A SERVICE FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD

Christmas Day

December 25, 2011 - 11:00 AM

�All who are able are invited to stand Chiming of the Trinity The three bells rung at the beginning of the service represent the Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As the bells ring, let us gather quietly, prayerfully reflecting on the majesty of God in our lives.

Prelude Christmas Fantasy in March Form Roland Diggle Welcome

To Praise the Living God Introit O Jesus So Meek Bach/Johnson �Call to Worship from Call to Worship Let the earth rejoice; Let the many coastlands be glad!

The heavens proclaim God's righteousness, and all the peoples behold the glory of the Lord. Rejoice in the Lord, Give thanks to his holy name!

�Hymn 28 Good Christian Friends, Rejoice IN DULCI JUBILO

To Confess Our Sins and Receive Forgiveness Call to Confession Prayer of Confession from Call to Worship Merciful God, we confess that we miss Your glory shining all around us. We overlook

the good news of great joy brought to us through ordinary people. We ignore the signs

of Your presence breaking into the world. Forgive us, O God. Forgive our pride;

forgive our ignorance. Redeem us, that we might proclaim Your glory. In the name of

Him who is even now in glory with You, we pray. Amen. Silent Reflection and Personal Confession Response Hymn 44, Stanza 4 O Little Town of Bethlehem ST. LOUIS

O holy Child of Bethlehem, Descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin and enter in, Be born in us today.

We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel!

Assurance of Pardon Friends, believe the Good News. In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Alleluia. Amen.

To Experience God's Word Message for Children Anthem Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine Traditional Scripture Reading (Page 1) Matthew 1:18-25

The Word of Our Lord, Thanks be to God!

Sermon "The Forgotten Man of the Nativity" Dr. R. Shane Owens

To Respond in Faith �Hymn (see insert) Joseph Heard the Troubling News TEMPUS ADEST FLORIDUM �Affirmation of Faith The Apostles' Creed (Traditional) I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ

his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; he descended into hell;

the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the

right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick

and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of

saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.

Amen.

�Response, Hymn 22, Stanza 4 Angels from the Realms of Glory All creation, join in praising God the Father, Spirit, Son,

Evermore your voices raising To the eternal Three in One: Come and Worship, come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King!

The Prayers of the People and the Lord's Prayer (The Presbyterian Hymnal, Page 16) Presentation of Tithes and Offerings Offertory Rise Up, Shepherd Karl Osterland �Response, Hymn 53, Stanza 3 What Child Is This GREENSLEEVES

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh; Come, one and all, to own Him. The King of kings salvation brings; Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing; Haste, haste to bring Him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary!

�Prayer of Dedication �Hymn 59 While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks CHRISTMAS

To Go Forth to Serve as God's People in the World �Charge and Benediction �Closing Response Hymn 23. Stanza 3 Angels We Have Heard on High GLORIA Postlude Improvisation on Christmas

STAFF

Dr. R. Shane Owens - Pastor Jim Glass - Director of Music and Organist Sara B. Hancock, CPS - Administrative Assistant W. T. Syfan - Treasurer Marlene Sperry - CDP Director Rev. Samuel N. Thomas - Pastor Emeritus

SESSION MEMBERS

Dr. R. Shane Owens, Moderator Robert K. Folks, Clerk

Class of 2011 Class of 2012 Class of 2013 J. Casey Ballard Donna C. Connors Holly C. Furr Thomas F. Carothers Jr. Vickie L. Jewell Carolyn C. Hardin Kim M. Moredock Robert F. Stephenson Philip W. Neely William K. Williams

MINISTRY BOARDS

Caregivers Christian Formation Congregational Care

J. Casey Ballard Vickie L. Jewell Robert F. Stephenson Donna C. Connors Columbarium & Fellowship Hospitality & Worship Memorial Garden Donna C. Connors Outreach J. Casey Ballard Kim M. Moredock Carolyn C. Hardin Thomas F. Carothers Jr. Philip W. Neely Vickie L. Jewell Holly C. Furr

SUPPORT COMMITTEES

Property Management Stewardship & Operational

Thomas F. Carothers Jr. William K. Williams

First Presbyterian Church 700 North Main Street/PO Box 990

Lancaster, South Carolina 29721

www.fpc-lancaster.org

803-283-3329

A Place to Belong, A Place to Serve

"Now you are the Body of Christ , and Individually members of it." 1 Corinthians 12:27

OUR VISION AND MISSION

We, the members

of First Presbyterian Church, are disciples of the risen Christ

and members of his universal Body, who are empowered by God’s Spirit to

WORSHIP God with joy and thanksgiving; PROCLAIM the Gospel through word and deed;

TEACH the message of God’s love in Christ; SHARE God’s love for all people by reaching out

in hospitality, ministry and mission; WORK together in harmonious unity

as a loving and caring people; and to SERVE one another and others beyond our fellowship in the name of Jesus Christ

OUR VALUES

The values we cherish to enable us to accomplish our vision and mission are the fruit of God’s Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY

WEE WORSHIP BAGS are available in the narthex. Please return the bags to the basket

after service.

CHRISTMAS DAY. No Sunday School. Worship will begin at 11:00AM.

The Church office will be CLOSED December 26 and 30, 2011 and January 2, 2012.

MEN'S PRAYER BREAKFAST will not meet on December 26 nor January 2; will resume

on January 9 at 7:00 a.m.

The PASTOR is on vacation the week of December 26-31, 2011 and on study leave January

1-8, 2012. Should a need arise, call the church office or the Pastor's cell.

This is a reminder that if you want your CHURCH CONTRIBUTIONS to be included on

your 2011 statement, they will need to be received in the church office on or before 10:00

a.m. on Thursday, December 29, 2010.

E3 WORKSHOPS for CHURCH MINISTRY on January 8, 2012 from 2:45-5:30 p.m. at

Rock Hill First Presbyterian. These workshops feature instruction, discussion, expert advice,

premium information and best practices. Childcare will be available for infants-4K by

reservation ONLY. A workshop summary is available outside the church office.

FREE WEBINARS at Presbytery Office; Topics: Turnaround Strategies for your Church:

Raising up new Leadership (January 10); Turnaround Strategies for your Church: Rethinking

Affiliation (Feb. 14); Turnaround Strategies for your Church: Rethinking Stewardship

(March 13); Turnaround Strategies for your Church: 21st Century Communicating (April

10); Turnaround Strategies for your Church: Ending Power Struggles (May 8).

IT'S A BOY! Congratulations to Curry & Bradley Robertson on the birth of Miles Hubbard

Robertson. Proud grandparents are Steve and Cindy Williams.

THESE DAYS are available in the narthex and at the back door entrance.

The 2012 FLOWER CALENDAR has been placed on the bulletin board in the hallway

across from the church office. Please take a moment to sign up for a Sunday this year when

you wish to place flowers in the sanctuary in memory of or in honor of a loved one, or call

the church office to reserve a date.

The total collected last Sunday for the JOY GIFT offering was $266.00.

Our CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY is extended to Jimmy Williams in the death of his mother,

Martha Williams, who passed away on December 17.

WITH DEEP APPRECIATION. Thank you so much for the generosity to all of us during

the Christmas season. We love and appreciate all of you and we realize how fortunate we are

to be a part of such a loving, caring and warm church family. May God richly bless each of

you throughout the new year. - Dr. Shane Owens, Jim Glass, Sara Hancock

_____________________________________________

ATTENDANCE for December18, 2011 SS - 38 MW - 72

Budget Update

Pledges Budgeted YTD $225,573.00

Pledges Received YTD 210,275.90

Surplus/(Deficit) ($15,297.10)

Count Team: Doc Moredock; Bill Mahaffey; Holly Furr

Ushers: Doc Moredock; John R. Steele; David Houk; Mark Johnson

Front Door Greeter: Andy & Suzanne Harper

Back Door Greeter: Adele Williams; Peggy Furr

Alternate Greeters: John & Margaret Steele

Chancel: Betsy Gregory; Sherri Gregory

Register of Friendship Pad: Casey Ballard; David Ghent

Church Opening: Doc Moredock

FAMILIES TO R EMEMBER

IN PRAYER THIS WEEK

John & Anne McCulloch

Lisa McKenzie & Alex

Barbara McKinnon

Rupert, Kim, Katherine Randolph & Few Moredock

PASTORAL NEEDS: The Session desires to be informed when members and friends of the church are in

need of pastoral care. During office hours, please call the church office (803-283-3329), in order that the elder

under whose care the person or family is assigned may be notified.

FIRST PREBYTERIAN'S PRAYER MINISTRY

Please come by the Prayer Ministry Table before or after our services and give the name of your

prayer request to our prayer ministry representatives. Their name will be given to our pastor

before the pastoral prayer to be raised to God in corporate prayer. At the Prayer Table cards are

available to express our corporate love and concern to those remembered in prayer. Please stop

by each Sunday on your way into church to sign these cards. Help us in this way to further our

church's ministry of sympathy, witness, and service to others in the name of our Lord Jesus

Christ.

Please pray for our members: Wilma Williamson; Darrell and Peggy Bell; Edatha Varner; Tom and Betty

Syfan; Barbara Paul; Ned and Bobbi Funderburk; Nell Perry; Nell Carter; Locketta Stephenson; Teny Kerr;

Marie Dixon; Ann Powers; Vickie Jewell; Cameron Ratkovic; Louie Belk; Steve Williams III; Cindy Ruh;

Kathy Cameron; Linda Hutchinson; family of Martha Williams; Michael Duffell-Hoffman

Friends of the church (recently brought forward for prayer: Ann Demonet; Dean Williamson; Judy Craig;

Randy Craig; Brenda Robinson; Sean Squires; Tiffany Boatwright; Megan Haupt; Crystal Baker; Peggy

Stansell; Melvenia Hilton-Jones; Kathy Hayes; Debbie Todd; Mary Leigh Gregory Ryan; Walter Cairnes; Max

Ballard; Bobby Parker; Abby Bunkley; Stephen Clyburn; Brandon Rollins; Jackie Summers

Please pray for those serving in our military: Angela Armour, Heath Foster, Ramon McCullough, Gary

Hogan, Vicky Taylor, Cameron Ratkovic Jr., Mitch Maybray

PRAYER MINISTRY TABLE

Today: Karen Neely/Suzanne Harper

Next Week: Wesley Owens/Anne L. Howey

WE INVITE EVERYONE TO ATTEND one of our Sunday School classes: Nursery/Preschool Class; K-5th

grade; 6th-7th grade; 8th-12th grade. Adult Classes: Men's Bible Class; Elizabeth Tennant Bible Class;

Friendship Class; Spirit Class and Passage Class. Come join us as we explore God's Word together as a church

family!

A SPECIAL INVITATION! You are invited to become a member of our church by making your profession

of faith in Jesus Christ, by making your reaffirmation of faith in Jesus Christ, or by transferring your

membership from the church where you have been active. If you are interested in becoming a member of First

Presbyterian, please speak to the pastor, indicate this on the Friendship Register, or call the church office at

283-3329.

CHURCH ACITIVITES: December 25, 2011 - December 31, 2011

Sunday 9:45 AM No Sunday School

10:30 AM Choir Practice

11:00 AM Worship

Monday Church Office Closed

7:00 AM No Men's Prayer Breakfast

Tuesday 10:00 AM Bulletin Deadline**

Wednesday No Bell/Choir Practices

Thursday 8:00 PM Al-Anon

Friday Church Office Closed

**CHANGE IN BULLETIN DEADLINE: Please submit all announcements to the church office by

10:00AM on Tuesday of this week. You may also send them via email to firstpres@comporium.net.

WELCOME TO FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

May you feel God's presence, may the message be a blessing in your life and may the grace of God go with you and strengthen you for the

week ahead. Please come again soon!