This bulletin was printed on recycled paper! Please leave it on the pew for the Youth to collect at the close of service! Thank you!

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1 *HYMN 605 *CHARGE AND BENEDICTION BEARING GOD S WORD INTO THE WORLD Now May Your Servant, Lord Go in peace. AMEN! *CHORAL BENEDICTION Simeon Sings Now David Haas *POSTLUDE Postlude on Gloria Jason D. Payne This bulletin was printed on recycled paper! Please leave it on the pew for the Youth to collect at the close of service! Thank you! 210 S. Wayne Street Milledgeville, GA fpchurch@windstream.net Our church is now registered with Smile.Amazon.com! Go to smile.amazon.com and select First Presbyterian Church of Milledgeville ( ) as your charity of choice, and start shopping! A portion of all purchases made through this site will come back to our congregation! Wednesday, January 3 ~ The Bible study will begin with a new book: The Power of Nonviolence: Writings by Advocates of Peace. Contributors include Gandhi, Dorothy Day, Thomas Merton, MLK, Jr., Camus, Simone Weil, and others. If you would like to join us, please see Rev. Susan about ordering a book. Saturday, January 6, 10:00am ~ Removing the Greens in Sanctuary. Saturday, January 13, 9am-3pm ~ Officer Retreat, here at FPC. Sunday, January 14 ~ Officer Installation. **Please sign up for after church reception in the New Year!! Great time of fellowship!! church staff: Pastor, Rev. Susan Balfour, revsebalfour@gmail.com ( )Cell Children & Youth, Gloria Burns, gloryb.ce@gmail.com Admin. Asst., Amy Snowden, fpchurch@windstream.net Music Director, Dr. Jennifer Flory, jennifer.flory@gcsu.edu Organists, Kate Phillips and Jenny Moore Child Care Providers, Sarah Clegg, Sarah Patrick, Raeven Rodney, and Andaysha Taylor Co-Treasurer s, David Baarda and Joel Burns OFFICE HOURS Monday Closed for New Years, Tuesday- Friday 9am - 5pm PASTOR OFFICE HOURS Tuesday 10am - 3pm, Wednesday 2pm - 4pm, Thursday 10am - 12pm, or by appointment Like us on FACEBOOK First.Presbyterian.Church.Milledgeville. GA We seek to glorify God through: Inspiring worship in Word and music, Inquiring study for adults and youth, Inclusive hospitality locally and globally, Industrious outreach for social justice and environmental stewardship. radio ministry WKZR (102.3FM)

2 December 31, 2017 First Sunday after Christmas PRELUDE In Dulci Jubilo Franz Liszt, Arr. Hal Hopson CHIMING OF THE HOUR WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS We are delighted that you have joined us this Lord s Day. If you are interested in membership, we invite you to speak to Rev. Susan. Thank you for being with us! GATHERING AROUND GOD S WORD CHORAL INTROIT Mary and Joseph Came to the Temple David Haas CHILDREN S TIME CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: Praise the Lord! Praise God from the heavens. Congregation: Young men and women alike, old and young together! Leader: Let us praise the name of the Lord, whose name alone is exalted above earth and heaven. Congregation: Alleluia! MORNING PRAYER: Saving God, the prophet Anna and righteous Simeon sang your praises and proclaimed Jesus our Lord to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. Let us who seek redemption in this day prepare our hearts, that we may believe the good news of Jesus, receive the light of salvation, and live according to your word. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. *HYMN 262 God of the Ages, Whose Almighty Hand CALL TO CONFESSION Jesus our Lord came into an indifferent world, yet his life revealed the inner thoughts of many. Let us confess our sins before God and one another that we may receive release from our sin. PRAYER OF CONFESSION Merciful God, we confess that we have not lived as your faithful children. We have kept silent in midst of prejudice and hatred. We have been idle in the face of violence and injustice. We have not been a light to the nations, and our lives have not revealed your glory. Forgive us, Merciful God. Repair the ugliness of our sin and restore in us your beautiful grace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. CHORAL RESPONSE Anna Had Prayed There David Haas DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS Beloved of God, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels, God covers us with the robe of righteousness. Know that you are forgiven in Jesus Christ and live as God s beloved. *GLORIA PATRI HYMN NO. 579 Glory be to the Creator, and to the Christ and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and always shall be, world without end! Amen, amen. *Please stand as you are able. THE PEACE Leader: Let us now share the peace which Jesus made possible...peace be with you. Congregation: And also with you. Leader: Please greet those near to you with the peace of Christ. ANTHEM The First Nowell - from Eric Satie s Gymnopedie, arr. Alice Carpenter PROCLAIMING GOD S WORD PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION As you led Simeon to embrace the infant Jesus, guide us, Holy Spirt, by your gracious light that we may welcome your saving Word. Amen. SCRIPTURE READING Pew Bible Page # OLD TESTAMENT Zechariah 2:6-13, 8:20-23 OT P. 880, 883 NEW TESTAMENT 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NT P. 169 SERMON Let Us Go With You, For God Is With You Rev. John Lamsma *HYMN 326 RESPONDING TO GOD S WORD Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart *AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Apostle s Creed Ecumenical Version Hymnal Page 14 INVITATION TO THE OFFERING As the earth brings forth its shoots and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so will God cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. With thankful hearts, let us offer ourselves and our gifts to God. OFFERTORY Offertory on a French Carol Edward Boughton *DOXOLOGY Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all our gifts! Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts! Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! *PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND DEDICATION Loving God, we give you thanks for the light of the world, Jesus Christ, through whom we have received adoption as your children. With Jesus our brother, we dedicate ourselves in ministry to the world, that we may live as heirs of your promises to the honor and glory of your name. Amen. Join us after worship in the Fellowship Hall for refreshments and fellowship The Fellowship Hall is to the right of the front of the Sanctuary. Restrooms are to the left of the front of the Sanctuary.

3 CHURCH FAMILY: Harry Beck, chemotherapy LIMITED MOBILITY Carolyn Erickson, recovering from a stroke, Eatonton Health & Rehabilitation Mary Carlton Martha Chappell EXTENDED FAMILY: Mrs. Gerry Califf Hayden Adams, Don & Terri Glover s 13 yr old granddaughter, large cell Helen Danuser leukemia, lives in New York State Bob & Eloise Lamb Murphy Davis, Open Door Community, cancer, multiple health concerns Polly Morrison Judy degrandcourt, Sandra Balfour s sister, advanced MS Charlotte Owens Kyle Dennis, Anne s husband, Multiple Myeloma, kidney issues Gloria Smith Russell & Kathleen Edwards, Marianne s parents, numerous health problems Jeremy Erickson, Carolyn Erickson s son, liver issues Marty Flory, Jennifer s mother-in-law, multiple health concerns Dee Hartmann, Sandra Balfour s sister-in-law, health issues Leigh Humphrey, Will & Becky Humphrey s son, recovering, kidney transplant Arthur & Julie Montemayor, Becky Henderson s parents, ongoing health concerns Tom Murphy, Kathy Carroll s brother, colon cancer Edna Miller Nixon, Carl & Nancy Miller s aunt, recovering bypass surgery Chris Pearson, Sunda Coleman s son, under heart specialist care Roy & Runette Pound, Sunda Coleman s parents, at home recovering, multiple health issues Suzy Smith, Lois Callender s mother, prayers for improved physical & mental health Sue York, cancer treatment IN ASSISTED LIVING Marguerite Owens, Gloria Burns mother, Savannah Court 61 Marshall Rd. Bryan Dempster, Green Acres, 313 Allen Memorial Drive SW Our worship services can now be viewed on Facebook. Please take an Our Daily Bread devotional in the narthex for some fulfilling encouragement and reassurance! THIS WEEK AT OUR CHURCH: DEC. 31 ~ Jan. 7 Today: New Year s Eve!! 9:45 Sunday School 10:00 Puppets 11:00 Worship Service ~ Rev. John Lamsma Monday: Happy New Year! ~ OFFICE CLOSED!! Tuesday: 12:00 Kiwanis Club Luncheon Wednesday: 6:30 Potluck Gathering 7:15 Bible Study ~ The Power of Nonviolence Thursday: 1:00 Afternoon Bridge Club 7:00 Choir Practice Saturday: 10:00 Removing the Greens Sunday: 9:45 Sunday School 10:00 Puppets 11:00 Worship Service W/Communion & Food Offering Received S.T.A.R.S. will not be held today Questions for Reflection ONLINE GIVING fpchurch.org Consider what it means to be a child of God by adoption. What does it mean to you to think of yourself as a brother or sister of Jesus, who is the Son of God? Household Prayers Morning: In you, O God, I will greatly rejoice in speaking, I will greatly rejoice; in silence, I will greatly rejoice; in travels, I will greatly rejoice; in resting, I will greatly rejoice; in working, I will greatly rejoice; in leisure, I will greatly rejoice; in duties, I will greatly rejoice; in freedom, I will greatly rejoice. O God, my whole being exults in you, and my life shall evermore declare your praise, my light, my love, my joy. Amen. Evening: Lord, let your servant sleep in peace this night and fulfill your gracious word. Reveal to me the salvation that you have prepared for all people. With Jesus Christ, help me be a light to the nations and a sign of your glorious promise to Israel. Amen.

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