First Presbyterian Church Growing in Faith and Love

Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion December 24, 2018, 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 John Tabler, Director of Music Benjamin Horrell, Asst. Dir. 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.

John E. Adams, MD Lloyd and Virginia Allen Adm and Mrs. Richard S. Andrews Richard S. Andrews, Jr. Franklin Murphy Averitt, Jr. William Benjamin Beery, III William Benjamin Beery, IV Edward and Esther Bloedorn William Joseph Boney Charles H. Boney Sr. Barry and Jeannette Browning Clarence and Anita Burkett John Miller Capito, Jr. Dorine and John Cottros Matthew T. Dill Margaret Cameron Edge

Poulina & Illarion Afanasenko Miriam Allen Rose Artin Mr. and Mrs. Boyd Baldwin Mr. and Mrs. Boyd Baldwin, Sr. Edith and Roy Barton Mr. and Mrs. J. Harper Beall, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. August M. Blomberg Claudia J. Briner Emily Garrabrant Brooks C. Reynolds Brown Mr. and Mrs. James C. Brown Ruth and George Buckbee Mr. and Mrs. Dan Cameron Annie Martha Collins Dustin Cox Luther M. Cromartie Florence R. Cromartie L. Martin Cromartie, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. John Crow Sally Deans Dr. and Mrs. Franklin Dill Dorothy Segar Dineen Dr. James Robert Dineen Mary Divine Vivian Donnell Mr. and Mrs. James Duffy Emanuel D. Emmer Dr. Conway H. Ficklen Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Finan, Sr. Mr. J.C. FormyDuval, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. J.C. FormyDuval, Sr. Charlotte Fox Mr. and Mrs. Edgar C. Garrabrant Capt. John Richard Garrabrant Dr. Edgar C. Garrabrant Mr. and Mrs. Ray Greene Mr. and Mrs. Karl W. Griffith Jennifer Hansen Robert Hansen Alice Patterson Harris Louise Fairfax Harris

Mary Gilman Lawrence Richard Gilman Alexander Sprunt Hall Mr. and Mrs. Allison W. High Mr. and Mrs. G. Dudley Humphrey Robert H. Hutchins, MD Sam and Kathleen Jones Dale and Billie Keller Mr. and Mrs. Woodus Kellum Charlotte B. Klein Richard Lawson Richard E. Lawson Mr. and Mrs. William R. Loweth Bertha P. Meier Phyllis H. Meier F.L. 'Tanky' Meier, Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. Brame P. Morrison Lela and Alvin Powell Joan Wadsworth Pray Quinn Margaret Riley Mr. and Mrs. Leon D. Rooks Mr. and Mrs. Grady W. Shuford Richard B. Smith, Jr. James B. and Clara A. Stokley Sr. Richard von Biberstein, Jr. Mary and Ed Weaver George J. Weidenhammer Mr. and Mrs. Harold W. Wells, Jr. Charlotte Roempke Westendorff Clarence Gantt Westendorff, Jr. Donis Willis Dale Young

W. Hall Harris, III Mr. and Mrs. W. Hall Harris, Jr. D.G. and Ruth Harwood Georgia Lee and Henry Hawthorne Tom Howard Mr. and Mrs. Jimmie Hoyt Dorothy Morgan Hutchins Harold R. Hutchins Richard Clarence Jeffreys Sam and Kathleen Jones Dr. Robert B. Jones Mary Hall Keith Mary Elizabeth Toms Kelly Robert Yocum Kelly Jimmy Kenny Gertrude Kirchner Charlotte Klein Jo Anne Knapp Albert LeBrun, Sr. and Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Lewis Jeff Lewis and Gordon Lewis Frank Mayes McLeod Family Members Lessie B. McDaniel Mary H. McDonald Mr. and Mrs. Herbert McKeithan Anita McNamara Colleen McNamara Mr. and Mrs. Robert McPeak Carole Ann Harris Miller Bill Mintzell Nancy C. Monroe Martha Derr Morgan Mary Nelson Myers Mr. James L. Nelson Malcolm Scott Nelson, Jr. Marlton and Dolly Humphrey Pearson Mr. and Mrs. Austin Peay Dr. and Mrs. Robert T. Pigford Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Pigford Edward Allen Powers Lexton Lee Puryear

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.

Edna and Graham Quinn Anna Seward Ragsdale Mary Wickwire Ragsdale Gregory Langston Ragsdale Joan and Lovel Rawlett Mr. and Mrs. Edward R. Ryals, Jr. Carolyn Ragsdale Salzwedel Mrs. June Scarborough Mr. and Mrs. Milton Scott Grace W. Sharkey George and Edith Sherman Mr. and Mrs. Edwin F. Sigmund David Bryan Sloan, III David Bryan Sloan, Jr. Henrietta Stabler Inge Bjerre Stites Mr. and Mrs. James A. Stokes James B. and Clara A. Stokley, Sr. J. Christopher Stone Nancy Crow Stovall John T. Talbert, Jr. Karen Talley Mr. Hock-Seng Tan Elizabeth W. Taylor Mr. and Mrs. Joseph O. Taylor Margaret E. Taylor Rita R. Taylor William Alan Thomasson Edith Graham Toms Elmo Reid Toms Mary Eunice and Sam Troy Miss Beth Troy Dr. and Mrs. W.E. Van Order Carol Verrone Mr. and Mrs. R. Lee Ward Mr. and Mrs. Daniel L. Weidenhammer John and Jean Wessell Ms. Cheri D. Williams Dr. and Mrs. R. Bertram Williams, Jr. Mrs. Shirlee Harris Wiseman Susan Larkins Wolfe Charles William Worth Dr. Eduardo Zloczover

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 All who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ are invited to share in the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. We will receive the Sacrament this evening by intinction, dipping the bread into the cup. There will be serving locations around the Sanc-tuary and a gluten-free station at the table in the front. As the ushers direct you, please exit your pew by the side aisle and walk to the nearest station. Break off a piece of bread and dip it into the cup, then proceed back to your pew through the center aisle. If you are unable to walk to a serving location, please let an usher know and you will be served at your pew.

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 wor-

ship 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 Sun-

day, Dec. 30 at 11am in the Sanctuary. Beginning Sunday, January 6,

2019, we will resume our regular worship service schedule listed below:

8:45am Traditional service in Kenan Memorial Chapel

9:00am Contemporary 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 tod-

dlers 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.

+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 “A Sign for You”

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 debt-ors; 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 “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” “Joy to the World”

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Richard Aylor

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

Olson-Boseman Family 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

SECOND LESSON Luke 1: 26-38

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