Christmas 2015 at Seattle First Baptist
It's a gift to be simple...
Join us in this busy, noisy, expensive season to celebrate the simple gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love. The magnificent music of our Sanctuary Choir Christmas Concerts is free, and worship offers opportunities to stop and center ourselves in the things that really matter. It is a gift to be simple. And that’s our gift to you this Christmas. Not all events listed below are sponsored by Seattle First Baptist, but they do all take place at SFBC. Share this page with your friends by sending them this link: http://www.seattlefirstbaptist.org/christmas-season.html |
SFBC Christmas Concert - A Joyous MagnificatHow do you imagine the musical sound of Christmas….choirs singing carols, trumpets announcing the birth, flutes playing a gentle cradle song, oboes conjuring up shepherds in the field, strings accompanying the host of angels? All these musical evocations of Christmas will be found in the SFBC concert, Magnificat, on Dec. 19 at 7:30p.m. and Dec. 20 at 1 p.m.
Along with favorite carols like O Holy Night, How Great Our Joy, and Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming, the 50-voice choir and orchestra offers one of choral music’s masterpieces, J.S. Bach’s Magnificat in D. Bach composed Magnificat for his first Christmas as Music Director (Kantor) of St. Thomas in Leipzig, Germany in 1723. The Magnificat was sung regularly as part of evening services, but Christmas Eve was a chance for Bach to pull out all the stops. Mary’s song of praise to God gives a composer enormous emotional range of expression. When Mary “magnifies” God, Bach uses three trumpets to create the splendor of heaven. When she voices her astonishment at being chosen by God to bear the Christ child, her humility takes an intimate and direct musical tone. When she speaks of God’s promise to depose the mighty, Bach propels the tenor soloist headlong into the musical depths. And, in the final movement, as in the beginning, the trumpets return for a glorious Gloria. The concerts are FREE and professional childcare is provided. A cookies-and-punch reception follows the Saturday evening performance. Join us for these Christmas concerts and let music gladden your hearts! ~ Vicky Thomas, Director of Choral Music |
SFBC Christmas Services and Fun
All Church Breakfast and Do-It-Yourself Christmas Pageant - Sunday, Dec. 20 at 9:30 a.m
Join us in Fellowship Hall for a delicious hot breakfast, and then stick around for an impromptu Christmas pageant featuring whoever shows up in whatever costume they show up in. This is always a good time, and usually more than a little crazy.
Christmas Eve - Thursday, Dec. 24 at 5:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
We offer two Christmas Eve services. The early service is An Intergeneration Service of Carols and Stories, designed for families and others who prefer to attend a service earlier in the evening. The late service features traditional choral music and candlelight. Both services begin with a 15-minute prelude featuring woodwinds, so be sure to arrive early.
Christmas Sunday Worship - Sunday, Dec. 27 at 11 a.m.
In this special service we sing lots of Christmas Carols and hear a holiday message from Pastor Tim Phillips. Joyful Noise, a choir that performs at SFBC, will sing in this service.
Join us in Fellowship Hall for a delicious hot breakfast, and then stick around for an impromptu Christmas pageant featuring whoever shows up in whatever costume they show up in. This is always a good time, and usually more than a little crazy.
Christmas Eve - Thursday, Dec. 24 at 5:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
We offer two Christmas Eve services. The early service is An Intergeneration Service of Carols and Stories, designed for families and others who prefer to attend a service earlier in the evening. The late service features traditional choral music and candlelight. Both services begin with a 15-minute prelude featuring woodwinds, so be sure to arrive early.
Christmas Sunday Worship - Sunday, Dec. 27 at 11 a.m.
In this special service we sing lots of Christmas Carols and hear a holiday message from Pastor Tim Phillips. Joyful Noise, a choir that performs at SFBC, will sing in this service.
Concerts from other groups in our community
Garfield High School Symphony Orchestra
This highly-regarded orchestra continues its tradition of offering a Messiah Sing-Along at SFBC:
Tickets are sold at the door. Information is available through the group's website: http://garfieldorchestra.org/messiah Come sing along with Handel’s Messiah, to the accompaniment of the Garfield High School Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Marcus Tsutakawa. Bring your own score, or rent one at the door. You don’t need to be an accomplished choral singer - this sing-along concert is for everyone who loves singing and Handel’s immortal oratorio. |
Seattle Pro Musica
This outstanding community choir led by Karen Thomas presents two concerts at SFBC this season:
Tickets and information are available through the group's website: http://www.seattlepromusica.org/season/ |
Joyful Noise
Jeff Thirloway leads this choir, which rehearses at SFBC. They present their holiday concert, All December Long, at SFBC twice:
Cold days, long nights and our most cherished and revered celebrations come together each December, bringing the perfect opportunity to celebrate in song the many ways in which this season offers both the gifts and the promise of December. Join us! Tickets and information are available at the group's website: http://www.joyfulnoiseseattle.org |