THE WORSHIP OF GOD

THE GATHERING

*Indicates congregation may stand. PRELUDE WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Please sign & pass the fellowship pad. INTROIT & THE LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES

Symbolizing Christ’s presence as the Light of the World. Please use this contemplative time to prepare yourself to encounter God in this time and place.

CALL TO WORSHIP

Arise, shine, for your light has come. The glory of the Lord bathes us in the brightness of the dawn. Lift up your eyes and look around. Our hearts rejoice in the glory of God’s Son, who defends the poor, and delivers the needy. Christ is like rain that falls on mown grass, like showers that water the earth. Let us bring him sweet smelling gifts and pearls from the sea. Let us offer him hearts full of praise. Arise, shine, for your light has come. The glory of the Lord shines upon us.

*HYMN OF PRAISE Angels from the Realms of Glory NO. 131 *PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Eternal God, we celebrate the courage of kings who left their homelands and their own people to follow a star; we marvel at their quest to honor a child whose power was announced in the heavens above. We would do anything to be part of their story—as long as it requires little effort or sacrifice on our part. Forgive our feet of clay, O God. Open our shut-up hearts to the mystery made known in Christ, that others may behold in us the blessings to be found in journeys worth taking. Amen.

*ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS *GLORIA PATRI NO. 623

Glory be to the Father , and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost ; As i t was in the beg inning , i s now and ever sha l l be , wor ld wi thout end . Amen. Amen

*THE PEACE The peace of Christ be with you all. And also with you. Greet one another with Christ’s peace!

THE WORD

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE OLD TESTAMENT READING Isaiah 60:1-6 The Word of the Lord; Thanks be to God. EPISTLE READING Ephesians 3:1-12 The Word of the Lord; Thanks be to God. NEW TESTAMENT READING Matthew 2:1-12 The Word of the Lord; Thanks be to God. MESSAGE

THE RESPONSE *HYMN OF RESPONSE We Three Kings NO. 166 *AFFIRMATION OF FAITH APOSTLES’ CREED PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

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.

OFFERING *DOXOLOGY NO. 625

Praise God, f rom whom al l b l e s s ings f low; Pra is e *God a l l c r ea tures here be low; Pra is e *God above , y e heaven ly hos t ; Pra is e Father , Son, and Holy Ghost . Amen. (*or “Him”)

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

*CLOSING HYMN As with Gladness Men of Old NO. 163 *BENEDICTION POSTLUDE

PARTICIPATING IN THE SERVICE TODAY Ministers All Members of First Presbyterian Church Preaching Commissioned Ruling Elder Beth Ehlers Organist Andrew Thelen Worship Coordinator Evy Strenge Liturgist Lavonne Ruschy Sound Operator Kevin Strenge Camera Operator Keegan Brown Candlelighter Liam Brown Ushers Sharon Archer, Brad & Lisa Hermanson, & Craig White Chairlift Operator Carl Ruschy

F I R S T P R E S B Y T E R I A N C H U R C H 723 First Avenue South Estherville, IA 51334

Phone: 712-362-4772 | E-mail: 1.church@mchsi.com esthervillepresbyterian.com

ORDAINED LEADERS AND ELECTED OFFICERS S E S S I O N – Brian Bixby, Beth Carrico, Lori Donovan, Julia Graves (Clerk of Session), Jolene Greving, Melissa Gruwell, Katie Hanson, Lisa Hermanson, Steve Rose, George Shadle, Lowell Swalve, Craig White D E A C O N S – Janet Anderson, Mavis Evans, Jan Greig, Jim Hill, Pat Johnson, Elaine Kaltved, Cheryl Klingbeil, Paul Moffitt, Heidi Origer (Moderator),, Evy Strenge, Diane Swalve, Georgia Whitehouse PASTORS AND PROGRAM STAFF Katie Hanson, Administrative Assistant Andrew Thelen, Organist & Choir Director Craig Kesler, Custodian

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 2ND SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS

03 JANUARY 2016—10:30A.M.

First Presbyterian Church

Estherville, IA a family

of faith

iLove iServe iWorship

THIS WEEK AT

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

TODAY ~ SUNDAY, JANUARY 3RD Worship Service ......................................... 10:30AM Choir Practice ............................................ 11:30AM Home Communion ..................................... 1:00PM MONDAY JANUARY 4, 2015 Worship Meeting ......................................... 5:30PM Generosity Meeting ..................................... 6:30PM WEDNESDAY JANUARY 6, 2015 Confirmation ........................................ 1:45-2:45PM Edu-Worship ............................................... 5:45PM Youth Group ....................................... 7:00-8:30PM THURSDAY JANUARY 7, 2015 Ladies Night Out ......................................... 6:00PM SUNDAY JANUARY 10, 2015 Second Sunday Snacks ................................ 9:45AM Worship ...................................................... 10:30AM Choir Practice ............................................ 11:30AM Building & Grounds Meeting .................. 11:30AM

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS Monday-Thursday ........................ 8:00AM-1:00PM

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2016 General Budget: $157,265.72

Actual Giving YTD: $0.00 Budgeted YTD: $3,024.34

Weekly giving needed to make budget: $3,024.34

Please be in prayer for…

Don Clabaugh Dave & Judy Gosch

Alice Jensen Paul Moffitt Dee Zinnel

How can we pray for you?

Whether you have a heart filled with worry or joy, we want to pray for you! To submit a prayer request, please fill out a

blue prayer card (found in the pew racks) and place it in the offering plate during

worship. If you prefer, you may also submit prayer requests via the church

office. 362-4772

info@esthervillepresbyterian.com PO Box 476, Estherville, IA 51334

Be in the Know! Visit our website to view upcoming events, news, dates, times, online

giving, bulletins, newsletters, photos, and much, much more!

www.esthervillepresbyterian.com

-January 7- Ladies Night Out

6:00pm

-January 10- Second Sunday Snacks

9:45am

-January 14- Movie Night- The Blind Side

6:30pm

OurJanuary“MeettheNeed”willbetheEmmetCountyFoodPantry.Wewillbecollectingitemstoreplenishtheirshelvesaftertheholidays.WewillbecollectingitemsuntilSunday,January31st.Someoftheitemsthatareneededarecannedfruitandvegetables,cereal,&laundrysoap.

Starting in January we welcome Harry Gabe from the Lakeshore Center at Okoboji as he will become the new leader for Edu-Worship every Wednesday. Please join us on Wednesdays from 5:45-6:45pm and welcome Harry as he takes on this new role.

Second Sunday Snacks Join us in the Chapel on Sunday, January 10th at 9:45am for Second Sunday Snacks. Snacks will be provided by the Youth Group. Come join us for fellowship.

The CL/O committee will be hosting a Family Movie Night on Thursday, January 14th at 6:30pm. The Blind Side will be showing so bring your families and friends and join us for an evening of fun. Bring your favorite beverage and CL/O will provide the popcorn.

Ladies Night Out will be held on Thursday, January 7th at 6:30pm. We will be meeting at The Market Café located inside Hy-Vee. Join us for good food and conversation!

Thank you to the entire congregation for your love and support the past 3.5 years; we are going to miss each of you! Thank you to everyone who attended the farewell reception, and for the many cards, gifts, and well-wishes. You are a special group of people! God is up to something good at First Pres, and we are excited to see where the future leads you. You have our every good wish for 2016! With love, Pastors Chad and Kennen