First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights A congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA) Organized in 1855 Heritage Believers know the body of Christ, if they do not neglect to be the body of Christ. Let them become the body of Christ, if they wish to live by the Spirit of Christ. Augustine SERVICE FOR THE LORD S DAY SECOND SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS JANUARY 3, 2016 10:30 AM Choose love. Be the light. Change the world. First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights 302 N. Dunton Avenue Arlington Heights, IL 60004 847-255-5900 www.fpcah.org mail@fpcah.org
The prelude is your invitation to quiet preparation for the worship of Almighty God. GATHERING AS GOD S PEOPLE PRELUDE Alleluias Robert Lau Luke 2:13, 14: And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. WELCOME CALL TO WORSHIP One: Arise, shine; for your light has come, All: and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. One: Nations shall come to your light All: and rulers to the brightness of your rising. One: Come, let us worship God in light and love. HYMN 152 What Star Is This, with Beams So Bright Puer Nobis Nascitur CALL TO CONFESSION PRAYER OF CONFESSION O God, our guide, who once used a star to lead people to Christ, we confess our poor sense of direction. We let ourselves become confused, easily distracted, and lose our way. We fail to follow the signs you provide. Forgive our waywardness, O God. Lead us to the Christ so that we may follow his way to you. Amen. SILENT CONFESSION...in Jesus name we pray. Amen. WORDS OF FORGIVENESS RESPONSE (Hymn 583) Glory to God, glory to God, glory in the highest! Glory to God, glory to God, alleluia, alleluia! PASSING THE PEACE One: The peace of Jesus Christ be with you. All: And also with you. One: Let us share the peace of Christ with one another. COMMUNITY LIFE
HEARING GOD S WORD PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION FIRST SCRIPTURE READING Isaiah 60:1-6 (Pew Bible, p. 602) The Word of the Lord/Thanks be to God! SECOND SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 2:1-12 (Pew Bible, p. 783) The Word of the Lord/Thanks be to God! SERMON On the Road Again TIME OF SILENT REFLECTION AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Nicene Creed) We believe in one God, the Father, The Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. HYMN 151 We Three Kings of Orient Are Kings of Orient GIVING THANKS TO GOD OFFERING OFFERTORY The Glory Manger arr. Jon Washburn They turned away Mary and Joseph away from the inn, and that s what made the glory manger. With a hallelujah, and a hallelujah, Lord, Wasn t that a bright Bethlehem morning all around the glory manger. They laid my pretty little Jesus down in the straw, and that s what made the glory manger. With a hallelujah, and a hallelujah, Lord, Wasn t that a bright Bethlehem morning all round the glory manger. He played with his pretty little fingers, all in the straw, and that s what made the glory manger. With a hallelujah, and a hallelujah, Lord, Wasn t that a bright Bethlehem morning all around the glory manger. Men s Chorus; Tom Pardo, baritone
DOXOLOGY (Hymn 606) Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION THE INVITATION THE THANKSGIVING One: The Lord be with you. All: And also with you. One: Lift up your hearts. All: We lift them to the Lord. One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. All: It is right to give thanks and praise. 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. WORDS OF INSTITUTION SERVING OF THE BREAD AND CUP (All are invited to receive Holy Communion. Please partake of the bread as it is served. We will hold the cup and drink together. All bread served is gluten-free.) PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION GOING FORTH IN GOD S NAME HYMN 744 Arise, Your Light Is Come! Festal Song BENEDICTION POSTLUDE Toccata on Regent Square arr. Lani Smith Please stand as you are able. Preaching: Flowers: Presbytery Women In honor of those who serve Pastors:, Tai Zimmerman, Director of Music Programs: Adam Hendrickson Associate Director of Music Adult Choirs: Alan Wellman Associate Director of Music and Organist: Chris Urban
WELCOME, GUESTS! Thank you for worshiping with us this morning. Please sign the Friendship Pad and pass it along the pew, and introduce yourself to those around you after the service. Then stop by the Welcome Center in the Narthex to pick up information that will acquaint you with our church services and programs. If you have questions, members of the Welcomers Corps will be there to answer them. You are also invited to join the conversation on Facebook, at facebook.com/fpcah, and Twitter, at @FirstPresAH. We look forward to connecting with you again. CHILD CARE Children of all ages are warmly welcomed and encouraged to participate in worship. Child care is available (infants through age four) in the Christian Education Wing (8:15 am 12:15 pm). We encourage 3- and 4-year-olds to participate in Preschool Sunday School, offered from 9:45 to 10:45 am. CLASSES FOR ALL AGES From September through May, Sunday morning Christian education classes are held for all ages. These include classes for preschool, elementary, middle school, and high school students, as well as education and discussion groups for adults. Children s and youth education, as well as adult classes, take place from 9:45 to10:45 am. Check the adult education brochure for course titles, dates, and times. To learn more, visit fpcah.org or call the church office at 847-255- 5900. SPECIAL ASSISTANCE Large print bulletins, large print hymn packets, and hearing amplifiers are available from the ushers. WORSHIP BAGS Worship bags for young worshipers (ages 3-12 years) are available outside the Sanctuary and in the Chapel. The bags contain items designed to guide active participation in the service and learning about worship. Please return the bags to the basket as you leave. IMPORTANT WORSHIP REMINDERS Please silence cell phones and refrain from taking photos or recording worship services. A weekly webcast of the services are available at fpcah.org/webcast. Audio CD recordings of 11:00 am worship are available in the church office. To download a podcast of today s sermon, visit the Worship page at fpcah.org.