First Presbyterian Church of Greensboro TIME FOR CHILDREN ​Jan Brazier

December 24, 2018, Christmas Eve

Music Director: Jean Gómez Elder of the Month: Jan Brazier FIFTH LESSON Luke 2:8-14 Callie Kirsch
Pastor: Rev. Meg Jackson Clark
*CAROL ​Hymn # 119 vss. 1,3 ​Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Congregation
​➢ Large print hymnals and audio devices are available at the rear of the church.

*Please stand in body or spirit. HOMILY            ​Rev. Meg Jackson Clark

PRELUDE ​Jean Gómez SIXTH LESSON Luke 2:15-20 Cheri Moore

PROCESSIONAL O Come, O Come Emmanuel ​Duane Blough *CAROL​ Hymn # 136 ​Go, Tell It on the Mountain Congregation

LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE ​Miles Walker Kirsch & Amy CHRISTMAS OFFERING
Kirsch Invitation to Give
OFFERTORY ​ Jean Gómez
*CAROL ​Hymn #133 ​O Come, All Ye Faithful​ ​Congregation *CAROL ​Hymn #113 vs.1 ​Angels We Have Heard on High   Congregation
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*CHRISTMAS PRAYER
Eternal God, Ruler of all worlds and Shepherd of the stars, SEVENTH LESSON John 1:1-14 Steven Brown
Your glory is revealed in vastness and in power, yet your greatest name is Love.
This is the time we remember your gentleness, hidden in a mother’s hope. CAROL       O Holy Night Randall Kirsch  
This is the time we believe again that love is stronger than fear,
that peace is stronger than hate, that darkness will never conquer the light. RECEIVING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST
In this season of God-with-us, we offer our gift of worship When receiving the light, please tip your candle.
and boldly claim that we are graced with your presence,
for we are gathered in the name of love. Amen. CAROL​ Hymn #122     Silent Night, Holy Night!​ ​ Congregation
Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright ‘round yon virgin mother and child!
FIRST LESSON​ Isaiah 9:2-7 ​Hap Tietjen
Holy Infant, so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.

CAROL ​Hymns #123 vss. 1, 5 ​It Came Upon the Midnight Clear​ ​Congregation Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight; glories stream from heaven afar,
heavenly hosts sing “Alleluia: Christ the Savior is born; Christ the Savior is born!”
SECOND LESSON ​ Isaiah 11:1-9 ​Pat Ray
Silent night, holy night! Son of God, love’s pure light, radiant beams from thy holy face,
*CAROL​ Hymn #134 vss. 1, 4 ​Joy to the World Congregation with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

THIRD LESSON Micah 5:2-5 ​Mary Graham Silent night, holy night! Wondrous star. lend thy light; with the angels let us sing
Alleluia to our King: Christ the Savior is born; Christ the Savior is born!”
CAROL ​ Hymn​ ​ #121 vss. 1, 4 O Little Town of Bethlehem ​Congregation *BLESSING
Symbolically, let us carry our light out into the world as we leave the sanctuary. Extinguish candle in narthex.
FOURTH LESSON ​Luke 2:1-7 Mildred Tietjen
  
The Decree 
 
And in these days a decree goes out to all the world,  
for these are taxing times. 
We are all called again to go to Bethlehem,  
no matter the state of our health or our world. 
We come, obedient and faithful, for we have heard the message,  
we have dreamed the dream that God will come to dwell among us. 
We come, expectant with joy, pregnant with anticipation,  
for God has done great things for us.  
We come searching for a sign; bearing our gifts, we come.  
We come, called from the silent hillsides of our hearts,  
startled and frightened by the magnitude of light,  
we huddle together toward Bethlehem.  
We come, one by one, and yet, as one, dancing into the Promise. 
 
by Ann Weems 
 
Thank you for worshipping with us tonight.  First Presbyterian Church
  Greensboro, Georgia
​www.fpog.org​ ​706-453-4956​ December 24, 2018
Merry Christmas!  ​Pastor: Rev. Meg Jackson Clark, 770-301-6165; ​fpcgreensboroga@gmail.com