Christmas Cantata 12/14/2025

Christmas Cantata

Third Sunday of Advent

December, 14th, Ten Thirty in the morning

Boldface indicates congregational participation.

✝Please stand, in body or spirit

“Christmas Overture & Processional and Carol of the Bells” – Felix Mendelssohn, Johann Schulz, Mykola Leontovych et al, arr. Joseph M. Martin & Randy Martono-Chai 

John Calvin Bell Choir and Randy Martono-Chai on organ & piano

Welcome

Announcements

LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE 

Advent Reading: John Laporte 

✝”O Come, All Ye Faithful” (Trad. Latin Hymn: Adeste Fideles) – John Francis Wade, arr. Joseph M. Martin & Randy Martono-Chai with Donnie Lawson, trombone

Let there be FAITH

Various Readings

Let there be GRACE

“A Great and Mighty Wonder” (Trad. French Carol) – words & arr. Patrick M. Liebergen

“Mary and Gabriel” – Pepper Choplin Solo by Andrew Wright, tenor

Restore Our Joy by Robert Sterling & John Parker

Let there be HOPE

“Mary and Elizabeth: My Soul Magnifies the Lord” – Pepper Choplin Duet with Neilah Bell as Mary & Sandy Cranfill as Elizabeth

Let there be LOVE

“O Come, O Come Emmanuel” (Trad. French Plainchant: Veni Emmanuel) – arr. Thomas Helmore & Patrick M. Liebergen, tr. John M. Neale Solo by Donnie Lawson, bass-baritone; Cindy Freudenthal, chimes

“Advent Joy” – Felix Mendelssohn & Patrick M. Liebergergen, arr. Patrick M. Liebergergen

“Advent Prayer for Peace” – Johann Michael Haydn & Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Patrick M. Liebergen Solos by Neilah Bell, soprano; Megan Ihnen, alto; Andrew Wright, tenor; Donnie Lawson, bass

“O Little Town of Bethlehem” (Trad. English Tune: Forest Green) – Lyrics by Phillips Brooks, arr. Joseph M. Martin

“Lo How a Rose E’er Blooming” (Trad. German Tune: Es Ist Ein Ros) – tr. Theodore Baker, arr. MaryAnne Muglia Smith Trio with Donnie Lawson, Bill Bottomley, Ron Palmisano

Offertory

Quiet Reflection

Gesù Bambino (programme music set to poetry) – Pietro A. Yon & Frederick H. Martens, Poem by John Parker with Cindy Freudenthal, flute & Sandy Cranfill, soprano

✝Doxology 

Prayer of Dedication

Let there be JOY

“How Great Our Joy!” (Trad. German Tune: Jungst) / “Joy to the World” (Tune: Antioch) –  Lloyd Larson, George F. Handel, & Lowell Mason, & Isaac Watts, arr. John Rutter & Randy Martono-Chai  

with John Calvin Bell Choir and Donnie Lawson, trombone 

✝[congregation to join in singing Joy to the World]

“Glory to God in the Highest!” – Franz Schubert, arr. by Patrick M. Liebergen

Poem by John Parker

✝Proclaim the Joy: “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks” / “The First Noel” / “Angels from the Realms of Glory” / “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” – Robert Sterling, George F. Handel & Nahum Tate, Henry Smart & James Montgomery, and Richard S. Willis & Edmund H. Sears  with Cindy Freudenthal, flute

✝”Angels We Have Heard on High” (Trad. French Carol) – Felix Mendelssohn, arr. Lloyd Larson & Randy Martono-Chai with John Calvin Bell Choir

✝[congregation to join in singing Angels We Have Heard on High]

“Shepherds’ Proclamation” – Mark Hayes & John Parker

“The Little Drummer Boy” – Katherine Davis, Henry Onorati, & Harry Simeone Solo by Ron Palmisano, bass

“Listen to the Silence of Night” / “Silent Night” – Pepper Choplin, Franz Xaver Gruber, & Joseph Mohr, tr. John F. Young [congregation to join in singing Silent Night]

“Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” (Trad. German Tune: In Dulci Jubilo) –  arr. Lloyd Larson, tr. John M Neale

Let there be LIFE

“Wexford Carol” (Trad. Irish Carol) – arr. John Rutter Solo by Randy Martono-Chai, tenor

Postlude: “Go Tell It on the Mountain” (Trad. American Spiritual) – arr. John Wesley Work, Jr. & Randy Martono-Chai Randy Martono-Chai, organ; Donnie Lawson, trombone; Bill Bottomley, tambourine; Megan Ihnen, sleigh bells

Advent & Lay Readers: Joan Albright, Rev. Jan Condren, Valerie Corcoran, Laurie Hill, Tony Hill, Beverly Kennedy, John Laporte (Advent), (Presiding) Rev. Susan Lasalle, Dr. Raju Thomas, Judy Tracy

John Calvin Chorale: Nielah Bell, Bill Bottomley, Rev. Jan Condren (Honorary), Sandy Cranfill, Megan Ihnen, Donnie Lawson, Paula Palermo, Ron Palmisano, & Andrew Wright

John Calvin Bell Choir: Nielah Bell, Bill Bottomley, Sandy Cranfill, Cindy Freudenthal, Megan Ihnen, Rev. Susan Lasalle, Donnie Lawson, Paula Palermo, Judy Tracy, & Andrew Wright

Auxiliary: Bill Bottomley (Tambourine), Cindy Freudenthal (Chimes & Flute), Megan Ihnen (Sleigh Bells), & Donnie Lawson (Trombone)

*The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted by permission from The Worship Sourcebook, ©2004, Faithful Alive Christian Resources. 

STAFF

Church Office   504.888.1375 Playschool Office 504.888.1378

Randy Martono-Chai – Music Director 

Briana Mayfield – Church Office Assistant 

Lauren Crisler – Playschool Director

Stephanie Galliano – Playschool Admin. Asst.

For more information, visit our website at www.JohnCalvinChurch.org

 or find us @JohnCalvinMetairie on Facebook and Instagram.



Announcements 11/30/2025

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ANGEL TREE: The Salvation Army Christmas Angels are due back by Friday, December 5th. Anyone who would like someone to shop for them can call Sandy Cranfill at 504-888-9909.

MUSIC MINISTRY: If you’re interested in playing music or singing for service, please contact Randy through email or speak with him after the service. We are also accepting donations of any original copies of music from anyone. Dec. 14 is our Christmas Cantata! Please invite your friends and loved ones to join us this morning for a special program organized by our Worship Subcommittee.

MUSICAL OPPORTUNITIES: Dec. 7 at 10:30a is our combined Lessons & Carols at Lakeview!  Thomas Brown, their Music Director, is calling John Calvin musicians to participate as a chorister and/or bell ringer. They plan to feature 4 choral arrangements and 2 bell choir pieces. Tom asks all singers to attend both rehearsals on Dec. 3 and 4, from 6:30p to 8p, but will understand if you can only attend one.

In the evening of Dec. 21, Parkway is hosting a Longest Night of Christmas Service/Blue Christmas Service and is inviting all bell ringers to play with them.

WHITE ELEPHANT PARTY: The annual adult White Elephant Christmas Party will be held on December 5th at 6:30p. The location will be at the Garland’s house (see flyer for details) If you need help with directions, reach out to Emily at 504-616-4403. Each participant is asked to bring a wrapped gift (valued $10-20) and an appetizer or dessert to share.

POINSETTIA ORDERS: We are working with Perino’s to order poinsettias. Please fill out the form in your bulletin and place it inside the offering tray. You can also return the form to Briana, Emily, or Evelyn. Price will be $10 for the standard 6.5” flower. Orders need to be submitted no later than 11/30.

PROGRAM OF HOPE: John Calvin will be doing prep and service at POH for the month of December. Sandwich prep will be Tuesday at 3p. Service will be Wednesdays at 8a. If you want to carpool, please meet at the church by 7:45. Sue will buy you a hotdog from Costco!

CALENDAR:

12/2   Sandwich Prep for POH 2:45p

12/3   POH Service at First Presbyterian Church 7:45a

12/4   PW Council Meeting 10a

12/5   White Elephant Party (Garland’s Home) 6:30p

12/7 JOHN CALVIN CLOSED. Worship at Lakeview PC 10:30a




ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announcements 11/30/2025

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ANGEL TREE: The Salvation Army Christmas Angels are due back by Friday, December 5th. Anyone who would like someone to shop for them can call Sandy Cranfill at 504-888-9909.

MUSIC MINISTRY: If you’re interested in playing music or singing for service, please contact Randy through email or speak with him after the service. We are also accepting donations of any original copies of music from anyone. Dec. 14 is our Christmas Cantata! Please invite your friends and loved ones to join us this morning for a special program organized by our Worship Subcommittee.

MUSICAL OPPORTUNITIES: Dec. 7 at 10:30a is our combined Lessons & Carols at Lakeview!  Thomas Brown, their Music Director, is calling John Calvin musicians to participate as a chorister and/or bell ringer. They plan to feature 4 choral arrangements and 2 bell choir pieces. Tom asks all singers to attend both rehearsals on Dec. 3 and 4, from 6:30p to 8p, but will understand if you can only attend one.

In the evening of Dec. 21, Parkway is hosting a Longest Night of Christmas Service/Blue Christmas Service and is inviting all bell ringers to play with them.

WHITE ELEPHANT PARTY: The annual adult White Elephant Christmas Party will be held on December 5th at 6:30p. The location will be at the Garland’s house (see flyer for details) If you need help with directions, reach out to Emily at 504-616-4403. Each participant is asked to bring a wrapped gift (valued $10-20) and an appetizer or dessert to share.

POINSETTIA ORDERS: We are working with Perino’s to order poinsettias. Please fill out the form in your bulletin and place it inside the offering tray. You can also return the form to Briana, Emily, or Evelyn. Price will be $10 for the standard 6.5” flower. Orders need to be submitted no later than 11/30.

PROGRAM OF HOPE: John Calvin will be doing prep and service at POH for the month of December. Sandwich prep will be Tuesday at 3p. Service will be Wednesdays at 8a. If you want to carpool, please meet at the church by 7:45. Sue will buy you a hotdog from Costco!

CALENDAR:

12/2   Sandwich Prep for POH 2:45p

12/3   POH Service at First Presbyterian Church 7:45a

12/4   PW Council Meeting 10a

12/5   White Elephant Party (Garland’s Home) 6:30p

12/7 JOHN CALVIN CLOSED. Worship at Lakeview PC 10:30a