PREPARING TO HEAR GOD’S WORD †PASSING OF THE PEACE sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he CHIMES (The congregation is asked to pray for the blessing of God upon this service.) Stand, as you are able, and greet one another saying: shall come to judge the quick and the dead. God of power, may the boldness of your Spirit transform us, the gentleness of your I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy ; the Spirit lead us, and the gifts of your Spirit be our goal and our strength. Amen. “The peace of Christ be with you.” Respond by saying: “And also with you.” of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the PRELUDE We Have Heard on High body; and the life everlasting. Amen. Traditional French carol arr. David Lowe THE WORD †, No. 146 Gentle Mary Laid Her Child TEMPUS ADEST FLORIDUM On This Day Earth Shall Ring PERSONENT HODIE A TIME WITH CHILDREN MOMENT FOR DISCIPLESHIP Piae Cantiones, 1582; arr. Gustav Holst Leader: As you depart from us now, the children of God say: The Sanctuary Children: God be with you as you stay. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER Congregation: God be with you as you go. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy On this day earth shall ring Born on earth to save us; With the song children sing Him the Father gave us. kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us To the Lord, Christ our King, Ideo in excelsis Deo! RESPONSE, No. 137 He Came Down HE CAME DOWN this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our (The congregation and choir will sing this twice.) debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. †CALL TO WORSHIP He came down that we may have joy; For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever.

There is good news of great joy for all! He came down that we may have joy; Amen.

Our Savior is born: the Messiah, the Lord! He came down that we may have joy; Now we have seen the saving love of the Lord, Hallelujah forevermore. PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERING In the Bleak Midwinter Gustav Holst The glory of God’s people and the ! Children may exit at this time. Parents of children ages 3 years and younger Text: Christina Rossetti †OPENING HYMN, No. 113 Angels We Have Heard on High GLORIA may take their children to the CE building for Extended Session, Room CE The Sanctuary Choir 103. There is no Worship Center this morning. (The congregation may follow the tune and text on page 144 of Glory to God.) PRAYER OF CONFESSION God our Savior, PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION † TALLIS’ CANON (Sung to the tune of Hymn No. 675, All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night ) We dare to proclaim you as the light of the world, but we FIRST SCRIPTURE READING Isaiah 61:10-62:3 Praise God from whom all blessings flow; confess that we fail to live in your light. In the incarnation you Pew , page 650; large print, page 846 Praise God, all creatures here below; reveal your saving love to us, but we hide your love from others. ( are located in the racks beneath the pews.) You claim us as your children and redeem us, but in our coveting Praise God above, ye heavenly host; of things we do not claim you as our God. SECOND SCRIPTURE READING :22-35 Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Pew Bible, page 55; large print, page 105 Forgive us, God of abounding grace. Let your will be done in our †Prayer of Dedication This is the word of the Lord. lives and may our wills be transformed so that we may know and Thanks be to God. †HYMN, No. 136 Go, Tell It on the Mountain GO TELL IT live into your peace. (Continue your personal prayer of confession in silence.) ANTHEM Mary and Joseph Came to the Temple EVENING HYMN †CHARGE AND The Sanctuary Choir †RESPONSE On This Day Earth Shall Ring PERSONENT HODIE RESPONSE, No. 145 What Child Is This GREENSLEEVES (The congregation may follow the tune and text on page 148 of Glory to God.) Congregation and Choir Piae Cantiones, 1582; arr. Gustav Holst Still Waiting Rev. Seth Saathoff So bring him , gold, and myrrh; come, one and all, to own him. The Sanctuary Choir The King of kings salvation brings; let loving hearts enthrone him. RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD On this day angels sing; Born on earth to save us; Raise, raise the song on high. The virgin sings her lullaby. With their song earth shall ring, Peace and love he gave us. †AFFIRMATION OF FAITH - The Apostles’ Praising Christ, heaven’s King, Ideo gloria in excelsis Deo! Joy, joy, for Christ is born, the babe, the son of Mary! I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and †POSTLUDE He Whom Shepherd Men Came Praising Paul Manz ASSURANCE OF PARDON earth. And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by †ACT OF PRAISE, No. 113 Gloria in Excelsis Deo (refrain only) GLORIA † Worshipers standing if able. Congregation and Choir the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius : Mary North Jones Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the Ushers: Neil Erwin (captain), Glenda Erwin, Margaret Schuetze, Paul Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo! third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and Schuetze, John Guth, Michelle Phelan, Donald Hall WORSHIP NOTES WE WELCOME FRIENDS AND VISITORS. This church is for anyone who wants to be counted as a disciple of Jesus Christ, and who wants to be included in its worship and work. Thank you for signing your name and address on the attendance pad. There is an information center with material about our church and Presbyterianism in the foyer of the Jordan Street entrance to the sanctuary. A Service for the Worship of God

WORSHIP BAGS are available for children elementary age and younger. Inside Ten Forty-Five O’Clock each bag a variety of worship aids can be found to help children participate fully December 31, 2017 in worship, including bookmarks, children’s bulletins, crayons, pencils, and more! Worship Bags can be found in the narthex and at the front entrances of the First after Day sanctuary. Please return them at the end of the service. Children’s Bibles are also available for children’s use during worship and can be found at the end of every pew.

CHILDREN ARE ALWAYS WELCOME IN WORSHIP! Childcare is provided if needed. The Infant and Toddler nursery is found in CE 106 & 108. Our staff provide a loving and safe environment where children can play and explore. Children ages 3 years and younger may go to the CE building for Extended Session, Room CE 103. A comfort and cry room is located on the same floor as the sanctuary, behind the gathering area, around the corner and down the hall from the elevators. The cry room is equipped with a speaker and volume control, so you will be able to hear the worship service while there.

WE EXPRESS SINCERE SYMPATHY to Thelma Boughton and family in the death of her sister, Barbara Kelly, December 25, 2017, and we rejoice with them in the assurance of resurrection.

FLOWERS FOR OUR SANCTUARY each Sunday are generously given by members of our church in memory or in honor of someone special or just to the “Glory of God”. After the service they may be picked up by the family or left to be taken to our hospitalized and shut-ins. We need to fill our flower calendar. If you are interested in giving the flowers for worship please contact Mary Teekell (861-3375) or email: [email protected] for an available date.

Charles Le Brun (1619–1690 Paris) before 1642

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us worship God.

900 Jordan St. Shreveport, Louisiana 71101 318.222.0604 www.fpcshreveport.org