First Baptist Church847 Cleveland Street Greenville, South Carolina 29601-4495 (864) 233-2527 www.firstbaptistgreenville.com
A Community of Believers. Each Member A Minister.
December 27, 9:15amChurch-wide Breakfast
(Fellowship Hall)
December 27, 10:30amThe First Sunday after Christmas“Blue” Christmas Service Jim Dant, proclaimer
December 27No Youth Evening Activities
December 30No Wednesdays at First Activities
December 31AYMC closing at 2:00pm
January 1Church Offices and AYMC Closed
January 3, 10:30amEpiphany SundayITP and FBCK RecognitionJim Dant, proclaimer
January 3No Youth Evening Activities
January 4, 11:30amCollege Christmas Lunch (AYMC
Terrace Level)
January 6Wednesdays at First Activities4:45-6:00pm Supper5:30-7:00pm Children’s Choir and
Missions6:15pm MidWeek Fellowship7:00-8:30pm Sanctuary Choir
January 8-9Sanctuary Choir Retreat
January 10, 10:30amDeacon OrdinationFamily Dedication: PlatingJim Dant, proclaimer
January 10, 5:00pmCombined Youth Choir and Bible
StudyJanuary 13
Wednesdays at First Activities4:45-6:00pm Supper5:30-6:15pm Children’s Choir6:15pm MidWeek Fellowship:
Doug Berky7:00-8:30pm Sanctuary Choir
Mary Carol AndersonYouth and Recreation
Bootie CothranMedia and Technology
Jim DantSenior Minister
Vivian HamiltonMusic and Worship
Priscilla HarrisChildren’s Music
Jenna ManningChurch Operations
Kyle MatthewsWorship Arts
Juli MorrowPreschool
Rosemary NewInfant-Toddler Program
Kendra PlatingPastoral Care
Becky RamseyChildren
Jeanie ReedYouth Music
Matt RollinsSpiritual Formation and Outreach
Frank A. SmithNeighborhood Partnership and
Christian Fellowship
Kathy StewartKindergarten
Laura StoutMissions
Charles TompkinsOrganist
Baxter M. WynnPastoral Care and
Community Relations
Looking AheadThe acolytes are Hayden Boehmer and Celie Ann Rollins.
The Plating Family is lighting the Advent Wreath candles this evening. Kendra serves as a minister of pastoral care at First Baptist Greenville. She and her husband, Chris, are the proud parents of Hattie Pearl born September 4 of this year.
The soloists are Kyle Matthews, piano and vocal, and Phil Snyder, guitar and cello.
Our liturgical dancer this evening is Tina Bailey. Tina and her husband, Jonathan, are CBF Field Personnel ministering to artists in Bali who are now in the states on furlough.
The wreaths on the gates of the Remembrance Garden are given in loving memory of Dr. William Mitchell by Patsy Mitchell.
The garlands are given in loving memory of Edna and Tom Hartness by Becky and Bobby Hartness.
The Nativity set in the Narthex is given by Janice and John Johnson in honor of the First Baptist staff and members.
The Luminara Candles in the Sanctuary windows are given in loving memory of Jim Neal by his family.
The Advent banners were designed by Charlie Pate and crafted by a committee of FBG members.
Portions of today’s liturgy adapted from E. Lee Phillips, Breaking Silence before the Lord: Worship Prayers, Baker Book House Company, 1986.
December 24, 2015
Christmas EveService of Communion
Five O’clock in the Evening
Financial Needs as of 12/19$2,211,550
Receipts as of 12/21$2,152,262
Lula Whilden as of 12/21$104,486
Sunday morning worship service broadcasts:
WLFJ-AM 660 and FM 92.9
www.firstbaptistgreenville.com/watchlisten-live/
Links to view or listen to previous services are also available.
© 2015 First Baptist Church, Greenville, SC (all rights reserved)
*Please stand as you are able. Please silence all electronic devices.Please contact an usher for a hearing aid receiver or magnifying glass.
It is of God. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called ‘Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’ Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end.”
We light the Christ candle to symbolize the majesty and glory of Jesus, who was born as we all are born, but who died as no other, as Savior for all.
Celebration Prayer Matt Rollins
*Hymn of Gathering 78 “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” W ZLOBIE LEZY
All children are invited to come to come to the front during the singing
of this hymn.
Sermon Jim Dant
*Hymn of Offering 76 “He Is Born” IL EST NÉ
Offertory Prayer Vivian Hamilton
Musical Offering “El Noi de la mare” Traditional Catalan Carol (The Son of Mary)
The Lord’s Supper
*Benediction
*Congregational Response (hymn 82, stanza 3) ADESTE FIDELIS
Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning,Jesus, to thee be all glory giv’n;
Word of the father, now in flesh appearing!O come, let us adore him,O come, let us adore him,O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord!
*Celebration Peal of the Advent Bells
*Postlude “Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella” Keith Chapman
Christmas Eve Concert
Welcome to Christmas Eve worship at First Baptist Greenville. This evening’s service is preceded by a special concert of Advent
and Christmas selections played by our organist, Dr. Charles Tompkins. We invite you to enjoy the wonderful color and variety
of these pieces and to use this time for quiet meditation and preparation for worship on this special night.
“Sleepers, Wake! A Voice is Calling” J.S. Bach
“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” John Ferguson
Two Settings of “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” Friedrich Zachau J.S. Bach
Variations on “On This Day Earth Shall Ring” Robert J. Powell
Noël de Saintonge Jean-François Dandrieu
Noël Grand jeu et duo Louis-Claude d’Aquin
“Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” Johannes Brahms
Christmas Eve Worship
Opening Sentences Jim Dant
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given.
We would be silent now, Lord, and expectant...
That we might receive the gift we need,
And become the gifts that others need.
But it is hard to be silent long.
A wondrous gift has been given and we cannot help but celebrate! Thanks be to God!
Season’s Greetings
*Hymns of Procession
*Hymn 75 “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” MENDELSSOHN Stanza 1 only
*Hymn 86 “The First Nowell” THE FIRST NOWELL Stanza 1 only
*Hymn 80 “Joy to the World” ANTIOCH Stanza 1 only
Scripture Lesson Luke 2:1-19 Hannah James
Musical Offering “Below and Beside” Kyle Matthews
Scripture Lesson John 1:1-5, 14 Mary Carol Anderson
*Hymn of Celebration 89 GREENSLEEVES “What Child Is This”
Lighting of the Christ Candle The Plating Family Advent Candles of Hope, Peace, Joy, Love
What brings you here this evening?
Hope that fosters faith, Peace that passes understanding, Joy deeper than happiness, Love that brings us to God.