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“And she gave birth to her firstborn son
and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there
was no room for them in the inn.” - Luke 2:7
A Celebration of Christmas
First Presbyterian Church Tulsa, OK
Eleven o’c lock in the Evening Stephenson Hall
December 24, 2020
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ACelebrationofChristmasDecember24,2020
Eleveno’clockintheevening
TheWordsofPreparationIntheChristianstoryGoddescendstoreascend.Hecomesdown;…downtotheveryrootsandsea-bedoftheNaturehehascreated.ButHegoesdowntocomeupagainandbringthewholeruinedworldupwithhim. C.S.Lewis,Miracles
Therehasfallenonearthforatokenagodtoogreatforthesky.Hehasburstoutofallthingsandbrokentheboundsofeternity:...Whoisproudwhentheheavensarehumble,whomountsifthemountainsfall,ifthefixedstarstoppleandtumbleandadelugeoflovedrownsall…
G.K.Chesterton,GloriaInProfundis
TheWelcome
TheIntroit IHeardtheBells
IHeardtheBellsonChristmasDaytheiroldfamiliarcarolsplay,andwildandsweetthewordsrepeatofpeaceonearth,goodwilltomen.
Ithoughthow,asthedayhadcome,thebelfriesofallChristendomhadrolledalongtheunbrokensongofpeaceonearth,goodwilltomen.
AndindespairIbowedmyhead:"Thereisnopeaceonearth,”Isaid,"Forhateisstrongandmocksthesongofpeaceonearth,goodwilltomen."
Thenpealedthebellsmoreloudanddeep:"Godisnotdead,nordothhesleep;thewrongshallfail,therightprevail,withpeaceonearth,goodwilltomen."
Till,ringingsinging,onitsway,theworldrevolvedfromnighttoday,avoice,achime,achantsublime,ofpeaceonearth,goodwilltomen!
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TheLightingoftheChristCandleDuffPoints
FortheLightoftheworldhassteppedintoourdarkness,Andthedarknesscouldnever,andwillneverovercomeit!HeisEmmanuel,Godwithus.Hehascometoseekandtosavethelost;toforgiveusfromoursin,andtobringusintoHisfamily.Socome!Letusstandinhonor,AndletusworshipGod!
TheCarol OCome,AllYeFaithfulADESTEFIDELES
Ocome,allyefaithful,joyfulandtriumphant,Ocomeye,OcomeyetoBethlehem!ComeandbeholdHimbornthekingofangels.Ocomeletusadorehim,Ocomeletusadorehim,Ocomeletusadorehim,ChristtheLord.
Sing,choirsofangels,singinexultation,sing,allyecitizensofheav’nabove:“GlorytoGod,allgloryinthehighest!”Ocomeletusadorehim,Ocomeletusadorehim,Ocomeletusadorehim,ChristtheLord.
TrueGodoftrueGod,Lightoflighteternal,Hecameintoourworldtosaveandredeem!Bornofawoman,knowingeveryhardship.Ocomeletusadorehim,Ocomeletusadorehim,Ocomeletusadorehim,ChristtheLord.
Yea,Lord,wegreetthee,bornthishappymorning:Jesus,toTheebeallglorygiv’n;wordoftheFather,nowinfleshappearing!Ocomeletusadorehim,Ocomeletusadorehim,Ocomeletusadorehim,ChristtheLord.
TheLitanyofChristmas Dr.JimMiller
TheWordwasmadeflesh,anddweltamongus,andwehavebeheldHisglory!Alleluia!Alleluia!
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Jesus,SonoftheLivingGod,splendoroftheFather,Lighteternal:GlorytoYou,OLord!Jesus,Kingofglory,Sunofrighteousness,bornoftheVirginMary:GlorytoYou,OLord!Jesus,WonderfulCounselor,MightyGod,EverlastingLord:GlorytoYou,OLord!Jesus,PrinceofPeace,Shepherdofsouls,perfectinholiness:GlorytoYou,OLord!Jesus,JoyoftheHighestheaven,andcrownofallcreation:GlorytoYou,OLord!Christisborn!GiveHimglory!ChristhascomedownfromHeaven!ReceiveHim!Christisnowonearth!ExaltHim!Oearth,joinwiththeangelsandsingtotheLord!Oyounations,jointhechoirsofheavenandpraiseHiminjoy,forHehasbeenglorified!Alleluia,Amen!
TheCarol Hark!TheHeraldAngelsSingMENDELSSOHN
Hark!Theheraldangelssing,“glorytothenewbornKing.Peaceonearth,andmercymild,Godandsinnersreconciled!"Joyful,allyenationsrise,jointhetriumphoftheskies;withtheangelichostproclaim,"ChristisborninBethlehem!"Hark!theheraldangelssing,"GlorytothenewbornKing!"
Christ,byhighestheavenadored,ChristtheeverlastingLord!Lateintime,beholdHimcome,offspringofthevirgin'swomb.VeiledinfleshtheGodheadsee;hailtheincarnateDeity,pleasedinfleshwithustodwell,JesusourEmmanuel.Hark!theheraldangelssing,"GlorytothenewbornKing!"
Hailtheheaven-bornPrinceofPeace!HailtheSunofRighteousness!LightandlifetoallHebrings,risenwithhealinginHiswings.MildHelaysHisgloryby,bornthatwenomoremaydie.Borntoraiseusfromtheearth,borntogiveussecondbirth.Hark!theheraldangelssing,"GlorytothenewbornKing!"
ThePrayerofAdoration JuliaMetcalf
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TheOldTestamentReadingPsalm118:14-29 ThePrayerofConfessionRev.JamesEstes
Godofgraceandtruth,inJesusChristYoucameamongusaslightshiningindarkness.Weconfessthatwehavenotwelcomedthelightbuthavelovedthedarknessinstead.WehaveclosedoureyestoYourgloryinourmidstanddeniedYourtruth.WehaverejectedYou,thecornerstoneandattemptedtobuildhouseswithnofoundation.Lord,inYourmercy,havemercyonus.Forgiveusoursinsandrenewourhearts,sothatwemayreceivethefullnessofYourgrace,andliveinthetruthofChristtheLord.Lord,inYourmercy,hearourprayers…(InSilence)
ResponsetoConfession WhatChildIsThis?GREENSLEEVES
WhatChildisthiswho,laidtorestonMary'slapissleeping?Whomangelsgreetwithanthemssweetwhileshepherdswatcharekeeping?
This,thisisChristtheKing,Whomshepherdsguardandangelssing;haste,haste,tobringHimlaud,theBabe,theSonofMary!
WhyliesHeinsuchmeanestate,whereoxandassarefeeding?GoodChristian,fear;forsinnersherethesilentWordispleading.
Nails,spearshallpierceHimthroughthecrossbeborneforme,foryou.Hail,hailtheWordmadeflesh,theBabe,theSonofMary.
SobringHimincense,goldandmyrrh,comepeasant,kingtoownHim.TheKingofkingssalvationbrings;letlovingheartsenthroneHim.
Raise,raiseasongonhigh,thevirginsingsherlullaby;joy,joyforChristisborn,theBabe,theSonofMary.
ThePromisedForgivenessFriends,throughChrist,GodhasdeliveredusfromthedominionofdarknessandtransferredustothekingdomofHisbelovedSon.In
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Him,allthefullnessofGodwaspleasedtodwell,andthroughHim,HehasreconciledtoHimselfallthings,whetheronearthorinheaven,makingpeacebythebloodofHisCross.Therefore,hearandbelievetheGoodNewsoftheGospel–thatinJesusChrist,thereisforgivenessforanyonewhocallsuponHim!Alleluia,Amen!
TheResponse JoytotheWorld!ANTIOCH
Joytotheworld,theLordiscome;letearthreceiveherKing!LeteveryheartprepareHimroomandheavenandnaturesing,andheavenandnaturesing,andheaven,andheavenandnaturesing!
Nomoreletsinsandsorrowsgrow,northornsinfesttheground;HecomestomakeHisblessingsflow,farasthecurseisfound,farasthecurseisfound,faras,faras,thecurseisfound!
Herulestheworldwithtruthandgrace,andmakesthenationsprovethegloriesofHisrighteousness,andwondersofHislove,andwondersofHislove,andwonders,wonders,ofHislove!
TheAffirmationofFaith(TheApostles’Creed)
IbelieveinGodtheFatherAlmighty,Makerofheavenandearth,andinJesusChristhisonlySonourLord;whowasconceivedbytheHolyGhost,bornoftheVirginMary,sufferedunderPontiusPilate,wascrucified,deadandburied;hedescendedintohell;thethirddayheroseagainfromthedead;heascendedintoheaven,andsittethontherighthandofGodtheFatherAlmighty;fromthenceheshallcometojudgethequickandthedead.IbelieveintheHolyGhost;theholycatholicchurch;thecommunionofsaints;theforgivenessofsins;theresurrectionofthebody;andthelifeeverlasting.AMEN.
TheGospelStory,Pt1 Isaiah7:13-14KirstynTaylor Luke1:26-38
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TheResponse TheMagnificat KeithandKristynGettyJuliaMetcalf,soloist
MysoulwillmagnifytheLord:IrejoiceinGodmySavior,inthewonderofhisfavor.ForHehasdonegreatthingsforme;HewasmindfulofHisservant.Every
ageshallcallmeblessed.TheHopeofAbrahamcomeinthegivingofaSon;forHewhopromisedismightyinrememberinghismercy.MysoulwillmagnifytheLordforHisgracetothosewhofearHimthrougheverygeneration.Theproudhescatterstothewindastheruler’sstrengthisbroken,andtherichareleftwithnothing.Thehumbleliftedhigh,andthehungrysatisfied;ourPortionandourTreasure,ourHopeandHelpforever.Luke1:46-55
TheGospelStory,Pt2 Isaiah9:1-9SamDeVore Matthew1:18-25
TheResponse Joseph’sChristmasEricBaird,composerandsoloist
Oh,thiswasnotmyChristmaswish,toraisethesonoftheKing.ThisHolyChild,thisgifttoman,ofwhomtheangelssing.
Thiswasnotmydreamoflove;awife,alife,achild.Thisisnotthewayit'sdone,butonus,heavensmiled.
Whattothink,whattothink?Theangelsaid,"Donotfear,donotfearallthatliesahead."
"Shewillbearason,andyouwillcallhisname,Jesus.Hewillsaveyoufromyoursins."Hewillsaveusfromoursins.Hewillsavemefrommysins.Amen.
Sonofman,butnothisman,theonethatHe'llcalldad.I'llgivemyheartandsoulandstrength,andalltheplansIhad.
Whattothink,whattothink?Theangelsaid,"Donotfear,donotfearallthatliesahead."
"Shewillbearason,andyouwillcallhisname,Jesus.Hewillsaveyoufromyoursins."Hewillsaveusfromoursins.Hewillsavemefrommysins.Amen.
TheGospelStory,Pt3 Luke2:8-20
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TheHomily ANightLikeNoOtherRev.DanHutchinsonAndlo,theangeloftheLordcameuponthem,andthegloryofthe
Lordshoneroundaboutthem:andtheyweresoreafraid.(Luke2:9,KJV)
TheSolo OHolyNightAdolpheAdam,arr.MarkHayesTaylorConley,soloist
Oholynight!Thestarsarebrightlyshining,itisthenightofthedearSavior’sbirth.Longlaytheworldinsinanderrorpining,tillheappeared,andthesoulfeltitsworth.Athrillofhope,thewearyworldrejoices,foryonderbreaksanewandgloriousmorn.Fallonyourknees!Ohheartheangelvoices!Onightdivine,OnightwhenChristwasborn.Trulyhetaughtustoloveoneanother;hislawisloveandhisGospelispeace.Chainsshallhebreak,fortheslaveisourbrother,andinhisnamealloppressionshallcease.Sweethymnsofjoyingratefulchorusraisewe,letallwithinuspraisehisholyname.ChrististheLord;theneverpraisewe,hispowerandgloryevermoreproclaim.
TheCelebrationofCommunion InvitationtotheLord’sTable TheWordsofInstitution ThePrayerofConsecration TheSharingtheBreadandtheCup
TheCandleLightingPleasemakeyourwayouttothecourtyardforthelightingofthecandle.
TheCarol SilentNightSTILLENACHT
Silentnight,holynight!Alliscalm,allisbright,’roundyonvirginmotherandchild!Holyinfant,sotenderandmild,sleepinheavenlypeace,sleepinheavenlypeace.
Silentnight,holynight!Shepherdsquakeatthesight,gloriesstreamfromheavenafar;heavenlyhostssing:“Alleluia;ChristtheSaviorisborn,ChristtheSaviorisborn.”
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Silentnight,holynight!SonofGod,love’spurelightradiantbeamsfromThyholyface,withthedawnofredeeminggrace;Jesus,Lord,atThybirth,Jesus,Lord,atThybirth.
TheBenediction+++
WelcometotheFirstChurchcommunity!Since1885,asthefirstchurchestablishedinTulsa,weseektobefaithfulinservicetoJesusChristandthecommongood.Ifyoudonothaveachurchhome,we'dlovetowelcomeyouasamemberamongus.Lookoverthevariousministriesandmissionopportunitieslistedbelow:
SundayMorningWorshipCurrently,duringthepandemic,wehavethree“in-person”worshipservices
eachSunday:8:30a.m.StephensonHall(informalworshipwithweeklycommunion)11:00a.m.Sanctuary(EnsembleChoir)11:00a.m.GreatHall,BernsenCenter(TulsaInternationalFellowship).
(Both11:00o’clockservicesareLivestreamed)
GrowingYourFaith!
AdultDiscipleship(callforbrochureswithmoreinformation):• FifteenSundaymorningclassesforadultsofallagesat9:30a.m.• WeekdayBiblestudies.• KGroups–Home-basedfellowshipgroups.• WednesdayNightDowntown-VariedclassesofferedforadultsandAWANA
clubsforchildren.Dinnerisservedat5:15p.m.,classesarefrom6:00-7:30p.m.
• Pastor’sStudy–ledbyDr.JimMiller,offeredtwotimeseachweek.TulsaInternationalFellowship–Joinwithothersfromacrosstheworldforatimeof
worshipandfellowshipeachSundayat11:00a.m.intheGreatHall,BernsenCenter.
YoungAdults–FirstChurchiscommittedtoprovidingaplaceforYoungAdultstoconnectwithoneanotherandwiththelargerchurch.FindusonFacebookand
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InstagramatYoungAdultMinistries@FPCorcontactDanHutchinsonat918-301-1040.
ChristianClassicsinLent–JoinuseveryMondayduringLentforlunchandstudyofclassicChristianliterature.
Inquirers’Class–Anopportunitytoexplorewhatitmeanstojointhechurch;tolearnmoreaboutourparticularfamilyoffaith;toaskquestions;toenjoyatimeoffellowshipwithothersandmeetsomeofourpastors.OurnextclassbeginsJanuary17.FormoreinformationortoregisterpleasecontactPatriciaHallat918-301-1028orphall@firstchurchtulsa.org
PresbyterianWomen–MonthlyfellowshipandBiblestudymeetings.
ServingtheMaster!HelpingHandMinistry–ServetheneediestTulsansthroughafoodpantry,informal
counselingandfinancialassistance.Memberstypicallyserveonedayaweekforthreehoursinthemorning(9:00a.m.-noon).
GuildofIntercessors–Intercessoryprayergroupthatbelievesprayerispowerfulandlife-changing.
FaithPartners–Aministryofferingcompassion,resources,educationandhopeforthoseaffectedbyaddiction.
Deaconsreachouttothoseinneed–tothesick,thefriendless,toanywhomaybeindistress–bothwithinandbeyondthiscommunityoffaith.
FridayFoodDistribution–ConsiderjoiningusaswepartnerwithFirstBaptistChurchNorthTulsaingivingawaygroceriestothoseinneed.Formoreinformation,[email protected] .
GlobalMissionTrips–ServeChristintheworldthroughmedicalmissioninMexico;disasterreliefintheU.S.;evangelisminRomania;orencouragementandfellowshipinMalawi.
WorksofHeART–WeeklyartclassforclientsattheDayCenterfortheHomeless.MasterworkAcademy–Afterschoolprogramwhichservesunder-resourcedchildren
astheydiscoverthejoyofmusic,visualart,ballet,faithandfitness,andBiblestudy.
EmersonElementarySchool–ThereisalwaysawaytobeablessingatEmerson,ouradoptedschool:beamentor,helpintheclassroom,readtothestudents,serveataschoolfunction,showthechildrenatEmersonhowmuchGodlovesthem!
Children’sMinistries–ServetheMasterbytendinghislambsatAWANA,VBS,SundaySchool,etc.
Telecare–Helpuskeepintouchwithhomeboundmembersandthosewhoneedencouragement.
HospitalChaplains–Volunteerswhooffercaringvisitswhenmembersarehospitalized.
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MusicMinistries!
FirstChurchstrivestoglorifyGodacrossthebroadspectrumofmusicallanguage.Fromchildren’sworshipartsandseasonalyouthensembles,totheadultChancelChoir,ContemporaryWorshipTeam,andTIFband,plusahandbellchoir,andGloriawomen'schoir,thereisaplaceforyoutouseyourmusicalgiftsatFirstChurch.
NextGenerationMinistries!(CradletoCollege)
Children’sMinistry-Webelieveachild’ssenseofidentityinChristbeginsataveryyoungageandourdesireisforthemtounderstandtheyareapartofGod’sbigstory.
FromSunday’sDiscipleshipHour,WednesdaynightAWANAandVBStofamilyeventsincludingFallFestival,AdventWorkshopandmore,wearecommittedtopartneringwithfamiliestoraiseupchildrenwhoseethemselvesaspartofthefamilyofGod–theChurch.
FPCYouth-AcommunityofMiddleSchool(5th-8th)andHighSchool(9th-12th)students
whoseektogrowinrelationshipwithChrist;encouragingoneanotherintheday-to-day,andlivingastheChurchhereandnow!
UniversityMinistries–Designedtoreach,teach,andlovecollege-agedstudents
throughoutTulsasotheymaybelife-longfollowersofJesusChrist.FindusonInstagramat@ukirktulsaformoreinformation.
Formoreinformationonanyoftheabove,pleasecontactthechurch
officeat918-584-4701orwww.firstchurchtulsa.org.
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DearFirstChurchfamiliesandfriends,
We'reallawareoftheincreasingtransmissionofthisCOVIDvirus.Andweallwanttodowhateverwecantodiminishtheriskforthosewhogatherhere.
AswemakeourwayintoourChristmascelebrationstheFirstChurchSessionhasenacteda"mask-always"protocolforeventshereatFirstChurch,includingworship.
Itwillbeagreatdaywhenwecanlifttheseprotocols--butfornowweaskyoutoabidebytheseexpectations--thatwehopeandpraywillservethecommongood.
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December24,2020,11:00p.m.WorshipServiceinStephensonHall
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THEFIRSTCHURCHPASTORSJamesD.Miller,Ph.D.,Pastor
DanielHutchinson,M.Div.,AssociatePastorJamesEstes,M.Div.,AssociatePastor
WambuguGachungi,M.Div.,AssociatePastor
FirstPresbyterianChurchofTulsa
709S.BostonAve.,Tulsa,OK74119 Phone:918-584-4701
https://firstchurchtulsa.org