In this season of giving and receiving, may we give ourselves anew to the Christ who gave all for us,
that we may receive throughout the coming year that peace which passes all understanding.
Merry Christmas! From the Pastor
and all the staff of the First Presbyterian Church
in Valatie
First Presbyterian Church 3212 Church Street P.O. Box 267, Valatie, NY 12184
Church Phone – 518-758-9658 Pastor’s Phone – 518-755-2557 Church’s Email – [email protected]
Pastor – Rev. Kathi L. Jones Pastor’s Email – [email protected]
Organist – Ardelle Stewart Secretary – Naomi Handley Sexton – Ginny Becker
First Presbyterian Church
Valatie, NY
Where friends are made, Faith is nurtured,
Service begins and
All are Welcome!
December 24, 2017 8:00 pm.
CHRISTMAS EVE
And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for behold, I
bring you good news of great joy which will come to all
the people, for to you is born this day in the city of David
a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
* * * * * * PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsively)
Have you not heard? Something new has happened upon the
earth!
Yes, we have heard! Rumors say there has been a child
born, a Savior given!
People of God, these are not rumors. For unto us is born this day in
Bethlehem Christ our Savior!
This is good news of great joy which has come to all
people! Let us go see this Savior of God and bring gifts
of praise! Let us go to Bethlehem.
*HYMN 41 O Come, All Ye Faithful
LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE
PRAYER (Unison)
God, we thank you for your great gift of Jesus. Help us to
spread hope, peace, joy, and love in the world by the way we
live and give, and in the things we do and say. Amen.
Given in Memory of:
Aunt Freide Courtney and Cindy Loucks
Betty and Bob VanAllen Richard Ludington and Family
Ruth and Don Williams Richard Ludington and Family
Family and Friends Carol Matthews
Lotus Petrie Marcus Petrie
Walter Pienta, Anna Pienta Nancy, Joe, Susan and Eleanore Pienta
Eleanore and George Wolf, Dick and MaryEllen Wolf Pienta Family
Loved ones, Malcolm Gay , Hertha Johnson Chris Wells
Greens were given by Vieve Gay and The Straub Family.
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS
Given in Honor of:
Family past, present and yet to come Rob, Alicia, Randy and Leita Albertson
Our Family and Friends Laurae and Alexis Hoffmann
Family and Friends Karen and Jim Leffingwell
Phillip and Michael Paglialonga and their families Cheryle Paglialonga
The Birth of Christ and Family Chris Wells
Given in Memory of:
Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Austin Their Sons
Ralph and Lillian Hobson Melissa Barton
Emma Read Melissa Barton
Barbara Leiden Vince, Maggie and Quinn Barton
Loved Ones Judy and Gale Bury
Hertha and Lars Johnson Their Children and Grandchildren
Loved Ones Tina and Jake Coons
Loved Ones Sharon and John Coons
My Grandmother, “GG” Alexander Cheryl Fitzgibbons
Our Parents Ruth and Paul Fuhrmann
Family Members Rosalie Hemingway
Our Parents Sandy and Steve Hohneker
J. Eugene Johnson Dorothy Johnson
James Laurie Marge and Chris Laurie
THE STORY OF CHRISTMAS
THE FUTURE HOPE Isaiah 11:1-7
CAROL 48 Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming
THE DELIVERER FROM BETHLEHEM Micah 5:2-4
CAROL 27 Gentle Mary Laid her Child
THE ANGEL VISITS MARY Luke 1:26-38
Solo Ave Maria Shubert
AN ANGEL VISITS JOSEPH Matthew 1:18-25
*CAROL 23 Angels We Have Heard On High
THE BIRTH OF THE CHRIST CHILD Luke 2:1-7
CAROL 37 Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
THE SHEPHERDS HEAR THE GOOD NEWS Luke 2:8-20
THE WISE MEN VISIT Matthew 2:1-11 CAROL 53 What Child Is This?
A CHRISTMAS STORY
OFFERING OF TITHES AND GIFTS
OFFERTORY
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Christ the Word in flesh born low;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore
One God in Three whom we adore.
*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (Unison)
God of goodness and kindness, whose mercy is from
everlasting to everlasting, all that we have are gifts of Your
grace. As the heavenly host sang of Your glory, accept what we
bring You as our offerings of praise. With the shepherds we
have witnessed the birth of our Savior; our response is in
gratitude for the hope of new life we receive in Christ Jesus, in
whose name we pray. Amen.
Solo O Holy Night
A CHRISTMAS PRAYER
BENEDICTION
*CANDLELIGHTING
*CAROL 60 Silent Night, Holy Night
(Please sing all four verses and then we will hum for two verses)
Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night, shepherds quake at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born!
Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love’s pure light;
Radiant beams from thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
Silent night, holy night! Wondrous star, lend thy light;
With the angels let us sing; Alleluia to our King;
Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born.
POSTLUDE
* * * * * * * - All who are able please stand.
Those participating in tonight’s service are (in order):
Nancy Pienta
John Coons
Hertha Matuszek
Ricky Jacker
Cheryl Fitzgibbons
Quinn Barton
Alicia Albertson
Our Soloist this evening is Katie Roppolo
Greeting tonight at the front door is Rosalie Hemingway.
Lighting the Advent candles are Sandy and Steve Hohneker.
If you are with a child this evening, please take only one candle for both of
you. There will be no Sunday School or Adult Education classes next Sunday,
December 31.