Worship & Celebration



Welcome to Worship and Celebration!

Welcome to La Grange First Church on this Second Sunday of Advent. Today our Worship & Celebration will focus on the Symbols of Christmas.” Symbols are intended to suggest meaning. A symbol represents something below the surface. This Christmas service will give special meaning to some of the symbols we all use at Christmas such as evergreens and the red poinsettia. Welcome to Worship!

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802 S. Caswell Street

La Grange, NC 28551

Ronnie V. Hobgood, Pastor

Joshua T. Hobgood, Youth Pastor

Worship & Celebration

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December 4, 2016 The Lord’s Day Eleven O’clock

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Symbols of Christmas

PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP

Prelude Organist

Welcome and Announcements Pastor

Quiet Reflection with God People

Lighting of the Candles Acolyte

CALL TO WORSHIP

Psalm 72:18-19 Youth Pastor

INVOCATION Youth Pastor

CHRISTMAS CAROLS

“Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” (Verses 1 & 2) Number 143

“How Great Our Joy! (Verses 1 & 2) Number 144

“O Come, All Ye Faithful” (Verses 1 & 2) Number 145

(Fellowship time with the Family of God)

The Advent Wreath

Laura Eason

The Advent Wreath at our church is a symbol with a special meaning as we prepare for the Nativity of Christ. The wreath is round, with no beginning or end, testifying to the never-ending love of God. The cuttings are evergreen, reminding us that all life comes from God. There are four purple candles in the wreath. Purple is the liturgical color for Advent. Purple symbolizes the royalty and majesty of Christ and the meditation and repentance of worshippers. The fifth candle, the Christ Candle is placed in the center of the wreath to symbolize the birth of Christ. This candle is white to represent purity. The lighting of the candles helps us to remember the One who said, "I am the Light of the World."

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE

Peace Jamie & Heather Ham and Family

The Christmas Greens

Joseph Harrison

The needles of the pine and fir trees do not die each season like the leaves of most trees, the ancients saw them as symbols of things that last forever. The wreaths of evergreens are shaped in a circle, which has no end, to signify the eternal kingdom of Jesus, the Christ. In ancient times, the holly was considered the symbol of Christ’s passion, its prickly leaves suggested the crown of thorns, its red berries the blood of the Savior, and its bitter bark the drink offered to Jesus on the cross.

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Youth Pastor

Isaiah 11:1-10

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

The Nativity

Pastor and the Children

The Nativity sets in the Vestibules, Gathering Hall, and Front Lawn remind us of the Nativity of the Lord. The Nativity of our Lord was first celebrated on December 25 in Rome sometime between 336 and 354. A pagan winter solstice festival, the birthday of the unconquered sun, was already celebrated on December 25. Christians adopted that date to celebrate the birth of the Son of God, the sun of righteousness. The name Christmas comes from the first service of the season Christ Mass.

CHRISTMAS CAROL

“Away in a Manger” Number 157

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Madison Hines

Matthew 3:1-12

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

The Christmas Flower

Carrol Henderson

The most popular flower of the Advent-Christmas season is the bright red poinsettia. Actually, the red petals are not blossoms; the blossoms are the small yellow clusters found at the center. Somehow the red and green leaves of the plant give to Christmas an added touch that would not be the same without them.

This beautiful flower speaks to us symbolically in several ways. First of all, the star-shaped formation of red leaves calls to mind the star, which shone at the first Christmas. In a less joyous sense, the color of the flower is blood red. This reminds us of the blood of the male infants killed by Romans soldiers as King Herod sought to eliminate any threat to his throne. We sometimes forget this part of the story, which made the trip of Mary, Joseph, and the Christ child to Egypt a necessity.

The color of the flower also symbolizes the fact that the Babe of Bethlehem’s manger became the Savior of the world, as He shed His blood upon the cross of Calvary.

TIME OF PRAYER

Sharing our Prayer Concerns Laity

Morning Prayer

The Christmas Tree

Pam Thomas

The Christmas Tree with its lights reminds us that Jesus Christ is the light of the Word. The many beautiful ornaments along with the Chrismon ornaments are monograms of Christ. When you look upon the Christmas Tree, let it call to mind the One who brings light to our darkness, healing to our un-wholeness and peace to all who will receive Him.

CHRISTMAS CAROL “O Christmas Tree”

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, How lovely are your branches. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, How lovely are your branches. Your boughs are green in summer's time, They do not fade in winter's snow. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, How lovely are your branches.

OFFERTORY

Offertory Prayer Laity

Anthem: “Breath of Heaven” Choir

Giving His Tithes and Our Offerings People

MESSAGE FROM GOD’S WORD Pastor

"Spiritual Greatness" Luke 1:26-38

INVITATIONAL CHRISTMAS CAROL

“What Child Is This” (verse 1) Number 137

ALTAR PRAYER Pastor

CHRISTIAN BAPTISM

The meaning of Christian Baptism Pastor

Scripture Reading Matthew 3:13-17

Hymn “Baptized in Water”

Baptized in Water, Sealed by the Spirit, Cleansed by the blood of Christ, our King; Heirs of salvation, Trusting His promise, Faithfully now God’s praise we sing.

Baptized in water, Sealed by the Spirit, Dead in the tomb with Christ, our King; One with His rising, Freed and forgiven, Thankfully now God’s praise we sing.

Baptized in water, Sealed by the Spirit, Marked with the sign of Christ, our King; Born of one Father, We are His children, Joyfully now God’s praise we sing. (First Church #2057646 / CCLI # 2160232)

Baptism of Logan McKrae Sullivan and Stanley Michael Sullivan

BENEDICTION Pastor

POSTLUDE Musicians

Glory to God in the Highest!

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Christmas Poinsettias

Wayne & Sheri Carlyle and Royce & Elsie Holmes

in memory of Margaret Vail

Kathy & Scott Cody in memory of Louise Hepler

Fran Gibbons in Memory of Terry Gibbons

Libby Guggenberger in memory of

Lloyd Guggenberger, Marvin, Ruby, and Clifton Gray

Mary Gresham in memory of Ben & Gwen Wade

Jamie & Heather Ham in memory of our Grandparents

Jamie & Heather Ham in honor of our Parents

Cliff & Carol Hardison in memory or in honor of our parents

Laura Eason, Travis, Tyler, & Julie in memory of Scott Eason

Jimmie D. & Angie Herring in honor of

Jacob, Brent, Lindsay, Connor, and Madi

Ronnie & Mitzi Hobgood in memory of their fathers,

Tom Britt, Jesse Corbett, and William Hobgood

In honor of Royce & Elsie Holmes

In honor of Royce and Elsie Holmes

by their children and grandchildren

Edna & Dean Johnson in

Memory of Flossie Johnson and Faye Sutton

Brandon, Nathan, and Nic Jones in honor of their Ga Ga

Gary & Bonnie Kornegay in honor of Sybil & Robie Killette

David Letchworth & Kids in memory of Thurston Letchworth

David Letchworth & Kids in honor of Dixie Letchworth

Diane Marx in honor of Elizabeth Marx

Diane Marx in memory of Thomas Marx

Diane Marx in honor of Bobby & Carol Holland

Erica Mayberrry in memory of Larry Allison

Rob Mayberry in honor Fran Gibbons and in memory of Terry Gibbons

In honor of Donald & Christine Parrish

JoAnne Rigsbee in honor of Brenda Britt

JoAnne Rigsbee in memory of Lula Belle Horne

Chris, Tracey, and Cooper Roddy in memory of Hannah Beth Roddy

Etta Rouse in memory of Jack Rouse

Brad, Angela, and Charlie Taylor

Jared Taylor in honor of Sue & Sherwood Shivar

Vernon and Shirley Sorrell in honor of grandchildren,

Monica, Autumn, Hunter and great grandson, Colton

Hilda Sutton in honor of Kathryn Hart

James, Jennifer, Allen, & Olivia Sutton

in memory of James Sutton and Evelyn Heath

Gale and Terry Yarborough in memory of Jennings Dawson

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The most popular flower of the Advent-Christmas season is the bright red poinsettia. Actually, the red petals are not blossoms; the blossoms are the small yellow clusters found at the center. Somehow the red and green leaves of the plant give to Christmas an added touch that would not be the same without them.

This beautiful flower speaks to us symbolically in several ways. First of all, the star-shaped formation of red leaves calls to mind the star, which shone at the first Christmas. In a less joyous sense, the color of the flower is blood red. This reminds us of the blood of the male infants killed by Romans soldiers as King Herod sought to eliminate any threat to his throne. We sometimes forget this part of the story, which made the trip of Mary, Joseph, and the Christ child to Egypt a necessity.

The color of the flower also symbolizes the fact that the Babe of Bethlehem’s manger became the Savior of the world, as He shed His blood upon the cross of Calvary.

Opportunities for Service and Growth

Sun. Dec. 4 Second Sunday in Advent

9:15am Partners in Prayer

9:45am Sunday School

11:00am Worship & Celebration / Symbols of Christmas

4:00pm Hobgood Christmas Reception

7:30pm Choir Rehearsal – Fellowship Hall

Choir and Speaking parts – Dress Rehearsal

Mon. Dec. 5 6:00pm Central Conference Laymen’s League

Black Jack Church / Pastor: Guest Speaker

7:00pm Wilson/Creech Circle

7:15pm Sunday Night Live Band Practice

Tue. Dec. 6 7:00pm Dinner Theater Rehearsal

Wed. Dec. 7 6:15pm Concert Band Practice

7:00pm Dinner Theater Rehearsal

Thu. Dec. 8 11:00am Primetimers

Sat. Dec. 10 9:00am Teen Christmas Shopping Trip

Sun. Dec. 11 Third Sunday in Advent

9:15am Partners in Prayer

9:45am Sunday School

11:00am Worship & Celebration

3:45pm Choir Rehearsal – Fellowship Hall

7:00pm Journey to Bethlehem / Dinner Theater

Mon. Dec. 12 7:00pm Journey to Bethlehem / Dinner Theater

Tue. Dec. 13 9:00am Quilting Fellowship

Wed. Dec. 14 6:15pm Concert Band Practice

7:00pm Kids Play Rehearsal – Fellowship Hall

Sat. Dec. 17 10:00am Kids Play Rehearsal – Fellowship Hall

Sun. Dec. 18 Fourth Sunday in Advent

8:00am Kids practice and Breakfast

9:15am Partners in Prayer

9:45am Sunday School

11:00am Worship & Celebration

Christmas Play

“Jesus Means Christmas To Me”

6:00pm NO Evening Services

Wed. Dec. 21 6:00pm Christmas Caroling

Sun. Dec. 25 Christmas Day!

10:00am Worship & Celebration

Wed. Dec. 28 NO Bible Study

Sat. Dec. 31 6:30pm NO CRIB (Grades 6 and up)

Announcements

Candidates for Baptism

Logan McKrae Sullivan and Stanley Michael Sullivan

Today we celebrate the sacred ordinance of Christian Baptism for Logan McKrae Sullivan and Stanley Michael Sullivan into the family of God. The scriptures teach that Christian Baptism is the immersion of believers in water, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, in which are represented the burial and resurrection of Christ, the death of Christians to the world, the washing of their souls from the pollution of sin, their rising to newness of life, their commitment to serve God, and their resurrection at the last day. Christian Baptism is an outward symbol of an inward grace. We believe that we are saved by faith alone in Christ and that the water has no saving grace in it, but it does speak of a person’s faith in Christ.

Hobgood Reception

Ronnie and Mitzi would like to invite all to a Christmas Reception on Sunday, December 4th from 4:00pm – 7:00pm. Please make your plans to attend.

Teen Christmas Shopping Trip

The Teen Christmas Shopping Trip will be Saturday, December 10th. We will leave the church at 9:00am. Questions, contact Josh.

Journey to Bethlehem / Dinner Theater

Our annual “Journey to Bethlehem/Dinner Theater” will be Sunday, December 11th and Monday, December 12th @ 7:00pm. Make your reservations by contacting Tiffany Creech @ 252-286-5311.

Christmas Play - “Jesus Means CHRISTMAS to Me”

The Kids of La Grange First Church will present a Christmas Play entitled: “Jesus Means CHRISTMAS to Me” on Sunday, December 18th @ 11:00am. Come and receive a blessing!

Christmas Caroling

On Wednesday, December 21, the church family will go Christmas Caroling. We hope everyone will come and join in as we worship and ministry to our shut-ins and sick through Christmas Caroling.

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Christmas Day Worship

The Christmas Day Worship service will be on December 25th @ 10:00am. We hope everyone will plan to attend as we celebrate the birth of our Savor, Jesus Christ!

In the Word for December 2016

The Gospel of Luke

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WE WISH YOU A HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

12- 3 Irene Wilson 12- 4 Jacob Maready

12- 8 Chris Roddy 12- 9 Mark Westbrook

12-13 Angie Herring 12-13 Carrie Letchworth

12-16 Bryce Harrison 12-18 Mitzi Hobgood

12-19 Dean Johnson 12-19 Brody Soles

12-20 Christine Parrish 12-20 Kim Johnson

12-21 William Sutton 12-24 Tracey Roddy

12-26 David Letchworth 12-27 Shannan Harrison

12-27 Vickie Singleton 12-29 Aiden Wade

12-31 Brandon Harrison

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Deacon of the Month: Jimmy D. Herring

Ushers for Worship

Head Usher – Royce Holmes

4- Allen Sutton, James Sutton, Ronald Johnson, Caleb Johnson

11- Bruce Bannister, Carter Daniels, Jamie Daughety, Clifton Hardison

18- Joseph Harrison, Ted Harrison, Travis Harrison, & Jerry Mills

25- Brent Herring, Greg Herring, Jimmy D. Herring, & Royce Holmes

Greeters for Worship

North Vestibule South Vestibule Gathering Hall

4- Ushers Tanya Craft Harold & Annie Ruth Herring

11- Ushers Edna Johnson Asa & Tiffany Creech

18- Ushers Fran Gibbons Wilbur & Linda Taylor

25- Ushers Irene Wilson Sherwood & Sue Shivar

Children’s Church (age 3 – 3rd grade)

4- Laura Eason & Christie Westbrook 11- David and Carrie Letchworth

Candlelighters

4- Luke Westbrook 11- Fawn Creech

18- Christmas Play 25- Dallas Mayberry

Infant Nursery (Birth – age 1) / Toddlers Nursery (Ages 1-2)

4- Tracy Sutton & Carol Hardison 11- Mike & Kendra Sullivan

18- Mary Gresham & Ruth Scott 25- Lucretia Creech & Laura Eason

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Attendance for November 27, 2016

Sunday School 100

Worship & Celebration 150

Prayer Ministry

PRAISE…

Praise the Lord for the great and mighty things He has done!

New Member: Logan Sullivan by profession of faith and baptism.

J. L. Wilson.

HOSPITAL

Gary Kornegay [Monday (WMH)] and Jarvis Tripp [Ronnie & Mitzi Hobgood (VMC)].

SICK…

Jeannie Bannister (Mother of Bruce Bannister), Bill Barwick (Brother of Virginia Holmes), Delores Bonham (Mother of Sheri Carlyle), Mike Bowen (Chuck Wackerman), Scott Braswell (Uncle of Sara Maxwell), Doris Britt (Pastor’s Mother), Blake Bryan (Brother of Michaela Bryan), Jeff Carruth (Father of Kim Wade), Jean Crace (Mother of Susie Harrison), Estelle Creech (Mother of Pat Creech), Laura Beth Daughety, Esther Flowers, Brenda Foss Garris [Brian Center (Bannister family)], London & Millicent Godley (Friends of Caitlyn Grady), Barbara Sue Gray, Charles Gray, Fran Gibbons, Donnie Harrison, Helen Harrison, Henry Heath (Father of Jennifer Sutton), Ronnie Henderson (Brother of Curtis Henderson), Pat Hinson, Holton & Mary Margaret Harrison, Phyllis Harrison, Mitzi Hobgood, Jennifer Holmes (Great Aunt of Caitlyn Grady), Virginia Holmes, Cameron Jackson (Grandson of Enzie Singleton), Jessica James (Friend of Caitlyn Grady), Carol Jones (David Letchworth), Clifford Jones (David Letchworth), Travis Kennedy (Nephew of Shirley Sorrell), Elosie Killette, Robie and Sybil Killette, Ronnie King (Sandra Rouse), Karen Kozel (Sandra Rouse & Gale Yarborough), Dixie Letchworth, Fay Letchworth, Cindy Lewis (Mary Gresham), Dot Lockamy (Sister to Ruth Scott), Jean Long (Friends of Guy & Janet Hines), Mike O’Hare (Brad & Angela Taylor), Asef Quader (Darlene Creech), Chuck Roman, Vernon Roman (Brother of Chuck Roman), Marjorie Shirley (Edna Johsnon), Robert Sorrell (Brother of Vernon Sorrell), George Strickland (Brother-in-law of Holmes/Johnson family), Jean Suber, Trish Tanner (Sister of Fran Gibbons), Carolyn Sutton (Friends of Guy & Janet Hines), Colby Tucker, Crystal Wackerman, and Aiden Wade.

HOMEBOUND…

Nan Fields, Martha Harrison, N. C. Holmes, Stan Rouse, Enzie Singleton, Lou Woodard (Eloise Killette).

CHURCH AND DENOMINATIONAL…

First Church, Pastor, Youth Pastor, Deacons, Sunday School Leaders/Teachers, College Students, Convention of Original FWB, Denominational Ministries, Ronnie V. Hobgood (Convention President), Josh Whitfield (Convention Vice-President), Rev. Donald Fader (Director of FWB Minister’s Program & Church Finance), Rev. Chris Singleton (Stop Hunger Now), the Lost, and all Christians.

SPECIAL CONCERNS…

Our military & their families: Daniel Rectenwald [Friend of Madison Hines (Iraq)], Josh & Holly Sutton Ballance, Josh Ormond [Service / Texas (Son of C. J. & Dee Foster)], Revival in the church.

CIVIC LEADERS…

US: President Obama, Vice-President Biden, Cabinet, Congress, and the Supreme Court

NC: Governor McCrory, NC Senators and NC Representatives.

La Grange/Lenoir County: Mayor Gurley, Town Commissioners, County Commissioners, County & Private Schools, and Lenoir Community College.

(As of December 2, 2016)

If you have an item of praise or a prayer request, please take a yellow card from the pew rack and fill it out, and place it in the offering plate or hand it to the Pastor. Individuals will stay on the prayer list for six weeks. If they need to be on the list longer, please fill out a new request card.

A B C s For The Better Life

Everybody wants to get as much out of life as possible. But most people aren't realizing their dreams. Jesus offers hope. He announced, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). To experience this for ourselves is, in one sense, as simple as ABC.

Admit that you are a sinner.

The Bible says, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Sin separates us from God, and ultimately that means eternal punishment in hell. To escape sin's penalty, we need Divine forgiveness. And it's ours through faith in the Lord Jesus.

Believe on Christ.

We must acknowledge that Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, and we must trust Him for our salvation. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31). Just as medicine is not a remedy until it is taken, so knowing the story of Jesus is not enough to save us. We must personally receive the Lord Jesus Christ.

Confess your Faith.

"If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9). To confess our faith is to tell others our belief in Christ. This should be a spontaneous outflow of the change in our heart.

Let Jesus give you a new life right now. Admit your sin. Believe that Jesus is your only hope of salvation. Confess the Lord Jesus. These are the ABCs for the better life.

Richard W. De Haan

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Christ-First • Bible-First • Ministry-First

Christ is First at La Grange First Church.

Everything we do grows out of our shared commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord.

Bible is First at La Grange First Church.

We believe the Bible was inspired by the Holy Spirit

and is God’s revealed word to man.

Ministry is First at La Grange First Church.

Our calling is to nurture and serve the people of God.

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