Special 3 morning services with lessons and carols. (8:30am, 10am & 11:30am)
They were all great. Bisgrove sermon was unusually to the point and christocentric. Perhaps was the short time slot. Although, his use of "Jesus became a fool for us" reminded me of his love for semantic incorrectness. I think he was referring to 1 Corinthians 4:10. Either way, bad choice of word is still a bad choice, regardless of your intention. The more you are insistent of being "unique" in that, the worse you become (pride, rebellious).
Strings (with one trumpet) and solos sang from Messiah to famous Christmas songs. The congregations followed with some similar hymns.
Martin Bashir was one of the reader.
Observation: Asians appear to dominate the orchestra. Particularly violins.
*** Program
The Third Sunday of Advent - A service of Lessons and Carols
Reflection from C.S. Lewis, The Abolition of Man
There is something which unites magic and applied science [technology] while separating them [both] from the wisdom of earlier ages. For the wise men of old, the cardinal problem of human life was how to conform the soul to objective reality, and the solution was wisdom, self-discipline, and virtue. For the modern, the cardinal problem is how to conform reality to the wishes of man, and the solution is a technique.
Preparation by Rev. Abraham Cho.
Prelude - Sinfonie from Messiah - G. F. Handel
Congregational Carol: O Come, All Ye Faithful - Latin, attr. John Francis Wade, 1743
Prayer
Lesson I - Issiah 60:2-3; Psalm 24:7-8; Isaiah 40:4-5
The Coming of the Messiah is Foretold
Reader: Stephanie Rawnsley
Anthem - Every Valley Shall be Exalted (Isaiah 40:1-4) from Messiah - G. F. Handel
Bray Wilkins, tenor
Lesson II - Luke 1:26-35; 2:1-7
Luke Tells of the Birth of Jesus
Readers: Eric and Barbara Boe
Anthem - Domine Deus from Mass in C minor - W. A. Mozart
Joanie Brittingham and Michelle Jennings, sopranos
Lesson III - Luke 2:8-20
The Shepherds Go to the Manger
Reader: Whitney Edge
Congregational Carol
O little Town of bethlehem by Philips Brooks, 1868
Lesson IV - John 1:1-4; Colossians 1:17-20; Matthew 16:15
The Mystery of the IncarnationReader: Martin Bashir
Anthem - O Holy Night - Adolphe Adam
Laura Pfortmiller, soprano
Congregational Carol
Joy to the World by Isaac Watts, 1719
Announcements
Scripture Reading - Matthew 2:1-12
Sermon - The Magi and Jesus - Rev. David Bisgrove
Third sermon in series: The Messiah According to Matthew (Advent Series)
Offertory - The Shining Star (A Magi's Tale) - Tom Jennings
Kyle Pfortmiller, soloist
Congregational Carol: Angels We Have Heard on High - French carol
Benediction
Dismissal