The First Presbyterian Church

Delhi, New York

December 27, 2020 10:30 a.m.

First Sunday of Christmas – Hymn Sing

“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for

he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with

the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself

with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring

up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.”

– Isaiah 60:10-11

Prelude

Welcome and Church Life Rev. Dr. Lisa Ruth Mays

Hymn “O Come, All Ye Faithful” verses 1 & 4 #133

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant come ye; O come ye to Bethlehem!

Come, and behold him, born the King of angels! O come, let us adore him;

O come, let us adore him come, let us adore him, 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;

O come, let us adore him; O come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord!

Hymn “Love Has Come” verse 1 #110

Love has come a light in the darkness! Love shines forth in the Bethlehem skies.

See, all heaven has come to proclaim it; hear how their song of joy arises:

Love! Love! Born unto you, a Savior! Love! Love! Glory to God on high.

Hymn “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” verses 1 & 4 #347

Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand;

ponder nothing earthly minded, for with blessing in his hand

Christ our God to earth descendeth, our full homage to demand.

At his feet the six-winged seraph, cherubim, with sleepless eye,

veil their faces to the presence, as with ceaseless voice they cry,

“Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, Lord most high!”

Hymn “Angels We Have Heard on High” verses 1 & 3 #113

Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains,

and the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains.

Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Come to Bethlehem and see him whose birth the angels sing;

come, adore on bended knee Christ, the Lord, the newborn King.

Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Hymn “The First Nowell” verses 1 & 4 #147

The first Nowell the angel did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay,

in fields where they lay keeping their sheep, on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.

Refrain: Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel.

This star drew nigh to the northwest; o’er Bethlehem it took its rest,

and there it did both stop and stay, right over the place where Jesus lay. (Refrain)

Hymn “O Little Town of Bethlehem” verse 1 #121

O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.

Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light;

the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

Hymn “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” #119

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 the 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 in flesh with us to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.

Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn king!”

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the sun of righteousness!

Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings.

Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die,

born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth.

Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn king!”

Hymn “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” verse 1 #132

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!

Hymn “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” verse 1 #129

Lo, how a rose e’er blooming from tender stem hath sprung

of Jesse’s lineage coming, by faithful prophets sung.

It came, a floweret bright, amid the cold of winter, when half spent was the night.

Hymn “What Child is This” verse 1 #145

What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet while shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing;

haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary!

Hymn “Still, Still, Still” #124

Still, still, still, he sleeps this night so chill!

The virgin’s tender arms enfolding,

warm and safe the child are holding.

Still, still, still, he sleeps this night so chill.

Sleep, sleep, sleep, he lies in slumber deep

while angel hosts from heaven come winging,

sweetest songs of joy are singing.

Sleep, sleep, sleep, he lies in slumber deep.

Hymn “Silent Night, Holy Night!” verses 1,3 & 4 #122

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! Son of God, love’s pure light radiant beams from thy holy face,

with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth. Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

Silent night, holy night! Wondrous star, lend they light; with angels let us sing

Alleluia to our King: Christ the Savior is born; Christ the Savior is born.

Hymn “Joy to the World!” verses 1 & 4 #134

Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her king; let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing,

and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

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.

Postlude CCLI License # 275648

Thought for the Day: “Youth is when you’re allowed to stay up late on New Year’s Eve. Middle age is

when you’re forced to.” —Bill Vaughan

*****

Leading us in worship this morning:

Rev. Dr. Lisa Ruth Mays, Pastor Billy Meredith, Music Director

First Presbyterian Church

of Delhi, New York December 27, 2020

Today we continue to celebrate Christmas — and God’s lavish gift of love, Jesus. Welcome!

(Prayer) Jesus, help us continue to celebrate your birth among us for the full 12 days and, indeed, all year.

Your tithes and offerings may be made online via PayPal, click the donate button at https://fpcdelhi.org/content/offering, or by regular USPS mail service (4 Clinton Street, Delhi, NY 13753).

Pastor Lisa will be on stay at home vacation from Monday 12/28 to Monday 1/4. Pastor Lisa will only be available for emergencies and urgent pastoral care. Elder Tammy Tully will be preaching on Sunday 1/3, and Communion will be celebrated on Sunday January 10.

During the month of December, the mission committee is collecting the Christmas stockings. This annual collection benefits Helios (former Hospice) and Habitat for Humanity. Your donation can be placed in the offering plate at church, mailed to the church office or be left at the check in table when you enter worship. Thanks for your continued mission support!

Monday evening Spiritual Fitness is on pause for the time being. When the group is ready to resume studying the book of Acts there will be notifications in the Church Life.

This Sunday is a BOUNTIFUL GIVING SUNDAY. The Delhi Food Pantry is again accepting non-perishable food items, which will be quarantined for a week before being made available. They also will be happy to receive monetary donations for bread, milk and other fresh items. You can donate online at https://fpcdelhi.org/content/offering or give cash or check donations designated for the food bank. Please make checks out to First Presbyterian Church. Checks may also be mailed via regular mail to the church at 4 Clinton Street, Delhi NY 13753.

Please be aware that the church building is not fully open and access is limited at the present time. We are currently keeping the back door locked, even during office hours and will not always be aware if someone is at the door. If you need to enter the building during office hours, please call the church ahead of time (607-746-2155) and speak with Darcy or Pastor Lisa who will be able to let you in.

Stay connected with God!

Check out Pastor Lisa’s Ministry Moments by clicking on the “Ministry Moment” graphic. New moments each week!

Advent Devotionals, the November-December Courier and Devotional booklets (Upper Room and

Daily Bread) are available outside the office and in the new narthex. Please take one for your daily devotions touching only those you intend to take with you.

If you do not have access to internet or cell phone or computer and would like to have a hymnal and bulletin delivered to you, please contact Pastor Lisa or the church office and we will arrange to have a hymnal left at your door.

YOU can help the Kirk! Business has really increased at the Kirk since our re-opening on July 31. Donations have been overwhelming and the number of shoppers has increased dramatically! As a result, there are many items needed on a regular basis to make the cleaning and pricing possible. If you are unable to either give some time to sorting, or working in the shop when it is open, perhaps you could help by supplying any of the following items. The volunteers would appreciate anything you can do to help.

Items needed are: Tubs of anti-bacterial wipes Sticky lint rollers Zip Loc (or store brand) baggies - sandwich, 1qt, 1 gallon, or 2½ gallon Paper shopping (or gift) bags of any size Brillo pads Packing material - we have enough right now, but save it if you can!

- Thank You from the Kirk volunteers and committee.

THOUGHTS ON GIVING: “…as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive.” - Colossians 3:13. Forgiving is one of the hardest things for people to do. We can’t give what we don’t have. We need to receive God’s mercy and forgiveness first before we can give it to others. Go to the sacrament of Reconciliation and receive God’s mercy and forgiveness. Then, share give the gift of forgiveness with someone – a family member, a friend or a co-worker. Pick up the phone or text someone right now. STEWARDSHIP PRAYER: That God will provide us the strength to forgive those that have hurt us.

The Per Capita amount for 2020 has been set at $40.55 per member.

Virtual and Sanctuary Attendance Sunday 12-20-20

68 - 39 in sanctuary + Approx. 29 virtual

The amount needed each week The amount given week of 12-20-20

$2,245.00* $2,996.00

The amount needed year-to-date The amount given YTD as of 12-20-20 Fuel Fund given YTD as of 12-20-20

Kirk Receipts week of 12-13 to 12-19 Mission giving week of 12-20-20 Mission giving YTD as of 12-20-20

$114,495.00 $107,745.08

$6,761.00

$886.24 $105.00

$2,633.00

Apportionment Needed 2020 Apportionment received YTD as of 12-20-20

$7,380.10 $2,584.50

*The amount needed each week is total expenses minus budgeted savings transfers.

We appreciate everyone’s patience and flexibility in these times of new approaches and limitations. Thank you for everything you are doing to keep yourself and others safe as we worship and fellowship together virtually and in person!

SUNDAY December 27

First Sunday of Christmas 10:30 am Virtual Hymn Sing

MONDAY December 28

8:30 am – 12:00 pm Little Inspirations Preschool (CE Wing) 9:00 am SPARKS (Hospitality Room) 9:00 am Kirk Work Day 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Kirk Donations Accepted

TUESDAY December 29

8:30 am – 12:00 pm Little Inspirations Preschool (CE Wing)

WEDNESDAY December 30

8:30 am – 12:00 pm Little Inspirations Preschool (CE Wing)

THURSDAY December 31

New Year’s Eve

FRIDAY January 1, 2021

New Year’s Day Happy New Year!

SATURDAY January 2

9:00 am Kirk Thrift Shoppe Open 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Kirk Donations Accepted 2:00 pm Village of Delhi Bicentennial Celebration

SUNDAY January 3

Second Sunday of Christmas 9:30 am Deacons Meeting 10:30 am Worship

The prayer focus for December is that the gift of God’s salvation would be recognized and accepted.

The prayer focus for January is discipleship.