Advent. Order of Worship. Preparation. Adoration. Founded in December 23, and 11 a.m. Fourth Sunday of Advent.

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1 Welcoming Advent Order of Worship December 23, and 11 a.m. Fourth Sunday of Advent This is God s house and all are welcome! As you gather for worship, please take a moment to greet one another in the name of Christ. Preparation Words of Welcome The Reverend Pen Peery Prelude He Shall Feed His Flock from Messiah George Frideric Handel Susan Shimp, soloist He shall feed his flock like a shepherd, and he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. Come unto him, all ye that labor, and he will give you rest. Take his yoke upon you, and learn of him; for he is meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Chiming of the Trinity *Lighting of the Advent Candle One: All: One: All: Adoration (9 a.m.) Max, Lauren, and Julia Harnett (11 a.m.) Debbie Sidbury We gather in God s house to prepare for the coming of the Christ child. We are people of love. God is bringing love to every person, every home, and every heart. We light this candle in hope, we light this candle for peace, we light this candle with joy, and we light this candle for love. We are ready to worship. Love is here. *Hymn No. 143 Angels, from the Realms of Glory regent square For First Presbyterian Church Christ in the Heart of Charlotte Founded in 1821

2 Large-print hymnals and Bibles are available. Please let an usher know if you would like one. The Prayer of Confession is adapted from a poem written by Janet Morely. The rosebud in the sanctuary celebrates the birth of Fletcher Christian Dugaw, son of Jessica and Marcus Dugaw. Charlotte is a daughter of Scott and Marla Reschly. Call to Confession Prayer of Confession Confession The Reverend Chuck Williamson All: O God, we confess that we render your word fruitless when the mighty are not put down, the humble remain humiliated, the hungry are not filled, and the rich are; So we pray that you would make good on your word, and begin with us. Open our hearts and unblock our ears to hear the voices of the poor and share their struggle; and send us away empty with longing for your promise to come true in Jesus Christ. One: In silent prayer, let us confess to God the things we choose not to speak aloud. Response (Hymn No. 90) Jacques Berthier Wait for the Lord, whose day is near. Wait for the Lord: be strong, take heart! (congregation sings three times) Assurance of Pardon One: Friends, believe the good news. All: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. *Response (Hymn No. 100) canticle of the turning My soul cries out with a joyful shout that the God of my heart is great, and my spirit sings of the wondrous things that you bring to the ones who wait. You fixed your sight on your servant s plight, and my weakness you did not spurn, so from east to west shall my name be blest. Could the world be about to turn? My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn. Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn! Sacrament of Baptism (11:00 a.m.) Sacrament of Baptism Charlotte Jo Reschly 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. (11 a.m.) Children in kindergarten through 2nd grade may leave for First Church. They will return to the sanctuary during the last hymn. Younger children may go to the nursery. Proclamation The 11 a.m. service is televised over WSOC-TV, Channel 9, this morning and streamed live at Scripture Micah 5:2-5a pew Bible pg. 865 One: This is the word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God.

3 Musical Offering Comfort Ye and Every Valley from Messiah G.F. Handel Ryan Deal, soloist Comfort ye, my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem and cry unto her that her warfare is accomplished; that her iniquity is pardoned. The voice that crieth in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord. Make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill made low; the crooked straight and the rough places plain. Time With Children (9 a.m.) Children in kindergarten through 2nd grade may leave for First Church. They will return to the sanctuary during the last hymn. Younger children may go to the nursery. Scripture Luke 1:46b-55 pew Bible pg. 57 Sermon Mary s Christmas Carol The Reverend Pen Peery *Hymn No. 129 Lo, How a Rose E er Blooming es ist ein ros *Affirmation of Faith (9 a.m.) Apostles Creed Prayers of the People Stewardship of Life Christmas Joy Offering Presentation of Tithes and Offering Offertory Anthem Response The Reverend Mary Margaret Porter George Frideric Handel And the Glory of the Lord from Messiah And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. *Doxology regent square All creation, join in praising God the Father, Spirit, Son, Evermore your voices raising to the eternal Three in One: Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn King! *Prayer of Dedication and 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. Sending Forth *Hymn No. 134 Joy to the World antioch *Charge and Benediction *Benediction Response Of the Father s Love Begotten divinum mysterium Postlude Good Christian Friends, Rejoice Johann Sebastian Bach Today we will collect the Christmas Joy offering. Offerings placed in the Christmas Joy Gift envelopes will support retired Presbyterian church workers in their time of need, as well as support and encourage future leaders at Presbyterianrelated racial ethnic schools and colleges. Part of our offering today goes to the Ten-Cents-A- Meal program, a hunger relief and at-risk youth ministry of the Presbytery of Charlotte. Children and families will pass baskets after the offering plates to collect this offering. A time of personal prayer is offered following both services. If you would like to pray with a pastor and a member of our prayer team, please meet them in the sanctuary overflow area after the 9 a.m. service or in the chapel following the 11 a.m. service. * Please stand if you are able.

4 We are glad you are with us today! We welcome all to First Presbyterian Church as we worship together, knowing that each of us is a beloved part of the body of Christ. Our Pastors Pendleton B. Peery Senior Pastor ppeery@firstpres-charlotte.org Katherine C. Kerr Senior Associate Pastor for Congregational Ministry and Care kkerr@firstpres-charlotte.org Rebecca L. Davis rdavis@firstpres-charlotte.org Mary Margaret Porter mporter@firstpres-charlotte.org Charles C. Williamson cwilliamson@firstpres-charlotte.org William P. Young, III Director of Music Ministries wyoung@firstpres-charlotte.org Coming up at FPC... We Worship Christmas Eve Services Monday, December 24 4 p.m. This candlelight service is open to everyone and is particularly suited for children. 8 p.m. Candlelight Service 10:15 p.m. Handbell Concert, Wood Fellowship Hall 11 p.m. Candlelight and Communion Service Will Young Sabbatical In January, and again in June and July, Director of Music Ministries Will Young will be on sabbatical. During that time, leadership and coverage for the church s music program will be handled by existing staff and a guest organist. Learn more about what to expect on the Now@First page on the website. We Learn Welcoming Love at Christmas Sunday, December a.m., Wood Fellowship Hall All ages will gather to welcome Jesus, who is God s Love made flesh. Through activity stations, we will celebrate not just the first coming of Jesus, but also the coming of Christ into our lives again and again. Bible & Beverage Tuesday, January 8 8 p.m., Resident Culture Brewing Join Reverend Pen Peery and other FPC men for discussion and fellowship at Resident Culture Brewing, 2101 Central Avenue. We Serve Room In The Inn Mondays and Tuesdays, December 3 March 26 Throughout the winter months, First Presbyterian Church provides food, fellowship, and a safe, warm place to sleep to 12 guests who are experiencing homelessness. If you would like to volunteer to serve dinner, spend the night, or otherwise offer hospitality on these nights, please visit the Tickets & Signups page on the website. Moving Ministry Saturday, January 12 9 a.m., Crisis Assistance Furniture Bank FPC s Moving Ministry helps a family move from homelessness or transition into a permanent home. Meet at the Crisis Assistance Furniture Bank, 333 Dalton Road. There is work for for friends and family, including your teenagers and their friends. Visit the Tickets & Signups page on the website. Are you interested in joining our church? Contact Lucy Caldwell Membership Coordinator lcaldwell@firstpres-charlotte.org We Care Understanding & Connecting with Today s Teens Monday, January 7 3 p.m., Sharon Towers Are you curious about your grandkids world? Do you sometimes wonder why teens do what they do? Join Southeast Psych s Jonathan Hetterly and Elise Howell for this open discussion for residents and community members at Sharon Towers. First Fruits Fellowship Monday, January 14, :30 p.m., Napa on Providence Join us for some January fellowship and fun over wine and cheese at our second monthly First Fruits fellowship gathering at Napa on Providence, 110 Perrin Place. Open to everyone. Pastor on call If you have a pastoral emergency outside of regular church hours, dial for the on-call voic . Your call will be returned promptly. 200 West Trade Street Charlotte, NC Still Time to Pledge, Make End-of-Year Contributions The last week of the year is a good time to carry out decisions about your pledge to the 2019 Stewardship Campaign or to make end-of-year contributions. Both pledges and contributions can be made online at the bottom right of any page on the website. In order for your contributions to be deductible on your 2018 taxes, they must be postmarked December 31, 2018, or completed online before midnight on December 31.

5 *Hymn No Angels, from the realms of glory, wing your flight o er all the earth; you, who sang creation s story, now proclaim Messiah s birth: 2 Shepherds, in the fields abiding, watching o er your flocks by night, God with us is now residing; yonder shines the infant light: Angels, from the Realms of Glory 3 Sages, leave your contemplations; brighter visions beam afar; seek the great desire of nations; you have seen his natal star: 4 All creation, join in praising God the Father, Spirit, Son, evermore your voices raising to the eternal Three in One: *Hymn No. 129 Lo, How a Rose E er Blooming 1 Lo, how a rose e er blooming from tender stem hath sprung, of Jesse s lineage coming, by faithful prophets sung. It came, a floweret bright, amid the cold of winter, when half spent was the night. 2 Isaiah twas foretold it, the rose I have in mind; with Mary we behold it, the virgin mother kind. To show God s love aright she bore for us a Savior, when half spent was the night. 3 This flower, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air, dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere. Enfleshed, yet very God, from sin and death he saves us and lightens every load. *Hymn No. 134 Joy to the World 1 Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her king; let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven and nature sing. 2 Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ, while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy. 3 No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground; he comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found, far as, far as the curse is found. 4 He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love, and wonders, wonders of his love.