WELCOME

Thank you for coming to First Presbyterian Church of

Orlando this morning! We worship together as a church
family in four services on Sundays: Traditional worship in
the Sanctuary at 8:15am and 11am, and Genesis worship
in the Sanctuary at 9:45am and in Lee Fellowship Hall at
11:00am. Check in and let us know youre here: visit our
Legacy Room for a cup of coffee and say hello, or text
FPCO to the number 313131.

SAVE THE DATE

TODAY: Advent Begins! Sign up today to receive daily
meditations delivered to your email. fpco.org/advent
TODAY: SHINE Live Nativity-9am-12pm. Take time
to travel back to Bethlehem and see the story of the
birth of Jesus with our live nativity.
TODAY: Giving Trees are up today. Pick up your
tag(s) and return your gift(s) by Sunday, December 17.
December 15: the deadline to register for the
Journey of Generosity on January 12 & 13.
fpco.org/calendar
December 24: 11am Traditional Advent worship;
Christmas Eve Family worship at 2:30pm & 4:00pm;
Christmas Eve Traditional worship at 6:00 & 8:00pm;
Christmas Eve Genesis worship at 10:00pm.
December 24: Are you friendly and love God's
people? We're looking for Usher/Greeter volunteers
for Christmas Eve. Please contact Lori Needham at
x1463 for details and to help out.
December 25 & 26: Church offices closed.
December 31: Lessons & Carols 11:00am only, in the
Sanctuary. No SHINE or childcare.
January 1: Church offices closed.
January 7: Ordination of New Elders & Deacons,
11am.
January 14: Year of the Book sermon series and
church-wide reading plan begins! fpco.org/year
 DECEMBER 3, 2017

CONGREGATIONAL CARE
As a caring body of believers, please remember in your
prayers those who have recently been hospitalized or are
recuperating at home: Jim Cooper, Helen Botts,
Woody Blaker and Rick Webber.
Our sympathy to Audrea Born on the death of her son,
Dean Mionske, November 11.
Debbie Thomas on the death of her mother,
Doris Thomas, November 13.
Haley and Jenny Bronson on the death of his father,
Irlo Bronson Jr., November 20. Mr. Bronson was the
grandfather of Duke, Dean and Anna Bronson.
Rob and Monica Madigan on the death of his brother,
Champ Madigan, November 27.
To be added to our prayer list call the Pastoral Care office
at 407.423.3441 x1455, or submit an online prayer request at
fpco.org/prayerrequest.

PARTICIPATION
IN GIVING

GENEROSITY
34.1%
NOVEMBER 2017

Stewardship Report as of November 26, 2017.

Thank you for your faithful generosity.
Because we believe participation (and not a dollar amount)
is key in our giving, we are now reporting our churchs
giving participation percentage weekly.
Our financial numbers will appear on a monthly basis for
continued transparency in budgeting.
Give easily and securely online from your smartphone at
fpco.org/mobile.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ORLANDO

address 106 East Church St., Orlando Florida 32801
phone 407.423.3441
online fpco.org /firstpresorlando /fpcorlando
GENESIS WORSHIP

WELCOME
Lighting of the Prophecy Candle responsive reading
Sam Arcara and Ana Montoya (9:45)
Lechon Cole and Abby Nelsen (11:00)

The Sacrament of Baptism (9:45)

S Maxwell "Max" James Danielski, born April 10, 2017
son of Samantha & Chris Danielski.

Charge to Congregation
Song of Commitment
Take His Life and Let It Be hendon

Prayer for Illumination Dr. David Swanson

*Scripture Reading Matthew 2:2
pew bible p. 681

At the conclusion of our Scripture reading, the leader will say,

This is the word of the Lord. The congregation is invited to
respond, Thanks be to God.

Message The Wonder of a Star

Assisting in Worship: Scarlett Broughton and Wil Brown.

(Give securely on your smartphone at fpco.org/mobile)

* All who are able are invited to stand.

Our Genesis services utilize an environmental lighting effect

called haze, a theatrical humidifier to thicken the air to enhance
lighting. Both Lee Fellowship Hall and Sanctuary hazers are
water-based and safe.

NOTES
TRADITIONAL WORSHIP

Today is the first of the four Sundays of Advent

preceding Christmas Day. This year is a little unusual
because the last Sunday of Advent also happens to
be Christmas Eve! While Advent is often thought of
as preparing for the birth of Christ, it actually works
backwards with the opening themes of the season
directing our attention to the Return of Christ and
the final coming Judgment. With that in mind and
working with the reference to the guiding star of the
Magi in our worship, our concluding hymn draws our
attention to the Incarnation in the first verse. The
second reminds us of His role as prophet, priest, and
king and His earthly ministry. Verse three deals with
the theological impact of His conquering of death,
sin, and evil. The star is referenced in the first verse
as the guide for the Magi. The star reappears in the
text in the final verse when the entire heavens put
on a spectacular display in the Return of Christ at the
end of the age when the world as we know it comes
to an end. We open worship with a call O come, O
come, Emmanuel. While that was the cry of the Old
Testament prophets, it is our cry as well, as we echo
the closing words of the book of Revelation, Come,
Lord Jesus! Maranatha! -Dr. Dan Sharp

(Please silence all phones and electronic devices)

GATHERING
Prelude
Prelude in E minor j.s. bach
Trio on Veni Emmanuel roy brunner

Welcome

Call to Worship
O Come, O Come Emmanuel daniel sharp

*Processional Hymn of Praise no. 133

O Come, O Come Emmanuel veni emmanuel

*Ascription of Praise

Lighting of the Prophecy Candle responsive reading

Alex Alderman and Abby Nelsen (8:15)
Alex Alderman and Stanford Hornsby (11:00)

 Reader: Today is the first day in the season of Advent, a season
of waiting; waiting for the Light of the World to return. In each of
the coming weeks, the light brightens as we look forward with
anticipation to our Lords return.

Congregation: The people all around us are walking in

darkness and we are the ones who have seen the great Light.
Those who live in a land of darkness, on them the Light has
shined. Let us point to the Light to those around us.

And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,

And all flesh shall see it together;
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Sung Refrain, All:

"O, star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light."

Pastoral Report

*Passing of the Peace

Call to Prayer
Lord, We Lift Our Prayers sergei rachmaninoff
arr. hal hopson

Pastoral Prayer

The Sacrament of Baptism (11:00)

S Charlotte Grace Pamplin, born July 17, 2017
daughter of Faith and Scott Pamplin.

Charge to Congregation
Song of Commitment
Take Her Life and Let It Be hendon

THANKSGIVING
Thanksgiving Through Tithes and Offerings

*O Come Let Us Adore Him no. 126

*Prayer of Commitment

(Give securely on your smartphone at fpco.org/mobile)

Anthem of Wonder
The Star Carol alfred burt
The Chancel Choir and Ashley Nunez, solo

PROCLAMATION OF GODS WORD

Prayer for Illumination Dr. David Swanson
*Scripture Reading Matthew 2:2
pew bible p. 681
At the conclusion of our Scripture reading, the leader will
say, This is the word of the Lord. The congregation is
invited to respond, Thanks be to God.

Message The Wonder of a Star

RESPONSE
*Hymn of Advent no. 190
Songs of Thankfulness and Praise st. georges windsor

*Invitation and Charge

*Benediction

*Choral Response
Rejoice, Rejoice, Emmanuel daniel sharp

Postlude
Fugue in E Major j.s. bach

* All who are able are invited to stand.

Assisting in Worship: Rev. Becky Davis, Dr. Daniel Sharp,

and interim organist, Dr. Glen Olsen.

The flowers on the communion table are given to the glory

of God, in loving memory of Helen McKenney Steck, by her
son, Stephen McKenney Steck and Desta L. Horner.
 christmas concert
reflections on christmas
JOIN US AS WE SING ABOUT THE WONDERS OF CHRISTMAS.
FREE EVENT - NO TICKETS REQUIRED

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10 - 4:00PM

IN THE SANCTUARY