First Presbyterian Church Growing in Faith and Love

Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion December 24, 2019, 7:00pm

First Presbyterian Church is a Stephen Ministry Congregation

If you would like to talk to a Stephen Minister who cares and will listen,

call Janice Clark at 228-8584 or one of our pastors at 762-6688. 125 S. 3rd Street Wilmington, NC 28401 (910) 762-6688 www.firstonthird.org

Leading in Worship this evening:

Dan Lewis, Pastor Richard Aylor, Associate Pastor Nicole Newton, Associate Pastor John Tabler, Director of Music Benjamin Horrell, Assistant Director of Music

It is with great appreciation, that we also thank guest instrumentalists:

George Mayo, trumpet Walt Kraybill, trombone David Tyson, trumpet Carl Seaholm, trombone David Dimuro, timpani

Prayer of Adoration

Glory to you, almighty God,

For you sent your only-begotten Son,

That we might have new life.

Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ,

For you became flesh and dwelt among us

That we might become your people.

Glory to you, Holy Spirit,

For you direct and rule our lives.

Glory to you, almighty God,

And to your Son, Jesus Christ,

And to the Holy Spirit,

Now and forever. Amen. -from the Book of Common Worship

Pastor on Call - (910) 338-9109 *Please leave a message and the Pastor will return your call.

REMINDER: Please be sure to silence all electronic devices upon entering the Sanctuary.

Randolph “Randy” Fairfax Allen ADM & Mrs. Richard S. Andrews Franklin Murphy Averitt, Jr. William Benjamin Beery, III William Benjamin Beery, IV Mildred and Edward Beman Richard von Biberstein, Jr. Edward and Esther Bloedorn Mr. Charles H. Boney, Sr. Mr. and Mrs. William J. Boney Bill and Betty Loweth Brame Dr. Walter Lee Crouch Margaret Cameron Edge Alexander Sprunt Hall

Mrs. Miriam Allen Richard Andrews, Jr. Tahlia Andrews Rose Artin Edward Callaway Austell Kay Smart Batts Mr. and Mrs. August M. Blomberg Mr. and Mrs. James B. Brame Claudia J. Briner Ruth and George Buckbee Mrs. Laura Campbell Carl Carlson Annie M. Collins Josephine Lanier Cotton Melvin Jackson Cotton Charlotte Crawford Florence R. Cromartie Luther M. Cromartie L. Martin Cromartie, Jr. John and Ruby Crow Dorothy Seger Dineen Dr. James R. Dineen Mary B. Divine Vivian Donnell Mr. and Mrs. James Duffy Mr. and Mrs. William H. Dunlap James Bruce Edmunds Margy Duffy Edmunds Kathy Edwards Harry Lee Fields Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Finan, Sr. Thomas Allred Garvey Leon and Cleo Gay Anne Calhoun Gentry Ray and Charlotte Green Karl and Helen Griffith Alice Patterson Harris Louise Fairfax Harris

Robert H. Hutchins, MD Dr. Robert B. Jones Samuel C. and Kathleen Jones Dale F. Keller, Jr. Jeanne Lambert Rick Lawson Kathryn and Owen McMillan Mrs. Bertha P. Meier Mr. and Mrs. F.L. Meier, Jr. Cora Morrison Suzanne Smith Nash Joan Wadsworth Pray Quinn Margaret Riley

Timothy Johnson Roberts Mr. & Mrs. Grady W. Shuford Dr. Richard Bembry Smith John and Wilma Stanfield Betty Holden Stike Ray L. Stike James B. and Clara Stokley, Sr. Nancy Holladay Crow Stovall John W. Thomas, Jr. Sherry Weaver George J. Weidenhammer Mr. & Mrs. Harold W. Wells, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Clarence G. Westendorff Dale Young

W. Hall Harris, III Mr. and Mrs. W. Hall Harris, Jr. D.G. and Ruth Harwood Mr. & Mrs. Henry C. Hawthorne, Sr. Mr. and Mrs. Jimmie Hoyt Ralph and Nancy Hoyt Dr. and Mrs. Deane Hundley Dorothy Morgan Hutchins Harold R. Hutchins Mr. and Mrs. John Mack Isley Mr. and Mrs. J. Donald Johnson, Sr. Mary Elizabeth Toms Kelly Robert Yocum Kelly Mr. Jimmy Kenny Mr. and Mrs. Horace T. King, Jr. Gertrude Kirchner Charlotte Klein JoAnne M. Knapp Albert LeBrun, Jr. Albert LeBrun, Sr. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert N. Lewis Gordon and Lisa Lewis Jeff Lewis Cal and Peggy Marles Margaret and James Frank McCall Hester J. McDaniel Mr. and Mrs. Hugh A. McEachern Mr. and Mrs. Herbert McKeithan Anita McNamara Colleen McNamara A. Vance and Edna Meanor Bill Mintzell Nancy C. Monroe Mary Nelson Myers My Mother’s Hands Suzanne Smith Nash Ann and Bob Neill Pauline and Henry Taylor Newland Scott O’Malley

OUR POINSETTIAS WERE GIVEN IN LOVING MEMORY OF

OUR OUTSIDE WREATHS WERE GIVEN IN LOVING MEMORY OF

OUR CHRISMON TREE was given to the glory of God by Bert and Melanie Williams and Family. It is dedicated in loving memory of Harper Beall Williams

and in tribute to his abiding faith and love for others.

THE WREATHS PLACED IN THE SANCTUARY were given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Ferd Olbert Lawson, Jr. and Martha Best Lawson by their son, Yorke Lawson.

THE CHRISTMAS WREATHS ON THE CHURCH DOORS were given to the glory of God and in grateful remembrance of John Douglas Taylor & Mary Hill Taylor by

their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Fannie and Louis Jackson Parker Mr. and Mrs. Austin Peay Lavina Selden Harris Pigford Robert T. Pigford, M.D. Anna Seward Ragsdale Gregory Langston Ragsdale Mary Wickwire Ragsdale Mr. and Mrs. Edward R. Ryals, Jr. Carolyn Ragsdale Salzwedel Mr. and Mrs. Milton Scott Grace W. Sharkey Edith and George Sherman Mr. and Mrs. W. Ferrell Shuford, Sr. Mr. and Mrs. Edwin F. Sigmund Thomas Sims James and Alene Smith Mr. & Mrs. Percy R. Smith Henri Van Order Stabler Inge Bjerre Stites Mr. and Mrs. James A. Stokes Chris Stone Julie Stone Dr. Willard Swiers John T. Talbert, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. J.T. Talbert Karen Talley Hock-Seng Tan Mr. and Mrs. Joseph O. Taylor Margaret and E. Marion Taylor Rita R. Taylor William Alan Thomasson Edith Graham Toms Elmo Keid Toms Miss Beth Troy Mr. and Mrs. Sam Troy Dr. and Mrs. Van Order Annie and William B. Walton Sherry Weaver

For unto us a child is born, and he shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER Tonight we celebrate the Lord’s Supper by intinction, which means

“dipping”. All are invited to come forward row by row, as ushers direct, to receive a piece of bread, (“The body of Christ, broken for you”) and to dip it lightly into the cup, (“The blood of Christ shed for you”). There are many appropriate responses, including, “Thanks be to God,” “Amen,” or just prayerful silence. Return to your pew along the side aisle. Christ welcomes all to the table. For those who are unable to come forward, please alert an usher, who will make sure you are served in your seat.

WE GO IN GOD’S NAME

+HYMN 122 “Silent Night, Holy Night!” STILLE NACHT

+CHARGE & BENEDICTION CLOSING VOLUNTARY

“In Dulci Jubilo” Johann Sebastian Bach

The “Closing Voluntary” marks the conclusion of the Service of Worship. Please extinguish your candle and place it in to the box by the exit. If you leave before worship’s conclusion, please do so silently in consideration of others. Please refrain from photography and videography during the

worship service.

TONIGHT’S SERVICE

An offering for the Pastor’s Fund, to assist those in need in our community,

will be received at this service and at the Candlelight Communion service at

11pm this evening. If you wish to provide an offering to this fund, please

indicate this with a note on the offering envelope and memo line of the

check.

First Presbyterian Church invites you to return and worship here on Sunday, Dec. 29 at 11am in the Sanctuary. Beginning Sunday, January 5, 2019, we will resume our regular worship service schedule listed below:

8:45am Traditional service in Kenan Memorial Chapel

9:00am Blended service in Gilmour Hall

11:00am Traditional service in the Sanctuary

Christian Education for all ages (preschool through adult) is offered each

Sunday from 10:00-10:50am. Nursery care is provided for infants and

toddlers from 8:30am-12:30pm. For more information about our church life,

ministries, and calendar of church activities, please visit the church website,

www.firstonthird.org.

SECOND LESSON Luke 1: 26-38

The Word of the Lord. Pew Bible PP. 56-57 Thanks be to God.

+HYMN 145

“What Child is This?” GREENSLEEVES THIRD LESSON Luke 2: 1-14

The Word of the Lord. Pew Bible P. 58 Thanks be to God.

SERMON Dan Lewis “Still”

WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

+HYMN 119 arr. John Ferguson “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” MENDELSSOHN

+AFFIRMATION OF FAITH And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. Amen. OFFERING SOLO “I Wonder as I Wander” arr. John Jacob Niles

Benjamin Horrell, baritone +HYMN 133 arr. John Ferguson/David Willcocks

“O Come, All Ye Faithful” ADESTE FIDELES

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND THE LORD’S PRAYER Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP

The music of the Opening Voluntary draws us from the outside world into the presence of God. In preparation for worship, you are invited

to use this time for prayerful reflection.

OPENING VOLUNTARY John Tabler “Joy to the World” Traditional

“It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” arr. William Himes “The First Nowell” Traditional “O Little Town of Bethlehem” arr. William Himes

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Richard Aylor

[Please pass the friendship register down the row for each person to sign.] LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE

John and Beth Morgan Kim and Dixon Dickens

OPENING PRAYER

Good and gracious God, on this holy night you gave us your Son, the Lord of the universe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, the Savior of all, lying in a manger. On this holy night, draw us into the mystery of your love. Join our voices with the heavenly host that we may sing your glory on high. Give us a place among the shepherds that we may find the one for whom we have waited, Jesus Christ, the Messiah and Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

+HYMN 143 arr. John Ferguson “Angels from the Realms of Glory” REGENT SQUARE

WE PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

FIRST LESSON Isaiah 9: 2-7 The Word of the Lord. Pew Bible P. 638 Thanks be to God.

+HYMN 121

“O Little Town of Bethlehem” ST. LOUIS