry Christmas! The rose on the communion table is given by Sharon & Kenneth Webster in Church Office Closed celebration of the birth of their grandson, Jackson Wise Ellis, on December 18, No Wednesday Evening Activities to Megan & Justin Ellis. Thursday, December 27 Church Office Open Christmas Offerings for Global & International Missions Giving to one of the missions offerings this season is a way to present a gift in Friday, December 28 & Saturday, December 29 FBC College(ish) Retreat – Dogwood Jesus’ name to further His work. The Global Missions Offering of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) is used worldwide and the Lottie Moon Sunday, December 30 Christmas Offering of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is used FBC College(ish) Retreat – Dogwood internationally. Both welcome donations. 10:15 am Fellowship Time – Parlor 11:00 am Worship – Chapel Our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service is Monday, December 24, at Monday, December 31 6:00PM, in the Sanctuary. This traditional service of scripture, carols and candles is for everyone. Childcare is not provided so that our workers may be Church Office Open a part of this service. Dan Landrum, hammered dulcimer, is playing pre-service Tuesday, January 1 music beginning at 5:40PM. Happy New Year! Chattanooga, TN 37402 TN Chattanooga, Church Office Closed Christmastide, Sunday, December 30, Fellowship & Worship www.fbcchattanooga.org Bring your extra Christmas goodies to share as we enjoy a time of fellowship Wednesday, January 2 on Sunday, December 30, at 10:15AM in the Parlor. We will join together in 9:45 am FBC Serves at the Community Kitchen Worship at 11:00AM in the Chapel. Regular Worship Care will begin at No Wednesday Evening Activities 10:30AM. Sunday School/Bible Study classes will not meet. Thursday, January 3 www.facebook.com/fbcchattanooga 2:00 pm Shower Ministry – Rec. Center Showers Holiday Schedule 2018 to 2019: The church office is closed Monday- 423.265.2257 6:00 pm Dinner w/Mustard Tree Ministries – FH Wednesday, December 24-26 and Tuesday, January 1. There are no Avenue, Gateway 401 Lo, How a Rose Wednesday evening activities on December 26, or on January 2. We are resuming our regular Sunday morning schedule on Epiphany Sunday, January 6. Wednesday evening meal/activities resume on January 9. Come enjoy “a rare combniation of vocal technique and true soul” when Final offerings for 2018: Monday, December 31, (by 12:00noon) is the last the Millikin University Choir presents a concert in our Sanctuary on day for us to receive hand-delivered offerings in the office for 2018. The Monday, January 7, 2019, at 7:00PM. The concert is free and open to all. offering on Sunday, December 30, will also be credited to 2018. Gifts may be paid online/postmarked by December 31, 2018, too. Join us for GriefShare, a grief support group, as you experience the loss of a loved one through death. The group will learn how to recognize the Deacon Greeters symptoms of being stuck in grief and how to cope with seemingly devastating Mary Jayne Allen & Herb Hooper---------Today, Sunday, December 23 emotions. Opportunities will be given to learn valuable information about Ed Green & Sylvia Colvin---------------------Next Sunday, December 30 facing and finding a new life, discovering joy, and renewing your hope for the future. This program consists of 13 video-based sessions on Tuesdays, Worship Leaders February 5 – April 30, from 7:00-9:00PM. The sessions are accompanied by Dr. Thomas Quisenberry ---------------------------------------Senior Pastor small group discussions led by trained facilitators, along with a workbook, From Rev. Jeff Parker -----------------------------Minister of Music and Worship Mourning to Joy ($20). The only fee is the cost of the workbook. For more Rev. Michael Sepulveda-------------------Minister of Children and Youth FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH Mr. John Echols ------------------------------------Handbell Choir Director information and to register, go to our website, www.fbcchattanooga.org, or Chattanooga, Tennessee contact Judy Sullivan (423.648.2540). You may also contact Brenda Harker Dr. Samuel Porter ---------------------------------------------------------Organ Ms. Jenny Parker -----------------------------------------------------------Piano December 23, 2018 (423.838.0559) or Ray Fox (423.779.4030) with questions. THE WORSHIP OF GOD THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT SONGS OF COMMUNITY Handbell Choir CHIMING OF THE TRINITY AROL CAROL PPORTUNITIES FOR NTERCESSION *C O I Michael Sepulveda GREETING & EXHORTATION Thomas Quisenberry It Came Upon the Midnight Clear It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old PRAYERS OF THE COMMUNITY CALL TO WORSHIP from angels bending near the earth, to touch their harps of gold: PREPARATION FOR GIVING Brenda Hooper Lost in winter snow, “Peace on the earth, good will to men,” from heav’n’s all gracious King. Tossed as ice winds blow, The world in solemn stillness lay, to hear the angels sing. If the world is to be turned upside down, Crying, dying, we need to participate in its transformation. Torn by storm asunder, Yet with the woes of sin and strife the world has suffered long; Through these offerings we can be a beacon of light when the world grows dark. Worn by frozen plunder, beneath the angel hymn have rolled two thousand years of wrong; We can reach out, extending a hand to help make sense Behold! Behold! What wonder! and warring humankind hears not the tidings that they bring: of what is happening in the world. We can participate in the power of love – Sudden, solemn, sacred sight, O hush your noise, and cease your strife, and hear the angels sing! the power that was brought to us in the birth of the Christ Child. Glory beaming, holy light, All ye, beneath life’s crushing load, whose forms are bending low, In vast darkness burning bright. who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow, GIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS arr. Austin A rose tree blossoms in deepest night. look now, for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing: Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow Alan Hovhaness (1911–2000) O rest beside the weary road, and hear the angels sing! Handbell Choir LIGHTING OF THE CANDLE OF LOVE arr. Kastner & McChesney For lo! the days are hast’ning on, by prophet bards foretold, *DEDICATION OF GIFTS VENI EMMANUEL Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming when with the ever-circling years comes round the age of gold; Handbell Choir; Josh Shoop, candlelighter when peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendors fling, and the whole world give back the song which now the angesl sing. PRAYER OF ADORATION Jeff Parker *PROCESSIONAL CAROL 87 ANTIOCH ANTHEM arr. Leavitt Joy to the World Away in a Manger (All children are invited to come forward at this time.) Adult Choir Away in a manger no crib for a bed, CHILDREN’S TIME Michael Sepulveda the little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head. PRAYER FOR ADVENT Betsy Kammerdiener The stars in the bright sky looked down where He lay, the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. Lo, how a rose is blooming The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes, from ancient stem re-sprung. Amid the chaos looming but little Lord Jesus no crying He makes. as bards of old have sung. I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky, and stay by my cradle till morning is nigh. It comes a flow’ret bright with fragrance full of music Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask Thee to stay when half spent is our fright. close by me forever, and love me, I pray. *PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Brenda Hooper How can this rose now blooming, Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, in days of greed and lies, and take us to heaven to live with Thee there. *WORK OF THE CHURCH Thomas Quisenberry withstand the threats, the dooming, of guns, of hope that dies? GOSPEL READING Thomas Quisenberry *WORDS OF BLESSING It comes a flow’ret bright Luke 1:39-55 inspiring us to action *RESPONSE IN DULCI JUBILO The word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. mid hatred’s ugly blight. Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice! We pray the bloom restores us MESSAGE Thomas Quisenberry Now ye need not fear the grave: Jesus Christ was born to save; with hope and love and might. Lifted Up calls you one and calls you all, to gain His everlasting hall. And shows a vision glorious Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save! of sanity and right. YMN ST. LOUIS It comes a flow’ret bright *H 86 *POSTLUDE Near aglow with peace and justice O Little Town of Bethlehem Carillon on a Ukrainian Carol and loving, holy light.