Open to Explore Devotions podcast gladly presents, A Festival of Lessons and Carols. This was first presented on Sunday morning, December 18, 2022, in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church, Athens, GA. Tom Granum, the Interim Director of Music Ministries for First Baptist Church, directed the service.
Festival of Lessons and Carols
December 18, 2022
Gathering Music: Wait for the Lord (Psalm 40), Wait for the Lord
O Come, Emmanuel, Alice Parker
Comfort Ye from Messiah, G. F. Handel, Charles Hooper, Tenor
And the Glory from Messiah, G. F. Handel
Offertory: Canon de Noël, Joseph Martin, Martha Thomas, piano
Lesson: Isaiah 9:2, 6-7, Emily Harbin, Reader
Carol: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
Lesson: Isaiah 11:1-4a, 6-9, Ray Austin, Reader
Organ: Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming, Michael Burkhardt
Carol: Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming, Es ist ein’ Ros’
Lesson: Micah 5:1-5, Ken Greene, Reader
Carol: O Little Town of Bethlehem, Forest Green
Lesson: Psalm 98 (selected verses), Janet Cleland, Reader
Carol: Joy to the World, Antioch
Lesson: Luke 1:39-56, Lily Gordon, Reader
Carol: Canticle of the Turning, arr. Rory Cooney
Lesson: Luke 2:1-7, Sharon McKillip, Reader
Carol: Carol of the Children, John Rutter
Carol: The First Noel, Dan Forrest
Lesson: Luke 2:8-16, Rick Cogdell, Reader
Carol 127: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Mendelssohn
Lesson: John 1:1-14, Matt Marston, Reader
Homily: Matt Marston
Anthem: Jesus, Light of the World, Mark Patterson
Anthem: Star Carol, John Rutter
Hymn: O Come, All Ye Faithful, Adeste Fideles
Benediction: Matt Marston
Worship/Music Leadership
Sanctuary Choir
Soprano: Jennifer Baxley, Livy Baxley, Becky Braid, Chelsea Byrd, Jean Colquett, Ann Giddens, Doris Granum, Cindy Haygood, Sharon Hulsey, Margaret McDonald, Deborah Millians, Carol Reddish, Regina Schuber, Avery Smith, Amy Young
Alto: Becky Adams, Cathy Blake, Georgia Calhoun, Bobbie Epting, Margie Faglier, Rachel Fleeman, Teresa Granger, Nancy Hernandez, Becky Matheny, Gayle Noblet, Melanie Powers, De’Nasia Thomas, Martha Thomas
Tenor: John Barrow, Chris Conley, Wayne Faglier, Rob Gordon, Frank Granger, Roger Hanson, Charles Hooper, Sam Jorgensen, Mark Lancaster, Matt Marston
Bass: Charles Adams, David Brooks, Chris Byrd, Jim Calhoun, Bob Deck, Ed Dempsey, Lamar Houston, Wayne Jordan, Chris Quarles, Mick Schuber, Jimmy Thomason, Jeff Unger
Music Maker Choir
Henry Bryson, Harris Cunningham, Collins Hogan, Atticus Hulsey, Kezia Luft, Judah Martin, Ophelia Martin, Camille Quarles, Edward Quarles, Leah Swinford, Rachel Wang, Tallulah Woodson, Jennifer Baxley, director; Emily Gertsh, accompanist; Debbie Hargrave, assistant; Alison Cunningham, assistant
Joyful Singers Choir
Caroline Baxley, Matthew Baxley, Quinn Cunningham, Caroline Ellis, Owen Gertsch, Will Gordon, Emily Hale, Caroline Hanks, Charley Hogan, Cooper Hogan, Isaac Marston, Lena Marston, Breyl Martin, Nadine Quarles, Pax Randa
Teresa Granger, director; Margaret Earnest, accompanist; Cathy Blake, assistant; Avery Smith, assistant; Trish Hogan, assistant
Youth Music Ministries (instrumental and choral)
Maria Baxley, Melina De la Vega, Elinor Ellis, Charlotte Gertsch, Lily Gordon, Yehyun Hong, Emma Hooper, Sam Lumpkin, Charles Millians, Jon Millians, Sadie Leigh Randa, Skylar Randa, Zachary Rawls, Danielle Williams, Daniel Williamson
Geoff Wood, trumpet
Jim McKillip, trumpet
Wes Clarke, trumpet
Hunter Grout, trumpet
Margaret McDonald, trumpet
Ellen Black, horn
Jon Millians, euphonium
Charles Adams, trombone
Chris Byrd, bass trombone
Chris Gurtcheff, tuba
John Glushka, violin
Sarah Pickett, violin
Carl Rapp, violin
Debbie Schab, violin
Karl Schab, viola
Yehyun Hong, cello
Jon Ambrose, bass
Bob Deck, flute
Melanie Powers, percussion
Chris Byrd, percussion
Chris Quarles, tin whistle
Frank Granger, guitar
Alan McArthur, piano
Martha Thomas, piano
Emily Gertsch, piano
