First Presbyterian Church Christmas Eve Service · 5:00 pm

Christmas Eve Worship Celebration ⋅ December 24, 2011 ⋅ 5:00 pm DEEPLY ROOTED IN FAITH (* for those able to stand) PRELUDE WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS CHORAL INTROIT LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE Leader: On this Christmas Eve, we give thanks for God’s holy design in our lives. God’s very presence surprises and... All: Merciful and loving God, we thank you for the gift of your love and presence, brought home to us in the birth of Jesus. We can only marvel as we come before you in humility and awe. Help us to reach out to others as you have reached out to us. May those of us who are poor and homeless experience your loving presence as surely as Mary and Joseph did, and may all of us come to know that we have no home except in you. Amen * PROCESSIONAL HYMN

O Come, All Ye Faithful

PH #41

OPENING PRAYER (unison) We thank you, O God, for the gift of Christmas: the music and the singing, the gathering of family and friends, the gifts we give and receive. In our joy and in our pain; in our laughter and in our sorrow; in our good times and in our sad times; may Christ ’s peace be with everyone, everywhere. Amen. ANTHEM

Angel’s Carol Chancel Choir



Rutter

FIRST GOSPEL LESSON HYMN 24

Luke 2:1-7 (pg. 80, NT)

Away in a Manger (verses 1 and 2)

SECOND GOSPEL LESSON

Cradle Song

Luke 2:8-14 (pg. 80, NT)

HYMN 40

Joy to the World! (verses 1 and 2)

THIRD GOSPEL LESSON

Antioch

Luke 2:15-20 (pg 80, NT)

* HYMN 29

Go, Tell It on the Mountain

Go Tell It

* CHRISTMAS EVE LITANY (responsive)

(see insert)

CHOOSING TO LIVE IN HOPE

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors) HYMN 27

Gentle Mary Laid Her Child

Tempus Adest Floridum

CALL TO OFFERING (Children are invited to come forward at this time with their Heifer Project animal. Children who do not have an animal may bring one from the rear of the sanctuary.)

OFFERTORY * Doxology

(Hymn 22, verse 4)

All creation, join in praising God the Father, Spirit, Son, Evermore your voices raising to the eternal Three in One, Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ, the new born King!

* PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (responsive) Leader: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Leader: Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them to the Lord. Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right to give our thanks and praise. * HYMN 44

O Little Town of Bethlehem

St Louis

* CHARGE AND BENEDICTION * HYMN 60

“Silent Night”

Stille Nacht

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: “Al-le-lu-ia; Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior 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, Al-le-lu-ia to our King; Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born. During the singing of “Silent Night” the choir will light the candles of persons on the end of the aisles until all candles are lit. Please stay in the pews until the conclusion of the hymn. At the conclusion of the hymn, please extinguish your candle, leave the pew and place the unlit candle in the baskets in the narthex. * POSTLUDE

Silent Night, Holy Night

Hamlin

Welcome! We are delighted for your presence in worship today. If you do not have a church home, we hope you will consider becoming a part of this church. Come to a shortened worship service Christmas Day morning at 10:15 am. If you need to finish your pledge for 2011 or want to prepay your 2012 pledge, drop it by the church office before Dec 29, or postmarked by Dec 31. The church office will be closed Friday, December 30 and Monday, January 2 for the New Year’s holiday. First Presbyterian Church: 308 S 8th St Salina, KS 67401 785-825-0226 Sunday Staff: Lead Pastor: Jim Hawley Discipleship & Congregational Care Pastor: Tom Reid Associate Pastor of Youth & Mission: Austin Ashenbrenner Choir Director: Richard Koshgarian Organist: Angie Koshgarian Nursery Supervisor: Diane Arnder Custodian: Ed Zoch Visit www.fpcsalina.org for recorded sermons, current events and more!

CHRISTMAS EVE LITANY

CHRISTMAS EVE LITANY

Leader: The world is decorated for a great celebration;

Leader: The world is decorated for a great celebration;

People: tinsel and trees, greenery and packages, Christmas lights and Christmas greetings.

People: tinsel and trees, greenery and packages, Christmas lights and Christmas greetings.

Leader: Our world is filled with the spirit of celebration;

Leader: Our world is filled with the spirit of celebration;

People: festive singing, fine foods, merry parties, and grand traditions.

People: festive singing, fine foods, merry parties, and grand traditions.

Leader: Yet all our best efforts fall short,

Leader: Yet all our best efforts fall short,

People: for it is the birth of the Messiah we celebrate, the incarnation of God.

People: for it is the birth of the Messiah we celebrate, the incarnation of God.

Leader: Christmas is a time of worship. On Christmas Eve we worship in the presence of God with people all over the world.

Leader: Christmas is a time of worship. On Christmas Eve we worship in the presence of God with people all over the world.

People: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light, those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them light has shined.

People: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light, those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them light has shined.

Leader: As light has come into our world, let us be a light to others.

Leader: As light has come into our world, let us be a light to others.

People: As we have been loved, let us love others.

People: As we have been loved, let us love others.

Leader: As we have been liberated, let us set the captives free.

Leader: As we have been liberated, let us set the captives free.

All: For unto us a child is born, One whom God sends to bring peace and light, freedom and reconciliation. Thanks be to God!

All: For unto us a child is born, One whom God sends to bring peace and light, freedom and reconciliation. Thanks be to God!

Calendar For The Week Sunday, Dec 25 Worship, Sanctuary - 10:15 am

Monday, Dec 26

FPC is closed for Christmas

Tuesday, Dec 27

Cares & Concerns, Hope Ctr - 10:30 am

Thursday, Dec 29

V o l u n t e e r s: Lighting the Christ Candle: Todd, Mindi, Zach, Alex & Zoe Davidson Ushers: Ginger, David & William Reid Morrie & Sydney Soderberg

The News is Mailed, Conf Rm - 10:30 am

Calendar For The Week Sunday, Dec 25 Worship, Sanctuary - 10:15 am

Monday, Dec 26

FPC is closed for Christmas

Tuesday, Dec 27

Cares & Concerns, Hope Ctr - 10:30 am

Thursday, Dec 29

V o l u n t e e r s: Lighting the Christ Candle: Todd, Mindi, Zach, Alex & Zoe Davidson Ushers: Ginger, David & William Reid Morrie & Sydney Soderberg

The News is Mailed, Conf Rm - 10:30 am

Friday, Dec 30 & Monday, Jan 2

Friday, Dec 30 & Monday, Jan 2

Bringing an End to World Hunger Through Unimaginable Blessings Today, millions of people who were once hungry will be nourished by milk, eggs and fresh vegetables.

Bringing an End to World Hunger Through Unimaginable Blessings Today, millions of people who were once hungry will be nourished by milk, eggs and fresh vegetables.

Families who for generations knew only poverty will be building new homes and starting businesses.

Families who for generations knew only poverty will be building new homes and starting businesses.

Children who once headed out to the fields to do backbreaking work will be heading into schoolrooms to learn to read.

Children who once headed out to the fields to do backbreaking work will be heading into schoolrooms to learn to read.

FPC is closed for the New Year’s Holiday

FPC is closed for the New Year’s Holiday

And people who never thought they'd be in a position to help someone else will be experiencing the joy of charitable giving.

And people who never thought they'd be in a position to help someone else will be experiencing the joy of charitable giving.

How is this possible? With Heifer's proven approach – more than 65 years in the making – to helping people obtain a sustainable source of food and income. Visit www.heifer.org today to learn more about this incredible organization!

How is this possible? With Heifer's proven approach – more than 65 years in the making – to helping people obtain a sustainable source of food and income. Visit www.heifer.org today to learn more about this incredible organization!

Make a donation to Heifer International by placing a check or offering envelope marked “Heifer Gift” in the offering plate.

Make a donation to Heifer International by placing a check or offering envelope marked “Heifer Gift” in the offering plate.

These gifts will be added to contributions made by the congregation and sent to Heifer International. Our goal as a congregation is $5,000.

These gifts will be added to contributions made by the congregation and sent to Heifer International. Our goal as a congregation is $5,000.