First Presbyterian Church
Order of Worship

Order of Worship

November 17, 2024 - 10 a.m. EST

A Festival of Hymns Celebrating the Church Year

Prelude - Creator of the Stars of Night
Danny Hussey, soloist
Members of the Festivo Bells and Jubellee Ringers
Dryden Dickinson, acolyte

Invitation to Worship
Wendy McCormick

Opening Prayer

The Meaning of Advent - Matthew 5:1-11
Scott Heichel

Hymn 88 (vv. 1, 2, 7) - 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 appears.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, thou Wisdom from on high,
who orderest all things mightily:
to us the path of knowledge show;
and teach us in her ways to go.
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.

Reflection
Doris Porter

Word with Children
Jenni Whitford

The Meaning of Christmas - John 1:1-5
Peggy Qualls

Hymn 113 - Angels We Have Heard on High

Angels we have heard on high,
sweetly singing o’er the plains,
and the mountains in reply
echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
which inspire your heavenly song?
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Come to Bethlehem and see
him whose birth the angels sing;
come, adore on bended knee
Christ, the Lord, the newborn King.
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Reflection

The Meaning of Epiphany - Isaiah 60:1-6
Bob Thornton

Anthem - I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
arr. Erik Dewar and Dan Forrest
The Angel Choir
Joy Hire, director
Meredith Needham, piano
Hilary Hobbs, oboe
Aaron Wilburn, cello

Reflection

The Season of Epiphany

Hymn 159 [vv. 2, 3] - O Sing a Song of Bethlehem

O sing a song of Nazareth,
of sunny days of joy;
O sing of fragrant flowers' breath,
and of the sinless boy.
For now the flowers of Nazareth
in every heart may grow.
Now spreads the fame of his dear name
on all the winds that blow.

O sing a song of Galilee,
of lake and woods and hill,
of him who walked upon the sea
and bade its waves be still.
For though, like waves on Galilee,
dark seas of trouble roll,
when faith has heard the Master’s word,
falls peace upon the soul.

Reflection

The Meaning of Lent - Matthew 4:1-11

Anthem - When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Gilbert Martin
The Chancel Choir

Reflection

The Meaning of Easter - Mark 16:1-6

Hymn 232 - Jesus Christ Is Risen Today

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!

But the pains which he endured, Alleluia!
our salvation have procured. Alleluia!
Now above the sky he’s King, Alleluia!
where the angels ever sing. Alleluia

Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
praise eternal as God’s love. Alleluia!
Praise our God, ye heavenly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!

Reflection

The Meaning of Pentecost - Acts 2:1-4

Hymn 289 [vv. 1, 3] - On Pentecost They Gathered

On Pentecost they gathered quite early in the day,
A band of Christ’s disciples, to worship, sing and pray.
A mighty wind came blowing, filled all the swirling air,
And tongues of fire a glowing inspired each person there.

God pours the Holy Spirit on all who would believe,
On women, men, and children who would God’s grace receive.
That Spirit knows no limit, bestowing life and power.
The church, formed and reforming responds in every hour.

Reflection

Welcome and Announcements

Offertory - Come Down, O Love Divine (arr. Thomas Keesecker)
From Sonata for Piano Four Hands

Give online at granpres.org/give

Doxology 606 - Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Prayer of Dedication

Prayers of the People

The Lord’s Prayer (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.

The Life of Faith

Hymn 305 - Come Sing, O Church, in Joy!

Come sing, O church, in joy! Come join, O church, in song!
For Christ the Lord has led us through the ages long!
In bold accord, come celebrate the journey now and praise the Lord!

Long years have come and gone, and still God reigns supreme,
empowering us to catch the vision, dream the dream!
In bold accord, come celebrate the journey now and praise the Lord!

Let courage be our friend; Let wisdom be our guide,
as we in mission magnify the Crucified!
In bold accord, come celebrate the journey now and praise the Lord!

Come sing, O church, in joy! Come join, O church in song!
For Christ the Lord has Triumphed o’er the ages long!
In bold accord, come celebrate the journey now and praise the Lord!

Charge and Benediction

Postlude - Postlude on “Darwall’s 148th” (arr. Brenda Portman)
Philip Everingham

Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service has been obtained from ONE LICENSE with license A-722069.