First Presbyterian Church Growing in Faith and Love

First Sunday of Christmas December 30, 2018

First Presbyterian Church is a Stephen Ministry Congregation

If you would like to talk to a Stephen Minister who cares and will listen,

call Janice Clark at 228-8584 or one of our pastors at 762-6688.

125 S. 3rd Street Wilmington, NC 28401 (910) 762-6688 www.firstonthird.org

Leading in Worship this morning:

Hannah Vaughan, Parish Associate Richard Aylor, Associate Pastor John Tabler, Director of Music Benjamin Horrell, Asst. Dir. of Music George Mayo, Guest Trumpeter

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP

The music of the Opening Voluntary draws us from the outside world into the presence of God. In preparation for worship, you are invited

to use this time for prayerful reflection.

OPENING VOLUNTARY “Joy to the World” arr. James Curnow “Second Movement from Suite for Christmas” Arcangelo Corelli “O Come, All Ye Faithful” arr. Sue Wallace/Michael Head

George Mayo, trumpet and John Tabler, organ

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS [Please pass the friendship register down the row for each person to sign.]

CALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm 148) Praise God Praise God from the heavens; praise God in the heights! Praise him all his angels; praise him, all his host! Praise God, sun and moon, praise him all you shining stars! Praise God from the earth and sea! Let all God’s people give praise!

+HYMN 140 “Once in Royal David’s City” IRBY

CALL TO CONFESSION The proof of God’s amazing love is this:

While we were sinners

Christ died for us.

Because we have faith in him,

We dare to approach God with confidence.

In faith and penitence,

Let us confess our sins before God and one another.

Pastor on Call - (910) 338-9109 *Please leave a message and the Pastor will return your call.

REMINDER: Please be sure to silence all electronic devices upon entering the sanctuary.

John E. Adams, MD Lloyd and Virginia Allen Adm and Mrs. Richard S. Andrews Richard S. Andrews, Jr. Franklin Murphy Averitt, Jr. William Benjamin Beery, III William Benjamin Beery, IV Edward and Esther Bloedorn William Joseph Boney Charles H. Boney Sr. Barry and Jeannette Browning Clarence and Anita Burkett John Miller Capito, Jr. Dorine and John Cottros Matthew T. Dill Margaret Cameron Edge

Poulina & Illarion Afanasenko Miriam Allen Rose Artin Mr. and Mrs. Boyd Baldwin Mr. and Mrs. Boyd Baldwin, Sr. Edith and Roy Barton Mr. and Mrs. J. Harper Beall, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. August M. Blomberg Claudia J. Briner Emily Garrabrant Brooks C. Reynolds Brown Mr. and Mrs. James C. Brown Ruth and George Buckbee Mr. and Mrs. Dan Cameron Annie Martha Collins Dustin Cox Luther M. Cromartie Florence R. Cromartie L. Martin Cromartie, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. John Crow Sally Deans Dr. and Mrs. Franklin Dill Dorothy Segar Dineen Dr. James Robert Dineen Mary Divine Vivian Donnell Mr. and Mrs. James Duffy Emanuel D. Emmer Dr. Conway H. Ficklen Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Finan, Sr. Mr. J.C. FormyDuval, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. J.C. FormyDuval, Sr. Charlotte Fox Mr. and Mrs. Edgar C. Garrabrant Capt. John Richard Garrabrant Dr. Edgar C. Garrabrant Mr. and Mrs. Ray Greene Mr. and Mrs. Karl W. Griffith Jennifer Hansen Robert Hansen Alice Patterson Harris Louise Fairfax Harris

Mary Gilman Lawrence Richard Gilman Alexander Sprunt Hall Mr. and Mrs. Allison W. High Mr. and Mrs. G. Dudley Humphrey Robert H. Hutchins, MD Sam and Kathleen Jones Dale and Billie Keller Mr. and Mrs. Woodus Kellum Charlotte B. Klein Richard Lawson Richard E. Lawson Mr. and Mrs. William R. Loweth Bertha P. Meier Phyllis H. Meier F.L. 'Tanky' Meier, Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. Brame P. Morrison Lela and Alvin Powell Joan Wadsworth Pray Quinn Margaret Riley Mr. and Mrs. Leon D. Rooks Mr. and Mrs. Grady W. Shuford Richard B. Smith, Jr. James B. and Clara A. Stokley Sr. Richard von Biberstein, Jr. Mary and Ed Weaver George J. Weidenhammer Mr. and Mrs. Harold W. Wells, Jr. Charlotte Roempke Westendorff Clarence Gantt Westendorff, Jr. Donis Willis Dale Young

W. Hall Harris, III Mr. and Mrs. W. Hall Harris, Jr. D.G. and Ruth Harwood Georgia Lee and Henry Hawthorne Tom Howard Mr. and Mrs. Jimmie Hoyt Dorothy Morgan Hutchins Harold R. Hutchins Richard Clarence Jeffreys Sam and Kathleen Jones Dr. Robert B. Jones Mary Hall Keith Mary Elizabeth Toms Kelly Robert Yocum Kelly Jimmy Kenny Gertrude Kirchner Charlotte Klein Jo Anne Knapp Albert LeBrun, Sr. and Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Lewis Jeff Lewis and Gordon Lewis Frank Mayes McLeod Family Members Lessie B. McDaniel Mary H. McDonald Mr. and Mrs. Herbert McKeithan Anita McNamara Colleen McNamara Mr. and Mrs. Robert McPeak Carole Ann Harris Miller Bill Mintzell Nancy C. Monroe Martha Derr Morgan Mary Nelson Myers Mr. James L. Nelson Malcolm Scott Nelson, Jr. Marlton and Dolly Humphrey Pearson Mr. and Mrs. Austin Peay Dr. and Mrs. Robert T. Pigford Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Pigford Edward Allen Powers Lexton Lee Puryear

OUR POINSETTIAS WERE GIVEN IN LOVING MEMORY OF

OUR OUTSIDE WREATHS WERE GIVEN IN LOVING MEMORY OF

OUR CHRISMON TREE was given to the glory of God by Bert and Melanie Williams and Family. It is dedicated in loving memory of Harper Beall Williams

and in tribute to his abiding faith and love for others.

THE WREATHS PLACED IN THE SANCTUARY were given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Ferd Olbert Lawson, Jr. and Martha Best Lawson by their son, Yorke Lawson.

THE CHRISTMAS WREATHS ON THE CHURCH DOORS were given to the glory of God and in grateful remembrance of John Douglas Taylor & Mary Hill Taylor by

their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Edna and Graham Quinn Anna Seward Ragsdale Mary Wickwire Ragsdale Gregory Langston Ragsdale Joan and Lovel Rawlett Mr. and Mrs. Edward R. Ryals, Jr. Carolyn Ragsdale Salzwedel Mrs. June Scarborough Mr. and Mrs. Milton Scott Grace W. Sharkey George and Edith Sherman Mr. and Mrs. Edwin F. Sigmund David Bryan Sloan, III David Bryan Sloan, Jr. Henrietta Stabler Inge Bjerre Stites Mr. and Mrs. James A. Stokes James B. and Clara A. Stokley, Sr. J. Christopher Stone Nancy Crow Stovall John T. Talbert, Jr. Karen Talley Mr. Hock-Seng Tan Elizabeth W. Taylor Mr. and Mrs. Joseph O. Taylor Margaret E. Taylor Rita R. Taylor William Alan Thomasson Edith Graham Toms Elmo Reid Toms Mary Eunice and Sam Troy Miss Beth Troy Dr. and Mrs. W.E. Van Order Carol Verrone Mr. and Mrs. R. Lee Ward Mr. and Mrs. Daniel L. Weidenhammer John and Jean Wessell Ms. Cheri D. Williams Dr. and Mrs. R. Bertram Williams, Jr. Mrs. Shirlee Harris Wiseman Susan Larkins Wolfe Charles William Worth Dr. Eduardo Zloczover

WEEKLY UPDATES Reception for Gary Southerland Immediately following this morning’s worship service, a reception will be held in the Gath-ering Place in honor and in celebration of Gary Southerland for his 19 years of service. Worship and Wonder

"ESCAPE TO EGYPT" will be the topic in Worship and Wonder on Sunday, De-cember 30. This sequel to the Nativity story will be told in room 208 for ALL AGES at the single, 11 a.m. worship hour. (No service at 9 a.m.). Parents may plan to retrieve their children there at the end of worship.

Re-Rally Day Plans are underway for a Re-rally Epiphany Party on Sunday, January 6, 2019 at 10am in the Gathering Place. On this day, in lieu of individual class meetings, members of all Adult Sunday School classes will assemble and provide information about each class to anyone who may wish to learn more about class offerings. Refreshments will be served. Music At First

The first Music At First concert of the new year will be held in the Sanctuary on Sun-day, January 13, 2019 and will be performed by member and violinist, Beverly An-drews and pianist, Domonique Launey. All are invited to attend and to enjoy a recep-tion in the Gathering Place immediately following the concert, hosted by Open Arms.

Youth Ski Trip Registration remains open for the Youth Ski Trip, January 24-27, 2019. For additional information, please visit the “Register and Pay” on the main page of the church website. Stephen Ministry

The light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it. John 1:5. When we stumble in darkness, it is helpful to have the guiding care from a Stephen Minister to lean on and to lift us up. Consider calling the church, 762-6688 or Janice Clark, 228-8584 for a Stephen Minister to walk with you.

A Look Ahead

December 31 Church Office closed January 1 Church Office closed January 3 Choir Rehearsals Resume

- Hand Bell Choir, Choir Room, 6pm - Chancel Choir, Choir Room, 7:15pm

January 6 Epiphany Rally Day, Gathering Place, 10am - Adult Sunday School classes cancelled - Youth Group, Cameron Center, 5:30pm

January 7 Women’s Bible Study Group, Library, 9am January 8 Stephen Ministry Training, Boney Hall, 6pm January 13 Music at First Concert: Beverly Andrews and Domonique Launey January 14 Presbyterian Women Circle Meetings

- Circle 2: Bride’s Room, 11am - Circle 4: Carriage House, 10:30am

+DOXOLOGY (606) OLD HUNDREDTH Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

+PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND THE LORD’S PRAYER 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 debt-ors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

WE GO IN GOD’S NAME

+HYMN 150 “As with Gladness Men of Old” DIX

+CHARGE & BENEDICTION CLOSING VOLUNTARY

“The First Noel” arr. Sue Wallace/Michael Head

The “Closing Voluntary” marks the conclusion of the Service of Worship. If you leave before worship’s conclusion, please do so silently in considera-tion of others. Please refrain from photography and videography during the

worship service.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Loving God, As we stand at the door of a new year, Singing songs of Christ’s birth, We recognize that our world is far from your Shalom. There are still too many people seeking shelter, Like Mary and Joseph, And refugees fleeing power struggles, like the holy family. We confess that many of us are busy innkeepers; Hurried and preoccupied, Too busy sometimes to notice those in need; Yet seeking the peace that comes from the gift of hospitality. Some of us struggle with responsibility and power, like Herod. Some of us are wandering and searching, like the Magi. Forgive us for those actions that turn us away from your realm. Help us to see and follow the light of your star, that we, too, May discover your presence here among us.

SILENT PRAYER RESPONSE (121) O holy child of Bethlehem,

Descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!

ASSURANCE OF PARDON Brothers and Sisters, hope does not disappoint us, Because the love of God has been poured into our hearts Through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. Let us all believe this good news! In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!

RESPONSE (583) Gloria, Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, Gloria, alleluia, alleluia!

PASSING OF THE PEACE

The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all! And also with you!

TIME WITH THE YOUNG CHURCH [Three year olds through second graders are invited to come forward, place their offering in the plate and have prayer with the minister before leaving with their teachers for Chil-dren’s Worship. Preschool ages meet in Room 208; Grades K - 2 meet in Room 311.]

[+You are invited to stand. For each hymn, please stand as the last line of the introduction is played.]

WE PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION FIRST LESSON Isaiah 63: 7-9

The Word of the Lord. Pew Bible P. 693 Thanks be to God.

SECOND LESSON Matthew 2: 13-23 The Word of the Lord. Pew Bible P. 2 Thanks be to God.

SERMON Hannah Vaughan “The Holy Family - Refugees”

WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

+HYMN 154 “Jesus Entered Egypt” KING’S WESTON

+AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (from The Confession of 1967)

In Jesus Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself. Jesus Christ is God with humankind. He is the eternal son of the Father, who became human and Lived among us to fulfill the work of reconciliation. He is present in the church by the power of the Holy Spirit To continue and complete his mission. This work of God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit Is the foundation of all confessional statements about God, humanity, and the world. Therefore, the church calls all people to be reconciled to God And to one another. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE OFFERING OFFERTORY ANTHEM “Love Came Down at Christmas” John Rutter Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love divine, Love was born at Christ-mas, Stars and Angels gave the sign. Worship we the Godhead, Love Incarnate, Love Divine, Worship we our Jesus, But wherewith for sacred sign? Love shall be our token, Love shall be yours and love be mine, Love to God and all men, Love for plea and gift and sign.

*Please leave your bulletin at the end of the pew to be collected.

REMINDER: Please be sure to silence all electronic devices upon entering the Sanctuary.

TODAY’S SERVICE First Presbyterian Church invites you to return and worship here on Sun-day, January 6, 2019 when we resume our regular worship service schedule listed below: 8:45am Traditional service in Kenan Memorial Chapel 9:00am Contemporary service in Gilmour Hall 11:00am Traditional service in the Sanctuary Christian Education for all ages (preschool through adult) is offered each Sunday from 10:00 - 10:50am. Nursery care is provided for infants and toddlers from 8:30am - 12:30pm. For more information about our church life, ministries, and calendar of church activities, please visit the church website, www.firstonthird.org.