First Presbyterian Church Growing in Faith and Love

First Sunday After Christmas Day December 31, 2017

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

TODAY’S SERVICE

Welcome to First Presbyterian Church! We are so glad you are worshipping with us this morning and hope that you find your experience of worship to be uplifting and meaningful. We invite all of our guests to visit our Welcome Center which is located near the central staircase in the building near the door facing Orange Street. Any Usher (designated with a name tag) will be glad to answer your questions and help you find your way around. For help finding ways to connect with the ministries and people in this community of faith, or for information about joining our church, contact Allison Cockrill, Membership Coordinator, at allison@firstonthird.org. We offer a nursery for infants and toddlers during the worship service (9:45am - 12:30pm). Children 3 years old through 2nd graders begin in the main service, and then go to “Worship and Wonder,” a worship experience designed especially for children which is offered during the 10am worship service. Children who remain in worship (3rd grade and older) are encouraged to pick up a Kids’ Worship Sheet as they enter the sanctuary. Each child can use this sheet to help follow along in the worship service. Please feel free to ask an usher or greeter if you need wireless audio receivers, large-print bulletins and hymnals, directions to the nursery, children’s worship classrooms, restrooms, or access ramps.

Leading in Worship this morning:

Richard Aylor, Associate Pastor John Tabler, Director of Music Hannah Vaughan, Associate Pastor Benjamin Horrell, Asst. Director of Music

*Please leave your bulletin at the end of the pew to be collected-thank you!

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

REGULAR WORSHIP SCHEDULE (resumes 1/7/2018):

8:45 am - Traditional service in Kenan Chapel 9:00 am - Contemporary service in Gilmour Hall 10:00 am - Sunday School for all ages 11:00 am - Traditional service in the main sanctuary.

First Presbyterian Church is a Stephen Ministry Congregation

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

If you or someone you know needs the care of a Stephen Minister, please call Janice Clark at 256-3477 or the church office at 762-6688 for more information.

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. by Martha Best 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-granddaughter.

THE CHRISMON TREE ANGEL was given to the glory of God and in memory of Katie Reynolds.

OUR OUTSIDE WREATHS WERE GIVEN IN LOVING MEMORY OF

OUR POINSETTIAS WERE GIVEN IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Miriam Allen Mr. & Mrs. J. Harper Beall, Jr. Malcolm Nash & Laura Belle Clark Florence R. Cromartie Luther M. Cromartie L. Martin Cromartie, Jr. Ruby & John Crow Mr. & Mrs. William H. Dunlap Mr. & Mrs. Robert J. Finan, Sr. Walter R. Frazier John Campbell & Eleanor Willetts Hall Louise Fairfax Harris Alice Patterson Harris W. Hall Harris III Mr. & Mrs. W. Hall Harris, Jr. Georgia Lee & Henry Hawthorne, Sr. James Hohnstreiter Jewel Hoyt Jimmie & Katherine Hoyt Mr. & Mrs. G. Dudley Humphrey Dorothy Morgan Hutchins Harold R. Hutchins Mary Hall Keith Mr. & Mrs. Woodus Kellum Mary Elizabeth Toms Kelly Robert Yocum Kelly Jimmy Kenny Mr. & Mrs. Horace T. King, Jr. Gertrude Kirchner Jo Anne Knapp Frank Mayes Samuel & Larkin Mayes Hester J. McDaniel Mr. & Mrs. Herbert McKeithan Anita McNamara Colleen McNamara Herbert Miskelly

Sarah Miskelly Mary Nelson Myers Suzanne Nash Austin & Frances Peay Mr. & Mrs. Robert W. Pigford Dr. & Mrs. Robert T. Pigford Anna Seward Ragsdale Gregory Langston Ragsdale Mary Wickwire Ragsdale Lindsay Wessell Reiter Mr. & Mrs. Edward R. Ryals, Jr. Carolyn Ragsdale Salzwedel Mr. & Mrs. Milton Scott Grace W. Sharkey Edith & George Sherman Mr. & Mrs. Edwin F. Sigmund Peter Sorce Salvatrice Sorce Inge Bjerre Stites Mr. & Mrs. James A. Stokes Chris Stowe Dr. Willard S. Swiers Karen Talley Mr. & Mrs. E. Marion Taylor Mr. & Mrs. Joseph O. Taylor Rita Taylor Edith Graham Toms Elmo Reid Toms Miss Beth Troy Mary Eunice & Sam Troy The Valenza Family Mr. & Mrs. Daniel L. Weidenhammer Jean & John Wessell Cheri D. Williams Harper B. Williams Dr. & Mrs. R. Bertram Williams, Jr.

Charles Alexander Franklin Murphy Averitt, Jr. William Beery III William Beery IV Edward & Esther Bloedorn Charles H. Boney William Joseph Boney Barry & Jeanette Browning Clarence & Anita Burkett Richard B. Cashwell Mr. & Mrs. James L. Duffy Alexander Sprunt Hall Robert H. Hutchins, M.D. Robert Boyd Jones, M.D. Donald Longenecker Bill Mintzell

James Robert Rodgers Miskelly Robert Rodgers Miskelly Lela & Alvin Powell Joan Pray Quinn Margaret Riley Mr. & Mrs. Grady W. Shuford David Bryan Sloan, Jr., M.D. Mr. & Mrs. James B. Stokley, Sr. Nancy Crow Stovall John T. Talbert, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Dwight S. Wade Edward & Mary Weaver George J. Weidenhammer Mr. & Mrs. Harold W. Wells, Jr. Clarence & Charlotte Westendorff Dale Young

OFFERTORY ANTHEM

“Love Came Down at Christmas” John Rutter

Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love Divine, Love was born at Christmas, Star 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.

+DOXOLOGY (606) Old Hundreth

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 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.

WE GO IN GOD’S NAME

+HYMN 147

“The First Nowell” THE FIRST NOWELL

(verses 1-3, and 6)

+CHARGE & BENEDICTION

CLOSING VOLUNTARY "Oh, Come All Ye Faithful" Michael Burkhardt

The “Closing Voluntary” marks the end of the Service of Worship.

You are welcome to remain in the sanctuary until its conclusion.

+GLORIA PATRI (581) Greatorex

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.

THE PASSING OF THE PEACE

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

And also with you!

PRAYER WITH CHILDREN [Three year olds through 2nd graders are invited to come forward, place their

offering in the plate and have prayer with the minister before leaving with their

teachers for Children’s Worship in Room 208.]

WE PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Isaiah 61:10- 62:3

The Word of the Lord. Pew Bible P. 692

Thanks be to God.

+HYMN 145

“What Child is This” GREENSLEAVES

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Luke 2: 22-40

The Word of the Lord. Pew Bible P. 59

Thanks be to God.

SERMON Richard Aylor

“Promise Fulfilled”

WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

+HYMN 545

“Lord, Bid Your Servant Go in Peace ” LAND OF REST

+AFFIRMATION OF FAITH 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

OFFERING

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 John Tabler

“A Christmas Rondel" Charles Callahan

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

CALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm 148)

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts! Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars! Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds! Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and women alike, old and young together! Praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven.

+HYMN 119

“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” MENDELSSOHN

CALL TO CONFESSION Brothers and Sisters, why do we confess our sin? Because all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.

But why do we do it together? Because we are a community, a covenant people.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND SILENT PRAYER God of grace and truth, in Jesus Christ you came among us as light shining in darkness. We confess that we have not welcomed the light, or trusted good news to be good. We have closed our eyes to glory in our midst, expecting little, and hoping for less. Forgive our doubt, and renew our hope, so that we may receive the fullness of your grace, and live in the truth of Christ the Lord…(our silent prayers of confession)

KYRIE Merbecke

Lord, have mercy upon us.

Christ, have mercy upon us.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON People of God, through the coming of Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate, the Lord has comforted and redeemed us! In Christ we receive the salvation of our God. Hear the Good News! In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!

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

Today in worship we are invited to share signs of peace and reconciliation with one another as a response to God’s forgiveness in Jesus Christ. This act of worship is a tangible reminder of our unique calling as God’s reconciled children. We are called to be reconciled to one another and to be agents of reconciliation in the world. What a privilege! So take someone’s hand and say, “The peace of Christ be with you” – or reply “and also with you.” And as you do so remember: In this moment, you have been entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18).