FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH FORT COLLINS

CHRISTMAS EVE

SERVICE OF WORSHIP December 24, 2020 ▪ 5:00 p.m.

GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME

Prelude In Dulci Jubilo—Arr. Chip Davis, Transcribed by Holly Gullen Stout

Con Brio String Quartet

Christmas Bells Overture—Douglas Wagner

Chancel Bell Choir; Joe McConathy, Organ

Welcome Corey Nelson

Call to Worship and Ligh ng of the Advent Wreath Liz, Brian, and Blake Gandy

Leader: Behold, I bring you good news of great joy; for to you is born in the city of David a

Savior, who is Christ the Lord!

All: Jesus has arrived in grace and mystery, renewing faded hopes and announcing peace

to a weary world.

Leader: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom God

favors!

All: Jesus comes among us in power and glory inspiring fresh Christmas joy and calling us

to lives that are full of God’s love.

Leader: Jesus, the light of the world, is born.

All: Let Christ’s light shine in the darkest corners of our lives. Let Christ’s light shine in the

darkest corners of our world.

 

Refrain:   For you, O Lord, have come to us in glory. You are the light of the world.  

  For you, O Lord, have come to us in glory. You are the light of the world.  

 

Leader: Let us pray.

All: God of grace and glory, as we celebrate this Christmas, transform our hearts and our

lives so that your Good News is not an old story but a fresh truth lived out every day

through the power of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Carol O Come, All Ye Faithful—HYMNAL 133

Christmas Eve Prayer Marvin Crawford and the Sanctuary Choir Small Ensemble

Leader: Emmanuel, God with us: now in the silence,

All: Whisper to us the joy which comes into every life.

Leader: Now in the comfort of carols,

All: Sing to us of hope which takes away any despair.

Leader: Now in familiar words heard anew,

All: Speak to us of grace born into barren lives and peace born amidst shadowed fears.

Leader: Now in these moments surrounded by family and our family of faith,

All: Remind us of your love which always accepts and welcomes us.

Leader: Now in the story of the Holy Family,

All: Draw us closer to your heart, so we can be surprised by wonder, swaddled in

serenity, embraced by tenderness.

Leader: Now touch us once again with Christmas, God in Community, Holy in One, as we lift

our voices together praying as you taught us:

All: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be

done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our

debts as we forgive our debtors; lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Passing of the Peace

Carol O Li le Town of Bethlehem—HYMNAL 121

First Scripture Lesson—Luke 2:1–14—Camille Dungy, Ray Black, and Callie Black

Anthem Glory to the Newborn King—Lloyd Larson

Virtual Sanctuary Choir; Joe McConathy, Organ; Alice Crawford, Piano

Second Scripture Lesson—Luke 2:15–20

Anthem Rejoice and Be Merry—John Ru er

Sanctuary Choir Small Ensemble; Joe McConathy, Organ; Alice Crawford, Keyboard

Call for the Offering and Prayer of Dedica on

Offertory Jesus Bambino—Pietro A Yon/Arr. Sue Temple and Jean Currey

Con Brio String Quartet

Sermon A Conspicuous Family —Corey Nelson

Series: Advent 2020—A Voice in the Wilderness 

Ligh ng of the Candles

Carol Silent Night, Holy Night!—HYMNAL 122

Third Scripture Lesson—John 1:1–5

Carol Joy to the World!—HYMNAL 134

Charge and Benedic on

Postlude Joy to the World—William Bates

Joe McConathy, Organ

Par cipants Rev. Dr. Corey Nelson,

Marvin L. Crawford, Director of Music and the Arts

Joe McConathy, Organ

Alice Crawford, Keyboard

Liz, Brian, and Blake Gandy, Advent Wreath Lighters

Camille Dungy, Ray Black, and Callie Black, Readers

Jaime Peak, A/V Coordinator

Con Brio String Quartet: Kris n Rangel, 1st Violin; Nancy Hernandez, 2nd Violin; Sue Temple,

Viola; and Beth Wells, Cello

Sanctuary Choir Small Ensemble: Lee Cord, Jake DiFebo, Marian Railsback, Patrick Saiff,

Naomi Wright and Alexandra Young

Chancel Bell Choir: Heather Cowan, Alice Crawford, Pam Genson, Natalie Grapes, Mary

Krings, Dave Leininger, Gavin Lucas, Tricia Navarre, Brandi Patrick, Kathryn Rudd, Rob

Schmieden, and Joy Short

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.