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December 24, 2006
Sunday, December 24 Bulletin
The Order for the Worship of God
Faith Presbyterian Church 9:30 a.m., December 24, 2006
We invite all into a common discipline of silence as we gather for worship. Then we will greet and welcome one another into the presence of the Lord.
Prelude “Rhapsodie Sur Des Noëls”
(See music notes) --Eugene Gigout (France, 1844-1925)
Greeting & Invocation The Sededji family-candle lighters
The fourth candle, the angel’s candle, reminds us that angels not only announced that Jesus would be born to the Virgin Mary, but they were the first to announce His birth after Jesus was born.
Hymn # 354 “Angels from the Realms of Glory”
Psalter: Psalm 91 (read responsively) Erin Sparks
1You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
2will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.”
3For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence;
4he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5You will not fear the terror of the night, or the arrow that flies by day,
6or the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or the destruction that wastes at noonday.
7A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
8You will only look with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
9Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place,
10no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent.
11For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
12On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.
13You will tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.
14Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name.
15When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them.
16With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.
Special Music “The Wexford Carol” Elaine McVay
Prayer for Illumination Erin Sparks
Old Testament Lesson: Zechariah 4: 1 - 7
Erin Sparks
1The angel who talked with me came again, and wakened me, as one is wakened from sleep. 2He said to me, “What do you see?” And I said, “I see a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it; there are seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps that are on the top of it. 3And by it there are two olive trees, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.” 4I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?” 5Then the angel who talked with me answered me, “Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.” 6He said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of hosts. 7What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain; and he shall bring out the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’”
Lector: “This is the Word of God.”
Congregation: “Thanks be to God for His Word.”
Children’s Sermon
Hymn # 7 “It Came upon the Midnight Clear”
(Christmas Book)
New Testament Lesson: Hebrews 1: 1 - 4
1Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. 3He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
Sermon “Jesus, the Song of Angels” Pastor Robertson
After the sermon children in grades K-6 may leave for children’s choir
Gathering of Tithes and Offerings
Offertory “What Child Is This?/Silent Night” Arr. Smith and Hustad
Nadia Dubikovskiy, piano
Response
All things are Thine; no gift have we,
Lord of all gifts, to offer Thee;
And hence with grateful hearts today,
Thine own before Thy feet we lay.
Prayer of Dedication
Joys and Concerns
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession
David Santogrossi, Tom Housley, Marilyn Howland-Ross (Pat Short’s friend), the folk in the military, Theological College of Central Africa-Zambia, Rich & Kathy Stuebing
Hymn # 345 “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
Benediction
Postlude “Gloria” --Daniel Pinkham
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth to men of goodwill,
peace and love abiding."
* The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Worship
…is the quickening of conscience by God’s holiness;
the nourishment of mind with His truth;
the purifying of imagination by His beauty;
the opening of the heart to His love;
the surrender of the will to His purpose;
and all of this gathered up in adoration—
the most selfless emotion of which our nature is capable, and therefore the chief remedy for that self-centeredness which is our original sin and the source of all actual sin.” William Temple
Welcome
To all who are weary and seek rest; to all who mourn and long for comfort; to all who struggle and desire victory; to all who sin and need a Savior; to all who are idle and look for service; to all who are strangers and want fellowship; to all who hunger and thirst after righteousness; and to whosoever will come--this church opens wide her doors and offers her welcome in the name of Jesus Christ her Lord.
Guests please sign our guest book and join us in the Fellowship Hall after worship.
Babysitting is available during worship for infants up to 2-1/2 years old in the room behind the balcony. Children ages 2-1/2 through 5 will be in the Pre-School Nursery in the Education Wing. School age children worship with their parents.
Music Notes
One meaning of the word 'rhapsodie; is a free medley of tunes. The tunes may not only be heard one at a time, but may also be overlapped and repeated. Two of the old French carols (noels) heard in this rhapsodie are generally unknown, but were played as last Sunday's prelude. The other two tunes used in this rhapsodie are familiar carols in this country.A translation of one of the noels reads "The stars shall light your journey; your mother holds you close and warm. the donkey's pace shall rock you: sleep, baby, dream no harm."
As this rhapsodie begins, imagine Mary, Joseph and their donkey plodding along the road.
Announcements
* Greeters this morning are John & Lola Miller.
* Ushers this morning are Robert & Marcella Verplank and Bert & Becky Chapman.
* Thank You - The beautiful pulpit fall and bulletin cover were designed and made by Kathleen Kirsch.
* Faith Women – Please sign up in the Narthex if you can bring coffee cake and/or hearty breads for the Presbytery Meeting.
* Persons planning to attend the January 6, 2007 meeting of the Presbytery of Wabash Valley at our church and who plan to be present at lunch are asked to notify Stephanie Cardwell by January 4, 2007.
* Bulletins – If anyone would like an enlarged copy of Sundays bulletins, please let Stephanie know.
* For those wishing a visit at any time by Pastor Robertson please be sure you let Stephanie know you are interested. Pastor Robertson’s office hours are Wednesday and Friday 9:00am – 12:00 pm, or by appointment.
* If you need prayer or other help from the church or know
of anyone else that does, please call one of the elders or deacons.
Weekly Calendar for December 24, 2006
Today:
9:30 a.m. Congregation at Worship
2:30 p.m. Rosewalk Commons worship
7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve worship & reception
This Week:
Mon., 11:00 a.m. Christmas Day worship
Tue., 7:30 p.m. Bible study at Tippecanoe Co. Jail
Wed., 7:00 a.m. Morning Prayers & Breakfast (Grieke Toebes)
Wed., 6:30 p.m. Adult Choir
Fri., 7:00 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 338 Lock-in
Coming Weeks:
Sat., Jan. 6 Presbytery Meeting at Faith
Sat., Feb. 10 Valentine Cookie Project
Christmas Poinsettias have been donated
by the following:
Bobby Kane in memory of Bob, Christine, and Estelle Kane
Bobby Kane in memory of Carol and Alice Winters
Dave & Kris Stith in memory of their parents Bob and Jean Stith and Bill and Lillian Kuhn
Jason, Angie, Lilly, Josie, and Maisy Parker in memory of Laura Parker
John & Margaret Rogler in memory of their parents
The Sandel’s in loving memory of LaVerne Arnold (Tammy’s grandmother) and Renay Hamilton Knox (Tammy’s father)
A Christmas Prayer
Dear Lord, in this holy Christmas season may we draw nearer to you. How wise you were to reveal yourself in the presence of a little baby, the Christ child. You demonstrated the power and the depth of your love for each of us. Thank you for showing us that Christmas begins in the heart, and for the love that it teaches. Help us now to keep the light of the Christmas message burning brightly all year through. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. --Norman Vincent Peale
The art of keeping Christmas
How can we best keep Christmas? By sinking ther shafts of our spirits deep beneath the sparkling tinsel of the surface of Christmas and renewing within us the radiance of the inner meaning of the season. By following the Star on an inward journey to Bethlehem to stand again in awe and wonder before the babe in a manger. By rediscovering the faith and simplicity of a little child, for of such is the kingdom of heaven. By being still and listening to the angels sing within our hearts. By quietly evaluating our lives according to the Master’s standards as set forth in the Sermon on the Mount. By reaffirming the supremacy of the spirit in man’s conquest of himself. By rededicating ourselves to the Master’s ideals of peace, brotherhood and good will….By resolving to give ourselves away to others in love, joy and devotion.
Posted by faithpres at December 24, 2006 09:30 AM