Coming Events Saturday, December 24 Christmas Eve 6:00 Worship, with the Lord s supper, Mackey s Christmas Sunday, December 25 Christmas Day 10:30 Worship, with the Lord s supper Sunday, January 1 9:00 Breakfast fellowship 9:20 Children s music 9:30 Sunday school 10:30 Worship, with the Lord s supper Welcome Made One by Christ News for the Good of the Church Prelude Away in a Manger * Choral Call to Worship arr. Paige Where the Promise Shines Joel Raney A Candle Lighting Ceremony for Advent Christmas Eve The Promise of Arrival Reader/Advent candle lighters: Ryan, Emily, and Benjamin Kenrick Refrain Congregation and Choir Tuesday, January 3 10:30 Ladies circle Wednesday, January 4 6:45 Bells 7:15 Choir Sunday, January 8 9:00 Breakfast fellowship 9:20 Children s music 9:30 Sunday school 10:30 Worship Wednesday, January 11 6:45 Bells 7:15 Choir Sunday, January 15 9:00 Breakfast fellowship 9:20 Children s music 9:30 Sunday school 10:30 Worship Wednesday, January 18 6:45 Bells 7:15 Choir Reminder: During worship, please enter through the Court Street sanctuary doors. All other doors will be locked. *Please rise in body and spirit. Responsive Litany Advent is a time for God s people to reawaken their longings. Joy to the world, the Savior reigns! Tonight, we long to worship the newborn King. Joy to the world, the Savior reigns! Tonight, we long to hear the good news proclaimed by the angels. Joy to the world, the Savior reigns! Tonight, we long to receive the promise foretold. Joy to the world, the Savior reigns! Candle Lighting and Reading Refrain Congregation and Choir Opening Prayer Hymn #133 O Come, All Ye Faithful Clothed by Christ Moment of Silence Corporate Prayer of Confession The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, through Jesus Christ, who gave Himself to redeem us. Trusting in God s grace, let us confess our sin.
God-with-us, we confess that we have not embraced Your love. Christ has come into the world, and yet we do not know Him. He has called us to be His own, and yet we do not accept Him. Forgive us, God of grace. Show us Your mercy and truth until we know in fullness Your good news of great joy, through Jesus Christ our Lord. God has poured out the Holy Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. By Christ s grace we have become children of God and heirs to the hope of eternal life. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God. Sharing of Christ s Peace *Song of Praise, Gloria In Excelsis Deo Prayers of the People 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. Choral Anthem Before the Marvel of This Night Carl Schalk * Hymn #115 Away in a Manger Prayer of Illumination First Lesson Isaiah 9:2-7 page 593 Gospel Lesson Luke 2:1-20 page 889 Sermon Mackey s Christmas The Rev. Steve Frazier * Candle Lighting Hymn #122 Sharing God s Blessings and Compassion Hearing God s Word of Hope and Power Taking Christ s Blessing to the World Silent Night, Holy Night! During the singing of Silent Night, acolytes will light their candles from the Christ candle and pass the light to the congregation. The congregation will pass the light from the front of the sanctuary to the back until all candles are lit. Silent night! holy night! All is calm, all is bright, Round yon Virgin Mother and Child! Holy Infant, so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace. Silent night! holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight; Glories stream from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing, Alleluia: Christ, the Saviour, is born; Christ, the Saviour, is born! Silent night! holy night! Son of God, love s pure light Radiant beams from Thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth. Silent night, holy night, Wondrous star, lend thy light; With the angels let us sing Alleluia to our King: Christ the Savior is born; Christ the Savior is born. * Charge and Benediction Please leave the sanctuary in silence. Before the Marvel of This Night Before the marvel of this night, adoring, fold your wings and bow; then tear the sky apart with light and with your news the world endow. Proclaim the birth of Christ and peace, that fear and death and sorrow cease: sing peace; sing peace; sing gift of peace; sing peace; sing gift of peace! Awake the sleeping world with song: this is the day the Lord has made. Assemble here, celestial throng, in royal splendor come arrayed. Give earth a glimpse of heavenly bliss, a teasing taste of what they miss: sing bliss; sing bliss; sing endless bliss; sing bliss; sing endless bliss! The love that we have always known, our constant joy and endless light, now to the loveless world be shown, now break upon its deathly night. Into one song compress the love that rules our universe above: sing love; sing love; sing God is love; sing love; sing God is love!
The Vision of the Congregation: We see ourselves as the embracing arms of Jesus Christ for each other, for the community, and for the world. From our family to yours, we d like to wish each of you a happy and blessed Christmas. Thank you for joining us on the sacred night. May the revelation of Christ s coming be a source of hope and joy for you as you anticipate a new year. If you do not have a church home, we d like to invite you to join us each Sunday morning at 9:30 for study and 10:30 for worship. Join us for Christmas Eve Goodies! Immediately following this night s service, please join us in our courtyard lobby for refreshments. It s is a wonderful time to greet old friends and family members as well as welcome new friends and family members. Prayer List Ronald Curry (Grace Yingling s son), Karen Diggs, Jackie and Tyler Forsythe, Stephanie Green, Linda Harrell (friend of Alice Butler), Mary Alice Jarman (friend of Bob and Judy Powell), Christy Mattern, Carl Rhodes, the Winkler and Powell families, Dorothy Wooldridge (friend of Carl Rhodes) Everyone suffering with cancer and facing surgery Our friends at home, especially Margaret Glynn, Lanier Halterman, Frances Hardy, AT & Nancy Mayo, Ann Michaluk, Sue Parker, Lane Pittman, Harvey Spiers, Patrice & Phil Winkler, Joyce Wright, Grace Yingling Leading in worship today The Rev. Steve Frazier Edna Broadhurst, Director of Music Ministries Ushers: David Culpepper, Dan Swanson Counters: David Culpepper, Norma Halterman
December Offerings 12/4 $ 4,915.60 12/18 $ 1,871.94 12/11 $ 4,008.00 12/25 MTD $10,795.54 December Attendance 12/4 Worship 49 Sunday school 16 12/11 Worship 61 Sunday school 17 12/18 Worship 48 Sunday school 17 12/25 Worship Sunday school The church office will be open on Wednesdays only, from 1:00 4:00. In order to prepare the bulletin in a timely manner, all notices should be sent to (pastor@fpcports.org) and/or the bulletin editor (bulletin@fpcports.org) no later than 6pm Tuesday. Music is reprinted by permission and under CCLI License #2350381. Session The Rev. Steve Frazier, Moderator of Session Gail Pittman, Clerk of Session Administration - Paul Butler Fellowship - Oralie Wilhite Finance - Diane Griffin Mission/Outreach - Jennifer Patgorski Property - Michael Broadhurst Worship - Agnes McFadden and David Culpepper Members and friends of the congregation are encouraged to contact the appropriate elder with their comments and suggestions. Church Staff The Rev. Steve Frazier, Covenant Pastor 397-3622 ext. 202 Edna Broadhurst, Director of Music Ministries 397-3622 ext. 203 Birthdays 12/2 Kathy Goolsby 12/3 Frances Spires 12/12 Margaret Glynn, Jay James, Viki Goolsby 12/18 Michael Broadhurst Corbin Taylor 12/21 Pat Sparks 12/22 Earl Griffin 12/28 Elizabeth (Pond) Gerlach Riley Winkler 12/30 Ian Taylor Missing a birthday? Please contact: Church pastor@fpcports.org 397-3622 Bulletin Editor bulletin@fpcports.org Newsletter Editor slp149@aol.com www.fpcports.org Ministries 12/4 BF Todd Taylor SS Chreston Holoman PWF Oralie Wilhite 12/11 BF Barbara & Sylvia SS Chreston Holoman PWF Lou Wilhite 12/18 BF Oralie & Raymond SS Chreston Holoman PWF Kelsey & Nancy 12/24 PWF Oralie Wilhite 12/25 BF No Breakfast SS No Sunday School PWF Jennifer Patgorski pastor@fpcports.org
The poinsettias in the sanctuary were given by Betty Bartlett In memory of Mildred & Al Bartlett In memory of Richard & Robert Bartlett In memory of Frances Butler In memory of Graham & Virginia Carlton In memory of Elizabeth Bartlett Fitzwater In memory of Hugh Fitzwater In memory of Ruby & Grace Justice Madeline Barrow In honor of Colonel Francis E. Brandon, Jr. Barbara Bond In memory of Helen Mawhinney Alice & Paul Butler To the glory of God Karen Diggs In honor of Rudy & Alice Simpson and in loving memory of Aaron Filer John Fay & Emily Kenrick In honor of Jack & Sue Fay Steve & Nancy Frazier In honor of Claire, Barron, & Kelsey In appreciation of Chreston & Mae Holloman and Floyd & Norma Frazier Michele Graupman In honor of my wonderful, strong mother, Mike Taylor In memory of my dad, Don Taylor Earl & Diane Griffin In memory of Terry Pomeroy In honor of great nieces Kate, Marlee, & Annie Pomeroy R. Lanier & Norma Halterman In memory of Buddy & Rebecca Gargis In memory of Rick & Gertie Halterman In honor of Mike & Edna Broadhurst In honor of David Culpepper In honor of the Frazier family Benjamin Kenrick In honor of Mom Mom, Pops, Nana, and Grandy
Ryan & Emily Kenrick In honor of Mary Jane Kenrick Agnes McFadden In honor of those who serve on the Worship Committee, David Culpepper & Agnes McFadden Jennifer Patgorski In honor of Gabrielle & Matthew In honor of Mom & Dad (Edna & Mike Broadhurst) In honor of Aunt Kathy (Kathy Goolsby) In honor of Earl & Diane Griffin Lane & Gail Pittman In honor of the Fraziers In honor of the FPC choir Bob & Judy Powell In honor of loved ones and in memory of loved ones Sonia Powell In memory of Ed Powell Raymond Rodrigues In appreciation of Norma Halterman Rudy & Alice Simpson In memory of Ted & Marie Filer In memory of John & Mable Simpson Burma Smith In memory of Leon C. Smith In honor of Pat Sparks Pat Sparks In loving memory of Ruth & Frazier Byrd In loving memory of Benjamin Robert Gerlach In loving memory of Randy C. Sparks Brad, Linda, & Lauren Spiers In memory of Frances C. Spiers In honor of Harvey E. Spiers Bradley Spiers & Linda Walker Sylvia Stephenson In memory of the Stephenson family Dan Swanson In honor of Kelly, Joe, & Joeley In memory of Shirley $ Gustaf Swanson Joyce Wright In memory of Robert Westbrook & Harold Yingling