The Morning Worship Service

The Morning Worship Service

December 25, 2016 Eleven O'Clock

Christmas Day

THE CHURCH GATHERS AROUND THE WORD

PRELUDE: A Joyous Christmas Medley arr. Lani Smith

WELCOME AND CONCERNS (Please sign the Ritual of Friendship Pad and greet those around you.) LIGHTING OF ADVENT CANDLES & OPENING PRAYER

*CAROL SING O Come All Ye Faithful (#41- Stanzas 1 & 3)

Interlude

Joy to the World (#40- Stanzas 1 & 4)

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Lord of Christmas Peace, we have done wrong. We have tarnished the gift you gave freely. We have buried you so deeply in our hearts, the world doesn't see you. We have not followed Christ, we have ignored your teachings, we have lived lives of apathy against your love, we have built fences and fortresses to push people away, and we have silenced the screams of those in need. Forgive us, we pray. Free us from our sin, Free us from our captivity, Free us to a life lived in Joy through Jesus Christ our Lordand let all Gods people say together..AMEN

(Silence is observed a few moments for personal confession of sin.)

*DECLARATION OF PARDON

*GLORIA PATRI

THE CHURCH PROCLAIMS THE WORD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

GOSPEL READING Luke 2:1-20

REFLECTION Luke 2:1-20 Rev. Bryan Hovey

THE CHURCH RESPONDS TO THE WORD

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostles Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORDS PRAYER

THE OFFERING Offertory: Angels Song John Purifoy

*Doxology

*Offertory Prayer

THE CHURCH BEARS AND FOLLOWS THE WORD INTO THE WORLD

*CAROL SING Angels We Have Heard on High (#23- Stanzas 1 & 3)

Interlude

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (#31- Stanzas 1 & 3)

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*POSTLUDE: Joy to the World arr. Bock

*The Congregation will please stand. A worship nursery is provided for young children.

The Staff and Session of the First Presbyterian Church thank all of the many

members and visitors who made this year so special and spirit-filled.

To all, a very Merry Christmas!

THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITIES

Sunday, December 25, 2016

11:00 AM Morning Worship Service

Monday, December 26, 2016

Church Office will be closed.

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

No Adult Choir Rehearsal

Usher In Charge: Bob Miller

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

Joe Spears, Libby Allen, and our shut-ins.

Our partner church in Palin, Guatemala & Presbyterys Prayer Church Spruce Pine

Actual Budgeted

Receipts Requirements Over/(Under)

Sunday, Dec. 18$6,408.97 $3,865.08 $2,543.89

Year to Date $164,951.29 $189,338.92 ($24,387.63)

CRO YTD $2,784.66 5 Cents A Meal- YTD $1,003.58