FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 22, 2024
PRELUDE Let Us Sing Loudly, arr. Clokey
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.
Come, O Lord, and send us your light.
The yoke of their burden has been broken
Come, O Lord, and take our burdens.
A child has been born, a son has been given
Come , O Lord and walk among us.
Come, let us worship the infant, our Lord, and our Savior.
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE
*OPENING HYMN #309 (Blue) ‘Of the Father’s Love Begotten’
Of the Father's love begotten, ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been, and that future years shall see,
Evermore and evermore.
O ye heights of Heav’n adore Him; angel hosts, His praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before Him, and extol our God and King;
Let no tongue on earth be silent, every voice in concert ring--
Evermore and evermore.
Christ! to Thee with God the Father, and, O Holy Ghost, to Thee,
Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving and unwearied praises be:
Honor, glory, and dominion, and eternal victory,
Evermore and evermore. Amen.
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of Light, we confess that we have gone astray and have left Your light. We follow the dim lights of the world’s success and fortune. Forgive us for not seeking the true Light of Your love for all the world. Forgive us for not following the ways of Jesus, who commanded us to love one another. Lead us to be reflections of your love, compassion and justice, in the name of Jesus the Messiah, we pray. Amen.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
*GLORIA PATRI
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 The Birthday of a King (Donna Flint)
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION and SCRIPTURE READING
Isaiah 9:2-7
2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined. 3 You have multiplied exultation;
you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. 4 For the yoke of their burden and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5 For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. 6 For a child has been born for us, a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders, and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Great will be his authority, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Luke 2:1-7
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place in the guest room.
SERMON A Matter of Perspective Robby Flint
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Advent Creed by David Hopwood)
We believe in God, Creator of heaven and earth. The one who is full of patience, who is not afraid of silence, who does not need to fill each moment with activity and noise. The one who is beyond bluster and flurry, and who does not jostle for attention. We believe in God the Son, Savior of creation, who slipped into Bethlehem one night, mostly unnoticed, who lived thirty years without headlines or hurry, who frequently took time alone with Divine Parent, who waited for the right time to become the suffering servant, who stood quietly before the noise of his accusers, whose silence overpowered their words, who died, then rose again on a quiet Sunday morning. We believe in God the Holy Spirit, who strengthens, empowers, renews and refreshes, sometimes arriving with obvious power, sometimes with the quiet breath of a whisper. We believe in one God who patiently waits for us, and who longs for us to do the same.
HYMN OF RESPONSE #25 (Blue) ‘Away in a Manger’
Away in a manger, no crib for His bed,
the little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head;
the stars in the sky looked down where He lay,
the little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the poor Baby awakes,
but little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes.
I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky,
and stay by my side until morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask Thee to stay
close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,
and fit us for heaven to live with Thee there.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Concerns: Jan J, Jeanne & Darwin L
Our homebound or in care members: Richard & Dolores C, Bob F (Pat caregiver), Jan J, Darwin L (Jeanne caregiver), Marlys M, Bob O (Nancy caregiver), Rose P, Joyce R, Steve VB, Dee W (Please reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Nancy & Bob O, Dave & Lee P
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.
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 hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN #12 (Blue) ‘People Look East’
People, look east. The time is near of the crowing of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able, trim the hearth and set the table.
People look east and sing today: Love the guest is on the way.
Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare, one more seed is planted there:
Give up your strength the seed to nourish, that in course the flower may flourish.
People look east and sing today: Love the guest is on the way.
Birds, though you long have ceased to build, guard the nest that must be filled.
Even the hour when wings are frozen God for fledging time has chosen.
People look east and sing today: Love the guest is on the way.
Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim one more light the bowl shall brim,
Shining beyond the frosty weather, bright as sun and moon together.
People look east and sing today: Love the guest is on the way.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE O Come, O Come Emmanuel arr. Held
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 22, 2024
PRELUDE Let Us Sing Loudly, arr. Clokey
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
- TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP, 9:30ish AM at the Mission Coffee House.
- THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY will be meeting again on January 9, 2025 at 9:30 AM in the center meeting room.
- CHURCH OFFICE will be closed for the Christmas holiday December 24-January 1, 2025
- CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE will be held December 24 at 5:30 PM in the sanctuary and on Zoom.
CALL TO WORSHIP
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.
Come, O Lord, and send us your light.
The yoke of their burden has been broken
Come, O Lord, and take our burdens.
A child has been born, a son has been given
Come , O Lord and walk among us.
Come, let us worship the infant, our Lord, and our Savior.
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE
*OPENING HYMN #309 (Blue) ‘Of the Father’s Love Begotten’
Of the Father's love begotten, ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been, and that future years shall see,
Evermore and evermore.
O ye heights of Heav’n adore Him; angel hosts, His praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before Him, and extol our God and King;
Let no tongue on earth be silent, every voice in concert ring--
Evermore and evermore.
Christ! to Thee with God the Father, and, O Holy Ghost, to Thee,
Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving and unwearied praises be:
Honor, glory, and dominion, and eternal victory,
Evermore and evermore. Amen.
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of Light, we confess that we have gone astray and have left Your light. We follow the dim lights of the world’s success and fortune. Forgive us for not seeking the true Light of Your love for all the world. Forgive us for not following the ways of Jesus, who commanded us to love one another. Lead us to be reflections of your love, compassion and justice, in the name of Jesus the Messiah, we pray. Amen.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
*GLORIA PATRI
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 The Birthday of a King (Donna Flint)
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION and SCRIPTURE READING
Isaiah 9:2-7
2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined. 3 You have multiplied exultation;
you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. 4 For the yoke of their burden and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5 For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. 6 For a child has been born for us, a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders, and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Great will be his authority, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Luke 2:1-7
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place in the guest room.
SERMON A Matter of Perspective Robby Flint
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Advent Creed by David Hopwood)
We believe in God, Creator of heaven and earth. The one who is full of patience, who is not afraid of silence, who does not need to fill each moment with activity and noise. The one who is beyond bluster and flurry, and who does not jostle for attention. We believe in God the Son, Savior of creation, who slipped into Bethlehem one night, mostly unnoticed, who lived thirty years without headlines or hurry, who frequently took time alone with Divine Parent, who waited for the right time to become the suffering servant, who stood quietly before the noise of his accusers, whose silence overpowered their words, who died, then rose again on a quiet Sunday morning. We believe in God the Holy Spirit, who strengthens, empowers, renews and refreshes, sometimes arriving with obvious power, sometimes with the quiet breath of a whisper. We believe in one God who patiently waits for us, and who longs for us to do the same.
HYMN OF RESPONSE #25 (Blue) ‘Away in a Manger’
Away in a manger, no crib for His bed,
the little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head;
the stars in the sky looked down where He lay,
the little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the poor Baby awakes,
but little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes.
I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky,
and stay by my side until morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask Thee to stay
close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,
and fit us for heaven to live with Thee there.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Concerns: Jan J, Jeanne & Darwin L
Our homebound or in care members: Richard & Dolores C, Bob F (Pat caregiver), Jan J, Darwin L (Jeanne caregiver), Marlys M, Bob O (Nancy caregiver), Rose P, Joyce R, Steve VB, Dee W (Please reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Nancy & Bob O, Dave & Lee P
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.
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 hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN #12 (Blue) ‘People Look East’
People, look east. The time is near of the crowing of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able, trim the hearth and set the table.
People look east and sing today: Love the guest is on the way.
Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare, one more seed is planted there:
Give up your strength the seed to nourish, that in course the flower may flourish.
People look east and sing today: Love the guest is on the way.
Birds, though you long have ceased to build, guard the nest that must be filled.
Even the hour when wings are frozen God for fledging time has chosen.
People look east and sing today: Love the guest is on the way.
Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim one more light the bowl shall brim,
Shining beyond the frosty weather, bright as sun and moon together.
People look east and sing today: Love the guest is on the way.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE O Come, O Come Emmanuel arr. Held