Gathering Around The Word “The Jesus born into our midst today invites us, over and over again, to take part in what God is restoring. He invites us to believe that the world is headed somewhere good, and that we’re being born into a story that is still being written. Long-awaited, He is here now to companion us as we seek to follow Him.” –Theodore J. Wardlaw, President, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary Opening Voluntary Four Settings of “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice!” J. S. Bach, Marcel Dupré, J. S. Bach, Virgil Fox

Invitation to Discipleship

Introit He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands arr. Margaret Bonds Bea Garner, soloist Call to Worship Leader: Come, shepherd, join the celebration.People: For Jesus is born, and is lying in a manger!Leader: Come, angels, proclaim the good news: People: A savior has come, who is the Messiah; Glory to God in the highest!Leader: Come, wise ones, bring gifts from afar,People: For the star leads to a king who is worthy of praise.Leader: Come, people, and greet the world made new,People: We are overwhelmed with joy, for Jesus is here!

*Hymn 143Angels, from the Realms of Glory REGENT SQUARE

*Call to Confession and Prayer of Confession God in the manger, we have followed the star to find you here, and now we prepare to depart back into the world. We confess that we are unsure how to speak such good news, we are less than confident in our proclamation, and we fear that we will soon be distracted by so many other things, forgetting to tell your story at all. In this new year, help us to share the light, to testify to your birth and your life, and to make this world a more loving and kind place. Accompany us on our journey, and remind us constantly of this good news. Amen.

WORSHIP December 31, 2017First Sunday After Christmas

*Words of ForgivenessLeader: Friends, hear and believe the good news of the Gospel:People: We are saved by grace through faith. In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Prayer for Illumination

Scripture Isaiah 9:2-7

Sermon Come From Away Jessie Light-Wells

*Affirmation of Faith Leader: What do we believe about Jesus? People: We believe and teach that the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, was predestined or foreordained from eternity by the Father to be the Savior of the world. And we believe that he was born, not only when he assumed flesh of the Virgin Mary, and not only before the foundation of the world was laid, but by the Father before all eternity. *Hymn 128 Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

The Lord’s PrayerOur 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. Offertory MusicGo Tell It On the Mountain arr. Mark HayesBea Garner, soloist

*Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all people here below; Praise God above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

*Prayer of Dedication

*Hymn 113 Angels We Have Heard on High GLORIA

*Benediction

Closing Voluntary Toccata on “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come” Garth Edmundson

Worship Leaders Our preacher today is Jessie Light-Wells. Artist-in-Residence Bradley Hunter Welch is our organist. Next week’s preacher is Rev. Matthew Ruffner.

Rev. Matthew RuffnerSenior Pastor

Rev. Sarah JohnsonAssociate Pastor

Rev. Dr. Bob PoteetParish Associate

Rev. Kathy Lee-CornellAssociate Pastor

Rev. Sarah AreDesignated Associate

Pastor

Jessie Light-WellsMonie Pastoral

Resident

Rev. Dr. Ewen Holmes

Interim Executive Pastor

Rev. Margaret Watkins Parish Associate

Joys/ConCernsThere will be a memorial service for Ida Cronin on January 12 at 11 a.m.

ConneCt A Night With Glennon Doyle: PHPC is excited to announce that Glennon Doyle will be speaking at Preston Hollow on April 24, 2018. Glennon Doyle is the #1 New York Times Bestselling author of Love Warrior, as well as the hilarious New York Times Bestseller Carry On, Warrior. Tickets are on sale at www.phpc.org/glennon.

Presbyterian Women: On Saturday, January 27, Catherine Miller will lead the Presbyterian Woman annual retreat titled “Exploring the Divinas-a Journey from Head to Heart.” It will be held at the PHPC Springhill Conference Center from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Cost is $10 and includes program, materials, continental breakfast and lunch. To RSVP, contact Pat Coggan 214-369-3068 or pcoggan@sbcglobal.net.

Flower Sponsors: Stop by the Atrium through January 7 to sign up to sponsor Sanctuary and Chapel flowers. This is a lovely way to honor a loved one, mark a special date or celebrate a PHPC member wedding, while at the same time enhancing the worship experience for everyone at PHPC. After January 7, 2018 the Flower Calendars will be hanging in the hall opposite the main church office. You will find the forms next to each calendar. Thank you for your support of the PHPC Flower Guild.

Preston Hollow Presbyterian Preschool: For the 2018-19 school year, Preston Hollow Presbyterian Preschool will be offering classes for children ages 12 months – 5 years by September 1, 2018. The Young Toddler, Older Toddler, and Young 2’s classes will be offered on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday from 9am - 2pm. PreK 2 Day, 3 Day, and 5 Day classes will be offered for children 2.5 years – 5 years old from 9am – 12pm. An extended day program called STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Mathematics) will be offered on Monday – Thursday afternoons from 12 – 2pm for children enrolled in the PreK 2 Day, 3 Day, and 5 Day classes. Registration Schedule: Returning Preschool families - January 8 – 19, Church Members - January 22 – 26 , New Families will be contacted from the wait pool beginning January 29. If you would like further information about the Preschool or would like to schedule a tour, please contact the Preschool office at lholthouser@phps.org or 214-369-1395. You can also visit our website at www.phppreschool.org.

serve Teach English at Literacy Achieves: Change lives by teaching English as a Second Language to non-English speaking adults. No foreign language experience needed. Classes are co-taught; training and curriculum are provided. Find out more information at Orientations held on January 4 & 10. For more information and to RSVP for an orientation, contact Liz Harling, at LHarling@LiteracyAchieves.org or 214-265-5057 ext. 102.

Mission Trip to Nicaragua: Join us on February 4 in Jubilee Hall to learn more about the summer mission trip to Nicaragua (June 2-9). Individuals & families with youth are invited. Email kleecornell@phpc.org for more information.

UpComing January 7: Regular worship schedule resumes

grow Race (Still) Matters Small Group Book Study: Sign up for a six-week study on American’s Original Sin by Jim Wallis. Two sessions available; Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. or Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. To join a group and purchase your book, go to www.phpc.org/adultformation.