“And she gave birth to her firstborn son

and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there

was no room for them in the inn.” - Luke 2:7

A Celebration of Christmas

First Presbyterian Church Tulsa, OK

Eleven o’c lock in the Evening Stephenson Hall

December 24, 2020

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ACelebrationofChristmasDecember24,2020

Eleveno’clockintheevening

TheWordsofPreparationIntheChristianstoryGoddescendstoreascend.Hecomesdown;…downtotheveryrootsandsea-bedoftheNaturehehascreated.ButHegoesdowntocomeupagainandbringthewholeruinedworldupwithhim. C.S.Lewis,Miracles

Therehasfallenonearthforatokenagodtoogreatforthesky.Hehasburstoutofallthingsandbrokentheboundsofeternity:...Whoisproudwhentheheavensarehumble,whomountsifthemountainsfall,ifthefixedstarstoppleandtumbleandadelugeoflovedrownsall…

G.K.Chesterton,GloriaInProfundis

TheWelcome

TheIntroit IHeardtheBells

IHeardtheBellsonChristmasDaytheiroldfamiliarcarolsplay,andwildandsweetthewordsrepeatofpeaceonearth,goodwilltomen.

Ithoughthow,asthedayhadcome,thebelfriesofallChristendomhadrolledalongtheunbrokensongofpeaceonearth,goodwilltomen.

AndindespairIbowedmyhead:"Thereisnopeaceonearth,”Isaid,"Forhateisstrongandmocksthesongofpeaceonearth,goodwilltomen."

Thenpealedthebellsmoreloudanddeep:"Godisnotdead,nordothhesleep;thewrongshallfail,therightprevail,withpeaceonearth,goodwilltomen."

Till,ringingsinging,onitsway,theworldrevolvedfromnighttoday,avoice,achime,achantsublime,ofpeaceonearth,goodwilltomen!

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TheLightingoftheChristCandleDuffPoints

FortheLightoftheworldhassteppedintoourdarkness,Andthedarknesscouldnever,andwillneverovercomeit!HeisEmmanuel,Godwithus.Hehascometoseekandtosavethelost;toforgiveusfromoursin,andtobringusintoHisfamily.Socome!Letusstandinhonor,AndletusworshipGod!

TheCarol OCome,AllYeFaithfulADESTEFIDELES

Ocome,allyefaithful,joyfulandtriumphant,Ocomeye,OcomeyetoBethlehem!ComeandbeholdHimbornthekingofangels.Ocomeletusadorehim,Ocomeletusadorehim,Ocomeletusadorehim,ChristtheLord.

Sing,choirsofangels,singinexultation,sing,allyecitizensofheav’nabove:“GlorytoGod,allgloryinthehighest!”Ocomeletusadorehim,Ocomeletusadorehim,Ocomeletusadorehim,ChristtheLord.

TrueGodoftrueGod,Lightoflighteternal,Hecameintoourworldtosaveandredeem!Bornofawoman,knowingeveryhardship.Ocomeletusadorehim,Ocomeletusadorehim,Ocomeletusadorehim,ChristtheLord.

Yea,Lord,wegreetthee,bornthishappymorning:Jesus,toTheebeallglorygiv’n;wordoftheFather,nowinfleshappearing!Ocomeletusadorehim,Ocomeletusadorehim,Ocomeletusadorehim,ChristtheLord.

TheLitanyofChristmas Dr.JimMiller

TheWordwasmadeflesh,anddweltamongus,andwehavebeheldHisglory!Alleluia!Alleluia!

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Jesus,SonoftheLivingGod,splendoroftheFather,Lighteternal:GlorytoYou,OLord!Jesus,Kingofglory,Sunofrighteousness,bornoftheVirginMary:GlorytoYou,OLord!Jesus,WonderfulCounselor,MightyGod,EverlastingLord:GlorytoYou,OLord!Jesus,PrinceofPeace,Shepherdofsouls,perfectinholiness:GlorytoYou,OLord!Jesus,JoyoftheHighestheaven,andcrownofallcreation:GlorytoYou,OLord!Christisborn!GiveHimglory!ChristhascomedownfromHeaven!ReceiveHim!Christisnowonearth!ExaltHim!Oearth,joinwiththeangelsandsingtotheLord!Oyounations,jointhechoirsofheavenandpraiseHiminjoy,forHehasbeenglorified!Alleluia,Amen!

TheCarol Hark!TheHeraldAngelsSingMENDELSSOHN

Hark!Theheraldangelssing,“glorytothenewbornKing.Peaceonearth,andmercymild,Godandsinnersreconciled!"Joyful,allyenationsrise,jointhetriumphoftheskies;withtheangelichostproclaim,"ChristisborninBethlehem!"Hark!theheraldangelssing,"GlorytothenewbornKing!"

Christ,byhighestheavenadored,ChristtheeverlastingLord!Lateintime,beholdHimcome,offspringofthevirgin'swomb.VeiledinfleshtheGodheadsee;hailtheincarnateDeity,pleasedinfleshwithustodwell,JesusourEmmanuel.Hark!theheraldangelssing,"GlorytothenewbornKing!"

Hailtheheaven-bornPrinceofPeace!HailtheSunofRighteousness!LightandlifetoallHebrings,risenwithhealinginHiswings.MildHelaysHisgloryby,bornthatwenomoremaydie.Borntoraiseusfromtheearth,borntogiveussecondbirth.Hark!theheraldangelssing,"GlorytothenewbornKing!"

ThePrayerofAdoration JuliaMetcalf

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TheOldTestamentReadingPsalm118:14-29 ThePrayerofConfessionRev.JamesEstes

Godofgraceandtruth,inJesusChristYoucameamongusaslightshiningindarkness.Weconfessthatwehavenotwelcomedthelightbuthavelovedthedarknessinstead.WehaveclosedoureyestoYourgloryinourmidstanddeniedYourtruth.WehaverejectedYou,thecornerstoneandattemptedtobuildhouseswithnofoundation.Lord,inYourmercy,havemercyonus.Forgiveusoursinsandrenewourhearts,sothatwemayreceivethefullnessofYourgrace,andliveinthetruthofChristtheLord.Lord,inYourmercy,hearourprayers…(InSilence)

ResponsetoConfession WhatChildIsThis?GREENSLEEVES

WhatChildisthiswho,laidtorestonMary'slapissleeping?Whomangelsgreetwithanthemssweetwhileshepherdswatcharekeeping?

This,thisisChristtheKing,Whomshepherdsguardandangelssing;haste,haste,tobringHimlaud,theBabe,theSonofMary!

WhyliesHeinsuchmeanestate,whereoxandassarefeeding?GoodChristian,fear;forsinnersherethesilentWordispleading.

Nails,spearshallpierceHimthroughthecrossbeborneforme,foryou.Hail,hailtheWordmadeflesh,theBabe,theSonofMary.

SobringHimincense,goldandmyrrh,comepeasant,kingtoownHim.TheKingofkingssalvationbrings;letlovingheartsenthroneHim.

Raise,raiseasongonhigh,thevirginsingsherlullaby;joy,joyforChristisborn,theBabe,theSonofMary.

ThePromisedForgivenessFriends,throughChrist,GodhasdeliveredusfromthedominionofdarknessandtransferredustothekingdomofHisbelovedSon.In

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Him,allthefullnessofGodwaspleasedtodwell,andthroughHim,HehasreconciledtoHimselfallthings,whetheronearthorinheaven,makingpeacebythebloodofHisCross.Therefore,hearandbelievetheGoodNewsoftheGospel–thatinJesusChrist,thereisforgivenessforanyonewhocallsuponHim!Alleluia,Amen!

TheResponse JoytotheWorld!ANTIOCH

Joytotheworld,theLordiscome;letearthreceiveherKing!LeteveryheartprepareHimroomandheavenandnaturesing,andheavenandnaturesing,andheaven,andheavenandnaturesing!

Nomoreletsinsandsorrowsgrow,northornsinfesttheground;HecomestomakeHisblessingsflow,farasthecurseisfound,farasthecurseisfound,faras,faras,thecurseisfound!

Herulestheworldwithtruthandgrace,andmakesthenationsprovethegloriesofHisrighteousness,andwondersofHislove,andwondersofHislove,andwonders,wonders,ofHislove!

TheAffirmationofFaith(TheApostles’Creed)

IbelieveinGodtheFatherAlmighty,Makerofheavenandearth,andinJesusChristhisonlySonourLord;whowasconceivedbytheHolyGhost,bornoftheVirginMary,sufferedunderPontiusPilate,wascrucified,deadandburied;hedescendedintohell;thethirddayheroseagainfromthedead;heascendedintoheaven,andsittethontherighthandofGodtheFatherAlmighty;fromthenceheshallcometojudgethequickandthedead.IbelieveintheHolyGhost;theholycatholicchurch;thecommunionofsaints;theforgivenessofsins;theresurrectionofthebody;andthelifeeverlasting.AMEN.

TheGospelStory,Pt1 Isaiah7:13-14KirstynTaylor Luke1:26-38

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TheResponse TheMagnificat KeithandKristynGettyJuliaMetcalf,soloist

MysoulwillmagnifytheLord:IrejoiceinGodmySavior,inthewonderofhisfavor.ForHehasdonegreatthingsforme;HewasmindfulofHisservant.Every

ageshallcallmeblessed.TheHopeofAbrahamcomeinthegivingofaSon;forHewhopromisedismightyinrememberinghismercy.MysoulwillmagnifytheLordforHisgracetothosewhofearHimthrougheverygeneration.Theproudhescatterstothewindastheruler’sstrengthisbroken,andtherichareleftwithnothing.Thehumbleliftedhigh,andthehungrysatisfied;ourPortionandourTreasure,ourHopeandHelpforever.Luke1:46-55

TheGospelStory,Pt2 Isaiah9:1-9SamDeVore Matthew1:18-25

TheResponse Joseph’sChristmasEricBaird,composerandsoloist

Oh,thiswasnotmyChristmaswish,toraisethesonoftheKing.ThisHolyChild,thisgifttoman,ofwhomtheangelssing.

Thiswasnotmydreamoflove;awife,alife,achild.Thisisnotthewayit'sdone,butonus,heavensmiled.

Whattothink,whattothink?Theangelsaid,"Donotfear,donotfearallthatliesahead."

"Shewillbearason,andyouwillcallhisname,Jesus.Hewillsaveyoufromyoursins."Hewillsaveusfromoursins.Hewillsavemefrommysins.Amen.

Sonofman,butnothisman,theonethatHe'llcalldad.I'llgivemyheartandsoulandstrength,andalltheplansIhad.

Whattothink,whattothink?Theangelsaid,"Donotfear,donotfearallthatliesahead."

"Shewillbearason,andyouwillcallhisname,Jesus.Hewillsaveyoufromyoursins."Hewillsaveusfromoursins.Hewillsavemefrommysins.Amen.

TheGospelStory,Pt3 Luke2:8-20

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TheHomily ANightLikeNoOtherRev.DanHutchinsonAndlo,theangeloftheLordcameuponthem,andthegloryofthe

Lordshoneroundaboutthem:andtheyweresoreafraid.(Luke2:9,KJV)

TheSolo OHolyNightAdolpheAdam,arr.MarkHayesTaylorConley,soloist

Oholynight!Thestarsarebrightlyshining,itisthenightofthedearSavior’sbirth.Longlaytheworldinsinanderrorpining,tillheappeared,andthesoulfeltitsworth.Athrillofhope,thewearyworldrejoices,foryonderbreaksanewandgloriousmorn.Fallonyourknees!Ohheartheangelvoices!Onightdivine,OnightwhenChristwasborn.Trulyhetaughtustoloveoneanother;hislawisloveandhisGospelispeace.Chainsshallhebreak,fortheslaveisourbrother,andinhisnamealloppressionshallcease.Sweethymnsofjoyingratefulchorusraisewe,letallwithinuspraisehisholyname.ChrististheLord;theneverpraisewe,hispowerandgloryevermoreproclaim.

TheCelebrationofCommunion InvitationtotheLord’sTable TheWordsofInstitution ThePrayerofConsecration TheSharingtheBreadandtheCup

TheCandleLightingPleasemakeyourwayouttothecourtyardforthelightingofthecandle.

TheCarol SilentNightSTILLENACHT

Silentnight,holynight!Alliscalm,allisbright,’roundyonvirginmotherandchild!Holyinfant,sotenderandmild,sleepinheavenlypeace,sleepinheavenlypeace.

Silentnight,holynight!Shepherdsquakeatthesight,gloriesstreamfromheavenafar;heavenlyhostssing:“Alleluia;ChristtheSaviorisborn,ChristtheSaviorisborn.”

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Silentnight,holynight!SonofGod,love’spurelightradiantbeamsfromThyholyface,withthedawnofredeeminggrace;Jesus,Lord,atThybirth,Jesus,Lord,atThybirth.

TheBenediction+++

WelcometotheFirstChurchcommunity!Since1885,asthefirstchurchestablishedinTulsa,weseektobefaithfulinservicetoJesusChristandthecommongood.Ifyoudonothaveachurchhome,we'dlovetowelcomeyouasamemberamongus.Lookoverthevariousministriesandmissionopportunitieslistedbelow:

SundayMorningWorshipCurrently,duringthepandemic,wehavethree“in-person”worshipservices

eachSunday:8:30a.m.StephensonHall(informalworshipwithweeklycommunion)11:00a.m.Sanctuary(EnsembleChoir)11:00a.m.GreatHall,BernsenCenter(TulsaInternationalFellowship).

(Both11:00o’clockservicesareLivestreamed)

GrowingYourFaith!

AdultDiscipleship(callforbrochureswithmoreinformation):• FifteenSundaymorningclassesforadultsofallagesat9:30a.m.• WeekdayBiblestudies.• KGroups–Home-basedfellowshipgroups.• WednesdayNightDowntown-VariedclassesofferedforadultsandAWANA

clubsforchildren.Dinnerisservedat5:15p.m.,classesarefrom6:00-7:30p.m.

• Pastor’sStudy–ledbyDr.JimMiller,offeredtwotimeseachweek.TulsaInternationalFellowship–Joinwithothersfromacrosstheworldforatimeof

worshipandfellowshipeachSundayat11:00a.m.intheGreatHall,BernsenCenter.

YoungAdults–FirstChurchiscommittedtoprovidingaplaceforYoungAdultstoconnectwithoneanotherandwiththelargerchurch.FindusonFacebookand

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InstagramatYoungAdultMinistries@FPCorcontactDanHutchinsonat918-301-1040.

ChristianClassicsinLent–JoinuseveryMondayduringLentforlunchandstudyofclassicChristianliterature.

Inquirers’Class–Anopportunitytoexplorewhatitmeanstojointhechurch;tolearnmoreaboutourparticularfamilyoffaith;toaskquestions;toenjoyatimeoffellowshipwithothersandmeetsomeofourpastors.OurnextclassbeginsJanuary17.FormoreinformationortoregisterpleasecontactPatriciaHallat918-301-1028orphall@firstchurchtulsa.org

PresbyterianWomen–MonthlyfellowshipandBiblestudymeetings.

ServingtheMaster!HelpingHandMinistry–ServetheneediestTulsansthroughafoodpantry,informal

counselingandfinancialassistance.Memberstypicallyserveonedayaweekforthreehoursinthemorning(9:00a.m.-noon).

GuildofIntercessors–Intercessoryprayergroupthatbelievesprayerispowerfulandlife-changing.

FaithPartners–Aministryofferingcompassion,resources,educationandhopeforthoseaffectedbyaddiction.

Deaconsreachouttothoseinneed–tothesick,thefriendless,toanywhomaybeindistress–bothwithinandbeyondthiscommunityoffaith.

FridayFoodDistribution–ConsiderjoiningusaswepartnerwithFirstBaptistChurchNorthTulsaingivingawaygroceriestothoseinneed.Formoreinformation,pleasecontactAlisonBiggsatallisonbiggs@gmail.com.

GlobalMissionTrips–ServeChristintheworldthroughmedicalmissioninMexico;disasterreliefintheU.S.;evangelisminRomania;orencouragementandfellowshipinMalawi.

WorksofHeART–WeeklyartclassforclientsattheDayCenterfortheHomeless.MasterworkAcademy–Afterschoolprogramwhichservesunder-resourcedchildren

astheydiscoverthejoyofmusic,visualart,ballet,faithandfitness,andBiblestudy.

EmersonElementarySchool–ThereisalwaysawaytobeablessingatEmerson,ouradoptedschool:beamentor,helpintheclassroom,readtothestudents,serveataschoolfunction,showthechildrenatEmersonhowmuchGodlovesthem!

Children’sMinistries–ServetheMasterbytendinghislambsatAWANA,VBS,SundaySchool,etc.

Telecare–Helpuskeepintouchwithhomeboundmembersandthosewhoneedencouragement.

HospitalChaplains–Volunteerswhooffercaringvisitswhenmembersarehospitalized.

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MusicMinistries!

FirstChurchstrivestoglorifyGodacrossthebroadspectrumofmusicallanguage.Fromchildren’sworshipartsandseasonalyouthensembles,totheadultChancelChoir,ContemporaryWorshipTeam,andTIFband,plusahandbellchoir,andGloriawomen'schoir,thereisaplaceforyoutouseyourmusicalgiftsatFirstChurch.

NextGenerationMinistries!(CradletoCollege)

Children’sMinistry-Webelieveachild’ssenseofidentityinChristbeginsataveryyoungageandourdesireisforthemtounderstandtheyareapartofGod’sbigstory.

FromSunday’sDiscipleshipHour,WednesdaynightAWANAandVBStofamilyeventsincludingFallFestival,AdventWorkshopandmore,wearecommittedtopartneringwithfamiliestoraiseupchildrenwhoseethemselvesaspartofthefamilyofGod–theChurch.

FPCYouth-AcommunityofMiddleSchool(5th-8th)andHighSchool(9th-12th)students

whoseektogrowinrelationshipwithChrist;encouragingoneanotherintheday-to-day,andlivingastheChurchhereandnow!

UniversityMinistries–Designedtoreach,teach,andlovecollege-agedstudents

throughoutTulsasotheymaybelife-longfollowersofJesusChrist.FindusonInstagramat@ukirktulsaformoreinformation.

Formoreinformationonanyoftheabove,pleasecontactthechurch

officeat918-584-4701orwww.firstchurchtulsa.org.

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DearFirstChurchfamiliesandfriends,

We'reallawareoftheincreasingtransmissionofthisCOVIDvirus.Andweallwanttodowhateverwecantodiminishtheriskforthosewhogatherhere.

AswemakeourwayintoourChristmascelebrationstheFirstChurchSessionhasenacteda"mask-always"protocolforeventshereatFirstChurch,includingworship.

Itwillbeagreatdaywhenwecanlifttheseprotocols--butfornowweaskyoutoabidebytheseexpectations--thatwehopeandpraywillservethecommongood.

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December24,2020,11:00p.m.WorshipServiceinStephensonHall

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THEFIRSTCHURCHPASTORSJamesD.Miller,Ph.D.,Pastor

DanielHutchinson,M.Div.,AssociatePastorJamesEstes,M.Div.,AssociatePastor

WambuguGachungi,M.Div.,AssociatePastor

FirstPresbyterianChurchofTulsa

709S.BostonAve.,Tulsa,OK74119 Phone:918-584-4701

https://firstchurchtulsa.org