January 5 - 9 AM Connect Service

9 a.m. Connect Worship Service - January 5, 2025 

Second Sunday of Christmas/Communion Sunday 

Guest Pastor: Rev. Bill Wildhack 

Gathering - Kevin Clark

1st Gathering Song: “God of Wonders” - FPC Praise Band

2nd Gathering Song: “Who You Say I Am” - FPC Praise Band   

Welcome - Kevin Clark

Call to Worship - Lynne Mormino 

Arise, shine; for your light has come! (Isa. 60:1) 

The glory of God has risen upon us.  

Tell the good news throughout the earth: (Eph. 3:7-8) 

The saving grace of Jesus Christ is for all.  

Come and adore the Savior of the nations. (Matt. 2:11) 

We offer the gifts of our lives to the Lord. 

Lighting the Peace Candle and Passing the Peace - Lynne Mormino 

…The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.

Response: “We Believe” - FPC Praise Band  

Friendship Pads - Kevin Clark

Moment for All Ages - Rev. Bill Wildhack

Worship Song: “Grace Greater” - FPC Praise Band                                                                              

Presentation of our Gifts – Invitation and Prayer  - Lynne Mormino 

…Please join me in our unison prayer:  

Gracious and holy God, accept what we offer today:  our checks and cash, our faltering steps, our brokenness, our leftovers, our hope, our risking, our lives. Bless and transform all that we offer and all that we hold back, that new life may be ours, to celebrate and share in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Offertory Song: “Offering” - FPC Praise Band 

Prayer for Illumination - Leonza Hudson

First Scripture Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6 - Leonza Hudson 

Sermon Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12 - Rev. Bill Wildhack 

Sermon: “Unexpected Gifts” - Rev. Bill Wildhack 

Lord’s Supper - Rev. Bill Wildhack 

Invitation 

The Great Thanksgiving  

The Lord be with you. And also with you. 

Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. 

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. 

Prayer of Consecration and Words of Institution 

The Bread and the Cup 

Prayer of Thanksgiving (unison):  

Loving and gracious God, from east and west, from north and south, you have gathered us at your table, called us your beloved, and fed us from your body. Transform us to be your body in the world, and fortify us by your Spirit, so that we may serve you and our neighbors with great joy. Amen. 

Announcements (for complete list, please see below) - Leonza Hudson

Final Worship Song: “Friend of God” - FPC Praise Band 

Benediction - Rev. Bill Wildhack                                    

Praise Band tag 

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Announcements:

Today, January 5

  • A Stephen Minister is available at the close of this service

Monday, January 6

  • Faith & Fiction, 4 p.m., Room N-123

Wednesday, January 8

  • Praise Band Rehearsal, 7 p.m., Youth Center

Friday, January 10

  • Men's Bible Study, 8 a.m., Room N-123

  • Men's Lunch Bible Study, 12 p.m., via Zoom

Sunday, January 12

  • Childcare available 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Pickups, Room S-203

  • Connect Service, 9 a.m., Youth Center

  • Power Hour class, 10 a.m., Church Office Conference Room

  • Children’s Sunday School, (Pre-K-5th), 10 a.m., Room S-202

  • Faith Journey class, 9:45 a.m., Chapel

  • “Next” Adult class, 10 a.m., Room N-123

  • Men’s Meal Ministry, 1:30 p.m., Fellowship Hall kitchen

Upcoming Events:

  • Monday, January 13, we welcome Rev. Robert Galloway for his first day at FPC!

  • Tuesday, January 14, 9 a.m., Ladies’ Bible study begins (“Ruth: Loss, Love & Legacy”)

  • Monday, January 20, Church Office will be closed for MLK Jr. Day

Amy McCutcheon