THE CHURCH GATHERS . . . PRELUDE With the first notes of the organ please silently prepare yourself for worship. CHIMING THE HOUR THE WELCOME AND SHARING OF COMMUNITY LIFE INTROIT "Let Us Light a Candle in the Darkness" Words by the Very Rev. Robert Willis. Music by Richard Shepherd * THE LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE Leader: Today, we light again our Christ Candle, Unison: and come to celebrate the light of God that his birth has brought to this world. Leader: We look at this candle and pause to remember all that God’s gift of Jesus means to us, Unison: and to rejoice that He is indeed the Light of the World, and the Hope of the World. Leader: We look at this candle and we remember all of the darkness we have seen in this world in 2006, Unison: but celebrate the fact that all of that darkness has not been able to overcome the light of God seen in Jesus Christ. Leader: We look at this candle and contemplate all of the darkness that our personal lives and this world will see in 2007, Unison: but we rejoice in the fact that all of that darkness will not be able to overcome the light of God seen in Jesus Christ. Leader: We look at this candle and we remember the gifts God has given to us because Jesus has been born, Unison: the gifts of hope, of peace, of joy and of love. Leader: We look at this candle and pray that the Holy Child of Bethlehem will enable us to know each of these gifts in all of the darkness of our personal lives in 2007, Unison: and that He will help us to be able to show them forth in all of the darkness that this world will know in 2007. Leader: Come, let us together celebrate the birth of the One of whom the angels sang. * CAROL OF THE ANGELS’ MESSAGE No. 23 Gloria "Angels We Have Heard on High" * CAROL OF THE CHRIST CHILD No. 37 W Zlobie Lezy "Infant Holy, Infant Lowly" PAUL HELPS US THINK ABOUT GOD’S GIFTS IN JESUS CHRIST Colossians 3:12-17 The Response: Leader: This is the Word of the Lord People: Thanks be to God! ANTHEM "Jesus, Name of Wondrous Love" Words by W. Walsham How. Music by Everett Titcomb SERMON "What Are You Going to do with Your Christmas Gifts in the New Year?" Dr. Christopher TO RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD . . . * SUNG AFFIRMATION OF FAITH sung to the tune Divinum Mysterium (No. 309 in The Presbyterian Hymnal) 1. We believe in God Almighty, Maker of the earth and sky; All we see and all that's hidden is his work unceasingly: God our Father's loving kindness with us till the day we die Evermore and evermore. 2. We believe in Christ the Saviour, Son of God and Son of Man; Born of Mary, preaching, healing, crucified, yet risen again: He ascended to the Father there in glory long to reign Evermore and evermore. 3. We believe in God the Spirit, present in our lives today; Speaking through the prophets' writings, guiding travelers on their way: To our hearts he brings forgiveness and the hope of endless joy - Evermore and evermore. Amen. (c) David Mowbray (born 1938) THE FELLOWSHIP OF SILENT PRAYER PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION AND SUPPLICATION THE PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS THE OFFERTORY * THE OFFERTORY RESPONSE No. 36 (stanza 4) Cranham What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a wise man, I would do my part; Yet what I can I give Him: Give my heart. * THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING * THE LORD’S PRAYER (Presbyterian Hymnal, page 16, traditional, using ‘debts’ and ‘debtors’) TO GO OUT AND SERVE . . . * CAROL OF DEDICATION No. 29 Go Tell It "Go, Tell It on the Mountain" * THE CHARGE AND BENEDICTION * THE CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE FOR THE NEW YEAR Houston (see back of bulletin -Stanza One and Refrain) "I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light" * POSTLUDE * All who can do so comfortably will stand Pastor: Huw Christopher Director of Music: Lawrence R. Nelson Elder of the month: Kip Blighton Organist: Stanley Littleton Nursery Attendant: Susie Barber To Our Guests – Welcome to First Presbyterian Church of Marianna. We are glad to have you worship with us today and invite you to join us each Sunday as we worship and study God’s word. If you would like more information concerning our church you may fill out one of the pew cards, talk to the ushers or the pastor, or call the church office, 526-2430. Nursery is available for infants and pre-kindergarten children during Sunday morning activities. Our sympathy is extended to the family of Milton Wynn, a member, Deacon and Elder of this congregation, who died on Saturday, December 23, 2006, and to Chris and Amy Milton in the death of her grandfather, Harry Bell of Starkville, Mississippi on December 25, 2006, and to the family of Maude Eleanor Ellis DuRant, the widow of Dr. Marion.A. DuRant, pastor of this church from 1942 to 1971, who died at the Presbyterian Home in Sumemerville, South Carolina on December 28, 2006. Offering envelopes for 2007 and Liturgical Calendars for 2007, provided by Louisville Seminary, are available in the narthex and in the hall outside the fellowship hall. Please remember that all contributions that you want recorded for the year 2006 must have been dated by December 31, 2006. The last deposit for the year 2006 will be made at 10 a.m. this Tuesday, January 2, 2007, so all contributions for 2006 must be to the church office by that time. This week in the life of the church ... Today Property and Operations Committee in parlor at 12 noon. Games Night in the fellowship hall from 6:30 p.m. until .... Monday Ladies Exercise Class will not meet today Church Office Closed for New Year’s Celebration Tuesday Christian Education Committee at 5:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall Wednesday Food pantry is open from 9:00 -11:00, volunteers are Mary Ann Gibbs and Marsha Rogers. Choir Practice 5:15 JuBELLEes practice at 6:00 Advent and Christmas decorations taken down beginning at 6:30 p.m. Youth Group 7:00 Thursday Newsletter collated at 1 p.m. Men’s Bible Study at Kip Blighton’s home at 6:30 p.m. Friday Ladies Exercise Class 9:00 Supper for Session Members (Classes 2007, 2008 and 2009) and Spouses at the Manse at 6:30 p.m. Sunday (7th) Breakfast in fellowship hall from 9 until 9:30 a.m. Sunday School at 9:45 Session meets at 10:35 in the parlor Celebration of the Baptism of our Lord and the Act of Ordination and Installation for New Elders and Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper at 11 a.m.