SERVICE FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD

First Sunday after Christmas December 31, 2017 11:00 AM

CHIMING of the TRINITY

PRELUDE "Glory to God in the Highest with Angels We Have Heard on High" arr. Susan Caudill

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

INTROIT "The Snow Lay On the Ground" English Melody

CALL to WORSHIP Liturgist: The Word became flesh and lived among us. People: We have seen his glory and have come to worship him. Liturgist: The true light that enlightens everyone has come into the world.

People: Glory to God who has blessed us in Jesus Christ!

HYMN 28 Good Christian Friends, Rejoice IN DULCI JUBILO

CALL to CONFESSION

PRAYER of CONFESSION (Unison)

Holy God, we confess that we are a distracted people and forgetful of your love.

We make selfish choices and perpetuate injustice in your world. We had sinned

against you and we repent of our disregard of you, each other, and your creation.

By the power of your Spirit, forgive and restore us to live in your light,

through Jesus Christ our Lord. (continue in silent prayer)

ASSURANCE of PARDON

Liturgist: God forgives you and loves you eternally. People: By the power of God’s Spirit, we receive God’s mercy. Liturgist: By the power of God’s Spirit, forgive yourself and forgive others! People: We rejoice in God’s mercy and love!

RESPONSE Glory Be to the Father (Hymn 579)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.

NEW TESTAMENT READING Luke 2:8-20

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God!

ANTHEM "All My Heart Today Rejoices" Johann Georg Ebeling Trans. Catherine Winkworth

SERMON Strange Things are Happening Rev. R. Wayne Dickson

HYMN 27 Gentle Mary laid Her Child TEMPUS ADEST FLORIDUM

AFFIRMATION of FAITH The Apostles' Creed (Hymnal, Page 14 Traditional)

PRAYERS of THE PEOPLE and THE LORD'S PRAYER (Hymnal, Page 16)

PRESENTATION of TITHES, OFFERINGS and GIFTS

OFFERTORY "Once He Came in Blessing'" arr. Michael Burkhardt Bohemian Brethren, 1531

RESPONSE What Child Is This (Hymnal, Page 53, Stanza 3)

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh, Come, peasant, king to own Him.

The King of kings salvation brings; Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

This, this is Christ, the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:

Haste, haste to bring Him laud, The Babe, the Son of Mary!

PRAYER of DEDICATION

HYMN 29 Go, Tell It on the Mountain GO TELL IT

CHARGE and BENEDICTION

RESPONSE Angels We Have Heard on High (Hymnal, Page 23,Stanza 3)

Come to Bethlehem and see Christ Whose birth the angels sing;

Come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

POSTLUDE "Trumpet Tune Good Christians All, Rejoice" arr. David Lasky

All who are able, please stand

++++++++++++++++++++++

SERVING THIS MONTH: Count Team: Donna Connors/Max Clyburn Greeters: Bill & Jamie Williams/Peggy Furr

Ushers: Andy Harper/Tom Syfan Chancel: Betsy Gregory Liturgist: Betsy Folks

A SPECIAL INVITATION! You are encouraged to become a member of our congregation, if you have no

permanent church home. The Session receives new members upon their profession of faith in Jesus Christ,

upon their reaffirmation of faith in Jesus Christ, or by transfer of their membership from another

congregation. If you are interested in becoming a member of First Presbyterian, please speak to the pastor

following the worship service, indicate this on the Friendship Register, or call the church office.

WE INVITE EVERYONE TO ATTEND one of our Sunday School classes: 9th-12th grade;

Adult: Friendship Class; Spirit/Passage Class. Come join us as we explore God's Word together!

OUR CHURCH STAFF

Rev. Edgar McCall - Pastor Marsha Roberts - Director of Music and Organist

Susan Lott - Administrative Assistant Philip W. Neely - Treasurer

SESSION

Holly C. Furr, Clerk

Class of 2017 Class of 2018 Class of 2019

James H. Howey, Jr. Ned Gregory, II Holly C. Furr

Vickie L. Jewell Jane R. Mahaffey Elizabeth W. Gregory

H. Glenn Simpson Mary Jo Yarborough William K. Williams

MINISTRY BOARD LEADERS

Christian Formation - Vickie Jewell/Holly C. Furr

Columbarium & Memorial Garden - Jane R. Mahaffey

Congregational Care - Jane R. Mahaffey/Mary Jo Yarborough

Fellowship - Jon & Diane Lochner/Mary Jo Yarborough

Hospitality & Evangelism - Mary Jo Yarborough/Elizabeth W. Gregory

Mission & Outreach - Vickie L. Jewell/Ned Gregory, II

Worship - Elizabeth W. Gregory

SUPPORT COMMITTEES

Pastoral & Staff Relations- James H. Howey, Jr./Ned Gregory, II, William K. Williams

Property Management - James H. Howey, Jr./H. Glenn Simpson

Stewardship and Operational Support - H. Glenn Simpson/Jane R. Mahaffey/William K. Williams

First Presbyterian Church 700 North Main Street/PO Box 990

Lancaster, South Carolina 29721

www.fpc-lancaster.org

803-283-3329

A Place to Belong. A Place to Serve.

"Now you are the Body of Christ, and individually members of it." 1 Corinthians 12:27

OUR VISION AND MISSION

We, the members of First Presbyterian Church, are disciples of the risen Christ and members of his universal

Body, who are empowered by God’s Spirit to WORSHIP God with joy and thanksgiving; PROCLAIM the

Gospel through word and deed; TEACH the message of God’s love in Christ; SHARE God’s love for all

people by reaching out in hospitality, ministry and mission; WORK together in harmonious unity as a loving

and caring people; and to SERVE one another and others beyond our fellowship in the name of Jesus Christ.

OUR VALUES

The values we cherish to enable us to accomplish our vision and mission are the fruit of God’s Spirit:

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

WELCOME TO FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH May you feel God's presence, may the message be a blessing in your life,

and may the grace of God go with you and strengthen you for the week ahead. Please come again soon!

FAMILIES TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER THIS WEEK

Mike & Sandy Spaugh

Robert Lee & Annie Sue Steele

Bob & Locketta Stephenson

PASTORAL NEEDS: The Session desires to be informed when members and

friends of the church are in need of pastoral care and support. During office hours, please call the church

office at (803) 283-3329, so the elder under whose care the person or family is assigned may be notified.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN'S PRAYER MINISTRY

Please come by the Prayer Ministry Table before the worship service and give the name of your prayer

request to our prayer ministry representatives. The names will be provided to our pastor before the pastoral

prayer to be raised to God in corporate prayer. At the Prayer Table cards are available to express our

corporate love and concern to those remembered in prayer. Please stop by each Sunday church to sign these

cards. Help us in this way to further our church's ministry of sympathy, witness and service to others in the

name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

PRAYER MINISTRY REPRESENTATIVE

Today: Linda Hutchinson/Lois Rao Next Week: Anne & Caroline Howey

Please pray for our members: Louie Belk; Ann Powers; Locketta Stephenson; Anne Nims; Louise Eller

James Mahaffey; Celia Featherstone; Cindy Ruh; Adele Williams; Henry Johnson; Bucky Hardin;

Mary Lowe.

Friends of the church: Linda Kloepher; Freda Snipes; Laney Allen; Woody Percival; Bobby Parker, Sr.;

Andy Novinger; Libby Woodruff; Knowlton Foote; Tim Smith; Noni Bohonak; Lewie Pitts.

CHURCH ACTIVITES: December 31, 2017 - January 06, 2018

Sunday 9:45 AM Christian Education

11:00 AM Worship

Monday Church Office Closed

Tuesday 12 Noon Bulletin Deadline

BIRTHDAYS: 01 Robert Lee Steele 02 Diane Lochner 04 Geneva Davis

ANNIVERSARIES: 04 Greg & Sherri Gregory

ATTENDANCE: Dec. 24 Morning Worship - 40/ Evening- 72 Men's Prayer Breakfast - no meeting

_____________________________________________________

OUR GIVING REPORT

12/24/16 Year To Date

Amount Budgeted $ 3,610.26 $ 187,733.52

Amount Received 2,731.00 199,542.26

$ (879.26) $ 11,808.74

OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY

VISITORS and GUESTS. We are glad you are with us today and we welcome you as our guest.

Please fill out the Friendship Pad you find on the pew seat. Join us again as we worship God.

WEE WORSHIP ACTIVITY BAGS for children are available in a basket on a table in the

narthex. Please return the bags to the basket after worship.

Our WORSHIP LEADER today is the Reverend R. Wayne Dickson who is an honorably retired

member of Providence Presbytery after serving the New Cut Church for 22 years. He is a graduate

of Catawba College and Erskine Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Debbie live in Lancaster.

TODAY IS THE LAST SUNDAY IN 2017. If you would like to add to your 2017 contributions

with a check today make sure your check has a December 2017 date. All checks received after

January 1st will be applied to your 2018 contributions. Any questions please contact Phil Neely.

Thank you for your continuing support of God's work.

CHURCH OFFICE. The church office will be closed Monday, January 1st in observance of the

New Year.

DURING MORNING WORSHIP. Next Sunday, January 7th we will honor the elders in the

Class of 2017, Jimbo Howey, Vickie Jewell and Glenn Simpson whom all have given the church

three years of faithful service and have completed their terms in office. After the recognition, we

will install the newly elected elders in the Class of 2020, which include Jennifer Bryan,

Max Clyburn and David Ghent.

The MEN'S PRAYER BREAKFAST will hold their next meeting Monday, January 8th, just

before 7:00am in the Fellowship Hall. Have a safe and joy filled holiday!

The BIBLE STUDY GROUP will meet Monday, January 8th at11:00am in the

Georgie Beckham Memorial Library. All are welcome!

FPC MUSIC MINISTRY. Weekly practices will resume on Wednesday, January 10th with

Jubilant Ringers beginning at 6:00pm and choir following at 7:15pm. Come make a joyful noise!

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING. On Sunday, January 14th, there will be a congregational

meeting following worship to present the 2018 budget and to vote on the terms of call for the

pastor.

NOTE OF THANKS. Dear Church Family, We are so very grateful and thankful to be a part of

FPC and are very appreciative of the generous Christmas gift. We are blessed!

Thank you, Edgar, Marsha & Susan