December 31 Sanctuary Worship Bulletin

First Presbyterian Church – St. Petersburg, Florida    

Order of Worship – December 31, 2023– 11 a.m.    

First Sunday of Christmas      

Rev. Ginny Ellis  

Prelude: “Greensleeves” (hymn 145), Richard Purvis (1913–1994) - Jack Rain, organ        

Welcome and Announcements (for complete list, please see below) - Ginny  Ellis 

Call to Worship  from “Sitting on the Hillsides” by Ann Weems - Peter Armacost  

Most of us who gathered in Bethlehem are not the star-seekers.

We’ve not traveled our dreams, month after month and year after year.

Most of us sit on our hillsides tending our sheep, business as usual. 

Oh, we’ve heard rumors of stars, but we don’t really give ourselves to seeking 

After all, there’s more than enough to do in the daily tending.

We’re simply not on the lookout for stars, nor expecting any light in our darkness. 

I suppose the important thing is, in the light of the glory of the Lord: to recognize the voice of an angel and to get up 

And in spite of being busy with our sheep, to go to Bethlehem, to see this thing that has happened. 

*Hymn #123: “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear”  CAROL    

Lighting the Peace Candle and Passing the Peace - Ginny  Ellis

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

*Response #145: “What Child is This?” vv. 1–3 GREENSLEEVES  

Moment for All Ages - Ginny Ellis 

Solo: “Walk Together, Children,” arr. by Moses Hogan (1957–2003) - Maiya Stevenson, soprano 

Presentation of our Gifts – Invitation and Prayer - Peter Armacost  

…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.  

Solo: “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hand,” arr. by Margaret Bonds - Maiya Stevenson, soprano  

*Doxology  OLD HUNDREDTH

Prayer for Illumination  - Mary-Linda Armacost

First Scripture: Isaiah 63:7-9 - Mary-Linda Armacost  

Hymn #115: “Away in a Manger” MUELLER 

Sermon Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23 - Ginny Ellis         

Sermon: “Travelling by Night” - Ginny Ellis                                                                                                                   

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

*Hymn #118: “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks” CHRISTMAS    

Charge - (responsive) From “Christmas Comes” by Ann Weems - Ginny Ellis

Christmas comes every time we see God in other persons. 

The human and the holy meet in Bethlehem, or on Beach Drive in St. Petersburg, 

for Christmas comes like a golden storm on its way to Jerusalem -- determinedly, inevitably…. 

Even now it comes in the face of hatred and warring. For someone on earth will see the star, 

someone will hear the angel voices, someone will run to Bethlehem, 

someone will know peace and goodwill:    

The Christ will come!  Alleluia!  Amen! 

Benediction - Ginny Ellis                                                                                                 

Postlude: Variations on “In dulci jubilo” (hymn 132), IV.  Allegro, V.  Allegro maestoso, Denis Bédard (b. 1950) - Jack Rain, organ   

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Announcements:

Today, December 31

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

Monday, January 1

  • Happy New Year! Church Office closed; no activities on campus

Wednesday, January 3

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

Friday, January 5

  • Men’s Bible Study, 8 a.m., Room N-123

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

Sunday, January 7

  • 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)

  • Concert by solo organist Bradley Welch, 4 p.m., Sanctuary 

Upcoming Events:

  • 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

  • Tuesday, January 16, 9 a.m., New Beth Moore Bible Study starts (“A Study of Philippians - The Surpassing Value of Knowing Christ”)

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

Amy McCutcheon