CLOSING PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER [in unison] 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.
CLOSING HYMN 280 AMAZING GRACE, HOW SWEET THE SOUND! Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see. 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed! Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; 'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home. The Lord has promised good to me, His word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be As long as life endures. When we've been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We've no less days to sing God's praise Than when we'd first begun.
BLESSING
Christmas Pageant & Family Dinner December 18th, 2011 Light of the World 5:00pm To Register please visit www.fpcnorfolk.org
Christmas Eve Worship
REMEMBRANCE
& HEALING SERVICE † SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT ¢ December 4, 2011 7:00pm
4:00 Worship Service A Service for the Children of Christmas Jesus welcomes the little children with their giggles and wiggles! This service is especially for children and their families. Come and celebrate the joy of Christmas as we worship together. We will sing familiar Christmas carols and hear the wonderful message of Christmas. The young and young at heart will be filled to overflowing with the gift of our Savior’s presence.
† 5:30 & 7:00 Worship Services Come, Let us Adore Him Our family of faith gathers to rejoice in worship and celebrate the gift of Christmas, a baby savior in a manger. Come and experience the power of Emmanuel, God with us, as we rejoice in the gift of the Christ Child.
Pastor: Valena Hoy Organist: Jean Thiel Soloist: Joanne Whitaker
† 11:00 Worship Service Receive the Gift In the quiet beauty of the night, we celebrate the birth of the Christ child. This holy night is filled with awe, wonder and mystery. Come and experience the quiet power of Christmas Eve as we reflect on the Word made flesh and celebrate the Lord’s Table.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 820 Colonial Avenue * Norfolk, Virginia 23507 Phone: (757) 625‐1697 * Fax: (757) 625‐1288 www.FPCNorfolk.org E‐mail: FPC@fpcnorfolk.org
CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: Our help is in the name of the Lord, ALL: Who made Heaven and Earth. Leader: They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
HYMN 543 ABIDE WITH ME
Psalm 124: 9
OPENING HYMN 9 O COME, O COME EMMANUEL O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israelc! O come, Thou Day‐spring, come and cheer Our spirits by Thine advent here; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death's dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel! O come, Desire of nations, bind All peoples in one heart and mind; Bid envy, strife, and discord cease; Fill the whole world with heaven's peace. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel!
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Abide with me: fast falls the eventide; The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide! When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
God consoles us in all our affliction, So that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction. For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, So also our consolation is abundant through Christ.
Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation The old life has gone; a new life has begun. Friends, know that Jesus Christ is with us and be at peace. Amen.
To the triune God, the source of all love and all life, Let us offer our prayers.
Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day; Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away; Change and decay in all around I see. O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
For all who are in need of healing, Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayers.
I need Thy presence every passing hour; What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power? Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be? Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me. I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless: Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness. Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory? I triumph still, if Thou abide with me. Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes; Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies: Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee; In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
OLD TESTAMENT READING
Comfort ye, comfort ye My people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned.
NEW TESTAMENT READING
John 10; 1‐5, Page 103, N.T.
MESSAGE
Valena Hoy
For all who are disabled by injury or illness, Lord, in your mercy, Hear our Prayers For all who are troubled by confusion or pain, Lord, in your mercy, Hear our Prayers For all whose increasing years bring weariness, Lord, in your mercy, Hear our Prayers For all who cannot sleep, Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayers.
Psalm 23, Page 501 O.T.
MUSICAL OFFERING Comfort Ye My People from Messiah by G. F. Handel
Eternal God, In whom we live and move and have our being, whose face is hidden from us by our sins, and whose mercy we forget in the blindness of our hearts: Cleanse us from all our offenses, and deliver us from proud thoughts and vain desires, that with reverent and humble hearts we may draw near to you, confessing our faults, confiding in your grace, and finding in you our refuge and our strength; through Jesus Christ your Son.
ASSURANCE OF GOD’S PRESENCE & MERCY
Holy Spirit, dwelling within us, you make us temples of your presence: Have Mercy on us.
INTERCESSION FOR HEALING AND PRAYER God, our creator, your will for us and for all your people is health and salvation: Have Mercy on us. Jesus Christ, Son of God, you cam that we might have life and have it in abundance: Have Mercy on us.
For all who Practice the healing arts, Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayers. Into your hands, O God, We commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. RITUAL OF HEALING AND HOPE MUSICAL OFFERING
He Shall Feed His Flock Like a Shepherd from Messiah by G. F. Handel
He shall feed His flock like a shepherd; and He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. Come unto Him, all ye that labor, Come unto Him that are heavy laden, and He will give you rest. Take His yoke upon you, and learn of Him, For He is meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls.