The Mission Of Our ChurchSharing the grace of God, creating a warm and welcoming

environment andmaking our church a vibrant witness to the community and

the world through worship, Bible study, discipleship, outreach and service to those in need.

CHURCH DIRECTORY ~ 2017 Transitional Pastor Bryan E. HoveyPastor Emeritus Wilson P. Rhoton, Jr.Director of Music J. Nelson WhittingtonAdministrative Assistant Yvonne E. WebbTreasurer Stefanie F. FaithMissionary Sandi Thompson-Royer

THE SESSION CLERK OF SESSION ASSISTANT CLERK OF SESSION

CLASS OF 2017 CLASS OF 2018 CLASS OF 2019Karen L. Jones Sylvia Q. Groner Jayn CoxJeff Kaylor Donna S. Love Nan KaylorHenry H. Massey, Jr. Brenda R. McKinney Warren RhinehartHarman G. Poplin Kathryn L. Williamson Sandra Rhyne

TRUSTEESCLASS OF 2017 CLASS OF 2018 CLASS OF 2019James F. Love III Paul L. Solomon Paul L. Bumgarner

First Presbyterian Church133 South Main Street

Mount Holly, North Carolina704 827-0521

First Sunday After Christmas Day January 1, 2017 Eleven O’Clock

THE CHURCH GATHERS AROUND THE WORD

PRELUDE “We Three Kings” arr. Lani Smith SPIRITUAL BLESSING WELCOME AND CONCERNS (Please sign the Ritual of Friendship Pad and greet those around you.)

*OPENING PRAYER INTROIT “O Come Let Us Adore Him” (Adult Choir) arr. John Purifoy*CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: This is the day that the Lord has made.People: We will be glad and rejoice in it.Leader: This is the year that the Lord has begun.People: We will rejoice and be glad in it.Leader: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.People: They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness.

*HYMN #66 “We Three Kings of Orient Are”

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION Gracious God, our sins are too heavy to carry, too real to hide, and too deep to undo. Forgive what our lips tremble to name, what our hearts can no longer bear, and what has become for us a consuming fire of judgment. Set us free from a past that we cannot change; open to us a future in which we can be changed; and grant us grace to grow more and more in your likeness and image; through Jesus Christ, the light of the world. AMEN (Silence is observed – a few moments for personal confession of sin.)

*DECLARATION OF PARDON *GLORIA PATRI

*THE PASSING OF THE PEACE

THE CHURCH PROCLAIMS THE WORD

TIME WITH OUR CHILDREN PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION FIRST SCRIPTURE READING Isaiah 63:7-9 page 693

ANTHEM “The Truth and the Light” John Purifoy from the Cantata “Touched By A Child”

SECOND SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 2:13-23 page 2

SERMON “Mathew 2:13-23”

MOMENT OF REFLECTION THE CHURCH RESPONDS TO THE WORD

*HYMN #63 “As with Gladness Men of Old”

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostles’ Creed page 14I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy Catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

ORGAN INTERLUDE AND SILENT PRAYER

PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER Hear our prayers O Lord, thanks be to God.

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen

THE OFFERING Offertory “What Star Is This?” arr. Lani Smith *Doxology *Offertory Prayer

THE CHURCH BEARS AND FOLLOWS THE WORD INTO THE WORLD

*HYMN #29 “Go, Tell It on the Mountain”

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION*BENEDICTION RESPONSE: “May the Lord Bless You” Congregation & Choir (See Screens)

*POSTLUDE: “Angels We Have Heard On High” arr. Mary McDonald*The Congregation will please stand. A worship nursery is provided for young children.

Welcome to all of you visiting with us this morning. We are happy you are here and hope you find the worship and fellowship to be enjoyable. If you do not have a church home and would be interested in hearing more about this church, please ask the pastor or one of the ushers. We invite you to visit our website at www.fpcmountholly.org for more information concerning the church. We welcome your participation in the worship, fellowship and mission of this church.

The Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary to the Glory of God andIn Loving Memory of the members of our church who passed away in 2016:

Marie D. Spears Robert F. Jessen, Jr.

THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITIES

Sunday, January 1, 201711:00 AM Morning Worship Service/Happy New Year

Monday, January 2, 2017The Church Office will be closed.11:00 AM Circle 3 meeting at the church

Wednesday, January 4, 201710:00 AM Circle 6 meeting at the Church 7:00 PM Adult Choir Rehearsal

Thursday, January 5, 2017 9:30 AM Ministry of Prayer Group

Saturday, January 7, 201710:00 AM Take Down Decorations

Usher In Charge: Paul Bumgarner

The Presbyterian Women need our help. All the decorations need to be taken down. Please come on Saturday, January 7 at 10:00 AM to help. The more workers we have, the faster we will get finished.

PLEASE PRAY FOR:Joe Spears, Libby Allen and our shut-ins.

Our partner church in Guatemala, Presbytery’s Prayer Church – Sweetwater (Hickory)

THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITIES

Sunday, January 1, 201711:00 AM Morning Worship Service/Happy New Year

Monday, January 2, 2017The Church Office will be closed.11:00 AM Circle 3 meeting at the church

Wednesday, January 4, 201710:00 AM Circle 6 meeting at the Church 7:00 PM Adult Choir Rehearsal

Thursday, January 5, 2017 9:30 AM Ministry of Prayer Group

Saturday, January 7, 201710:00 AM Take Down Decorations

Usher In Charge: Paul Bumgarner

The Presbyterian Women need our help. All the decorations need to be taken down. Please come on Saturday, January 7 at 10:00 AM to help. The more workers we have, the faster we will get finished.

PLEASE PRAY FOR:Joe Spears, Libby Allen and our shut-ins.

Our partner church in Guatemala, Presbytery’s Prayer Church – Sweetwater (Hickory)