Welcome We are so glad you are here

Welcome! We are so glad you are here!

It is our hope that you will feel INVITED, WELCOMED, and LOVED as you worship with us.

Before the worship service begins, please turn off your cell phone. But before doing that, be sure to let folks know you’re here – check in at your favorite social media. Let’s share with our friends and neighbors where we are, and how glad we are to be here!

CALL TO REFLECTION PRELUDE – A Christmas Prelude Charles Callahan

For information about First Church and our activities, please visit our website: fpcoh. org

PRAYER OF TRANSFORMATION

* HYMN The First Nowell Verses, 1, 2, & 6 # 56 in the Blue Hymnal

The first Nowell the angel did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; In fields where they lay akeeping their sheep, On a cold winter's night that was so deep. Nowell, Born is the King of Israel.

They looked up and saw a star Shining in the east beyond them far, And to the earth it gave great light, And so it continued both day and night. Nowell, Born is the King of Israel.

Then let us all with one accord Sing praises to our heavenly Lord; That hath made Heaven and earth of naught, And with His blood our life hath bought. Nowell, Born is the King of Israel.

PRAYER OF FORGIVENESS – (IN UNISON) Loving God, thank you for caring for us so fully that you cause all things to work out for our good. Still, we worry whether all shall be well for us.

Instead of trusting your continuing care for us, we become anxious, and fret over how to take care of our own selves, as well as all who we hold dear.

Forgive our lack of trust in you, and by your Spirit rekindle our faith in you, to the honor and glory of our Lord, Jesus Christ Amen.

A TIME OF SILENCE

Assurance of Forgiveness

*O Little Town of Bethlehem (# 44, verse 4) O holy Child of Bethlehem, Descend to us, we pray; Cast our sin, and enter in, Be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel!

Anthem — It Came Upon the Midnight Clear John Rutter Westminster Choir

The News of the Community

Visitors, to First Church! Following worship, please join us on the patio for refreshments.

✞ December 15 th – 29 th ✞ One Third to Outreach Ministry One Third to Bold Justice One Third to the General Fund

— Sunday, January 5 th — Communion will be celebrated during the 11 a. m. service. Following worship, we will have a Pot Luck lunch. Please bring a dish to share, then enjoy a time of fellowship while taking down the Christmas decorations.

Matthew 2: 13 -23

Thanksgiving for the Word

O Word of God incarnate, O Wisdom from on high, O Truth unchanged, unchanging, O Light of our dark sky: We praise You for the radiance That from the hallowed page, A lantern to our footsteps, Shines on from age to age.

SCRIPTURE READINGS— Isaiah 63: 7 -9 (Old Testament, Page 693 in NRSV pew Bible)

I will recount the gracious deeds of the LORD, the praiseworthy acts of the LORD, because of all that the LORD has done for us,

and the great favor to the house of Israel that he has shown them according to his mercy, according to the abundance of his steadfast love.

For he said, “Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely”; and he became their savior in all their distress.

It was no messenger or angel but his presence that saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

SCRIPTURE READINGS— Matthew 2: 13 -23 (New Testament, Page 2 in NRSV pew Bible)

Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him. ”

Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod.

This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son. ”

When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men.

Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more. ”

When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead. ”

Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there.

And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He will be called a Nazorean. ”

Matthew 2: 13 -23

* This We Believe (CONGREGATION READS WORDS IN BOLD) The Apostles’ Creed

Sisters and Brothers, what do you believe concerning God the Father? I believe in God the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, Sisters and Brothers, what do you believe concerning God the Son?

I believe in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead;

he ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of God the Father; from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead. Sisters and brothers, what do you believe concerning God, the Holy Spirit?

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

* HYMN Hark! The Herald Angels Sing # 31 in the Blue Hymnal

Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King. Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!“ Joyful, all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With the angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem!" Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ the everlasting Lord! Late in time, behold Him come, Offspring of the virgin's womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail the incarnate Deity, Pleased in flesh with us to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel. Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, Risen with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, Born that we no more may die. Born to raise us from the earth, Born to give us second birth. Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!“

The Prayers of the People

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in his wonderful face And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of his glory and grace.

Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer (Debtors version)

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. Forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory. Amen.

OFFERING OUR TITHES AND GIFTS (Visitors, in the pew rack you will find a Guest Information card. Please complete the card, then place it in the offering plate. )

OFFERTORY ANTHEM — 'Twas in the Moon of Wintertime David Cherwien

* The Response of Praise — DOXOLOGY (#592) Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Offering of Prayer (in unison) It is our pleasure, our joy, to be a part of the greatest enterprise ever conceived. Receive our gifts and tithes, O God, as a token of our investment of all we are and have as partners with you

in this fantastic work to which we are called and by Whom we are empowered. In Jesus’ powerful name we pray. Amen.

*Hymn Go, Tell It on the Mountain #29 in the Blue Hymnal

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.

Go, tell it on the mountain Over the hills and everywhere; Go, tell it on the mountain, That Jesus Christ is born. The shepherds feared and trembled, When lo! above the earth, Rang out the angels chorus That hailed our Savior's birth.

Go, tell it on the mountain Over the hills and everywhere; Go, tell it on the mountain, That Jesus Christ is born. Down in a lowly manger The humble Christ was born, And God sent us salvation That blessed Christmas morn.

Go, tell it on the mountain Over the hills and everywhere; Go, tell it on the mountain, That Jesus Christ is born.

* CHARGE AND BLESSING Congregational Response: God be with you till we meet again; Loving counsels guide, uphold you, With a Shepherd’s care enfold you; God be with you till we meet again.

Postlude — Christmas Postlude on In Dulci Jubilo Gilbert Martin

MORE News of the Community

Visitors, to First Church! Following worship, please join us on the patio for refreshments.

✞ December 15 th – 29 th ✞ One Third to Outreach Ministry One Third to Bold Justice One Third to the General Fund

The church and Learning Centers’ offices will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday, December 31 st and January 1 st, for the New Year’s holiday.

Monday, December 30 th, 9: 00 – Noon Friday, January 4 th, 9: 00 – Noon

Share-A-Meal will meet in the church kitchen on January 4 th 11: 00 a. m. to prepare lunch for the homeless in our area.

A Deacon’s Fund offering will be collected NEXT SUNDAY. Please use the envelope provided in your bulletin.

Just a reminder — we continue to collect hygiene supplies and gently used or new sneakers and blue jeans for the Jubilee Center. The Center has an urgent need for nonperishable food items.

— Sunday, January 6 th — Communion will be celebrated during the 11 a. m. service. Following worship, we will have a Pot Luck lunch. Please bring a dish to share, then enjoy a time of fellowship while taking down the Christmas decorations.

For information about First Church and our activities, please visit our website: fpcoh. org