Christmas Eve. Birth of Christ, Donald Jackson, The Saint John s Bible, Saint John s University, Collegeville, Minnesota.

Transcription

1 Christmas Eve December 24, 2014 Birth of Christ, Donald Jackson, The Saint John s Bible, Saint John s University, Collegeville, Minnesota.

2 Welcome Welcome to ICON at First United Methodist Church. We are delighted that you have chosen to worship with us this evening. Founded in 1821, First Church is the oldest Protestant church in the area and the oldest Methodist church in Florida. This historic church, with four Sunday services, has a membership of 3200 and is overflowing with life. We hope you will consider becoming a member of our church family. You may join any Sunday by profession of faith or transfer of membership. Visitor/New Member Class We welcome all visitors and new members that are interested in learning more about First Church to an introductory class that consists of four parts. The class assembles at 9:30am every Sunday morning in room PH101 next door in the Perry Home. On December 28th, Tour of First Church will take you on a tour of our beautiful campus. On January 4th, Introduction to First Church, will give an opportunity to ask questions and learn about the history, theology, worship and membership of this great church. We hope you join us each week. Nursery and Children s Bulletins Nursery is available for children up to 5 years old. If you need help locating the nursery, please see an usher or greeter for assistance. Next Week at ICON Join us this coming Sunday, for the First Sunday After Christmas Day. Rev. Scott Grantland will preach with Christmas music by BANNER. We hope you and your family will worship with us this Christmas season.

3 ORDER OF SERVICE ICON - 11 A.M. ANNOUNCEMENTS Jeb Hunt CHIMING OF THE HOUR *CALL TO WORSHIP Alleluia! Unto us a child is born! O come, let us adore him! Alleluia! *OPENING SONG Come and Worship *COLLECT Denise Van Atta Bebo Norman Rev. Clay Farrington O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. *SONG OF PRAISE O Come Let Us Adore Him Matt Crocker REGISTRATION OF ATTENDANCE Please register your attendance on the registration pad on the end of each aisle. If you are visiting with us, please include your address, telephone number and address so that we may welcome you in a more personal way. CHRISTMAS STORY: 1ST READING Luke 2:1-7 LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH The Christ Candle The Seager Family O Come, O Come Emmanuel Traditional CHILDREN S SERMON CHRISTMAS STORY: 2ND READING Luke 2:8-14 ACT OF PRAISE Do You Hear What I Hear? Noel Regney CHRISTMAS STORY: 3RD READING Luke 2:15-20

4 SERMON Rev. Scott Grantland CHRISTMAS PRAYERS OFFERTORY He Has Come For Us Meredith Andrews *DOXOLOGY INVITATION AND CONFESSION HOLY COMMUNION Welcome to Our World Chris Rice THE LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES *CLOSING SONG Silent Night Joseph Mohr *BENEDICTION As we light the Christ Candle we invite you to reflect upon what the season of Christmas means to you. Share your POSTLUDE experiences at #ICONPOSTLUDE. * Please Stand Lectionary Scripture FIRST LESSON: Isaiah 9:2-7 The prophet announces the birth of the coming Messiah: For unto us a child is born...and his Name shall be called Wonderful Counselor... SECOND LESSON: Titus 2:11-14 The gift of Christ s self-giving is to redeem the people and make them holy to fulfill God s purposes. GOSPEL LESSON: Luke 2:1-20 The beloved story of the birth of Jesus (as told by Luke.) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior which is Christ the Lord.

5 Announcements Seasons We are a seasonal people. From the day we were born until our last minutes, our lives are marked by seasons. Just as the clock and calendar count our days, seasons segment our lives into moments and memories. Seasons help us reflect and remember. Seasons remind us to learn from the past, but look forward to the future. Seasons booklets, describing many of the services, activities and events of First Church in 2015 from Epiphany to Easter are available in the lobby and church office. Join us at First Church in 2015 as we explore Seasons and spend time with God. Mark your calendars and make space for God in your life this year. Let s make 2015 a season of serving God and loving our neighbor. Thank You for the Great Day of Giving Special thanks to our church family for your participation in the Great Day of Giving this December. Because of your generosity we were able to send letters to our military families serving overseas, make crafts for homebound residents, provide wrapped gifts for 52 children via the Angel Tree, give food boxes and gifts cards for 75 families in need, donate over $4400 to area mission agencies, and raise $2135 for the Methodist Children s Home. As a family, First Church has provided more than $15,000 in special donations to area compassion projects this Christmas season. Thank you for showing the love of Christ through giving this Christmas. Confirmation Begins January 4th Confirmation is an important and exciting time in the life of sixth graders. Sixth graders participate in a series of classes designed to help them make a decision about being a follower of Christ. Confirmation begins with a Parent/Student Informational Meeting at 9:30am on January 4th in The Wright Place. To learn more about confirmation, contact Denise Van Atta at dvanatta@pensacolafirstchurch.com. First Church iphone App Coming 2015 First Church is excited to unveil a First Church iphone app available January The First Church app will be an easy way to get connected and stay informed about what s happening in our faith community. You will be able to keep up-to-date with our interactive church calendars, listen to our latest sermons, submit prayer requests and more. Additional announcements, the church calendar, and more are available online at FUMCPensacola.com.

6 Did You Know? Christmas is the annual feast commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. For Christians, Christmas is not just a single day, but an extended liturgical season of joy and celebration for twelve days, involving many different symbols and traditions, special music and activities. The season of Christmas concludes on Epiphany Sunday when we celebrate the arrival of the Wise Man visiting the young Christ child. The liturgical color of Christmas is white. Who Are We? + Cutting Edge: We use new songs, modern musical styles, two huge HD screens, and social networking to bring the gospel of Jesus to our postmodern culture. + Tradition Rich: Unlike most contemporary services we fully embrace our Christian heritage. Our service centers around Holy Communion and finds the ancient liturgy of the early church to be highly relevant. + Art Embracing: We value the creative arts in our congregation. Our service uses musical and visual arts to help deepen our experience of worship. + Mission Minded: We embrace the words of Matthew 5:16 and strive to share our faith, through love, in the community and the world. + Christ Centered: We strive to keep Christ at the center of all we do. Our focus is not so much about making Christ relevant to the world, but making the world relevant to Christ. Our worship is not about us, but about God. What Does Mean? ICON is the Greek word for image. Worship at ICON is highly visual and experiential with the large screens, candles and processional cross. The Bible proclaims that we are made in God s image (Genesis 1), but through our sin we have tarnished that image. We believe that Christ is the true image of God (Hebrews 1) and through him God is restoring us to our true image. The Bible says (1 John 3:2), What we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: that when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. Our hope is to be an ICON of Christ.