First Presbyterian Church Presents “The Glory of Christmas” Dec. 12

Nov. 15, 2011 - PRLog -- First Presbyterian Church presents "The Glory of Christmas" on Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. in the FPC Sanctuary, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland.  This concert is FREE to the Lakeland community, through a generous grant from the Glenn W. and Hazelle Paxson Morrison Foundation.

Featuring the FPC musical ensembles, this concert of the sacred music of the Christmas season includes the FPC Chamber Orchestra, Harpist Dolly Roberts, and Organist David J. Campbell.  Director of Fine Arts Ministries, Dr. Daniel A. Gordon, conducts the performance.

Works for choir and string orchestra comprise excerpts from Antonio Vivaldi’s well-loved “Gloria” and arrangements of Christmas carols such as Mack Wilberg’s “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly,” David Willcocks’ “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night,” and the beautiful Swedish carol, “Wonderful Peace” by Gustav Nordqvist. Guitarist and former Southeastern University graduate, Carlos Santiago, accompanies the select Chapel Ensemble in a performance of Alf Houkom’s haunting “Rune of Hospitality.”  The Chamber Orchestra performs Ralph Vaughan Williams popular “Fantasia on Greensleeves” featuring Harpist Dolly Roberts.

FPC children and youth choirs also participate in the concert.  LightShine, the choir for students in grades 6 to 12, combines with Jubilation choir, one of the FPC’s three adult choirs, to sing John Rutter’s arrangement of “Christmas Night” and Charles Lau’s, “Sing to the Lord a New Song.”  Alpha, a select ensemble of singers in grades 3 to 5 performs the Becki Slagle Mayo setting of Rosetti’s famous poem, “What Shall I Give?” and joins forces with the youth handbell choir, Joyful Ringers, to perform Mark Patterson’s “Jesus Christ is Born.”  In addition, the adult handbell choir, Festival Ringers, presents their thrilling rendition of the classic Christmas favorite, “Carol of the Bells,” arranged by Cynthia Dobrinsky.

FPC organist, David J. Campbell, plays a stirring arrangement entitled, “Toccata on Joy to the World” by Martin Setchell.  “Silent Night” concludes the evening with traditional accompaniment by Guitarist, Carlos Santiago.

“I remember three years ago when we decided to launch this event on a Monday night,” recalls Dr. Gordon.  “We had no idea how many people would attend.  I walked out to the chancel and saw over 600 people seated in the congregation.  At that point I knew our church and our community needed this concert to become an annual event.”

First Presbyterian Church has three Christmas Eve services: the first is at 5:30 p.m. and is family oriented including a children’s musical, the second is a traditional candlelight service at 8:00 p.m., and rounding out the night is a Christmas Eve communion service at 11:00 p.m.  In addition, FPC holds a 10:30 a.m. Christmas Day service in the sanctuary.

"The Glory of Christmas" concert takes place on Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. in the FPC Sanctuary, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland, FL.  The concert is FREE and open to the public.  All are welcome!  For more information, please call the First Presbyterian Church office at (863) 686-7187.

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The vision of First Presbyterian Church is to make and mature disciples for Jesus Christ. First Presbyterian Church responds to God’s grace by praising him and offering Christ-centered worship, Bible-based teachings, and prayerful opportunities for mission and service to all.