December 29 - 9 AM Connect Service

9 a.m. Connect Worship Service 

December 29, 2024 – First Sunday of Christmas 

Guest PREACHER: Rev. Rebecca Blazier-Higman

Gathering and Welcome - Kevin Clark

1st Gathering Song: “The First Nowell” - FPC Praise Band 

2nd Gathering Song: “Little Drummer Boy” - FPC Praise Band

Welcome - Kevin Clark                       

Call to Worship  (adapted from Psalm 148)  - Bill Ferrari 

Oh, Lord in the heavens, we praise you. 

      Along with the whole host of angels, the sun and moon, and all the shining stars, we praise the Lord. 

Even the heavens and the waters above the heavens praise the Lord. 

      They praise the Lord’s name, for God commanded and all of creation came into being. 

All creatures on Earth praise the Lord, and even the weather fulfills the Lord’s command. 

      Mountains and hills, trees and animals, creeping things and flying birds,

      leaders and citizens of the whole planet— 

Young people and old together: 

      Let them praise the name of the Lord, for God’s name alone is exalted and God’s glory is above earth and heaven. 

God has raised up a horn for God’s people—praise for all God’s faithful—for those who are close to God. 

      Praise the Lord!                                                                                                                                           

The Peace Candle - Bill Ferrari

Passing the Peace - Bill Ferrari 

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

Response: “We Believe” - FPC Praise Band 

Friendship Pad Announcement - Kevin Clark

Moment for All Ages - Barbara Brownlee

Worship Song: “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (We Three Kings)” - FPC Praise Band

Invitation to Offering - Bill Ferrari 

…Please join me in a unison Prayer of Dedication: 

God of all, our gifts represent what we have and what we are, all of which has come from you. Accept the gifts we bring today, that as we bring them in love, so we may respond to the needs of others and extend hospitality to strangers, through Jesus, the one who has come today to save and redeem us. Amen.   

Offertory Song: “Christmas Time Is Here” - FPC Praise Band

Prayer for Illumination - Diedra Flora 

First Scripture Reading: Psalm 133 - Diedra Flora

Sermon Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17 - Rev. Rebecca Blazier-Higman 

Sermon: “Don We Now Our Beloved Apparel” - Rev. Rebecca Blazier-Higman 

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer - Rev. Rebecca Blazier-Higman

Announcements (for complete list, please see below) - Diedra Flora

Final Worship Song: “Angels We Have Heard on High” - FPC Praise Band

Benediction - Rev. Rebecca Blazier-Higman                                           

Praise Band tag 

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Announcements:

Today, December 29

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

Monday, December 30

  • Card Fellowship, 1:30 p.m., Church Office Conference Room

Wednesday, January 1 - HAPPY NEW YEAR!

  • Church Office closed

Friday, January 3

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

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

Sunday, January 5

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

  • Connect Service, 9 a.m., Youth Center

  • Children’s Sunday School, (Pre-K-5th), 10 a.m., Room S-202

  • Faith Journey class, 9:45 a.m., Chapel

  • “Next” Adult class, 10 a.m., Room N-123

Upcoming Events:

  • Monday, January 6, 4 p.m., Faith & Fiction, Room N-123

  • Monday, January 13, we welcome Rev. Robert Galloway for his first day at FPC!

Amy McCutcheon