FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS December 27, 2015
WELCOME Welcome to ICON at First United Methodist Church. We are delighted that you have chosen to worship with us this morning. 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 in room PH101 in the Perry Home. Today s class, Tour of First Church walked you through the historic buildings of our campus. Next week, January 3rd, Introduction to First Church will give you an opportunity to ask questions and learn about the history, theology, worship, and membership of this great church. We hope you will 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 for assistance. Also, children s worship bulletins and crayons are available in the lobby. NEXT WEEK AT ICON Join us next week at First Church for Epiphany of the Lord Sunday. Rev. Scott Grantland, Senior Associate Pastor, will preach with music by the ICON Worship Band. Next week s lectionary scripture: Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:1-2; Matthew 2:1-12. We look forward to worshiping with you next week.
ORDER OF SERVICE ICON - 11 A.M. ANNOUNCEMENTS TRINITY CHIME *CALL TO WORSHIP Let us praise the Name of the Lord. For God s Name alone is exalted. Let all creation sing the glory of God s Name! Praise the Lord! *OPENING SONG Joy to the World Denise Van Atta arr. Steve Fee *COLLECT Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. *SONGS OF PRAISE O Come All Ye Faithful 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 email address so that we may welcome you in a more personal way. SACRAMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM Harper Lynn Coggin, child of Thomas and Elizabeth Coggin Stella Grace Hall, child of Stephen and Kendra Hall Cole Joseph Hall, child of Stephen and Kendra Hall Down to the River to Pray *GOSPEL LESSON: Luke 2:41-52 SERMON Rev. Scott Grantland
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE OFFERTORY Welcome to Our World Chris Rice *DOXOLOGY EUCHARIST Go Tell It Out The Mountain *CLOSING SONG God Is With Us arr. David Crowder Jeremy Quillio *BENEDICTION *Please Stand LECTIONARY SCRIPTURES FIRST LESSON: 1 SAMUEL 2:18-20, 26 Young Samuel was a faithful servant in the Temple, even though he grew up among wicked companions. His faithfulness caused him to grow up in God s favor. SECOND LESSON: COLOSSIANS 3:12-17 Paul exhorts the Colossians to live lives as new persons. They are to show mercy and compassion to one another and be thankful to God in all things. GOSPEL LESSON: LUKE 2:41-52 Missing from a family trip, the young boy Jesus is found teaching in the Temple. All who hear him marvel at his wisdom.
ANNOUNCEMENTS WEDNESDAY NIGHT ACTIVITIES We will not have any Wednesday night activities this week due to the holiday season. Wednesday activities will resume on January 6th with an Epiphany celebration. Epiphany marks the end of the twelve days of Christmas and commemorates the arrival of the magi visiting the young Jesus. We will observe this holy day with a special Wednesday Night Dinner Epiphany Feast (5:00pm) and an Evening Epiphany Service led by Dr. Wesley Wachob in the Main Sanctuary (6:00pm). Join us next Wednesday night for the special event. HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURS The church office will be closed on Friday, January 1st. For pastoral emergencies during these times, please call Ken Autrey at (850) 333-3073 or Ginger Raines at (850) 259-3177. END OF THE YEAR GIVING As the end of the calendar year approaches, it is a good time to count our blessings and reflect on the ways in which our lives have been enriched over the past year. Many of us, out of this gratitude, choose year-end as a time to make an extra monetary gift to our local church or charity for the ministries, the inspiration, the services and the hope that they have received throughout the year. To qualify for a 2015 charitable income tax deduction, your gift must be made or postmarked by December 31, 2015. Thanks for supporting your church! CONNECTION First United Methodist Church is a connectional church. We are a family of faith that meets weekly to worship, study, and serve together. Our church is just one small part of the worldwide United Methodist Church. The United Methodist Church is just one denomination of many. In 2016, First Church will focus on what it means to be connected. Look for a connection guide coming at the beginning of the year.
DID YOU KNOW? Today is the first Sunday after Christmas. Christmas is a twelve day festival concluding on Epiphany, January 6th when we celebrate the arrival of the magi visiting the young Jesus. We will celebrate Epiphany on January 6th with a special Epiphany Feast in The Wright Place at 5:00pm followed by Epiphany Service in the Main Sanctuary at 6:00pm. Come celebrate the conclusion the Christmas season with us on January 6th. 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 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.