Traditional Worship Bulletin (7:00, 9:00, 11:00 pm)
Traditional Worship Service
December 24, 2023 | 7:00, 9:00, 11:00 pm
“I Can’t Wait”
Luke 2:1-20
Rev. Lance Marshall, Senior Pastor
Pre Service Music
DFW Brass (7:00 and 9:00)
Peggy Graff, organist (7:00, 9:00, 11:00)
Taylor White, trumpet (11:00)
Welcome
Rev. Brenda Brooks Alexander, Associate Pastor (7:00)
Rev. Zhenya Gurina Rodriguez, Associate Pastor (9:00, 11:00)
*Call to Worship
Rev. Samuel Macias, Associate Pastor (7:00)
Rev. Tom McDermott, Associate Pastor (9:00)
One: Welcome to a celebration like no other!
All: Our wait is over!
One: Let the love of Jesus be born in your hearts and spirits!
All: Open our hearts to receive this blessed gift.
One: Rejoice, the Good News is here!
All: Christ our Savior is Born! Hallelujah! AMEN.
*Hymn 234: “O Come, All Ye Faithful” (verses 1, 3, 6)
1. O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.
Come and behold him, born the King of angels;
Refrain:
O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
3. Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation;
O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest;
(Refrain)
6. Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning,
Jesus, to thee be all glory given.
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing:
(Refrain)
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
att Britt, Director of Youth Ministries (11:00)
*Hymn 240: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
1. Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born King;
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with th’angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new born King!”
2. Christ, by highest heaven adored;
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
late in time behold him come,
offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail th’ incarnate Deity,
pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born King!”
3. Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new born King!”
Announcements
Rev. Phyllis Barren, Associate Pastor (7:00)
Rev. Mike Marshall, Associate Pastor (9:00, 11:00)
Offertory: “Come and See the Child” (7:00)
Greg Gilpin, arranger
Cornerstone Youth Choir, alumni, and parents
Mark Burrows, director
“Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” (9:00)
Robert Lau, arranger
Choral Union
Thomas Williams, director
“O Holy Night” (11:00)
Adolphe Adam, composer
Andy Zapata, soloist
Scripture: Luke 2:1-20
God speaks to us through the reading of scripture.
Thanks be to God.
Sermon
Rev. Lance Marshall, Senior Pastor (7:00 & 9:00)
Rev. Phyllis Barren, Associate Pastor (11:00)
Pastoral Prayer
Service of Holy Communion
Invitation
The Great Thanksgiving
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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13)
Serving the Bread and Cup
Congregational Carols During Communion
Almost There, Cornerstone Youth Choir (7:00)
Heather Sorensen, arranger
219 What Child Is This (verses 1 and 3)
230 O Little Town of Bethlehem
217 Away in a Manger
*Hymn 239: Silent Night
*Benediction
One: Our gathering will soon be ended. Where will we go, and what will we do?
All: We will go out to be God’s people in the world.
One: May grace, peace, hope, love, and joy forever accompany you. Amen.
*Hymn 246: “Joy to the World” (11:00)
*Postlude: “Silent Night” reprise (7:00 9:00)
“Joy to the World” reprise (11:00)
DFW Brass
Trumpets: Lacey Phelps, Karl Sievers, Taylor White
Horn: Sarah Wilkinson
Trombone: Natalie Mannix
Tuba: Kevin Butler
Percussion: Jazper Saldana
Download The Traditional Worship Bulletin PDF
Notes from First Church
Welcome to First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth — we are glad you’re here to worship with us today!
Please let us know you are here by filling out the attendance pad as it comes by or registering online.
Asterisks (*) indicate times when you are invited to stand as you are able.
In addition to your regular contribution, every one dollar ($1) bill placed in the offering plate for the month of December will support the First Street Mission food bank.
The Poinsettias in the Sanctuary are in loving memory of Mr. & Mrs. A.J. Broderick and Mr. & Mrs. Sidney Smith.
Stay Connected
News
Read First Church news and sign up for emails at fumcfw.org/news.
Events
Browse programs and events or search by ministry or keyword at fumcfw.org/events.
Worship with us Online
Sunday Mornings
9:30 am | The Gathering | fumcfw.org/gathering-live
11:00 am | Traditional Worship | fumcfw.org/traditional-live
11:11 am | eleven:eleven | fumfw.org/1111-live
WRR Radio
Listen to each previous week’s service and music on Sunday mornings at 7:30 am on WRR 101.1 FM.
Media Playlists
Watch past services or sermons or listen to podcasts of services and special music offerings at fumcfw.org/media.
For more information visit us online at fumcfw.org, “Like” us on Facebook, and “Follow” us on Twitter and Instagram!
Discipleship is the process of being shaped by the Holy Spirit through spiritual practices to become more like Jesus. Healthy Plate Discipleship uses a variety of practices to help you more faithfully follow Jesus Christ. Try all six areas to grow strong in faithful discipleship. Learn more at fumcfw.org/healthyplate.
Are you new?
If you would like to find your Worship Plus One, we would love to visit with you and help you explore the First Church groups or ministries of special interest to you! Finding your Worship Plus One will help you meet others, build relationships, and grow stronger in your faith.
For details, please email Lisa Helm (lhelm@myfumc.org), Director of Welcoming Ministries or Dr. Mike Marshall (mmarshall@myfumc.org), Associate Pastor of Leadership Development — and be sure to include your phone number in your email!