December 25, 2016 - traditional services CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE OF WORSHIP Therefore, as God s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 ORGAN PRELUDE, "Noel".... Daquin Frank Shelton INTROIT Sing We Noel"...Goemanne Sanctuary Choir, Jim DeJarnette CALL TO WORSHIP (based on Luke 2) John Goodale Leader: People: Leader: People: Hear the words of the angel, I bring you good news of great joy! Good News that is for all people! A Savior has been born to us; He is Christ the Lord. Joy to the world, the Lord is come! * HYMN OF PRAISE, No. 179 Joy to the World 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. Joy to the earth! The Savior reigns; Let all their songs employ; While fields and floods, rock, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat the sounding joy. 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. Words: Isaac Watts, from Psalm 98; Public Domain; Tune: Antioch Chris Lawson, Stephen Hock, Doug Moden, Trumpet * PRAYER OF PRAISE
**WELCOME AND GREETINGS * SONG OF ADORATION O Come, All Ye Faithful O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold Him, born the King of angels; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord. Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above; Glory to God, all glory in the highest; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord! Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning, Jesus, to Thee be all glory given; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord! Text: Attr. John F. Wade; tr. Frederick Oakeley; Public Domain Tune: Adeste Fideles Matt Holtzman and Yemi Mobolade, Worship Leaders Marj Killick, Piano; James Bristow, Guitar; Jason Crowe, Bass; Scott Barbier, Percussion CALL TO CONFESSION COMMUNITY PRAYER OF CONFESSION O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature; grant that we may share the divine life of Him who humbled Himself to share our humanity, Your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. PRAYER OF PERSONAL CONFESSION ASSURANCE OF GOD S FORGIVENESS RESPONSE Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel. Words: English Carol; Public Domain; Tune: The First Noel
LIFE OF THE CONGREGATION Please write your name and address in the friendship folder. OFFERING OUR GIFTS "On This Day, Angels Sing"... Gilpin SCRIPTURE Isaiah 63:7-9, Page 1125 Chuck Fowler MINISTRY OF MUSIC Welcome to Our World...Rice Matt Holtzman and Yemi Mobolade, Soloists PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE / THE LORD'S PRAYER * HYMN OF PREPARATION, No. 188 Angels We Have Heard on High Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing o er the plains, And the mountains in reply Echo back their joyous strains. Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo. Shepherds, why this jubilee: Why your joyous strains prolong: Say, what may the tidings be Which inspire your heavenly song? Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo. Come to Bethlehem, and see Him whose birth the angels sing; Come, adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn King. Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo. Words: French carol, Edward Shippen Barnes; Public Domain; Tune: Gloria SERMON BELOVED We Go Together Colossians 3:1-3, 12-17 Katie Fowler
* HYMN OF RESPONSE, No. 218 Go, Tell It on the Mountain Refrain: Go, tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere; Go, tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born. While shepherds kept their watching, O er silent flocks by night, Behold, throughout the heavens There shone a holy light. Refrain The shepherds feared and trembled When, lo! Above the earth Rang out the angel chorus That hailed our Savior s birth. Refrain Down in a lowly manger The humble Christ was born, And God sent us salvation That blessed Christmas morn. Refrain Words: John W. Work; Public Domain; Tune: Go, Tell It * BENEDICTION POSTLUDE, "Go Tell It on the Mountain.... Janzer * Congregation standing. ** Ushers will seat worshipers who are delayed here and during hymns. Ministers leaving the service have teaching responsibilities in our Adult Sunday School Communities. Need someone to pray for you today? Stephen Ministers are available immediately following today s service at the front of Sanctuary.
Our Advent series, Beloved, is about focusing on the greatest love story ever told, the love of God for us, His creation. God loved us so much that He sent His Son to suffer and die on our behalf. Christmas is a celebration of the beginning of that story. The book Song of Songs captures the deep passion of those yoked in marriage, but it s also a metaphor for Jesus Christ and His bride, the church. Song of Songs 2:16 says, My beloved is mine and I am his. That is how Jesus feels about us. God is coming over the hills to reach you, to save you, to bring you home and to call you His Beloved. NEW TO FIRST PRES? Welcome! We re glad you re here. Please join us after the morning worship services at Guest Central, just to the east of the Sanctuary. We d love to meet you, offer refreshments and a welcome gift. To get all the latest information, subscribe to the First Pres weekly e-blast at www.first-pres.org/enews and follow us on Facebook at First Pres Colorado Springs! Worship Times Traditional Services 8:20 and 9:45 a.m. in the Sanctuary Contemporary Services 9:45 a.m. in Fellowship Hall; 11:10 a.m. in the Sanctuary 12/25/16 VISIT US ONLINE AT FIRST-PRES.ORG
WHAT S HAPPENING AT FIRST PRES Caring Ministries - 884-6145 Alcoholics Anonymous, meets over the noon hour on Tuesdays and Fridays in room 030. AA is a fellowship of men and woman who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others in their recovery. Student Ministries - 884-6220 Don t miss out on Winter Camp registration! This is your last chance to sign up for a discount. Camp for Christmas is a great opportunity to help send students to Winter Camp. Sign up by December 25 (today) at a discounted rate!! High School Winter Camp is January 13-15 and Middle School Camp is February 24-26. Please go to the website to sign up www.firstpres.org/wintercamp2017. Launchpoint (College Age - Young Adults) Looking for space to connect with others at First Pres? Join us for our monthly worship gathering on January 15 at 6 p.m. at Café 225 (225 N. Weber St). Questions about Launchpoint or want info. on being part of a weekly community? Email Katie at kfowler@ first-pres.org. Are you passionate about helping the next generation connect with God? We are looking for older adults to bless, serve and pray with young people; help provide meals for our monthly worship night; and build intergenerational relationships. For more info., contact Katie Fowler (kfowler@first-pres.org). New Year's Eve Service of Worship Saturday, December 31 7 p.m., in the Sanctuary Join us Saturday, December 31, at 7 p.m. for a New Year s Eve worship gathering at First Pres Sanctuary. This church-wide worship gathering will be led by the Launchpoint Young Adult community. Join us as we sing, pray, reflect on the year gone by, share in communion and hear God s Word as we worship our God who makes all things new. Nursery is available for children five and under.
Adult Ministries - 884-6117 Stay-at-Home Dads Group, Thursdays, 9-10 a.m., January 12-February 8. Are you a dad and the primary caregiver of your children? Come join us for our Stay-at-Home Dads Group at First Pres. Childcare is provided. Register on the calendar link at www.first-pres.org. Alpha - Do you know someone with questions about life and faith or who is wondering what Christianity is all about? Consider inviting them to Alpha. Our next course will again be run in partnership with New Life Downtown and Crossover Church on Wednesday nights at 6:15 p.m. from January 18 - March 15 at the Commons (332 N Tejon Street, 80903). Interested in helping out with Alpha? Email Katie at kfowler@first-pres.org. Missions/City Engagement - 884-6233 ESM collection will be January 1. Items most needed: protein foods, hats, gloves, coats and blankets. Items can be left on the cart in the Plaza near the doors. Next Doorways Class Save the date! Doorways New Member class will begin Wednesday, January 11, 6:15 p.m. Contact Mary Frieg, mfrieg@first-pres.org, or register online www.firstpres.org Crown the Year Offering We invite you to participate in this special offering to give an additional gift to the work of the Lord at year end. Envelopes are available in the pew pockets in the Sanctuary, usher s table in Fellowship Hall and reception desks. Year-End Giving The Business Office, located on the lower level of Hansen Hall, will be open 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Friday, December 30, to receive year-end contributions. In addition, a drop slot is located outside the entrance to the Business Office. All contributions received or postmarked on or before December 31, will be recorded on the 2016 giving statements to be mailed in January 2017. Giving Envelopes Pre-ordered offering envelopes are available for pick up today at the table located outside the Library.
Financial Summary for 2016 2016 Budgeted Contribution Income... $ 5,846,076 Actual Contribution Income through Dec. 19... $ 5,558,210 Remaining Balance to Reach 2016 Budget... $ 287,866 Thank you for your gifts and prayers. We are grateful to be partners in ministry with each of you. WEEKLY PRAYER FOCUS Mission Emphasis: Carlos and Becky Pinto live in Ecuador and work with Reach Beyond (formerly HCJB) with a focus on preparing Latin American Christians to be global missionaries going to places that are closed to European or North American missionaries. Recent training equipped young people who will be ministering in North Africa, Ethiopia and Mozambique. Praise God for the vision and faithfulness of the Pintos. Local Church: New Hope Church of God Pray for those in hospitals or short-term rehab: Penrose Main Ms. Lilian Simek Center at Centennial Ms. Judy Rose GIFTS TO SANCTUARY FLOWER FUND In loving memory of: Bruce W. Lane by Margot, David and Philip Lane and families Susan Quinlan by Mike Quinlan My husband, James M. Wood, Jr. and my mother, Elsie Kennedy, by Elsie Wood and children My son, Jeff Blackmun, daughter, Paula Blackmun, and parents, Julia & Lynn Hammond, by Julie Blackmun James Henry Stevens by John and Gail Stevens and family Vernon and Ruth Dingwell by Keckritz and Jewell families Our dad, Frank Royal, by Michael and Beth Royal and extended families IN MEMORIAM Information on those who have gone to be with the Lord may be found at www.first-pres.org/memorials.