From RevKev, Pender’s 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.
Just In Time For Christmas, the latest album release by JC Reigns. 100% of the sales from this CD go to Western Fairfax Christian Ministries to support their mission of providing life-essential support to those needing assistance.
CDs available for purchase at Pender UMC, Fairfax Va and the WFCM Thrift Store in Chantilly, Va. Visit www.jcreigns.org for more information and for a link to purchase digital copies.”
Carol of the Bells was composed by Mykola Dmytrovych Leontovych (1877-1921) in 1916. Originally titled Shchedryk, this Ukrainian folk song is sometimes called Ukrainian Bell Carol.
It was first performed in the Ukraine on the night of January 13, 1916, on the Julian calendar this is considered New Year’s Eve. In the United States the song was first performed on October 5, 1921 at Carnegie Hall.
This video is from the Christmas special of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, presented at the BYU channel. Very beautiful sound of bells, the orchestra and choir, enjoy the video!
“I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” is a Christmas carol based on the 1863 poem “Christmas Bells” by American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The song tells of the narrator’s despair, upon hearing Christmas bells, that “hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men”. The carol concludes with the bells carrying renewed hope for peace among mankind.
This version is done by Casting Crowns. I chose it because the Pender choir sang this on Christmas Eve with past-Associate Pastor Dan Elmore singing the solo…and I fell in love with this version.
As seen on 2008 TBN Christmas special. “I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day” is available on Casting Crowns’ Christmas album, Peace On Earth.
More traditionally, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s version:
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
and wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And in despair I bowed my head;
“There is no peace on earth,” I said;
“For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.”
The second candle, lit on the second Sunday of advent along with the first
candle, is the Bethlehem candle, reminding us that Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
It too is purple, reminding us that it was a King Who was born in the manger.
Nominations for 2012 United Methodist Woman of the Year
Please take a moment to nominate a woman (or multiple women) who you feel have done exemplary work for our church and/or community in 2012. (Please note that past recipients are not eligible and a list of previous recipients may be found in the back of the UMW Directory.)
Nomination forms can be found in the UMW mailbox by the elevators and completed forms can be handed to Joyce Munt.
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Nominations for 2012 United Methodist Man of the Year
The Pender United Methodist Men’s Ministry serves to educate and support the men of Pender Church in fulfilling their Godly roles as fathers, husbands, leaders, and/or servants.
Each year, the Men’s Ministry meets to select and recognize the contribution sand service of one particular volunteer who demonstrates and exemplifies what it means to faithfully and courageously love and serve God, the Church, and our Neighbors.
We are now seeking nominations for the 2012 Man of Year and encourage you to consider nominating a special man of Pender who has to Steve Hocker no later than December 28th and should include a brief description of why you are making the nomination.
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