FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH GEORGETOWN, TEXAS

703 S. Church Street

Georgetown, Texas 78626

Phone: (512) 863-3381

Fax: (512) 868-1226

E-mail: churchoffice@fpcgeorgetown.org

Webpage: fpcgeorgetown.org

Congregation founded June 12, 1854

Sanctuary built in 1873, the oldest church building in Georgetown

First Presbyterian Church of Georgetown, Texas December 24, 2020

Christmas Eve

GATHERING AROUND THE WORD BELL RINGING Handbells PRELUDE “Once in Royal David’s City” arr. Cherwien Monica Koenig WELCOME Dr. Bobby Hulme-Lippert INTROIT “I Believe” by Mark Miller Susan Isenhour ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING & PRAYER Cowan Family Holy One, we thank you for the glimpse of heaven on earth in the faces and the light of those around us. Even in the midst of fear, of challenge, of struggles – even when our view is obscured by clouds of doubt, You have ignited the flame of hope, love, joy, and peace within us. Let us glow with its brilliance from the inside out. Amen.

CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP “O Come, All Ye Faithful” arr. Forrest

ReSounding Voices UNISON PRAYER OF ADORATION David Lee Hulsey Good and gracious God, on this holy night You gave us Your Son, the Lord of the universe, wrapped in swaddling clothes; the Savior of all lying in a manger. On this holy night, draw us into the mystery of Your love. Join our voices with the heavenly host that we may sing Your glory on high. Give us a place among the shepherds that we may find the One for whom we have waited, Jesus Christ, the Messiah and Lord. Amen. HYMN NO. 143 “Angels, from the Realms of Glory”

HEARING THE WORD

FIRST READING Micah 5:2-5a Lily Hulsey HYMN NO. 121 “O Little Town of Bethlehem” SECOND READING Psalm 96 Sarah Hulsey

The prelude provides an opportunity for us to quiet our hearts and prepare our minds for worship.

The season of Advent is a time of waiting and preparation for the birth of Jesus and of expectant waiting of his coming again. We light a candle for each week, focusing on the themes of hope, love, joy and peace.

We turn to God in prayer.

We ask the Holy Spirit to help us understand and respond to the scriptures.

HYMN NO. 134 “Joy to the World” THIRD READING Luke 2:1-15 SERMON “The Gift of Being Outside” Dr. Bobby Hulme-Lippert

RESPONDING TO THE WORD PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

We pray “…forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” MEDITATION ON TITHES AND OFFERINGS Offertory “Bethlehem Morning” by Chapman Philip Smith

SENDING

LIGHTING OF CANDLES AT HOME HYMN NO. 122 “Silent Night, Holy Night” FPC CHRISTMAS GREETINGS POSTLUDE “Silent Night” arr. Forrest 2019 FPC Cantata Chorus & Orchestra

Worship series design © Worship Design Studio by Marcia McFee. Used, adapted, and live-streamed with permission. www.worshipdesignstudio.com.

We pray together the prayer Jesus taught his disciples, using the version from Matthew’s Gospel that prays to be forgiven our “debts.” We offer gifts for the work of God’s kingdom as a sign of our dedication to serving and loving Christ and the world.

We gather as a virtual church family to light the Christ candle, symbolizing the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Just as God has given us the gift of Jesus, we offer greetings of comfort and joy to those around us as we depart worship.

http://www.worshipdesignstudio.com/

POINSETTIAS FOR SERVICES THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON ARE PROVIDED BY: In honor of the Mission Sewing ladies who share their time and talents. In memory of Wally Pilcher. Bill & Faith Baechtel in honor of our loving and delightful family. Bryan & Sue Bell in memory of Wilbert Deletta Bell. Bryan & Sue Bell in memory of Frank Bell. Bryan & Sue Bell in memory of Joan Max. Bryan & Sue Bell in memory of Greg Brasch. Bryan & Sue Bell in celebration of the Flower and Care Ministries. Bryan & Sue Bell in celebration of Jeff Pratt for his live-stream help. Bryan & Sue Bell in celebration of Philip Smith and Susan Isenhour and our Music Ministry. Gail Butler in celebration of First Presbyterian Church. Mike & Larian Carson in honor of David Lee and Sarah for their service to our church. Gary & Kay Cox in celebration of Jesus’ birthday. Marty Curtis in celebration of my children and grandchildren. John & Elizabeth Decker in memory of Aunt Beck Walter. John & Elizabeth Decker in memory of Mrs. Polly. John & Elizabeth Decker in memory of Madelyn Shoales. John & Elizabeth Decker in honor of Mrs. Joy. Mark & Ruth DeRuyter in celebration of John Calvin Porter, our 5th great-grandchild. Richard & Joyce Dorr. Jeremy & Linda Gambell in celebration of peace a joy always. Adana Gipson in celebration of essential workers. Dave & Alison Harrison in celebration of family. George & Linette Harwell in celebration of Christmas. Fred Hilgeman in honor of my children, Susan, Dennis, Karen & Mike and my grandchildren,

Courtney and Austin. Fred Hilgeman in memory of Pat Hilgeman. Fred Hilgeman in celebration of my great-granddaughter, Zoey. Marv & Sandy Hulshizer in celebration of all those who make our virtual worship possible. Adam, Amanda and Kathy Jones in memory of Wayne Jones, a loving father and husband. Beverly Jones in memory of Rev. Dr. Justin B. Jones. Chuck Keith & Inok Downing in memory of our parents and former spouses. Chuck Keith & Inok Downing in honor of daughter, Liz Keith. Chuck Keith & Inok Downing in celebration of our marriage. Doug & Sandie Kienitz in honor of our family – children and grandchildren. Doug & Sandie Kienitz in memory of our parents, Arnold & Inez and James & Frances. Joel & Joan Lawrence in memory of Mr. & Mrs. Robert Brafford and Mr. & Mrs. Richard

Lawrence. Minta McIntosh in memory of brothers-in-law, Paul Martino & John Polk and sister, Kaye

Martino. Bill & Theresa McKenna in celebration of our children. Susan Moreno in memory of Mom and my grandparents.

POINSETTIAS CONTINUED: Susan Moreno in honor of Dad and the staff at First Presbyterian. Susan Moreno in celebration of Austin & Jenny Moreno, Courtney & Ryan Queen and Zoey

Queen. Marcia Ness in memory of John Ness. Ben & Donna Nichols. The Pilcher Family in memory of Wally Pilcher. The Pilcher Family in celebration of all our tech experts who keep us connected during the

continuing pandemic. Ron & Sharon Place in celebration of the birth of Christ. Ray & Karen Rayburn in memory of our parents. Nancy Robohn in memory of George Biggs. Nancy Robohn in celebration of our Music Ministry. Joan Shrader in memory of my husband, Lynn Shrader, and daughter, Laura Butler. Joan Shrader in memory of my grandsons, Allen and Chad Butler. Marcia Sloma in celebration of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Jack & Lenice Smithwick in honor of my grandchildren, Olivia and Reece Cowan. Bill & Lois Stanley in celebration of our church staff and volunteers who have provided

“community” in these tough times. Judy Thomson in memory of Kenneth A. Thomson. Jeff & Judy Willett in honor of our children and grandchildren.

WAYS TO GIVE YOUR MONETARY TITHES & OFFERINGS Cash/Check – You can mail directly to the church at:

First Presbyterian Church ATTN: Financial Secretary 703 S. Church Street Georgetown, TX 78626

Bill Pay - Setup an Online Bill Pay with your bank. This option gives you control of updating your information at any time and does not incur fees for the church.

Online – Visit our webpage - fpcgeorgetown.org and click on GIVE ONLINE. You can set up a one-time or recurring donation option through our 3rd party PayPal. Once you click on “submit”, the form will take you to a separate page at PayPal in order to actually process the payment. This option gives you control of updating your information at any time, Fees to the church are as follows: $0.30/transaction fee and 2.2% processing fee.

WAYS TO VOLUNTEER AND HELP OTHERS Medical Appt. Driver – If you are willing to drive congregants to and from appointments, or you are in

need of such help, please contact Penny Leone.

Donate online – Please consider contributing to one of our supported missions during this time of

economic uncertainty. You can find direct links to all online missions by visiting our webpage at

https://fpcgeorgetown.org/missions/ .

Prayers & Calls – We encourage you to find creative ways to reach out to each other during this time

apart. If you are in need of an updated directory, please contact Christina Bondesen in the church

office.

https://fpcgeorgetown.org/missions/