What would Christmas be without music? The songs of Jesus birth & accompanying mirth conjure up cherished memories, benevolent thoughts, and sweet experiences. There is probably no other occasion that has more music written for it than Christmas.

Two music opportunities are available from the stake for you to enjoy this season:

• Stake Christmas Sing Along this Sunday Dec 4th 6-7:30. Come. Every carol has something added to make it extra special. Cookies to follow. More details below.
• Christmas Song Advent. Sign up. You will be sent a song every day starting Dec 1st – Dec 24th but you must sign up. Just e-mail coalstakemusic@gmail.com with the words “Christmas Song” to be added to the list (your e-mail iis used for this event alone). This might be a good thing to share with family and friends as well. “Light the World” with Music.

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My Calling

Music Leader

A lot of Christmas music is well known or familiar so LOOK UP and LOOK HAPPY when in front of the congregation.. Share a piece of your joy and testimony of Jesus Christ as you lead music.

All of our hymns have a regular beat or meter. If you loose your conducting pattern while leading music, use your ears. Listen and you should hear the pulse of the first beat or meter. Drop your hand down when you hear it and keep LOOKING HAPPY.

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What’s New

A new movie telling the story behind the lyrics of Longfellow’s “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”. Opens in theaters Dec 1. Parental guidance suggested.

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Up and Coming

• Christmas Sing Along DEC 4th 6 PM. Come, Light the World!. Special music begins the evening which includes bells, strings, keyboard, & more. Cookies afterwards. Time to go home and watch the First Presidency Broadcast at 8. Copy the announcement below and share with others. Bring your LED candle to light when you hear “Silent Night”.

• First Presidency Christmas Program Dec 4, 8PM

• CHAPEL MUSIC HOUR Dec 11, 7-8 Stake Center. Come listen to live keyboard music from a variety of musicians. Come and go as time allows. This lovely event is a well kept secret that doesn’t need to stay in hiding any longer!

• Other musical offerings of the season:

– Mobile Giving Machine. Dec 6-11. Musical offerings each evening

– Sugar Hill Choir presents “Tidings of Comfort and Joy” Dec 10 & 11th at 7.

-17th annual Messiah Sing Along with MOS singers Dec 18th 3PM. Roswell $$

-Jenny Oaks Baker concert Dec 21st with Sugar Hill Choir $$

• CHURCH CHOIR FESTIVAL UNG – A great opportunity to sing as a choir representing our church. There will be several joint pieces to sing alongside other denominations and the University of North GA Choirs. The culminating event will be 26th Feb 3PM at the Dahlonega Baptist Church. There will be 4 practices before the event. Contact coalstakemusic@gmail.com if you would like to participate. It’s a great experience.

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Hymn Highlight

“Hark the Herald Angels Sing”

The powerful lyrics of this hymn were written by Charles Wesley. He was a Methodist leader and prolific writer of more than 6500 hymns including “Christ the Lord is Risen Today”.

Equally as powerful as the lyric is the music created by Felix Mendelssohn. The music was originally composed as a choral movement honoring Gutenberg for his printing invention. Originally called Festgesang or “Festival Song”.

After both Wesley and Mendelssohn had passed, it was Dr. Cummings who paired the lyric with the music in 1855.

You might enjoy this version of “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” by The Spirituals Choir as well as the offerings below.

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