A c h u rc h d e d ic ate d to th e g lo ry o f Go d

in th e s e rv ic e o f h u m an ity th ro u g h w o rs h ip ,
c o n g re g atio n al c are , faith fo rm atio n
an d th e s te w ard s h ip o f life .

THE WORSHIP OF GOD

THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT; “A CEREMONY OF CAROLS”
20 December 2015 at Eleven o’clock in the morning

THE COMMUNITY GATHERS BEFORE GOD

The Music in Preparation for Worship is intended to draw the people from the outside
world into the presence of God. You are invited to remain silent during this time.

Ple as e s ile n c e y o u r c e ll p h o n e .

THE SILENT MEDITATION

My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27 (KJV)

THE RINGING OF THE ANGELUS BELL

The ringing of the Angelus Bell, a three-fold ringing of three, signifies the presence of the triune God: Creator, Christ and
Holy Spirit. In ancient practice it was rung as a noonday prayer calling the whole community to prayers for peace.

THE OPENING VOLUNTARY

“Berceuse Paraphrase” George Baker
(b. 1951)

THE CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.

At this time, everyone is invited to sign the friendship register found at the end of each pew. We especially
welcome our guests today and ask that you include your contact information. Everyone is invited to coffee
fellowship in Heaton Hall Foyer immediately following worship. We invite our guests to the Welcome Table
in Heaton Hall Foyer for a more personal welcome.

*THE OPENING SENTENCES

Leader: See what love God has given us,
love as if from another country,
that we should be called children of God,
and indeed we are.
People: God is love,
and those who abide in love abide in God,
and God abides in them. (I John 3:1; 4:16)

*THE PROCESSION AND OPENING OF THE BIBLE Number 95

“Angels from the Realms of Glory” Re g e n t Sq u are
*THE LIGHTING OF THE CANDLE OF LOVE
Chris Fialko and Ann Hester with Kate and Andy
Leader: We light the fourth candle of Advent as the candle of Love,
in wonder and praise for the love of God conceived as
Mary’s child and given to the world in Jesus of Nazareth.

(Lighting the Candle of Love.)

People: (singing) Es Is t Ein ’ Ro s ’

Lo, how a rose e’er blooming
From tender stem hath sprung,
Of Jesse’s lineage coming,
By faithful prophets sung.
It came a floweret bright,
Amid the cold of winter,
When half spent was the night.

+ During the interlude, 3 and 4 year olds, along with TK-5th graders, will leave with their teachers. 3s and 4s may be
picked up in Room 107 after worship. TK-5th may be picked up in the gym.

THE WORD OF GOD IS PROCLAIMED AND HEARD

A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28

FOR SATB CHOIR AND HARP
Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

Latin and Old English Texts Modern English Transliterations (by Thomas Ajack)
Pro c e s s io n PROCESSION
Hodie Christus natus est: Today Christ is born;
Hodie Salvator apparuit; Today the Saviour has appeared;
Hodie in terra canunt angeli; Today the angels sing,
Laetantur archangeli; The archangels rejoice;
Hodie exsultant justi dicentes; Today the righteous rejoice, saying,
Gloria in excelsis Deo. Alleluia! Glory to God in the highest, Alleluia!

Wo lc u m Yo le WELCOME YULE
Wolcum, Wolcum, Welcome, Welcome,
Wolcum be thou heavenè king, Welcome to You, our heavenly King.
Wolcum, born in one morning, Welcome, You who was born one morning,
Wolcom, for whom we sall sing! Welcome, for You shall we sing!

Wolcum be ye, Stevene and Jon, Welcome, to you, Steven and John,
Wolcum, Innocentes every one, Welcome all innocent children,
Wolcum, Thomas marter one, Welcome, Thomas, the martyred one,
Wolcum be ye, good Newe Yere, Welcome, good New Year,
Wolcum Twelfth Day both in fere, Welcome Twelfth Day, both in fear . . .
Wolcum seintes lefe and dere. Welcome Saints left and dear.

Candelmesse, Queene of Bliss, Candle Mass, Queen of bliss,

Wolcum bothe to more and lesse. Welcome both to more and less.
Wolcum be ye that are here, Welcome you that are here,
Wolcum alle and make good cheer. Welcome all and make good cheer.
Wolcum alle another yere. Welcome all another year.

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T h e re is n o ro s e THERE IS NO ROSE
There is no rose of such vertu There is no rose of such virtue
As is the rose that bare Jesu. As is the rose that bore Jesus.
Alleluia. Alleluia.

For in this rose conteinèd was For inside the rose

Heaven and earth in litel space Were heaven and earth in a single, little space.
Res miranda. Miraculous thing.

By that rose we may well see By that rose, we now may see,
There be one God in persons three, There be one God in persons three.
Pares forma. Created in the Parent’s image.

The aungels sungen the shepherds to: The angels sang to the shepherds,
Gloria in excelsis Deo. Glory to God in the highest!
Gaudeamus. We rejoice.

Leave we all this werdly mirth, Leave we all this worldly mirth,
And follow we this joyful mirth. And follow we this joyful birth.
Transeamus. We cross over to Christ’s world.

T h at Yo n g ë Ch ild THAT YOUNG CHILD

That yongë child when it gan weep When that young child began to weep
With song she lulled him asleep With song, she lulled him to sleep
That was so sweet a melody It was such a sweet melody,
It passéd alle minstrely. It was better than any minstrel’s.

The nightingale sang also: The nightingale sang also,

Her song is hoarse and nought therto: But her song was hoarse, it was not the same:
Whoso attendeth to her song Whoever listens to the nightingale’s song
And leaveth the first then doth he wrong Instead of Mary’s, does wrong.

B alu lalo w BALULALOW

O my deare hert, young Jesu sweit O love of my heart, young Jesus sweet,
Prepare thy creddil in my spreit, Prepare your place in my heart,
And I sall rock thee to my hert, And I shall hold thee to my heart,
And never mair from thee depart. And nevermore from thee depart.

But I sall praise thee evermoir But I shall praise you forever,
With sanges sweit unto thy gloir; With sweet songs to your glory
The knees of my hert sall I bow The knees of my heart shall I bow
And sing that richt Balulalow! And sing that right Lullaby.

Fran Morrison, soloist

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 As d e w in Ap rille AS DEW IN APRIL
I sing of a maiden that is makelès: I sing of a maiden that is mateless,
King of all kings to her son she ches. Her son is the King of all Kings.

He came al so stille there his moder was, From his mother he came to us quietly
As dew in Aprille that falleth on the grass. As dew in April that falls on the grass.

He came al so stille to his moder’s bour, His mother’s labor was painless and quiet,
As dew in Aprille that falleth on the flour. As dew in April that falls on the flowers.

He came al so stille there his moder lay As His mother lay there, he came quietly,
As dew in Aprille that falleth on the spray. As dew in April that falls on the earth.

Moder and mayden was never none but she: Never has there been such a mother and maiden:
Well may such a lady Goddes moder be. How fitting it is that this be God’s mother.

THE HOMILY The Reverend Dr. Jeff Rogers

“An Unfamiliar Christmas”

T h is little B ab e THIS LITTLE BABE

This little Babe so few days old This little Babe so few days old
Is come to rifle Satan’s fold. Has come to rifle Satan’s fold.
All hell doth at his presence quake, All hell quakes at his presence,
Though he himself for cold do shake; Though he himself shivers.
For in this weak unarmèd wise For in this weak, unarmed guise
The gates of hell he will surprise. The gates of hell he will surprise.
With tears he fights and wins the field, With tears he fights and wins the field,
His naked breast stands for a shield; His naked breast stands for a shield;
His battering shot are babish cries, His shots are his baby-cries,
His arrows looks of weeping eyes; His arrows, the looks of his weeping eyes.
His martial ensigns Cold and Need, His martial ensigns are cold and need,
And feeble Flesh his warrior’s steed. And his feeble flesh, his warrior’s steed.

His camp is pitchèd in a stall, His camp is pitched in a stall,

His bulwark but a broken wall; His bulwark is a broken wall;
The crib his trench, haystalks his stakes, The crib his trench, haystalks are his stakes,
Of shepherds he his muster makes; Shepherd are his well-examined troops;
And thus, as sure his foe to wound, And sure of wounding the foe,
The angels’ trumps alarum sound. The angels sound their trumpets alarm.

My soul, with Christ join thou in fight, My soul joins Christ in the fight,
Stick to the tents that he hath pight; Stay by the tents that he has pitched;
Within his crib is surest ward, Within his crib is sure protection
This little Babe will be thy guard; The little babe will be your guard;
If thou wilt foil thy foes with joy, If Christ can foil your foes with joy,
Then flit not from this heavenly boy. Stay near this heavenly boy.

Harp Interlude

4
 Sp rin g c aro l SPRING CAROL
Pleasure it is to hear iwis, the birdès sing. It is always a pleasure to hear the birds sing,
The deer in the dale, the sheep in the vale, To see the deer in the dale, the sheep in the vale,
The corn springing. the corn springing from the earth.

God’s purvayance for sustenance, God supplies sustenance

It is for man, it is for man. For us all.

Then we always to give him praise, Then we should always give him praise
And thank him than. And give him thanks.

De o Grac ias GIVE THANKS TO GOD

Deo Gracias! Deo Gracias! Give thanks to God!
Adam lay ibounden, bounden in a bond; Adam was bound in sin for four thousand years,
Four thousand winter thought he not to long. although he thought this not too long.

And all was for an appil, It was all for an apple

An appil that he tok, that he took,
As clerkès finden written in their book. As clerics find written in their books.

Ne had the appil takè been, Had the apple never

The appil takè been, been taken,
Ne haddè never our lady Then our Lady would have
A ben hevenè queen. Never been a heavenly queen.

Blessed be the time Blessed be the time

That appil takè was. That apple was taken.
Therefore we moun singen, Therefore we must sing
Deo gracias! Deo gracias! Thanks be to God!

Re c e s s io n RECESSION
Hodie Christus natus est: Today Christ is born;
Hodie Salvator apparuit; Today the Saviour has appeared;
Hodie in terra canunt angeli; Today the angels sing,
Laetantur archangeli; The archangels rejoice;
Hodie exsultant justi dicentes; Today the righteous rejoice, saying,
Gloria in excelsis Deo. Alleluia! Glory to God in the highest, Alleluia!

The Chancel Choir

Betsey Sesler, harp

THE SILENT REFLECTION

THE CHURCH AT PRAYER

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we
forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

THE CONGREGATION RESPONDS TO GOD’S WORD

THE OFFERING
The Loose Plate Missions Offering for December supports the work of NC Med Assist.
(NC Med Assist operates a community pharmacy that provides medications, healthcare advocacy and
educational support to low-income and uninsured North Carolina residents.)

5
 THE ORGAN MEDITATION

*THE PRESENTATION OF GIFTS

As the deacons move down the center aisle, the congregation is asked to stand at the moment the deacons pass their pew.
This presentation to God enacts our self-offering and gratitude to God.

*THE DOXOLOGY O ld Hu n d re d th
O Glorious God, to you we bring
All that we are as offering;
Spirit of love, among us dwell;
Come, Jesus, our Emmanuel. Amen. (Text: Paula Meador Testerman)

*THE PRAYER OF DEDICATION

*THE PROCESSION INTO THE WORLD AND CLOSING OF THE BIBLE Number 110
“Joy to the world!” An tio c h

THE BENEDICTION

THE CLOSING VOLUNTARY

“Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella” Keith Chapman
(1945-1989)
* Those who wish may stand.
+ The ushers will seat those who are waiting.

Following worship, you are invited to coffee fellowship in Heaton Hall Foyer.
We invite our guests to the Welcome Table in Heaton Hall Foyer for a more personal welcome.

__________________________

6
Leading worship today with The Reverend Dr. Jeff Rogers, guest preacher,
is The Reverend Ms. Robin P. Coira, Executive Minister,
and The Reverend Chris Hughes, Minister of Youth.

The Chancel Choir leads worship through music with

Dr. Jeffrey Price, guest choral conductor,
and Dr. Matthew Manwarren, Organist.

The acolytes are McLean Campbell, Elliott Campbell and Christian William.

The sound technician is Eric Roberts.

The webcast technician is Seph Rackley.

The Deacon of the Week for December 20-26 is

Gary Morrison, gmorrison7483@gmail.com, 704.517.5918.

_______________________________

THE REVEREND DR. JEFF ROGERS

Having served as the Senior Minister of First Baptist Church in Greenville,

SC, Dr. Rogers is now the Dean of the Gayle Bolt Price School of
Graduate Studies at Gardner-Webb University. He holds a PhD in Old
Testament Biblical Studies from Princeton Theological Seminary.

_______________________________

7
 Advent Schedule 2015
Sunday, December 20 – Advent IV _ __
“A Ceremony of Carols” with Choir and Harp
11:00 am Worship in the Sanctuary

Thursday, December 24 – Christmas Eve _ _

Family-Friendly Worship
4:00 pm in the Sanctuary
The Music of Christmas by Harp and Organ
5:30 pm in the Sanctuary
Candlelight Worship with Communion
6:00 pm in the Sanctuary
Nativity Tableau with Communion
7:15 - 8:00 pm “drop in” in the Sanctuary

8
 THE CHURCH IN W ITNESS AND M ISSION

TODAY
December 20: THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT; “A CEREMONY OF CAROLS”;
THE REVEREND DR. JEFF ROGERS PREACHING
8:30 Charlotte Community of Mindfulness Meditation Group, Room 27
9:45 Youth Faith Formation, Youth Hall Wing
9:45 Adult Faith Formation, Education Building and Cornwell Center
9:45 Chancel Choir Warm-Up, Sanctuary
10:00 Children’s Ministry Christmas Party, Shalom Hall
11:00 Worship in the Sanctuary
12:00 Coffee Fellowship/Guest Welcome
5:00 NO Youth Choir Rehearsal
6:00 NO Youth Dinner and Fellowship

COMMUNITY LIFE
HOLIDAY CLOSINGS - The Church office will close at noon on Christmas Eve and reopen at 9:00am on
Tuesday, December 29. For New Year’s, the office will close at noon on Thursday, December 31 and
reopen on Monday, January 4. The Cornwell Center will close at 6:00pm on December 23 and reopen
on Sunday, December 27 at noon. They will close at 6:00pm on December 31 and reopen at 7:30am on
Saturday, January 2.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING on January 31 in Heaton Hall following worship. Lunch will be

provided.

FAITH FORMATION
ADVENT BOOKLETS are available through December 24. This year's booklet consists of stories of hope,
peace, joy and love (the weekly themes of the season) submitted by members of our faith community.
You are invited to pick up a printed copy of the booklet in Heaton Hall Foyer, the Narthex, Church
Office Reception Area or the Cornwell Center Lobby OR follow the Advent Blog on the Church
website. Daily entries from the blog will also be posted on the Church Facebook page. Journey with us
this season of Advent!

CONNECTIONS PROPOSALS FOR WINTER/SPRING - Do you have a great idea for a small group? Are
you willing to host a potluck meal? Let us know about your idea or your willingness to host (any kind of
small group) by completing the proposal form available online (www.mpbconline.org) before December
31. Questions? Contact Pam Johnson, Connections SLG Chair, pbjrhj@gmail.com.

JEWISH/CHRISTIAN DIALOG will take place on Sunday, January 10, from 4:00-5:30pm at Temple Beth
El. The topic is “Everyday Hate: Confronting Prejudice” as a panel discussion moderated by Ed
Williams, followed by an opportunity for dialog and comments by Reverend Robin Coira and Rabbi
Judy Schindler. This event is free and open to the public.

FINANCIAL RESOURCES
STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN 2016 - It is not too late to make a pledge toward our 2016 budget. Turn in
your pledge card today or go to www.mpbconline.org and click on Nex^ to make your pledge.

OUTREACH
9TH ANNUAL OATMEAL AND CANNED FOOD DRIVE - now through January 15. We are collecting all
types of canned goods and non-perishables, as well as 5-lbs or larger of: oatmeal, flour, grits, and sugar
(white or brown). Drop-off locations are The Cornwell Center and Heaton Hall Foyer. Monetary
donations to MPBC (please note “Oatmeal Drive 2015/16). Details: Bob Bishop, 980.613.2573 or
bobbishopuk@gmail.com.
9
 ROOM IN THE INN (RITI) continues through the end of March. We open our doors on Saturday
evenings and provide shelter for our neighbors who are homeless. We need your help. Please volunteer
to: be an overnight host, provide a meal, or drive the church van. You may sign up on our website,
www.mpbconline.org, or on the bulletin board in Heaton Hall Foyer. Would you like to be more
involved in RITI? Consider being a RITI Captain by helping coordinate one (or more) weekends for our
RITI ministry. Contact Cheri Lindblom for details, clindblom@mpbconline.org.

WORSHIP AND MUSIC

MUSIC TOGETHER® REGISTRATION FOR WINTER SESSION is now open for all interested families.
Classes are available on Mondays at 4:00 and 5:15pm beginning January 11 and running for 8 weeks
excluding MLK Monday. You can register and pay online at https://mpbconline.org/music-together/.

ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, we will gather in Heaton Hall as a congregation for an informal, family-
friendly service at 11:00am, celebrating the first Sunday in Christmastide. Familiar carols, the reading of
scripture and prayers will engage both young and old. There will be no Faith Formation for children,
youth or adults. We invite everyone to the worship service.

THE CORNWELL CENTER

FIRE SALE! Purchase (pre-pay) for 3 months membership to The Cornwell Center and receive a fourth
free. Available between Sunday, December 27 and Wednesday, December 30 at 5:00pm.

GIVE THE GIFT OF WELLNESS: TRANSFORM120 - Transform your life in 120 days. Commit to getting
healthier by participating in a structured, fitness/wellness-focused package/program. This package
includes personalized fitness, nutrition, breathing/deep stretch, massage, health coaching, expert
support, peer support, and accountability. Jump start your health transformation at The Cornwell
Center. Or give the gift that keeps on giving – the gift of wellness.

WIN-WIN, REFER A FRIEND - One month free for you and a friend. Do you know someone who might
love and appreciate the Cornwell Center as much as you do? When they become members now through
December 31, you will both gain a free one month membership. Grab a few invitation cards at our
Welcome Desk, or check www.cornwellcenter.org for more details.

LOOKING AHEAD
December 27: THE FIRST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMASTIDE; THE REVEREND CARRIE VEAL PREACHING
8:30 Charlotte Community of Mindfulness Meditation Group, Room 27
9:45 NO Children’s, Youth or Adult Sunday Morning Faith Formation
11:00 Family-Friendly Worship in Heaton Hall, children welcome
12:00 Coffee Fellowship/Guest Welcome
5:00 NO Youth Choir Rehearsal
6:00 NO Youth Dinner and Fellowship

10
DRAW NEAR TO GOD

11
 THE MYERS PARK BAPTIST CHURCH COVENANT
We, the members of the Myers Park Baptist Church, are a people on a journey of faith. By God’s grace we are
experiencing God’s love through Jesus Christ and in the community of the faithful. We are discovering in this
experience our freedom to become new creatures and our responsibility to be faithful stewards of our lives and of this
world.

We will be open to all new light, strengthened by God and each other in our faith. We will sustain a critical
examination of Scripture, belief and ritual as interpreters of God’s active presence in the world. We will accept
controversy as a reality of life together and an opportunity for growth toward maturity. We covenant to be a
community of God’s new creation and affirm that we are open to all and closed to none.

We covenant to nurture this church as a community of faith and as an instrument for reconciliation in this world:
by worship, by Christian education, by the dedication of our personal and material resources and by all the other ways
we express the significance of our lives with God and one another.

We covenant together to be priests celebrating God’s presence in community and in the world, believing we are
participants in God’s kingdom on earth.

THE 2015-2016 BOARD OF DEACONS

TODD RUBENSON, Ch air • JANET MILLER, Ch air-Ele c t • LYNN TRENNING, Se c re tary
CLASS OF 2016 CLASS OF 2017 CLASS OF 2018 ACTIVE LIFE DEACONS
Dale Allison Kathy Bahnson Judy Bratton Bonnie Banks
Britt Canady Nancy Culp Leslie Clark Gloria Gibson
George Currin Scott Haenni Koren Cranford Tom Holmes
Gene Doar Richard Harris Lalla Dabbs Barbara Linney
Vikki Hunley Tom Jones Dave Dougherty Jane Lucas
Barbara Linney Patsy Kinsey Doug Driggers Ted Lucas
Lisa Rubenson Debby Love Charlie Elberson Barbara Mishoe
Jeanne Steele Regan Miller Gary Morrison Ray Owens
Marji Tate Cathryn Rivers Susan Salvin Carol Pearsall
Lynn Trenning Chris Skardon Cherrie Shoemaker Richard Pearsall
Ed Williams Tobie Steele Cam Wester Bob Thomason
Steve Woodard Chris William Tillie Tice
Dan White

THE MYERS PARK BAPTIST CHURCH

1900 Queens Road • Charlotte, North Carolina 28207-2582
Office: 704.334.7232 • Website: www.mpbconline.org • CCLI License #1864926
MINISTERS
As priests to one another, all members of the congregation are ministers. Some are called out for particular places of service:

THE REVEREND MR. JOSEPH D. ALDRICH, Associate Minister

SHARON BREMER, Director of Stewardship
THE REVEREND MS. ROBIN PATERSON COIRA, Executive Minister
MARIAH B. CURRIN, Director of New Member Ministry
BELINDA GEUSS, Director of Through-The-Week School
THE REVEREND MR. CHRIS HUGHES, Minister of Youth
CHERI LINDBLOM, Director of Outreach
DR. MATTHEW MANWARREN, Organist
THE REVEREND MR. BARRY ZANE METZGER, Church Administrator
FRANCES L. MORRISON, Associate Minister of Music
DEBORAH A. STEINER, Music Associate for Children
THE REVEREND MS. CARRIE VEAL, Minister of Children
THE REVEREND MS. CHRISSY TATUM WILLIAMSON, Minister of Faith Formation
JENNY YOPP, Director of The Cornwell Center

J Printed on recycled paper