FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ORDER OF WORSHIP/COMMUNION
Second Sunday of Christmas
January 5, 2025
PRELUDE Infant Holy, arr. R.W. Thygerson
WELCOME - ANNOUNCEMENTS
· TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP, 9:30ish AM at the Mission Coffee House.
CALL TO WORSHIP
O come, let us worship the Lord,
for God has done wondrous things!
We have seen the light of the Christ Child
And have come to worship him
Alleluia, Amen
*OPENING HYMN #150 (Red) “As With Gladness Men of Old”
As with gladness men of old did the guiding star behold;
As with joy they hailed its light, leading onward, beaming bright,
So, most gracious Lord, may we evermore be led to thee.
As with joyful steps they sped, Savior, to thy lowly bed,
There to bend the knee before Thee whom Heav’n and Earth adore,
So may we with willing feet ever seek thy mercy seat.
As they offered gifts most rare at thy manger, rude and bare,
So may we with holy joy, pure and free from sin’s alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to thee, our heavenly King.
Holy Jesus, every day keep us in the narrow way,
And when earthly things are past, bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide, where no clouds thy glory hide.
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Most holy and loving God, we admit to you and to each other, that we are creatures who either through foolishness or willfulness often choose darkness instead of light. Today we surrender to you our deep-seated sins and our apathy towards change and renewal. Please forgive the darkness and pain we have inflicted on others, and restore the light within our own souls. Trusting your grace, we earnestly pray: “Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us.” Through Christ Jesus our Savior, Amen.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
*GLORIA PATRI (on screen)
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.
CHILDREN’S SERMON
SPECIAL MUSIC “Three Kings” Choir
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE READING
Isaiah 60:1-6 (responsive reading)
1 Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
2 For darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the LORD will arise upon you,
and his glory will appear over you.
3 Nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
4 Lift up your eyes and look around;
they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from far away,
and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms.
5 Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and rejoice,
because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,
the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
6 A multitude of camels shall cover you,
the young camels of Midian and Ephah;
all those from Sheba shall come.
They shall bring gold and frankincense,
and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD.
Matthew 2:1-12
1In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” 3When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”
7Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” 9When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
SERMON Perspectives of Faith: Herod and the Magi
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day he rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
SERVICE OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
INVITATION TO THE TABLE
HYMN #511 (Red) “Come, Behold! The Feast of Heaven”
Come, behold! The feast of heaven, Alleluia!
Has to mortal flesh been given, Alleluia!
Hear the Word of God declared: Alleluia!
“Come! The banquet is prepared.” Alleluia!
All is ready, come attend Alleluia!
the Lord’s invited friend; Alleluia!
Come from north, west, south, and east; Alleluia!
Celebrate the joyful feast. Alleluia!
All who trust in God belong Alleluia!
At this banquet with this throng. Alleluia!
Share the mystic holy food; Alleluia!
Taste and see: the Lord is good. Alleluia!
As the Lord our God has willed, Alleluia!
Here the hungry soul is filled; Alleluia!
Here the weary are refreshed. Alleluia!
All who share God’s feast are blessed. Alleluia!
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you And also with you
Lift up your hearts We lift them to the Lord
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God It is right to give our thanks and praise.
… Therefore, with all creation we sing your praise.
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest.
…who taught us to pray saying (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 debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION AND BREAKING OF THE BREAD
(come forward to receive the elements)
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
OFFERING OF OURSELVES AND OUR RESOURCES
*DOXOLOGY
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
*CLOSING HYMN #152 (Red) “What Star is This, with Beams so Bright”
What star is this, with beams so bright,
More lovely than the noonday light?
’Tis sent to announce a newborn king,
Glad tidings of our God to bring.
’Tis now fulfilled what God decreed:
“From Jacob shall a star proceed”;
And lo! the eastern sages stand
To read in heaven the Lord’s command.
While outward signs the star displays,
An inward light the Lord conveys,
And urges them, with tender might,
To seek the giver of the light.
O Jesus, while the star of grace
Impels us on to seek your face,
Let not our slothful hearts refuse
The guidance of your light to use.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Good Christians, All, Rejoice - Mary McDonald
ORDER OF WORSHIP/COMMUNION
Second Sunday of Christmas
January 5, 2025
PRELUDE Infant Holy, arr. R.W. Thygerson
WELCOME - ANNOUNCEMENTS
· TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP, 9:30ish AM at the Mission Coffee House.
- FINANCE MEETING will be held Tuesday, Jan. 7 at 6:30 PM via Zoom.
- ANNUAL REPORT ARTICLES are due on Wednesday, Jan. 8.
- THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY will be meeting again on January 9, 2025 at 9:30 AM in the center meeting room.
- SESSION MEETING will be held Thursday, Jan. 9 at 7:00 PM at FPC.
CALL TO WORSHIP
O come, let us worship the Lord,
for God has done wondrous things!
We have seen the light of the Christ Child
And have come to worship him
Alleluia, Amen
*OPENING HYMN #150 (Red) “As With Gladness Men of Old”
As with gladness men of old did the guiding star behold;
As with joy they hailed its light, leading onward, beaming bright,
So, most gracious Lord, may we evermore be led to thee.
As with joyful steps they sped, Savior, to thy lowly bed,
There to bend the knee before Thee whom Heav’n and Earth adore,
So may we with willing feet ever seek thy mercy seat.
As they offered gifts most rare at thy manger, rude and bare,
So may we with holy joy, pure and free from sin’s alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to thee, our heavenly King.
Holy Jesus, every day keep us in the narrow way,
And when earthly things are past, bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide, where no clouds thy glory hide.
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Most holy and loving God, we admit to you and to each other, that we are creatures who either through foolishness or willfulness often choose darkness instead of light. Today we surrender to you our deep-seated sins and our apathy towards change and renewal. Please forgive the darkness and pain we have inflicted on others, and restore the light within our own souls. Trusting your grace, we earnestly pray: “Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us.” Through Christ Jesus our Savior, Amen.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
*GLORIA PATRI (on screen)
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.
CHILDREN’S SERMON
SPECIAL MUSIC “Three Kings” Choir
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE READING
Isaiah 60:1-6 (responsive reading)
1 Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
2 For darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the LORD will arise upon you,
and his glory will appear over you.
3 Nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
4 Lift up your eyes and look around;
they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from far away,
and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms.
5 Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and rejoice,
because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,
the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
6 A multitude of camels shall cover you,
the young camels of Midian and Ephah;
all those from Sheba shall come.
They shall bring gold and frankincense,
and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD.
Matthew 2:1-12
1In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” 3When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”
7Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” 9When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
SERMON Perspectives of Faith: Herod and the Magi
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day he rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
SERVICE OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
INVITATION TO THE TABLE
HYMN #511 (Red) “Come, Behold! The Feast of Heaven”
Come, behold! The feast of heaven, Alleluia!
Has to mortal flesh been given, Alleluia!
Hear the Word of God declared: Alleluia!
“Come! The banquet is prepared.” Alleluia!
All is ready, come attend Alleluia!
the Lord’s invited friend; Alleluia!
Come from north, west, south, and east; Alleluia!
Celebrate the joyful feast. Alleluia!
All who trust in God belong Alleluia!
At this banquet with this throng. Alleluia!
Share the mystic holy food; Alleluia!
Taste and see: the Lord is good. Alleluia!
As the Lord our God has willed, Alleluia!
Here the hungry soul is filled; Alleluia!
Here the weary are refreshed. Alleluia!
All who share God’s feast are blessed. Alleluia!
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you And also with you
Lift up your hearts We lift them to the Lord
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God It is right to give our thanks and praise.
… Therefore, with all creation we sing your praise.
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest.
…who taught us to pray saying (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 debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION AND BREAKING OF THE BREAD
(come forward to receive the elements)
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
OFFERING OF OURSELVES AND OUR RESOURCES
*DOXOLOGY
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
*CLOSING HYMN #152 (Red) “What Star is This, with Beams so Bright”
What star is this, with beams so bright,
More lovely than the noonday light?
’Tis sent to announce a newborn king,
Glad tidings of our God to bring.
’Tis now fulfilled what God decreed:
“From Jacob shall a star proceed”;
And lo! the eastern sages stand
To read in heaven the Lord’s command.
While outward signs the star displays,
An inward light the Lord conveys,
And urges them, with tender might,
To seek the giver of the light.
O Jesus, while the star of grace
Impels us on to seek your face,
Let not our slothful hearts refuse
The guidance of your light to use.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Good Christians, All, Rejoice - Mary McDonald