♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ > It's a cool, gray, misty evening here in Columbia.

The wintry weather hasn't stopped a large crowd from gathering here on the Statehouse steps to sing some carols to hear some beautiful music and to watch while Governor Riley lights the state's Christmas tree.

All this to officially begin the Christmas season in South Carolina.

This is the Sixteenth Annual Governor's Carolighting Ceremony sponsored by the Breakfast Optimist Club of Columbia.

This year's tree is a 40 foot eastern red cedar from Fairfield County.

Actually, chopped from the right of way at the intersection of Highway 34 and Interstate 20.

All the ornaments are handmade.

And as always, show a great deal of ingenuity.

The presiding minister tonight will be Dr.

William C. Reid of the Shandon United Methodist Church.

Let's watch, listen, sing-along... it's beginning to sound a lot like Christmas.

♪ ♪ O Come, let us adore Him ♪ ♪ Christ the Lord!

♪ ♪ ♪ Sing, choirs of angels ♪ ♪ Sing in exultation ♪ ♪ Sing, all ye citizens ♪ ♪ of Heav'n above ♪ ♪ ♪ Glory to God ♪ ♪ in the highest ♪ ♪ O Come, let us adore Him ♪ ♪ O Come, let us adore Him ♪ ♪ O Come, let us adore Him ♪ ♪ Christ the Lord!

♪ > Sixteenth Annual Governor's Carolighting, sponsored by the Breakfast Optimist Club.

I am Bill Reid, Pastor of Shandon United Methodist Church.

And I'll be serving as your presiding minister tonight.

We are glad you joined us here, as well as those of you watching on the South Carolina Educational Television Network.

Each year, the Carolighting introduces the Christmas season to South Carolina.

The Carolighting choirs will be accompanied by the USC Trumpet Choir, directed by Keith Amstutz.

Now, the Governor's All-Star Band will play the Governor's Christmas Fanfare.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ The Governor of the State of South Carolina, The Honorable Richard W. Riley and the First Family.

(applause) ♪ ♪ ♪ The Governor's All-Star Band, assembled and directed by Jim Copenhaver, Director of USC Bands.

And assisted by Ken Pouncey of USC Bands, is comprised of 250 high school musicians from across the state.

The all-stars were selected from over 1000 nominees in recognition of their musical excellence.

We congratulate, each of these all-star musicians.

After singing "The First Noel," Dr.

David Matthews, Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Greenville will have our invocation.

♪ ♪ The first Noel ♪ ♪ The angels did say ♪ ♪ Was to certain ♪ poor shepherds ♪ ♪ In fields as they lay ♪ ♪ In fields where they lay ♪ ♪ Keeping their sheep ♪ ♪ On a cold winter's night ♪ ♪ That was so deep ♪ ♪ Noel, Noel ♪ ♪ Noel, Noel!

♪ ♪ Born is the King ♪ ♪ of Israel ♪ ♪ ♪ They looked up ♪ ♪ and saw a star ♪ ♪ Shining in the East ♪ ♪ Beyond them far ♪ ♪ And to the Earth ♪ ♪ It gave great light ♪ ♪ And so it continued ♪ ♪ Both day and night ♪ ♪ Noel, Noel ♪ ♪ Noel, Noel!

♪ ♪ Born is the King ♪ ♪ of Israel ♪ > Join me, please as we pray.

We thank you, Eternal God, for that glorious song of the angels.

Peace on earth.

Goodwill to man.

We thank you for the joyous season of Christmas.

For lights and bells, for carols and evergreen.

During this holy time, we acknowledge that no winter's cold can destroy your presence among us.

And no darkness can put out the light of your love.

Yours, our Father, is the precious gift of peace.

We praise you for the bounty of good things that is ours as citizens of this land and of this state.

Grant the counsel of your spirit to our governor.

Strengthen his mind with your wisdom and soften his heart with your love.

Bless all who lead and all who follow, lowly and great.

With the gladness and assurance Christmas' have brought us across the years.

In our Christmas rejoicing, we would not forget to pray for those who refuse to hear the angel song.

Self seekers, strife mongers.

We would not forget to pray for those who cannot hear the angel song because they are preoccupied with their suffering.

Bless those, our Father, for whom Christmas will be little more than a dramatic reminder of their poverty.

And in our Christmas rejoicing, we would not forget to pray for all who will hear something of the Angel song.

Grant us ears to hear the announcement of peace on earth, goodwill toward men.

And grant us hearts to contain the joy this world cannot give and cannot take away.

Through him who is Prince of Peace.

Amen.

♪ ♪ Joy to the world ♪ the Lord has come ♪ ♪ Let Earth ♪ receive her King ♪ ♪ Let every heart ♪ prepare him room ♪ ♪ And Heaven and nature sing ♪ ♪ And Heaven and nature sing ♪ ♪ And Heaven and Heaven ♪ and nature sing ♪ ♪ Joy to the world ♪ the Savior reigns ♪ ♪ Let men their songs employ ♪ ♪ While fields and floods ♪ ♪ Rocks, hills, and plains ♪ ♪ Repeat the sounding joy ♪ ♪ Repeat the sounding joy ♪ ♪ Repeat, repeat ♪ the sounding joy!

♪ ♪ Dr.

Reid> The University of South Carolina Concert Choir, directed by Dr.

Arpad Darazs, has become an integral part of our annual carolighting.

At the 1980 Béla Bartok International Music Festival in Hungary.

The concert choir won two first place awards.

Now listen as the concert choir sings for us, one of the most popular musical arrangements on our program, the beautiful "O come, O come, Emmanuel."

♪ O come, O come, Emmanuel ♪ ♪ And ransom captive Israel ♪ ♪ That mourns ♪ in lonely exile here ♪ ♪ Until the Son of God appear ♪ ♪ Rejoice!

Rejoice!

♪ ♪ Emmanuel shall come to thee, ♪ ♪ O Israel ♪ ♪ ♪ O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, ♪ free ♪ ♪ Thine own ♪ from Satan's tyranny ♪ ♪ From depths of hell ♪ thy people save ♪ ♪ And give them victory ♪ over the grave ♪ ♪ ♪ Rejoice!

Rejoice!

♪ ♪ Emmanuel shall come to thee, ♪ ♪ O Israel ♪ ♪ ♪ O come, thou day-spring ♪ come and cheer ♪ ♪ Our spirits by thine ♪ advent here ♪ ♪ Disperse the gloomy clouds ♪ of night ♪ ♪ And death's dark shadows ♪ put to flight ♪ ♪ Rejoice!

Rejoice!

♪ ♪ Emmanuel shall come to thee ♪ ♪ O Israel ♪ ♪ O come, thou key of David, ♪ come ♪ ♪ And open wide ♪ ♪ our Heavenly home ♪ ♪ Make safe the way ♪ that leads on high ♪ ♪ And close the path ♪ to misery ♪ ♪ Rejoice!

Rejoice!

♪ ♪ Emmanuel shall come to thee ♪ ♪ O Israel ♪ ♪ O come, O come ♪ great Lord of might ♪ ♪ who to your tribes ♪ on Sinai's height ♪ ♪ In ancient times ♪ ♪ did give the law ♪ ♪ In cloud and majesty ♪ and awe ♪ ♪ Rejoice!

♪ ♪ Rejoice!

♪ ♪ Emmanuel shall come to thee ♪ ♪ O Israel ♪ ♪ Amen ♪ ♪ Amen ♪ ♪ Amen ♪ (applause) Dr.

Reid> Bells are a traditional part of Christmas.

Our Handbell Choir, directed by the Reverend R.D.

Roberts, Minister of Music at Shandon Baptist Church, consists of 11 handbell choirs from churches across the state.

Listen as they ring a Christmas favorite.

"Do You Hear What I Hear?"

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (applause) Dr.

Reid> Children are a special part of Christmas.

Our children's choir, now a tradition in the Carolighting is 132 joyful voices from Lexington and Richland County Schools.

Directed by Arletta Raley and assisted by Carolyn Brown and Jackie Moore McNeil.

The children will sing, "Gentle, Gentle Little Jesus" and "Jazz Gloria."

♪ ♪ Gentle, Gentle Jesus ♪ ♪ Little holy child.

♪ ♪ ♪ Come to Earth ♪ from Heaven above ♪ ♪ Gentle meek and mild ♪ ♪ Jesus savior ♪ ♪ Angels whisper your name ♪ ♪ And all the Earth ♪ has found you birthed ♪ ♪ Gentle, gentle Jesus ♪ ♪ ♪ Gentle, gentle Jesus ♪ ♪ Only son of God ♪ ♪ Bringing love ♪ and comfort here ♪ ♪ On this night of nights ♪ ♪ Jesus, savior ♪ ♪ Angels whisper your name ♪ ♪ And all the Earth ♪ has found you birthed ♪ ♪ Gentle, gentle Jesus ♪ ♪ ♪ Gentle, gentle Jesus, ♪ ♪ Lover of my soul ♪ ♪ He says, come within, obey ♪ ♪ come to make us whole ♪ ♪ Jesus, savior ♪ ♪ Angels whisper your name ♪ ♪ And all the Earth ♪ has found you birthed ♪ ♪ Gentle, gentle Jesus ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Gloria!

♪ excelsisdeo ♪ ♪ Gloria!

♪ alleluiah ♪ ♪ Gloria!

♪ excelsisdeo ♪ ♪ Christ, the Lord is born ♪ ♪ ♪ Gloria!

♪ excelsisdeo ♪ ♪ Gloria!

♪ alleluiah ♪ ♪ Gloria!

♪ excelsisdeo ♪ ♪ Christ, the Lord is born ♪ ♪ (choir harmonizing) ♪ ♪ ♪ (choir harmonizing) ♪ ♪ ♪ Gloria!

♪ excelsisdeo ♪ ♪ Gloria!

♪ alleluiah ♪ ♪ Gloria!

♪ excelsisdeo ♪ ♪ ♪ (choir harmonizing) ♪ ♪ ♪ (choir harmonizing) ♪ ♪ ♪ (choir harmonizing) ♪ ♪ ♪ Gloria!

♪ excelsisdeo ♪ ♪ Gloria!

♪ alleluiah ♪ ♪ Gloria!

♪ excelsisdeo ♪ ♪ Christ, the Lord is born ♪ ♪ Gloria!

♪ excelsisdeo ♪ ♪ Gloria!

♪ alleluiah ♪ ♪ Gloria!

♪ excelsisdeo ♪ ♪ Christ, the Lord is born ♪ (applause) Dr.

Reid> Now join us in singing "Angels We Have Heard On High," which will be followed by the USC Concert Choir's rendition of two Christmas favorites, "Spanish Carol" and "Lo, How a Rose."

♪ ♪ Angels we have ♪ heard on high ♪ ♪ Sweetly singing ♪ o'er the plains ♪ ♪ And the mountains in reply ♪ ♪ Echoing their joyous strains ♪ ♪ Gloria!

♪ ♪ Gloria!

♪ ♪ In excelsis Deo ♪ ♪ Gloria!

♪ ♪ Gloria!

♪ ♪ In excelsis Deo ♪ ♪ ♪ Shepherds, why this jubilee ♪ ♪ Why your joyous strains ♪ prolong ♪ ♪ What the gladsome ♪ tidings be ♪ ♪ Which inspire ♪ your Heavenly song ♪ ♪ Gloria!

♪ ♪ Gloria!

♪ ♪ In excelsis Deo ♪ ♪ Gloria!

♪ ♪ Gloria!

♪ ♪ In excelsis Deo ♪ ♪ ♪ (Choir singing ♪ in Spanish) ♪ ♪ ♪ (Choir singing ♪ in Spanish) ♪ ♪ ♪ (Choir singing ♪ in Spanish) ♪ ♪ ♪ (Choir singing ♪ in Spanish) ♪ ♪ ♪ (Choir singing ♪ in Spanish) ♪ ♪ ♪ (Choir singing ♪ in Spanish) ♪ ♪ ♪ (Choir singing ♪ in Spanish) ♪ ♪ ♪ (Choir singing ♪ in Spanish) ♪ ♪ (applause) ♪ Lo, how a rose e'er blooming ♪ ♪ on Jesse's root has grown ♪ ♪ ♪ The rose by ♪ prophet's singing ♪ ♪ to all the world made known ♪ ♪ ♪ The rose midst winter's cold ♪ ♪ A lonely blossom bearing ♪ ♪ In former days foretold ♪ ♪ ♪ Isaiah 'twas foretold it ♪ ♪ The rose I have in mind ♪ ♪ ♪ With Mary we behold it ♪ ♪ The virgin mother kind ♪ ♪ ♪ To show God's love alright ♪ ♪ She bore to men a Savior ♪ ♪ When half-spent ♪ ♪ was the night ♪ ♪ It came a flower bright ♪ ♪ Amid the cold of winter ♪ ♪ When half-spent ♪ ♪ was the night ♪ (applause) Dr.

Reid> Please listen to our children's choir as they sing "Jesus, We Just Want To Thank You."

Then Fred Gassaway, President of the Breakfast Optimist Club of Columbia, will introduce the Governor.

♪ ♪ Jesus ♪ ♪ We just want to ♪ thank you ♪ ♪ ♪ Jesus ♪ ♪ We just want to ♪ thank you ♪ ♪ Jesus ♪ ♪ We just want to ♪ thank you ♪ ♪ ♪ Thank you ♪ for coming to Earth ♪ ♪ ♪ Jesus ♪ ♪ We just want to praise you ♪ ♪ ♪ Jesus ♪ ♪ We just want to praise you ♪ ♪ Jesus ♪ ♪ We just want to praise you ♪ ♪ ♪ Praise you ♪ for coming to Earth ♪ ♪ ♪ Jesus ♪ ♪ We just want to love you ♪ ♪ ♪ Jesus ♪ ♪ We just want to love you ♪ ♪ Jesus ♪ ♪ We just want to love you ♪ ♪ ♪ Thank you ♪ for bringing us love ♪ ♪ ♪ Thank you ♪ for bringing us love ♪ ♪ ♪ Thank you ♪ ♪ For bringing us love ♪ ♪ (applause) > Good evening.

Tonight marks the ninth year the Breakfast Optimist Club of Columbia has sponsored this annual event.

Our club wishes to thank all those in the Carolighting Committee and many others who have contributed their time, their talents and financial support to make this event possible.

Also, we'd like to thank you so many of you who have purchased Christmas trees from Optimist Club tree lots and have helped sponsor this program and many other youth work activities.

"Friend of youth" is a motto of Optimist International, and of the 140,000 Optimists and 3,500 clubs throughout the United States and Canada.

Tonight, as you look at the joyful expressions on the faces of the young people on the Statehouse steps and in the audience, I hope you will join with Optimists everywhere in encouraging our young people to strive for excellence.

And now it gives me great pleasure to introduce to you a man who is optimistic about our state.

He has demonstrated his support for excellence in young people through his active involvement and support for early childhood educational programs.

Please join me in welcoming our Governor, who officially will open this Christmas season, the Honorable Richard W. Riley.

(applause) > Thank you so much.

We've gathered here this evening to begin once more, the beautiful celebration of Christmas.

A time of joy and hope and of music and singing.

And I know we all thank the choirs and the musicians for the beautiful music that we've heard here this evening and we will hear.

And also thank President Fred Gassaway and the Breakfast Optimist Club of Columbia for sponsoring this meaningful family event.

This Christmas, there's much trouble and much tragedy in our world.

Russia stands ready to stamp out freedom in Poland.

There's conflict in the Middle East.

Cities are unsafe and millions of people are poor and hungry.

And nuclear war threatens the world.

There's darkness in our personal lives here at home.

Poverty, unemployment.

Frustration.

Loneliness.

In so many ways, we're back where Christmas really started.

In the darkness of the night.

Because of our modern day darkness, we need to receive again the message of Christmas.

Those who know the story of the birth of the Christ child are familiar with the fact when he was born, it was night.

When he was born, it was dark.

The shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks by night.

The wise men were following the star by night.

The prophet Isaiah foretold it.

The people, he said, "who walked in the darkness have seen a great light.

And those who dwell in a land of deep darkness on them has light shine."

We are indeed a state, and a nation on whom light has shined.

And in times of darkness the wise will focus their lives on where the light is in their heritage, and will seek to follow it.

In our heritage as a nation, there is a great light that darkness has never been able to put out.

John Adams, one of the founding fathers of our nation, once said, "I always consider the settlement of America with reverence and wonder as the opening of a grand scheme and design in providence for the illumination of the ignorant and the emancipation of the slavish part of mankind all over the world."

Yes, freedom to learn and to live together has been a grand part of our heritage.

But the message of Christmas is the light shining in the darkness.

A message that hope conquers despair, That love is stronger than hate.

The message of Christmas revealed in "The Babe of Bethlehem," is that love is the most powerful force in all the world.

As we enter this Christmas season, we should realize that it is a time for family reunion, but a time to remember the brokenness of the family of humankind.

Christmas is a time for friends, but a time to remember the lone.

Time for feasting, and a time to remember those who are poor and who are hungry as we feast.

A time for receiving gifts, but yes, a time to give.

Time to remember that it is giving, that we receive.

A time for children and a time to remember the aging.

Yes, Christmas is good news of great joy.

So hope of peace on Earth and goodwill among all persons in all nations.

It's a vision of a new Heaven and a new Earth.

When people will live together in harmony.

And finally, Christmas is a challenge.

A challenge to commit ourselves to peace and to justice, to integrity and to goodness.

Christmas is a time to remember the Prince of Peace.

And to seek ways for nations to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.

As the eastern entrance of the Rockefeller Center in New York City says, there is a large fresco there depicting the ceaseless upward climb of humanity.

And it bears this inscription.

"Man's ultimate destiny," it says, "depends not on whether he can learn new lessons or make new discoveries in conquests.

But instead, upon his acceptance of the lesson taught him close upon 2,000 years ago."

This Christmas season will serve us well if we reflect once again upon that lesson and determine to let it, The Christmas lesson, be the light that guides us all.

Merry Christmas!

(applause) ♪ ♪ Away in manger ♪ ♪ No crib for a bed ♪ ♪ The little Lord Jesus ♪ ♪ Laid down his sweet head ♪ ♪ The stars in the sky ♪ ♪ Looked down where he lay ♪ ♪ The little Lord Jesus ♪ ♪ Asleep on the hay ♪ ♪ The cattle are lowing ♪ ♪ The baby awakes ♪ ♪ But little Lord Jesus ♪ ♪ No crying he makes ♪ ♪ I love Thee, Lord Jesus ♪ ♪ Look down from the sky ♪ ♪ And stay by my cradle ♪ ♪ Til morning is nigh ♪ Dr.

Reid> Our combined Carolighting Choir is directed by Dr.

Arpad Darazs of the USC Music Department.

It is comprised of more than 75 church and school choirs from various communities across our state.

Now listen as they perform the inspiring hymn, "Glory To God In The Highest."

♪ ♪ Glory, glory ♪ to God the Father ♪ ♪ ♪ Glory, glory ♪ to God the Father ♪ ♪ Bow before him ♪ ♪ All ye nations ♪ ♪ Glory be to God the Father ♪ ♪ ♪ Glory, glory ♪ to God the Father ♪ ♪ ♪ Glory, glory ♪ ♪ to God the Father ♪ ♪ ♪ Bow before him ♪ ♪ All ye nations ♪ ♪ Glory be to God the Father ♪ ♪ Glory to the Son of God ♪ ♪ (choir harmonizing) ♪ ♪ ♪ Glory to the great creator ♪ ♪ For the wonders ♪ He has brought ♪ ♪ ♪ (choir harmonizing) ♪ ♪ ♪ Glory, glory ♪ to God the Father ♪ ♪ Glory, glory ♪ to God the Father ♪ ♪ ♪ Bow before him ♪ ♪ All ye nations ♪ ♪ Glory be to God the Father ♪ ♪ ♪ Glory, glory ♪ to God the Father ♪ ♪ ♪ Glory, glory ♪ to God the Father ♪ ♪ ♪ Bow before him ♪ ♪ All ye nations ♪ ♪ Glory be to God the Father ♪ (applause) Dr.

Reid> Our Carolighting Children's Choir has rehearsed several times in preparation for this program.

We are grateful to them and their parents for making their musical contribution possible today.

Now listen as they sing, "Caroling, Caroling" and "Mary's Little Boy Child."

♪ ♪ Caroling, caroling ♪ now we go ♪ ♪ Christmas bells are ringing ♪ ♪ Caroling, caroling ♪ thru the snow ♪ ♪ Christmas bells are ringing ♪ ♪ Joyous voices ♪ sweet and clear ♪ ♪ Sing the sad of heart ♪ to cheer ♪ ♪ Ding dong, ding dong ♪ ♪ Christmas bells are ringing ♪ ♪ ♪ Caroling, caroling ♪ thru the town ♪ ♪ Christmas bells are ringing ♪ ♪ Caroling, caroling ♪ up and down ♪ ♪ Christmas bells are ringing ♪ ♪ Mark ye well ♪ the song we sing ♪ ♪ Gladsome tidings ♪ now we bring ♪ ♪ Ding dong, ding dong ♪ ♪ Christmas bells are ringing ♪ ♪ ♪ Caroling, caroling ♪ near and far ♪ ♪ Christmas bells are ringing ♪ ♪ Following, following ♪ yonder star ♪ ♪ Christmas bells are ringing ♪ ♪ Sing we all this happy morn ♪ ♪ "Lo, the King of Heaven ♪ is born" ♪ ♪ Ding dong, ding dong ♪ ♪ Christmas bells are ringing ♪ ♪ ♪ A long time ago ♪ in Bethlehem ♪ ♪ So the Holy Bible say ♪ ♪ Mary's Boy Child, ♪ Jesus Christ ♪ ♪ Was born on Christmas Day ♪ ♪ ♪ Hark!

♪ Now hear the angels sing ♪ ♪ New King's born today ♪ ♪ And men will ♪ live for evermore ♪ ♪ Because of Christmas Day ♪ ♪ Shepherds watched ♪ their flocks by night ♪ ♪ They saw a bright ♪ new shining star ♪ ♪ And heard a choir ♪ from Heaven sing ♪ ♪ The music came from afar ♪ ♪ Hark!

♪ Now hear the angels sing ♪ ♪ New King's born today ♪ ♪ And men will ♪ live for evermore ♪ ♪ Because of Christmas Day ♪ ♪ Joseph and his wife Mary ♪ ♪ Came to Bethlehem ♪ that night ♪ ♪ They found no place ♪ to bear her child ♪ ♪ Not a single room ♪ was in sight ♪ ♪ By and by ♪ they found a little nook ♪ ♪ In a stable all forlorn ♪ ♪ And in a manger ♪ cold and dark ♪ ♪ Mary's little boy child ♪ was born ♪ ♪ Trumpets sound ♪ and angels sing ♪ ♪ Listen to what they say ♪ ♪ That man will live ♪ for evermore ♪ ♪ Because of Christmas Day ♪ (applause) ♪ ♪ O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum ♪ ♪ (choir singing in German) ♪ ♪ O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum ♪ ♪ ♪ (choir singing in German) ♪ ♪ O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum ♪ ♪ (choir singing in German) ♪ ♪ O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum ♪ ♪ (choir singing in German) ♪ ♪ O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum ♪ ♪ (choir singing in German) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum ♪ ♪ (choir singing in German) ♪ ♪ (applause) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (choir humming "Silent Night") ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (choir humming "Silent Night") ♪ ♪ ♪ Silent night ♪ ♪ Holy night ♪ ♪ All is calm ♪ ♪ All is bright ♪ ♪ Round yon Virgin ♪ ♪ Mother and Child ♪ ♪ Holy Infant ♪ ♪ So tender and mild ♪ ♪ Sleep... ♪ ♪ In Heavenly peace ♪ ♪ Sleep... ♪ ♪ In Heavenly peace ♪ Gov.

Riley> So it is in the spirit of Christmas.

The spirit of love and of light, to replace any darkness that might be prevalent in this state.

Representation of all men, women, and children of South Carolina.

Now I light the State Christmas Tree.

(cheers and applause) ♪ ♪ (applause) Dr.

Reid> Now the Combined Carolighting Choir... The University Concert Choir will present Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus," accompanied on the organ by Dr.

William Bates, Professor of Organ at the University of South Carolina and then Bishop Frank Madison Reid Jr., Presiding Bishop of the Seventh Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, will lead our benediction.

Let us stand.

♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

♪ Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

♪ Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ For the Lord God ♪ ♪ omnipotent reigneth ♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

♪ Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ For the Lord God ♪ ♪ omnipotent reigneth ♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

♪ Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ For the Lord God ♪ ♪ omnipotent reigneth ♪ ♪ (choir harmonizing) ♪ ♪ ♪ (choir harmonizing) ♪ ♪ ♪ The kingdom of this world ♪ ♪ Is become ♪ ♪ The kingdom of our Lord ♪ ♪ And of his Christ ♪ And of his Christ ♪ ♪ And He shall reign for ever ♪ and ever ♪ ♪ And He shall reign for ever ♪ and ever ♪ ♪ (choir harmonizing) ♪ ♪ ♪ King of Kings ♪ ♪ For ever and ever ♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ And Lord of Lords ♪ ♪ For ever and ever ♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ King of Kings ♪ ♪ For ever and ever ♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ And Lord of Lords ♪ ♪ For ever and ever ♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ King of Kings ♪ ♪ For ever and ever ♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ And Lord of Lords ♪ ♪ King of Kings ♪ ♪ And Lord of Lords ♪ ♪ (choir harmonizing) ♪ ♪ ♪ King of Kings ♪ ♪ For ever and ever ♪ ♪ And Lord of Lords ♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ And He shall reign for ever ♪ and ever ♪ ♪ King of Kings ♪ ♪ And Lord of Lords ♪ ♪ King of Kings ♪ ♪ And Lord of Lords ♪ ♪ And He shall reign for ever ♪ and ever ♪ ♪ (choir harmonizing) ♪ ♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

♪ Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ (applause) > Let us pray.

Send, oh, God into the darkness of this troubled world, the light of thy son.

That the star of thy hope touch the minds of all men, with the bright beams of mercy and truth.

And so direct our steps that we may ever walk in the way revealed to us as the shepherds of long ago.

And now the blessing of God Almighty, the Father who created the star and the stars that men might find their way.

The tree and trees that we might know the meaning of life.

And now send your spirit, that the joy and rejoicing of little children shall reign in this town, in this state, and in this nation.

Amen.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (applause) ♪ Jesus ♪ ♪ We just want to ♪ thank you ♪ ♪ ♪ Jesus ♪ ♪ We just want to ♪ thank you ♪ ♪ Jesus ♪ ♪ We just want to ♪ thank you ♪ ♪ ♪ Thank you ♪ for coming to Earth ♪ ♪ ♪ Jesus ♪ ♪ We just want to praise you ♪ ♪ ♪ Jesus ♪ ♪ We just want to praise you ♪ ♪ Jesus ♪ ♪ We just want to praise you ♪ ♪ ♪ Praise you ♪ for coming to Earth ♪ ♪ ♪ Jesus ♪ ♪ We just want to love you ♪ ♪ ♪ Jesus ♪ ♪ We just want to love you ♪ ♪ Jesus ♪ ♪ We just want to love you ♪ ♪ ♪ Thank you ♪ for bringing us love ♪