December 24 Sanctuary Worship Bulletin

First Presbyterian Church – St. Petersburg, Florida  

Order of Worship – December 24, 2023– 11 a.m.  

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Rev. Ginny Ellis

Prelude: “Noël X,” Louis Claude Daquin (1694–1772) - Jack Rain, organ

Welcome and Announcements - Ginny Ellis

Call to Worship from “In Search of our Kneeling Places” by Ann Weems - Mike Hurtubise

In each heart lies a Bethlehem, an inn where we must ultimately answer whether there is room or not.

When we are Bethlehem-bound we experience our own advent in his.     

Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing the Lord has made known to us.

Let’s go to Bethlehem and find our kneeling places.

*Processional Hymn #133: “O Come, All Ye Faithful” ADESTE FIDELES

Lighting of the Advent Candle – LOVE

Candle Lighters: Jim and Petra Garnett and Family       

The Advent Reading: Luke 1:36-38

The Candle Is Lit

The Responsive Litany:      

Advent is a time to praise.

Praise the Lord, O my Soul, and forget not all God's benefits.

During Advent we remember God's present goodness.

Praise the Lord, O my Soul, and forget not all God's benefits.

During Advent we remember God's promises for the future.

Praise the Lord, O my Soul, and forget not all God's benefits.

Advent Response #92: “While We Are Waiting, Come” WAITING 

Passing of the Peace - Ginny Ellis

The peace of Christ be with you. / And also with you.

*Response #384: “Soon and Very Soon” v. 1  SOON AND VERY SOON 

Moment for All Ages - Ginny Ellis 

Hymn #128: “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” W ŻŁOBIE LEŻY 

Presentation of our Gifts – Invitation and Prayer - Mike Hurtubise                    

…Please join me in a unison Prayer of Dedication: 

With you, O God, each moment of life is full of wonder and surprise. Take our gifts, we humbly ask, and bring of them wonder and surprise, as well as meaning, for the work of our church and for the witness of our faith. We ask this in the name of Jesus who comes, this day and always.  Amen.

Offertory Anthem: “O Love” by Elaine Hagenberg - Chancel Choir

O Love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee;  I give thee back the life I owe, that in thy ocean depths its flow, may richer, fuller be.   

O Joy that seeks me through pain, I cannot close my heart to thee; I trace the rainbow through the rain, 
and feel the promise is not vain, that morn shall tearless be. 

*Doxology OLD HUNDREDTH 

Prayer for Illumination - Ann Murray

Sermon Scripture: Luke 1:26-38 - Ann Murray

Sermon: “Nothing Will Be Impossible” - Ginny Ellis 

*Hymn #121: “O Little Town of Bethlehem” ST. LOUIS

Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer - Ginny Ellis                         

*Hymn #119: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” MENDELSSOHN

Charge (responsive) - Ginny Ellis

The light of God surrounds us.

The love of God enfolds us.

The power of God protects us.

The presence of God watches over us.

In the birth of the child, God comes.

In accepting this gift, we claim the joy of new life.

Benediction - Ginny Ellis 

Postlude:  “Nun komm’, der Heiden Heiland” BWV 661 (Advent hymn 102), J. S. Bach (1685–1750) - Jack Rain, organ

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Announcements: 

Today, December 24

  • A Stephen Minister is available at the close of this service

  • 4 p.m. Family-friendly Christmas Eve service. All are welcome to join for this service; there will be no childcare provided.

  • 7 p.m. Carols & Candlelight Christmas Eve service. All are welcome to join for this service; there will be no childcare provided.

Monday, December 25 & Tuesday, December 26

  • Church Office closed; no activities on campus

Wednesday, December 27

  • Praise Band rehearsal, 7 p.m., Youth Center

Friday, December 29

  • Men's Lunch Bible Study, 12 p.m., via Zoom

Sunday, December 31

  • Childcare available 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Pickups, Room S-203

  • Faith Journey class meets at 9:45 a.m. in Room S-202

  • Power Hour class meets at 10 a.m. in the Youth Center

  • Young Adults/Parents class meets at 10 a.m. in Room S-206

  • Teens class meets at 10 a.m. in Room S-205 (every other week)

Upcoming Events:

  • Monday, January 1, Happy New Year! Church Office closed

  • Sunday, January 7, 4 p.m., Concert by solo organist Bradley Welch

  • Monday, January 8, 2:30 p.m., Faith & Fiction, Room N-123. This month’s book will be Sisters of Night and Fog, by Erica Robuck.

  • Monday, January 15 - Church Office closed for MLK Day

  • Wednesday, January 17, 6 p.m., Beach Drive Forum: “Trouble in Paradise: Our Allergies” by Dr. Harrison (Jamie) Brownlee

Amy McCutcheon