See Amid the Winter’s Snow See amid the winter’s snow, born for us on earth below;

See the tender Lamb appears, promised from eternal years.

Hail thou ever blessed morn: hail, redemption’s happy dawn. Sing throughout Jerusalem: Christ is born in Bethlehem.

Lo, within a manger lies He who built the starry skies;

He who, throned in heights sublime, rules in heav’n for endless time. Say, ye lowly shepherds, say what your joyful news today?

Wherefore have you left your sheep on the lonely mountain steep.

As we watched at dead of night, lo, we saw a wondrous light;

Angels singing, ‘Peace on earth’, told us of the Savior’s birth. Sacred infant, all divine, what a mighty love was Thine,

Thus to come from highest bliss down to such a world as this! Hail, Thou ever blessed morn; hail, redemptions’s happy dawn;

Sing through all Jerusalem: “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

He Is Born the Divine Christ Child He is born, the divine Christ Child! Play the musette and the oboe merrily!

He is born, the divine Christ Child! Sing to welcome the Savior mild. Jesus, Savior, heaven’s Lord, tiny child in the manger lying;

Jesus, Savior, heaven’s Lord, Christ, our King forevermore. He is born, the divine Christ Child! Play the musette and the oboe merrily!

He is born, the divine Christ Child! Sing to welcome the Holy Child!

Prayers of the People Rev. Anne Hagler

Presentation of Tithes and Offerings Rev. Anne Hagler Bring tithes and offerings, and Joy Offering envelopes forward to place them in the brass plates. Put socks, hats and mittens in the baskets under-neath the tree. When you return to your seats, our children will collect quarters for the Walking Sticks to provide back packs for refugees.

Offertory

*Hymn 710 “We Lift Our Voices” OFFERING

Prayer of Dedication Usher

Suite Four Portrait of God’s Love

Scripture Reading Romans 1:3-7

Good Christians, Now rejoice! Good Christians, now rejoice! With heart and soul and voice!

Give ye heed to what we say: Jesus Christ is born today. Ox and ass before Him bow, and He is in the manger now;

Christ is born today, Christ is born today!

Sing We Now of Christmas

Sing we now of Christmas. Nowell, sing nowell! Glory to God! Now let your praises swell.

Sing we nowell, a new king born today, nowell! Sing we nowell, a new king born today. Sing we now of Christmas. Nowell, sing nowell!

O Come Little Children Come, little children, O come one and all. To Bethlehem haste, to the manger so small.

God’s Son for a gift has been sent you this night To be your redeemer, your joy and delight.

Kneel down and adore Him with shepherds today, Lift up, little hands now and praise Him as they;

Rejoice that a Savior from sin you can boast And join in the song of the heavenly host.

announcements...

balmoral@balmoralpc.com www.balmoralpc.com

901.767.7510

6413 quince road memphis, tennessee 38119

church staff

carla meisterman pastor

anne hagler parish associate john gilmer

music director

leiza collins pianist

lynn ward bell choir

velma reed

HEADSETS for improved hearing are in the sound room window.

You are invited to come forward during the Offering and place your Joy Offering, tithes and offerings in the brass plates, leave hats, mittens and gloves in the baskets near the tree.

Our CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE will be Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, from 5:00pm to 6:00pm in the sanctuary. Come worship and celebrate the coming of the Christ child. Special Music begins at 4:45pm.

Plan to wear your pj’s, robe and slippers, or dress casual, and join us at 11am for WORSHIP on CHRISTMAS DAY. Bring a baby present for folks at the Food Pantry who have babies and ring bells, chimes, sing carols, hear the Christmas story and celebrate the birth of Jesus!

PASTOR ON VACATION: Rev. Carla Meisterman will be on vacation from Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2016, through Monday, Jan. 2, 2017.

PREACHING AND ON-CALL PASTOR: The Rev. Anne Hagler will be on call while Carla is away. You may reach Anne at: 901.628.2104 or email her at anneh6616@gmail.com. She will be preaching on Sunday, December 25, 2016, and Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017.

The CHURCH OFFICE will be CLOSED Monday, Dec. 26, and Tuesday Dec. 27, 2016, for the Christmas holiday.

There will be NO CHILDREN/YOUTH/ADULT SUNDAY STUDIES Sunday, January 1, 2017. Extended Care will be available during worship. Sunday Studies resume Sunday, January 8, 2017.

NEW ADULT SUNDAY STUDIES will be offered January 8, 2017, through April 9, 2017, at 9:30am: How Jesus Became God, a DVD Se-ries, in classroom a, facilitated by Frank Carney, Jan Kaplan and Dick Vosburg; and, Convictions by Marcus Borg, in classroom b, facilitated by Phil Shannon and R.J. Powell.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN DECEMBER: Jerry Francisco (18), Don McEntire (18), Betty Smith (19), Kay Dawson (21), Carla Meisterman (27), Bill Odom (28), Mary Nell Easum (29), Stephanie Brigman (30), Janice

Carney (30)

Come and Worship!

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016 5:00pm

Sing, Choirs of Angels Sing choirs of angels, sing in exultation; O sing all ye citizens of heav’n above;

Glory to God in the highest: O come let us adore Him. O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him.

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Congregation will join in when directed

Hail the heav’n born Prince of Peace, hail the Sun of righteousness!

Light and life, to all He brings, ris’n with heaing in His wings. Mild He lays his glory by, born that man no more may die.

Born to raise the sons of earth, borh to give them second birth.

Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King!

*Charge and Blessing Rev. Anne Hagler

*Benediction Hymn 100 verse 1 “My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout” STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN

While by the Sheep While by the sheep we watched at night, Glad tidings brought an angel bright.

How great our joy. How great our joy. Joy, joy joy! Joy, joy, joy! Praise to the Lord in heav’n on high!

There shall be born, so he did say. In Bethlehen a Child today. There shall he lie, in manger mean, Who shall redeem the world from sin.

How great our joy, great our joy. Joy, joy joy! Joy, joy, joy! Praise to the Lord in heav’n on high! Praise to the Lord in heav’n on high!

Praise to the Lord in heav’n on high!

Gabriel’s Message

The angel Gabriel from heaven came, His wings as drifted snow, His eyes as flame.

“All hail,” said he, “Thou lowly maiden, Mary, Most highly favored lady,” Gloria! “For known a blessed mother thou shalt be, All generations laud and honor thee.”

“Thy son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold, Most highly favored lady,” Gloria!

Angels We Have heard on High

Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing o’er the plain. And the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strain, Gloria. In excelsis Deo.

Gloria! Gloria! Gloria! In excelsis Deo. Shepherds why this jubilee? Why these songs of happy cheer?

What great brightness did you see? What glad tidings did you hear?

Gloria! Gloria! Gloria! In excelsis Deo. Gloria! Gloria! Gloria! In excelsis Deo.

Suite Three: Scenes from His Nativity

Scripture Reading Luke 2:8-16 Rev. Anne Hagler

Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light Break forth, O beauteous heavenly light, and usher in the morning: Ye shepherds shrink not with affright, but hear the angel’s warning:

He comes in human flesh to dwell, our God with us, Emmanuel, The night of darkness ending, our fallen race befriending.

Sleep, O Sleep, My Lovely Child

Sleep, O sleep , my lovely child, King divine, King divine; Close your eyes and sweetly slumber, King, divine, King divine,

Close your eyes and sweetly slumber, Sleep, O sleep , my lovely child, King divine, King divine;

Close your eyes and sweetly slumber, King, divine, King divine, Close your eyes and sweetly slumber.

Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

Infant holy, Infant lowly, for His bed a cattle stall, Oxen lowing little knowing Christ, the Babe, is Lord of all.

Swift are winging angels singing, noels ringing, tidings bringing, Christ the babe is Lord of all. Flocks were sleeping: Shepherds keeping vigil till the morning new

Saw the glory, heard the story tidings of a gospel true.

Thus rejoicing free from sorrow, praises voicing greet the morrow:

Christ the Babe, Christ the Babe is born for you.

*asterisk invites you to please stand if you are able and please silence your cell phone

Chiming of the Hour Bells of Balmoral

Prelude Be still and know that God is present here.

Spend this time in silence, opening your heart and settling your mind to worship God.

*Call to Worship Rev. Carla Meisterman One Voice: God is coming to us as a new-born babe All Voices: to fulfill God’s promises and teach us the way of love! One Voice: Prepare your hearts to welcome the Lord of Love All Voices: who will teach us to lift up our hearts to God!

*Hymn 105 verses 1-4 “People , Look East” BESANCON

*Share the Gift of Love Rev. Anne Hagler

With hands outstretched or held together greet one another, saying “ May you find love in Christ!”

*Congregational Chorus “Love Is Coming” BRING A TORCH

Love is coming and never will leave us! Love is life everlasting and free.

Love is Jesus within and among us. Love is the gift our hearts are seeking.

Love! Love! Love is the gift of Christmas. Love! Love! Praise to you God on high!

Announcements Rev. Carla Meisterman

Prayer for Illumination Lighting the Advent Candle of Love

Fran and Phil Shannon, Henry and Harrison Seessel

One : Silence us Lord, to hear Your voice. All: Speak Lord, for we, your servants, are ready to listen.

Images of Christmas

A Cantata arranged by Ovid Young

John Gilmer, Musical Director

Neal Shaffer - Violin, Pam Wilensky - Violin, Britta Hall - Viola, Jeffrey Jurciukonis - Cello, Rachel Randall - Flute,

Tara West - Oboe, Stephen Borodkin - clarinet, Mark Woodring - Trumpet, George Pokorski - French Horn, Russ Clements - Trombone

Suite One: Reflections of His Advent

Scripture Reading Isaiah 7:10-16 Rev. Anne Hagler

Come Thou Redeemer of the Earth Come, Thou Redeemer of the earth. And manifest Thy virgin birth:

Let every age adoring fall; Such birth befits the God of all.

Thy cradle here shall glitter bright, And darkness breathe a newer light,

Where endless faith shall shine serene, And twilight never intervene.

All praise eternal Son, to Thee, Whose advent sets Thy people free,

Whom with the Father we adore, And Holy Ghost forevermore.

The Icy December Cold December’s winds were stilled in the month of snowing.

As the world fell dark one night, Springtime’s hope was growing;

Then one rosetree blossomed new, One sweet flower on it grew.

On the tree once bare, grew the rose so fair. Ah the rose,

Ah, the rose, ah the rose tree blooming, sweet the air perfuming.

Lo, How A Rose E’er Blooming Lo, How a rose e’er blooming From tender stem hath spring.

Of Jesse’s lineage coming, As men of old have sung.

It came a floweret bright, Amid the cold of winter, When half spent was the night.

Isaiah ’twas foretold it, The Rose I have in mind; With Mary, we behold it, The virgin Mother kind.

To show God’s love aright, She bore to Men a Savior, When half spent was the night.

Carol of the Ship There comes a galley sailing, With angels flying fast;

She bears a treasured cargo, beneath her mighty mast. Upon the silent waters The ship glides into shore,

To bring to us the Treasure She holds within her store.

For this ship’s name is Mary, the fairest one is she; She brings us all her Baby, Whose love shall make us free.

Once in Royal David’s City Once in royal David’s city stood a lowly cattle shed,

Where a mother laid her Baby In a manger for his bed: Mary was that mother mild. Jesus Christ her little Child.

He came down to earth from heaven Who is God and Lord of all.

And his shelter was a stable, And his cradle was a stall. With the poor and mean and lowly Lived on earth our Savior holy.

And our eyes at last shall see Him, through His own redeeming love, For that Child so dear, and gentle, Is our Lord in heav’n above. And He leads His children on to the place where he has gone.

Suite Two: Impressions of the Annunciation

Scripture Reading Luke 1:26-38 Rev. Anne Hagler

As It Fell Upon A Night As it fell upon a night In the winter weather,

Angels bright in starry height Began to sing together.

Shepherds sleeping on the plain Woke to see the glory, all amazed they stood and gazed And heard the angels’ story.

Unto you a Child is born In a manger lowly,

Humble, He, yet born to be The King of love most holy.

Happy angels from afar, Cease your singing never! In excelsis gloria! Forever and forever.

balmoral presbyterian church service of worship

December 18, 2016 Fourth Sunday of Advent 11:00am