From RevKev, Pender’s Former Associate Pastor – “As it was, so it is, Christmas about Jesus. We are all distracted by the glitz and festivities, but let us hear the sound of Angels and the call to worship our Newborn King.
Just in time for Christmas, a gift from God to you: A baby in a manger who would love us through and through..”
In Honor of Charles Wesley ‘s birthday today. Wesley (1707-1788), the younger brother of John Wesley wrote the words to this Christmas Carol.
Charles was a hymn writer and a poet, also known as one of the people who began the Methodist movement in the Church of England. Hark the Herald Angels Sing appeared in 1739 in a book called Hymns and Sacred Poems.
Wesley envisioned this being sung to the same tune as his hymn, Christ the Lord Is Risen Today, and in some hymnals it is included along with the more popular version.
This hymn was regarded as one of the Great Four Anglican Hymns and published as number 403 in “The Church Hymn Book” (New York and Chicago, USA, 1872).
To celebrate the invention of the printing press, Felix Mendelssohn composed a cantata in 1840 called Festgesang or “Festival Song”. The melody of Mendelssohn’s cantata was then used by William H. Cummings and adapted it to the lyrics of Wesley’s “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”.
Hark the herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled”
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
“Christ is born in Bethlehem”
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”
And, of course, no one can do it better than The Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
Please join us this Sunday in worship at our 10:00 am Christmas Cantata
“Prepare the way for the coming of the Lord!
Prepare the way…Rejoice!”
You’re invited to experience the Christmas story through music! The Pender Sanctuary Choir will present their Christmas Cantata, “Night of the Father’s Love”, which tells the story of the events surrounding Jesus’ birth through narrative and song.
Described as “The awe and mystery of God with us,” the Cantata presentation will take place during a combined worship service at 10 a.m.
Also Sunday at 5:00 PM
Christmas bells are ringing! You’re invited to a program of beautiful Christmas music performed by the Pender UMC Handbell Choirs. All of Pender’s handbell choirs will be featured, including children and adults.
Cookies, coffee, and other refreshments will be provided in the Fellowship Hall immediately following the concert.
All are welcome for a night of ringing in Christmas cheer! No RSVP required.
You’re invited to a musical celebration of God’s gift of eternal light! The Pender UMC music ministry presents “The Promise of Light”, a cantata (narrative piece of music) composed by Joel Raney. The piece includes Christmas carols and original choral music blended with narration, piano, handbell, and percussion, to tell the timeless story of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.
The production will take place during Pender’s only Sunday worship service on December 9, at 10 a.m. Stay for a delicious brunch after worship!
No RSVP required; all are welcome. Childcare will be available during worship for ages birth through 6th grade.
Sun, December 9, 2018
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM EST
Pender UMC
12401 Alder Woods Drive
Fairfax, VA 22033
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