Open to Explore Devotions

Today is the 9th day of the Lenten Journey.  First Baptist Church of Athens offers daily devotions prepared by our members to support you in your pilgrimage to the cross.  Mary Barton shares the devotion today, which follows a reading of Matthew 18:15-35 from The Message. The instrumental music of Amazing Grace is played on saxophone by Addison Aycock. 

Today is the 8th day of the Lenten Journey.  First Baptist Church of Athens offers daily devotions prepared by our members to support you in your pilgrimage to the cross.  Ray Austin shares the devotion today, which follows a reading of Matthew 18:15-20 from the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition. The instrumental music of Amazing Grace is played on saxophone by Addison Aycock. 

Today is the 7th day of the Lenten Journey.  First Baptist Church of Athens offers daily devotions prepared by our members to support you in your pilgrimage to the cross.  Elizabeth Marston shares the devotion today, which follows a reading of Matthew 18:23-35 from the New Living Translation. The instrumental music of Amazing Grace is played on saxophone by Addison Aycock. 

Today is the 6th day of the Lenten Journey.  First Baptist Church of Athens offers daily devotions prepared by our members to support you in your pilgrimage to the cross.  Alexis Jorgensen shares the devotion today, which follows a reading of Matthew 18:15-22 from The Voice translation. The instrumental music of Amazing Grace is played on saxophone by Addison Aycock. 

Today is the 5th day of the Lenten Journey.  First Baptist Church of Athens offers daily devotions prepared by our members to support you in your pilgrimage to the cross.  Anne McDonald shares the devotion today, which follows a reading of Matthew 18:15-35 from the Common English Bible. The instrumental music of Amazing Grace is played on saxophone by Addison Aycock. 

Open to Explore Devotions begins a new season of daily devotions beginning Monday, February 27. First Baptist Church of Athens offers these, Monday through Friday during the season of Lent, on the Open to Explore Devotions podcast. Each daily episode includes instrumental music to settle your mind and your heart, a reading of the scripture, and a personal reflection from one of our members. I invite you to lay aside other tasks each day and use a few minutes of your time to listen to these devotional podcasts. May God’s blessing and spirit meet you on your Lenten Journey.  

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

Christmas time is near. For Christians, we are in the season of preparation which is called Advent. First Baptist Church of Athens offers devotions prepared by our members, to compliment your spiritual preparation for Christmas. Their personal stories give witness to the light of Christ which brings hope, peace, joy, and love into our lives.  Today’s personal devotion is given by Paula Hooper. Listen as our youth and college students welcome you into God’s presence singing O, Come, O Come, Emmanuel, accompanied by Yehyun Hong on cello. 

Christmas time is near. For Christians, we are in the season of preparation which is called Advent. First Baptist Church of Athens offers devotions prepared by our members, to compliment your spiritual preparation for Christmas. Their personal stories give witness to the light of Christ which brings hope, peace, joy, and love into our lives.  Today’s personal devotion is given by Addison Aycock. Listen as our youth and college students welcome you into God’s presence singing O, Come, O Come, Emmanuel, accompanied by Yehyun Hong on cello. 

Christmas time is near. For Christians, we are in the season of preparation which is called Advent. First Baptist Church of Athens offers devotions prepared by our members, to compliment your spiritual preparation for Christmas. Their personal stories give witness to the light of Christ which brings hope, peace, joy, and love into our lives.  Today’s personal devotion is given by Roger Hanson. Listen as our youth and college students welcome you into God’s presence singing O, Come, O Come, Emmanuel, accompanied by Yehyun Hong on cello.