Fully Alive with the Passion of Christ DECEMBER 13, 2015 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Original artwork by Julia Lowry Jones “We must be careful to have no anxiety about anything, but to be joyful before God and kind to our fellow man.” Martin Luther ALL ARE WELCOME IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST CELEBRATING OUR 127TH YEAR OF FAITHFUL SERVICE 2035 Highland Ave S - Birmingham, Alabama 35205 www.southhighland.org - 205-933-0790 neighbor, and binds us together with all believers in the one body of Christ, the Church. The same Spirit who inspired the prophets and apostles rules our faith and life in Christ through Scripture, engages us through the Word proclaimed, claims us in the waters of baptism, feeds us with the bread of life and the cup of salvation, and calls women and men to all ministries of the Church. In a broken and fearful world the Spirit gives us courage to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in Church and culture, to hear the voices of peoples long silenced, and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace. In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth, praying, “Come, Lord Jesus!” Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE/LORD’S PRAYER OFFERING OF OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS TO GOD Offertory Anthem “Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe” Domine Fili unigenite, Iesu Christe. O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; *DOXOLOGY AT THE PRESENTATION #56 THE FIRST NOWELL “The First Nowell” Then let us all with one accord sing praises to our heavenly LORD, that hath made heaven and earth of nought, and with his blood our life hath bought. Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel. PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING *HYMN #23 (blue) “Angels We Have Heard on High” GLORIA *CHARGE AND BENEDICTION *CHORAL RESPONSE POSTLUDE “From Heaven to Earth I Come” Paul Manz *Those able may stand †*Waiting worshipers may be seated by ushers ALL MEMBERS AND VISITORS are invited to stop by after the 11:00am Worship Service to enjoy light refreshments and each other at our SUNDAY CELEBRATION. We will be in the Courtyard weather permitting. WELCOME ALL WHO VISIT WITH US - We invite you to consider attend- ing our DISCOVERY class. This class is a basic introduction to the ministry & history of South Highland. DISCOVERY will help you understand church membership in the context of your personal faith journey. If you are interested, make a note on the sign-in sheet or contact Jan & John Bell at (205) 877-3272 or email at [email protected]. Our next class will be today Sunday, December 13, 2015. Please Join us! WELCOME OUR STRING QUARTET TODAY - Marilyn Pipkin, violin; John Myrick, violin; Meredith Treaster, viola; and Nancy Lewis, cell WORSHIP NOTES - Our Advent and Christmas services are focusing on be- loved hymns and carols of the season that shape our faith. “Joy to the World” is the all-time headliner of Christmas carols. It is the most-published Christmas hymn in North America, and has been carried throughout the world in multiple translations. It may be heard equally in shopping malls, popular radio stations, and church services. Though associated with Christmas and the first coming of Jesus Christ, the carol was not originally intended for Christmas at all but for the joyful celebration of Jesus Christ’s promised return at the end of the world to draw the entire creation to salvation. Based on a paraphrasing of Psalm 98:4-9, it praises God’s triumphal conclusion to history. It’s use has however been as a joyful pae- an of praise for the beginning of Christ’s life and is always found in the Christmas sections of Hymn Books. Written by the great father of English Hymnody, Isaac Watts (1674-1748) “Joy to the World” takes the evocations of praise to the Lord as expressed by the Psalmist and renders these with a distinctively Christ-centered focus. Joy is expressed not only within the worshipping community and the life of believers, but bursts forth to all the world and is expressed through the transfor- mation of the natural world, “and heaven and nature sing” of “the wonders of his love.” SPECIAL MUSIC TODAY, the SHPC Chancel Choir and soloists will present three movements of “Gloria” by Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741). This composer is best known for his work entitled the Four Seasons, but also for the Gloria, which was rediscovered in the 1920s and received its first modern performance in 1939. In this service, the choir and soloists will perform three of the joyful and well- known movements: Gloria, Laudamus te, and Domini fili genite. The choir will be accompanied by a string quartet and will feature Leland Keller’s harpsichord in the 11am service. MORE SPECIAL MUSIC NEXT WEEK - On Sunday, December 20, the service will be feature a Lessons and Carols service. This special service was created in the 1920’s and features some of the most well-known music of the Christmas season. A brass quartet will help lead the hymns, along with special anthems and solos by the Chancel Choir. Children Practice for Christmas Eve Pageant Wednesday, December 16 Come for dinner then join us in the Whale room. We will have a costume fitting, a brief rehearsal and be finished at 7:00pm. If you have any questions please contact Katya O’Leary at [email protected]