THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN 

CHURCH AT CALDWELL 


Our Purpose: 

To help all people build life-transforming relationships with God and each other. 


The members and friends of FPC welcome people from all backgrounds - -  people of faith from throughout the world, people who profess no faith,  Christians of all denominations and those who are searching for religious and spiritual meaning. 

Welcome! 


December 25, 2016

Ten o’clock

Christmas Day 


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GATHERING 


NEW BEGINNINGS REFLECTION 

Christmas, children is not a date. It is a state of mind. 

Mary Ellen Chase (1887-1973) 


PRELUDE 


CALL TO WORSHIP 

The Light of Christ is born anew! 

Praise the Lord! 

In the beginning, Light shines in the darkness – Loving, Beautiful, Good – giving birth to all creation, the center, the heart, of unfolding life. The Light graces all creation as God’s presence. 

The Light is Christ. 

The Light is the child of Mary and Joseph. 

The Light is Love. 

The Light is a Jewish mystic, sage, and prophet. 

The Light is Beautiful. 

The Light is life in the midst of death. 

The Light is Good. 

May Christ, the Light, reveal to all who would see the wisdom and wonder of God’s boundless love. 

Hallelujah! 


OPENING PRAYER 

God of light, we thank you for giving us the gift of Jesus Christ. We come before you with wonder and delight that you come to us in the child born in a manger. Be with us on this day of birth and rebirth. Come, honor us with the presence of your gracious, joyful Spirit. Fill our weary hearts with renewed hope and joy. Rekindle in our souls the light of Christ. Glory to you in the highest, O God, glory in the highest! Amen. 


*CAROL SING 


CONFESSION 


CORPORATE CONFESSION 

When we allow darkness to overcome the light, 

forgive us, Lord. 

When we reduce Christmas to plastic and tinsel, 

have mercy on us, O God. 

When hardness of heart keeps us from seeing 

and hearing and touching the needs of others, 

let your grace consume us, Lord. 

When the violence and wars around us are of no concern, 

forgive us, Lord, and move us to compassion 

for those who suffer. 

When our caring is not extended to action, 

move us to seek justice for our brothers and sisters. 

Remove all barriers that divide us, 

and let there be no obstacle to our love for you 

and for one another. 


All pray in silence. 


People of God, through the coming of Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate, the Lord has comforted and redeemed us! In Christ we receive the salvation of our God. 

Friends, believe the good news: 

In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Glory to God in the highest! 


*RESPONSE OF PRAISE NO. 110 “Love Has Come” 

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. 


PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING 


TIME WITH THE CHILDREN 


PARISH LIFE 

Members, friends and visitors, please sign the Friendship Pad in each pew and pass it to the person next to you. The last person will pass the pad back to the first person, who will then please place the sheet in the offering plate. Worshipers are invited to use the cards in the pew racks for prayer requests so we may share one another’s joys and concerns. The ushers will collect the cards during the hymn following the sermon and they will be offered during the Prayers of the People. 


SCRIPTURE & SERMON 


*HYMN NO. 114 “Away in a Manger” Cradle Song 


PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 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. 


OFFERING 


OFFERTORY 

“A Place for Mary to Lie” 

Dadee Reilly 

Amanda Lecuona, Solo 


*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING 

NO. 157 “I Danced in the Morning” 

Lord of the Dance 

I danced in the morning when the world was begun, 

and I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun, 

and I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth. 

at Bethlehem I had my birth. 


Dance, then, wherever you may be; 

I am the Lord of the Dance, said he, 

and I'll lead you all, wherever you may be, 

and I'll lead you all in the dance, said he. 


*PRAYER OF DEDICATION 


GOING FORTH 


*HYMN NO. 128 

“Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” 

W. Zlobie Lezy 


*BENEDICTION 


*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE 

Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo! 


*THE PEACE 

The peace of Christ be with you. 

And also with you. 

Please exchange greetings of welcome and peace with your neighbor. 


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*Please rise in body or in spirit 


If you are new to the church...Welcome! We’re glad to have you here. Please ask an usher to direct you to Visitor packets at the rear of the church. They can be found on the table near the usher’s closet under the balcony stairs. 


†The white rose on the communion table celebrates the life of First Presbyterian Church Member, Wilma Archibald, and remembers the promise of the resurrection in her death on Monday, December 19, 2016. Our sympathy is extended to Wilma’s family and friends. 


Your prayers of intercession are requested for those members and friends known to be currently or recently hospitalized or who continue to need our prayers and support: 

… Mary Ann Bainbridge, Harry Coppens, Bill Hayden, Edith Jipp, Barbara Piggery, Louise Ritscher, Laura Winter and Helena Wispelwey. The church office will be happy to verify their home addresses for you should you wish to send them words of encouragement or get well wishes 


It is easy to join our mailing list! Just text FPC to 42828 and follow the prompt to send your e-mail address by text message.  


THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 

AT CALDWELL 

326 Bloomfield Avenue 

Caldwell, NJ 07006 

973-228-0310