December 24 - 4 PM Christmas Eve Service Bulletin
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Procession of the Nativity
Children and Family Service
December 24, 2021 – 4:00 p.m.
ORDER OF WORSHIP
*Those who are able, please stand
Prelude: “Christmas Time Is Here” - Performed by FPC Praise Band
Words of Welcome and Announcements - Rev. Megan McMillian
Call to Worship
Let us go, in heart and mind, to see what has come to pass. Let us go with the shepherds:
Let us go to find the Savior!
Let us go with the wise ones:
Let us go to find God's promise, born for us!
Let us go with the poor and humble:
Let us go to find our King, born in a lowly manger.
Let us go with all the world, with all the peoples of the nations. Come, let us worship;
Come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!
Lighting the Christ Candle - The Barrett Family
*Opening Hymn: “O Come, All Ye Faithful” - Performed by FPC Praise Band
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;
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 (3 times), Christ the Lord!
Child for us sinners, poor and in the manger,
We would embrace Thee with love and awe
Who would not love Thee, loving us so dearly,
O come let us adore him (3 times), 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 (3 times), Christ the Lord!
The Nativity Procession: The Story of Jesus’ Birth told through Scripture & Song
Joseph and Mary - Matthew 1 and Luke 1 - Rev. Ginny Ellis & Rev. Megan McMillan
[As the music begins, children with Joseph and Mary figures will leave their seats, proceed to the front and place them in the nativity scene, then they will return to their seats.]
*Hymn: “The First Nowell” - Performed by FPC Praise Band
The first Nowell the angels did say,
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields where they lay.
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, 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, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell
Born is the King of Israel!
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell
Born is the King of Israel!
(REPEAT)
The Stable and the Animals- Luke 2: 1-5 - - Rev. Ginny Ellis
[As the music begins, children with Animals will leave their seats, proceed to the front and place their animals in the nativity scene, then they will return to their seats.]
*Hymn: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” - Performed by FPC Praise band
O come O come Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appears
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel, shall come to thee, O Israel
O come Thou Day-Spring come and cheer, our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death's dark shadow put to flight
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel, shall come to thee, O Israel
(Instrumental interlude)
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel, shall come to thee, O Israel
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel, shall come to thee, O Israel
Shall come to thee, O Israel, shall come to thee, O Israel
Jesus is Born– Luke 2:6-7 - Karen Mossman
[As the music begins, children with Jesus figures will leave their seats, proceed to the front and place them in the nativity scene, then they will return to their seats.]
*Hymn #115: “Away in a Manger” - Performed by FPC Praise Band
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the poor baby wakes, but little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky, and stay by my side until morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, and fit us for heaven, to live with Thee there.
Angels and Shepherds– Luke 2: 8-20 - Rev. Megan McMillan
[As the music begins, children with Angel and Shepherd figures will leave their seats, proceed to the front and place their animals in the nativity scene, then they will return to their seats.]
*Hymn: “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” - Performed by FPC Praise Band
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 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 as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the new-born King!
Hail the Heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings, Risen with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His Glory by, born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth
Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King!
Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King!
The Magi - Matthew 2: 1-12 - Rev. Ginny Ellis
[As the music begins, children with Magi figures will leave their seats, proceed to the front and place them in the nativity scene, then they will return to their seats.]
*Hymn #132: “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” - Performed by FPC Praise Band
Good Christian friends, rejoice, with heart and soul and voice;
Give ye heed to what we say: Jesus Christ is born today;
Ox and ass before Him bow; and He is in the manger now.
Christ is born today! Christ is born today!
Good Christian friends, rejoice, with heart and soul and voice;
Now you hear of endless bliss: Jesus Christ was born for this!
He has opened heaven’s door, and we are blest forevermore.
Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this!
Good Christian friends, rejoice, with heart and soul and voice;
Now you need not fear the grave: Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all, to gain the everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save!
Christ was born to save!
Presentation of our Gifts - Karen Mossman
*Doxology OLD HUNDREDTH
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen
*Hymn: “Silent Night” - Performed by FPC Praise Band
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 Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born.
With the angels let us sing Alleluia to the King!
Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born.
*Benediction - Rev. Ginny Ellis and Rev. Megan McMillan
*Hymn: “Joy to the World” - Performed by FPC Praise Band
Joy to the World! The Lord has come:
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heav’n and nature sing. And heav’n and nature sing.
And heav’n and heav’n and nature sing!
Joy to the earth! The Savior reigns:
Let all their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, 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.
Joy to the world! (Repeat 4X)
Postlude: “Gloria!” - Performed by FPC Praise Band