“The next day he saw coming toward him and declared, ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world’” john 1:29

Christmastide December 31, 2017 ABOUT THE OF JOHN

The vast majority of what we know about Jesus comes to us The , however, is a rather different composition. from the first four books of the . We call these Probably the latest of the four to be written, John was books gospels (“good news”) because they record the “good composed near the end of the first century CE, right around 70 news” about Jesus. The word “gospel” comes from the Old years following the events it describes. English godspel which in turn translated the Latin evangelii that has its roots in the Greek word euangelion. John offers us something rather different from the synoptic Gospels. Rather than providing merely a historical account In the era in which the New Testament was written and of the events of Jesus’ life, John paints his stories with a rich compiled, the word euangelion was mostly nonreligious in theological brush and shades his characters with complex meaning. It simply meant “good news” or “good tidings.” motives and impulses. Prominent Roman writers employed the term to talk about the latest stories about Caesar, their friends, or about Roman . Nicodemus. The woman at the well. The accomplishments. The most famous Roman use of the word man born blind. The woman caught in adultery. Mary and comes in about 9BC in a letter about Caesar: “Augustus Martha. Lazarus. . All of these characters are was the beginning of the euangelion for the world that came transformed by John’s telling to be vital means by which the through him.” Compare this with the opening words of Mark’s good news about Jesus goes forth. gospel (1:1), “The beginning of the euangelion of Jesus , the Son of God.” John’s Gospel emphasizes very different things than the Synoptics. Here, Jesus tells no parables and hardly mentions It is interesting to note that all four of our Gospels come to “the kingdom of God.” Here, there is no birth narrative—no us anonymously. None of the Gospel accounts come with angels, shepherds, or magi. Dialogue between characters is an inscription indicating authorship or date or location; often elongated and sometimes spans multiple chapters. only Christian tradition has preserved the historical titles “According to Matthew”; “According to Mark”; “According to John’s Gospel is roughly divided into two sections. After the Luke”; and “According to John.” Whoever the authors were introductory poem (1:1-1:18), the Gospel first focuses on seven precisely, they are unknown to us; all we have is what they major signs and wonders Jesus performs. (1:19-12:50). We wrote. call this section the “Book of Signs.” Then, beginning with chapter 13, the story pivots into the story of Christ’s passion The Christian tradition has traditionally looked to four gospel and resurrection (13:1-21:25). We call this section “The Book of accounts to shape our understanding of Jesus. Undoubtedly, Glory.” you have heard of other “gospels,” such as the “Gospel of Thomas,” “The Gospel of Judas,” and even “The Gospel It has been rightly said that the Gospel of John is shallow of Jesus’ Wife!” And while some of these texts date to the enough for a child to play but also deep enough for an elephant second or third centuries, they were not considered to be to drown. On the surface, John reads easily and clearly. Unlike authoritative and verifiable by the early Christian church, as the Synoptics, John often explains what events or teachings such, they were not included in our Scriptures. mean and so it appears to be more understandable. But on subsequent reads, one encounters deep and unfathomable Of the four Gospels in our Bibles, the first three (Matthew, statements such as that at the very outset: “And the word Mark, and Luke) are called synoptic gospels, meaning became flesh and dwelled among us.” (Jn. 1:14). Statements they follow roughly the same order and as such, they can be like these require not hours but lifetimes to contemplate. compared together, alongside one another. The ordering of the events of Jesus’ life, and even many of the details of the stories For the next three months, we will be preaching and learning are shared between these books and we can learn a lot looking from John’s gospel. Join us as we hear the great story of him at how they are similar and how they are different. who is the Word made flesh. WE GATHER IN HOPE

PRELUDE TODAY’S PRELUDE “Still, Still, Still” ▲ LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE (Manz) carl angelo, organist Jesus said: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of light.

The Christ candle is lit.

We light the Christ candle because we refuse to let go of our hope that Jesus shines within the darkness of our lives and of this world. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

▲ PROCESSIONAL HYMN

“Love Has Come” Hymn No. 110 BRING A TORCH

WE CONFESS OUR SINS

Prayer of Confession

Almighty God who inhabits eternity but dwells with those who are of a humble and contrite spirit: before you and our Lord Jesus Christ we confess our sins. We have ignored the presence of your Spirit. We have failed to look for the return of our Savior and Judge. We have been blind to your coming in the suffering of the hungry, the exiled, the destitute, the sick, and the imprisoned. In your great goodness put away our offenses and cleanse us from our sin, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

SILENCE CHORAL ASSURANCE Hymn No. 134: THE ABSOLUTION “No more let sins and sorrows grow, The choir sings as the font is filled(HYMN NO. 134, ST. 3). nor thorns infest the ground! The pastor proclaims the forgiveness of sins. he comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found, SHARING PEACE far as the curse is found, far as, far as the curse is found!” All exchange signs of peace and forgiveness.

3 WE LISTEN TO GOD 137-he came down-332.mus, Page 1

HYMN OF PREPARATION JESUS CHRIST: BIRTH All sing as the children comeHe to Came the chancel Down steps. 137 3 # 4 j œ œ œ ‰ j & 4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙˙ œœ HeJ came down that we may have love; heJ j œ œ œ œ œ œ ? # 4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ‰ œ 4 J 3 J 3 3 # œ œ œ ‰ j œ œ œ œ œ & œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ cameœ downœ that we mayœ have love;˙ he came down that we may œ œ nœ œ œ ? # œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ 3 3 J Leader: Why did he come? 3 # œ œ œ œ œ œ . œ œ œ ‰ & œ ˙ bœ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙. have love; hal - le - lu - jah for - ev - er - more. œ ˙ œ œ œ œ ˙. ? # œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ 3 ˙.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGEAdditional AND BLESSINGstanzas: … that we may have light People of God, what is your… prayer that we for may these have children?peace May be with you!… that we may have joy (Children) And also with you! May the Word of the Lord grow in your hearts. (Children) Thanks be to God! Go in peace!

The children are dismissed to learn today’s Scripture story with Ms. Angie.

PRAYERBecause FORthis traditional ILLUMINATION Cameroon piece begins with the refrain, it does not initially reveal that it is cast as a call-and-response song. Assigning the answers to the congregation rather than to the leader is a notable affirmation of the corporate wisdom of God’s people. ______▲ TEXT:GOSPEL Cameroon song READING HE CAME DOWN MUSIC: Cameroon melody; transcr. and arr. John L. Bell, 1986 LM Music Arr. © 1986 WGRG, Iona Community (admin. GIA Publications, Inc.) John 1:19-34 John the Baptist waits for and sees Jesus.

4 SERMON

“Behold the Lamb of God!” The Rev. Paul Ytterock

▲ HYMN

“Wild and Lone the Prophet’s Voice” Hymn No. 163 ABERYSTWYTH

WE OFFER PRAYERS AND GIFTS

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

▲ SONG OF PRAISE

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow! Praise God, all creatures here below! Praise God above, ye heavenly hosts! Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! Amen. TODAY’S OFFERTORY OFFERING AND OFFERTORY “The Only Son from Heaven” (Bach) the chancel choir

WE ARE SENT AS WITNESSES The only Son from heaven, Foretold by ancient seers, By God in heaven given, ANNOUNCEMENTS In human form appears. No sphere his light confining, ▲ HYMN No star so brightly shining As he, our Morning Star. “All Hail to God’s Anointed” Hymn 149 ROCKPORT CHORAL BLESSING Hymn No. 126: ▲ CHARGE AND BLESSING Jesus, Jesus, The pastor calls all people to faithful discipleship and blesses them in the O, what a wonderful child. name of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus, Jesus, so holy, meek and mild; ▲ CHORAL BLESSING New life, new hope, the child will bring. POSTLUDE AND DISMISSAL Listen to the angels sing: Glory! Glory! Glory! Let the heavens ring.

TODAY’S POSTLUDE “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” (Held) carl angelo, organist

5 Christmastide December 31, 2017

News and Announcements ►The Weekly from FPCF

Christian Education PIPE / Youth Ministry

Sunday Christian Education hour for all age groups will Confirmation will not meet again until January 7. resume on January 7 at 11:00a. PIPE will not meet again until January 7 from 6:00-7:30p to gather together for a meal, mixer, videos, music and relevant teaching. Join us for a wonderful time to gather with friends. Children and Family Ministry Regional Small Groups will not meet again until January 10 at 7:00p in the following locations: There will be no education hour today. Education hour will resume on January 7. Have a blessed holiday! the otero’s (4212 newcastle, grand blanc) first presbyterian (746 s. saginaw st., flint) There will not be Parents & Pre-K class today. the mignerey’s (510 shady brook court, flushing)

This Wednesday, there will be no Family Dinner. Ice Skating Post Pipe Party, January 14. If weather does not permit, we will have a movie night. Details to come.

Springhill Retreat sign-up has begun! Join over a thousand students from all over Michigan for this fun-filled event held February 2-4. The theme this year is “Escape.” The Women’s Winter Bible Studies band for this weekend will be Sing Love and the speaker will be Chris Zarbaugh. There will be tubing, zip lining, Beginning Monday, January 8 broom ball, basketball, high ropes course and so much Isaiah: Part One more. Cost is $105. See Jim Pope to sign up today! Monday evenings at 7:00pm, Room 129 Facilitated by Peggy Anderson

Beginning Tuesday, January 9 Mark, N. T. Wright study guide Holiday Office Hours Tuesday mornings at 9:30am, Office Conference Room Facilitated by Corinne Kage Due to the holiday, the church office will be closed on Monday, January 1. Our normal office hours are Monday- Continuing Wednesday, January 10 Thursday, 8:30a-4:30p and Friday, 8:30a-1:00p. What the Prayers of Jesus Tell Us About the Heart of God By Shane Stanford Wednesday mornings at 10:30am, Room 129 Facilitated by Betty Harris & Carol Hostetler, child care by Men’s Bible Study request Men! Find your place in the church by joining the Men’s Beginning Thursday, January 11 Bible Study that gathers each Saturday morning at 8:00a Isaiah: Part One for coffee, donuts, and Bible study. Our active Men’s Thursday mornings at 9:15am, Room 129 Ministry seeks to combine together biblical learning, acts Facilitated by Kim Skaff, child care by request of service, and lively fellowship.

6 BEGINNINGBEGINNING NEXT THIS WEEKWEEK ININ WORSHIP WORSHIP

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

12/31 John the Baptist 2/18 Jesus Raises Lazarus 1/7 Come and See 2/25 Jesus Washes Feet 1/14 Wedding at Cana 3/4 Peter Denies Jesus 1/21 Jesus Cleanses the Temple 3/11 Jesus Before Pilate 1/28 Nicodemus 3/18 Jesus Condemned 2/4 The Woman at the Well 3/25 The Crucified Messiah 2/11 The Man Born Blind 4/1 Resurrection 2/14 The 4/8 Jesus and Thomas ash wednesday

Sanctuary Plant Dedication This Week’s Prayer Concerns

If you would like to give in memory of or honor of a loved This week we lift our hearts up in prayer for: one, please contact Amy Siefert ([email protected] or Those who are grieving: 810.234.8673) in the finance office. The family and friends of Pam Brotemarkle; The family and friends of Lester Young; The family and friends of Ida Mason; Those who were hospitalized: Barbara Arndt; Those who need continued prayers: Kelly, Linda, Mary Lee, and Steve.

7 FPCF Staff

THE MINISTERS DIRECTOR OF WOMEN’S MINISTRY BUILDING AND GROUNDS LEADER Members of the Kim Skaff Dennis Goodman First Presbyterian Church DIRECTOR OF GERHOLZ CHRISTIAN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS SENIOR PASTOR COUNSELING CENTER Vicky Brownell The Rev. Dr. Joseph Novak The Rev. Jerry Walden Kelly Rosencrants Amy Siefert ASSOCIATE PASTOR DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY MINISTRY The Rev. Paul Ytterock Lisa Horne ASL TRANSLATOR Karly Blandford DIRECTOR OF MUSIC AND FINE ARTS DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS Dr. Carl Angelo ADMINISTRATION PRAYER ROOM ELDER Jim Hugan Ann Batchelor DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN’S MINISTRY Angie Field LIBRARIAN Steve Hill DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRY The Rev. Jim Pope