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 by texting
“FPCO” to the number 313131.

SAVE THE DATE

• 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.
• January 7: Ordination of New Elders & Deacons,
11am worship service.
• January 8: Women's Spring Bible study begins.
Register by January 3 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 31, 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.
• 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.
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

NOTES
TRADITIONAL WORSHIP

Today is a little bit of a unique service in that it is made

up entirely of passages of Scripture and Carols. The
service was developed in the 1880's by E.W. Benson,
then Bishop of Truro in England, for a little Christmas
Eve service in a woodshed! It is a simple service of deep
theological significance. The passages of Scripture
tell the entire story of God’s plan of redemption from
the beginning of creation through the birth of Jesus
concluding with the Incarnation as recorded in John’s
gospel. The service first appeared in King’s College in
England in 1918 and has continued every year since
then. It is carried live on the BBC worldwide. You’ll
notice in our service this morning that the carols
complement the passages of Scripture. We also will
have a chance to sing some less known carols as well
as the ones with which we are most familiar. We
might even learn a new one. Imagine that! There is
not a “sermon” as such, though the entire service
is the sermon. We are reminded once again of the
wonder of our God who planned our redemption from
the foundation of the earth. We are also encouraged
knowing that He has not only planned for the
redemption of His creation, but also bringing about the
new creation. -Dr. Dan Sharp

(Please silence all phones and electronic devices)

GATHERING
Prelude
Gesu Bambino pietro yon

Welcome and Introduction to Lessons & Carols

PROCLAMATION OF GOD’S WORD

*Processional Carol no. 136
On Jordan’s Bank puer nobis

Christ in Prophecy responsive reading

no. 137

Advent Carol no. 138

Savior of the Nations, Come
Prayer for Our World and The Lord’s Prayer
Bret Allen

Scripture Genesis 3:8-19

Carol no. 145

Of the Father’s Love Begotten divinum mysterium

Scripture Genesis 12:1-3

Rev. Becky Davis

Carol no. 140

Emmanuel, Emmanuel emmanuel

Scripture Isaiah 9:2,6-7

Rev. Becky Davis

Carol no. 132

Comfort, Comfort Now My People genevan 42

Scripture Isaiah 11:1-4; 6-9

Bret Allen

Carol no. 161

Once in Royal David’s CIty Irby

Scripture Luke 1:26-35;38

Rev. Becky Davis

Carol no. 139

To A Virgin Meek and Mild lo desembre congelat

Scripture Luke 2:1-7

Bret Allen

Carols no. 171

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing mendelssohn

Good Christian Friends Rejoice no. 157, v 1,3

in dulci jubilo

Scripture Luke 2:8-16

Rev. Becky Davis

Carol no. 166

While by the Sheep We Watched jungst

Scripture Matthew 2:1-12

Rev. Becky Davis
Carol no. 185
We Three Kings of Orient Are

Scripture John 1:1-5, 10-14

Bret Allen

Reflection Bret Allen

RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING
Thanksgiving Through Tithes and Offerings

*Gloria in Excelsis Deo no. 152

*Prayer of Commitment

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

SENDING FORTH
Carol no. 151
Go Tell It on The Mountain

*Benediction Rev. Becky Davis

May He who by his Incarnation gathered into

one things earthly and heavenly, fill you with the
sweetness of inward peace and goodwill; and the
blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always.
Amen.

Postlude
Toccata on The First Noel glen olsen

* All who are able are invited to stand.

Assisting in Worship: Bret Allen, Rev. Becky Davis,

Dr. Daniel Sharp, and interim organist, Dr. Glen Olsen.
YEAR BOOK of
the

T H E B I B L E I N A Y E A R

We're so excited about this church-wide

study of the Bible beginning January 14.

Reading the entire Bible in one year, all

together? It sounds ambitious, but this
big dream is exactly what we’ve got
planned for First Pres in 2018.

What makes this series special is

the complete overview of the Bible
with Jesus in mind and the excellent
teaching tools that come with it. We’re
encouraging small groups to follow along
together as we journey through the Year
of the Book, and discuss what you’re
learning in your daily study and weekly
sermons.

Download the free Read Scripture app,

so you can follow along with the teaching
videos, daily readings and even set
reminders so you don’t forget.

See a preview, details and

download the app at fpco.org/year.