WELCOME

Thank you for coming to First Presbyterian Church of

Orlando this morning! We worship together as a church
family in four services on Sundays: Traditional worship in
the Sanctuary at 8:15am and 11am, and Genesis worship
in the Sanctuary at 9:45am and in Lee Fellowship Hall at
11:00am. Check in and let us know you’re here: visit our
Legacy Room for a cup of coffee and say hello, or text
“FPCO” to the number 313131.

SAVE THE DATE

• December 25 & 26: Church offices closed!
• December 31: Lessons & Carols 11:00am only, in the
Sanctuary. No SHINE or childcare.
• January 1: Church offices closed.
• January 5: Young at Heart Luncheon with Jane
Tracy, Orange County Library System. RSVP to Maddy
Vilar at 407.423.3441 x1159, no later than Dec. 28.
• January 7: Ordination of New Elders & Deacons,
11am.
• January 8: Women's Spring Bible study begins.
Register by January 3. Register at fpco.org/register.
• January 8: Deadline to register for The Marriage
Retreat. Register at fpco.org/marriage.
• January 8: Journey of Generosity signup has been
extended! Register at fpco.org/jog.
• January 14: Year of the Book sermon series and
church-wide reading plan begins! fpco.org/year.
• January 21: Embark. Designed as a follow-up to
Journey of Generosity. Register by January 15 at
fpco.org/register.
• January 24: Missional Motherhood Bible Study
begins. Register by January 10 at fpco.org/register.
 DECEMBER 24, 2017

CONGREGATIONAL CARE
As a caring body of believers, please remember in your
prayers those who have recently been hospitalized, are
recuperating at home, or have lost a loved one.
To be added to our prayer list call the Pastoral Care office
at 407.423.3441 x1455, or submit an online prayer request at
fpco.org/prayerrequest.

PARTICIPATION
IN GIVING

39.1%
GENEROSITY NOVEMBER 2017

Stewardship Report as of December 10, 2017.

Thank you for your faithful generosity.
Because we believe participation (and not a dollar amount)
is key in our giving, we are now reporting our church’s
giving participation percentage weekly. ö
Our financial numbers will appear on a monthly basis for
continued transparency in budgeting.
As we approach the end of the year, we want to thank
you for your continued faithfulness to the church's regular
operating budget; because of that, so much ministry
continues on a daily basis in our city and around the world.
Give easily and securely online from your smartphone at
fpco.org/mobile.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ORLANDO

address 106 East Church St., Orlando Florida 32801
phone 407.423.3441
online fpco.org /firstpresorlando /fpcorlando
 GENESIS WORSHIP

CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP

2:30pm & 4pm Family Worship in the Sanctuary

Led by our SHINE Children's Ministry and REJOICE!

Children's Choirs, this service features the nativity
story told by children, along with candle-lighting.

(No childcare or SHINE Children's Ministry, since

everyone will be in the service.)

6pm & 8pm Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary

This beautiful service features music by our Chancel

Choir, orchestra and guest musicians, as well as a
Christmas message, communion and candle-lighting
together.

Childcare is available at 6pm only for children

birth-5 years old.

10pm Genesis Worship in the Sanctuary

This service features contemporary worship music

by our Genesis band, as well as a Christmas
message, communion and candle-lighting as we
usher in Christmas together.
TRADITIONAL WORSHIP

Our interim organist, Glen Olsen, is playing an

arrangement of one of the most powerful pieces of
music in all the Advent and Christmas songs. Take
some time and turn to No.145 in the hymnal, Of the
Father’s Love Begotten. We’ll have a chance to sing it
next Sunday in our Lessons and Carols worship service
at 11:00 AM (only one service next Sunday). It is a
beautiful tune coming from a 13th century plainsong
chant paired with a 4th century text. The Nicene Creed
came to be in the same era. In the early centuries of
the Church, there was much conversation and debate
regarding the deity of Christ, hence, the emergence
of the Apostles' Creed, the Athanasian Creed, and so
forth. This text is a virtual sung creed. Nearly every
substantial doctrine in the Nicene Creed is addressed.
The verses begin with before creation and conclude
with the eternal reign of Christ at the end of the Age.
The role and function of each member of the Trinity is
addressed. The best hymns sing theology. Christianity
is a singing faith. It is one of the ways children learn
the faith. What we sing is significant. -Dr. Dan Sharp

(Please silence all phones and electronic devices)

GATHERING
Prelude
Of the Father’s Love Begotten arr. wilbur held

Welcome

Call to Worship

Reader:
The people walking in darkness have seen a great
light.

Congregation:
On those living in the land of the shadow of death a
light has dawned. Jesus Christ is our life and light.

Reader:
In His name and in His power, let us worship God!

*Processional Hymn of Praise no. 174

Angels from the Realms of Glory regent square
*Ascription of Praise

Lighting of the Shepherd’s Candle responsive reading

Dan Sharp

Reader:
There were shepherds out in the field keeping watch
over their flocks by night, for darkness covered the
earth. Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the
glory of the Lord has risen upon you. The Lord shall be
your everlasting light and your God be your glory.

Congregation:
In Him was life, and the life was the light of all people.
The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did
not overcome it.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great

light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was
coming into the world. Let us walk in the light of the
Lord.

Sung Refrain, All:

“Come, thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set thy people free;
From our sins and fears release us;
Let us find our rest in thee.”

Pastoral Report

*Passing of the Peace

Call to Prayer no. 154

O LIttle Town of Bethlehem forest green

Pastoral Prayer

THANKSGIVING
Thanksgiving Through Tithes and Offerings

*O Come Let Us Adore Him no. 126

*Prayer of Commitment

(Give securely on your smartphone at fpco.org/mobile)

Musical Offering
Mary Did You Know? mark lowry and buddy green
Meredith and Bret Hollowell, duet

PROCLAMATION OF GOD’S WORD

Prayer for Illumination Rev. Jack Peebles
*Scripture Reading Matthew 1:18-24
pew bible p. 681
At the conclusion of our Scripture reading, the leader will
say, “This is the word of the Lord.” The congregation is
invited to respond, “Thanks be to God.”

Message The Wonder of God's Sufficiency

RESPONSE
*Carol of Wonder no. 169
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly w zlobie lezy

*Invitation and Charge

*Benediction

Postlude
He Is Born arr. albin c. whitworth

* All who are able are invited to stand.

Assisting in Worship: Dr. Daniel Sharp and interim organist,

Dr. Glen Olsen.
 Lessons & Carols
Sunday, December 31
11:00am, in the Sanctuary.

Please join us for a special time of

worship. This will be our only service next
Sunday and we hope to see you there as we
continue our celebration of the most wonderful
gift ever given.

Reminders for Year-End

Charitable Giving
• First Presbyterian Church of Orlando will be
closed Monday, December 25 and Tuesday,
December 26 for the Christmas holiday, and
January 1, 2018 for the New Year’s holiday.
• Delivered gifts received on or before 12/31 will be
recorded as a 2017 contribution.
• Mailed gifts with a postmark of 12/31 or earlier will
be treated as a 2017 contribution regardless of
the delivery date.
• Online gifts initiated prior to midnight 12/31 will be
recorded as a 2017 contribution.

If you prefer to donate an asset, like appreciated

stock or mutual funds, try to plan a little ahead of
prior years and make your donation by 12/29/17.
Brokerages are closed on the weekend, and any
giving transfer on 12/31/2017 might be recorded on
the next business day, or a 2018 tax date.
If you are considering giving appreciated stock or
mutual funds, a direct charitable IRA distribution,
or appreciated real estate, please contact Tom
Levesque, Director of Finance at 407.423.3441 so
that we can ensure it is processed properly and
send you a tax receipt in a timely manner.