December 28 - 9 AM Connect Service

9 a.m. Connect Worship Service 

December 28, 2025 – First Sunday of Christmas 

Rev. Robert Galloway 

Gathering and Welcome - Kevin Clark

1st Gathering Song: “Come, Now Is the Time to Worship” - FPC Praise Band          

2nd Gathering Song: “The First Nowell” - FPC Praise Band 

Welcome - Rev. Robert Galloway

Call to Worship - Robert Galloway 

God speaks in the night, guiding those who listen beyond fear. 

We come trusting the God who leads us by grace, not certainty. 

God protects the vulnerable and confounds the powers of violence. 

We worship the One whose mercy is stronger than any threat. 

God calls us to follow Christ, even when the road turns unexpectedly. 

We place our lives in the hands of the faithful God. Come, let us worship God. 

Call to Confession - Geoff Proud

Prayer of Confession (unison) - Geoff Proud 

Holy and faithful God, you call us to trust your guidance, yet we cling to what feels familiar and safe. You invite us to follow your way, yet we choose comfort over courage and silence over faithfulness. We confess our complicity in harm, our indifference to suffering, and our reluctance to protect the vulnerable. Forgive us, renew us, and redirect our lives by your mercy, that we may live as people shaped by Christ’s love and truth.

Assurance of Pardon - Geoff Proud 

…Friends, believe the Good News: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! 

Passing the Peace - Geoff Proud 

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

Response: “Go Tell It on the Mountain" - FPC Praise Band

Friendship Pad Announcement - Robert Galloway

Time for Young Disciples - Robert Galloway

Prayer for Illumination - Bill Wanless

First Scripture Reading: Isaiah 63:7-9 - Bill Wanless 

Sermon Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23 - Robert Galloway 

…The word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. 

Sermon: “Get Up” - Robert Galloway

Worship Song: “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” - FPC Praise Band 

Affirmation of Faith: adapted from the Scot's Confession (unison) - Bill Wanless 

When the fullness of time came, God sent his Son, his eternal wisdom, the substance of his own glory, into this world, who took the nature of humanity from the substance of a woman, a virgin, by means of the Holy Ghost. And so was born the “just seed of David,” the “Angel of the great counsel of God,” the very Messiah promised, whom we confess and acknowledge to be Emmanuel, true God and true man, two perfect natures united and joined in one person. We acknowledge and confess that this wonderful union between the Godhead and the humanity in Christ Jesus did arise from the eternal and immutable decree of God from which all our salvation springs and depends. 

Invitation to Offering - Bill Wanless 

…Please join me in a unison Prayer of Dedication:    

Gracious God, we offer these gifts as signs of trust in your abiding care. Receive them, and receive us, for the work of your kingdom. Use what is given to shelter the vulnerable and strengthen the weary. Shape our generosity beyond obligation, into joy and faithfulness. Through these offerings, bear witness to your mercy made known in Christ. 

Offertory Song: “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (We Three Kings)” - FPC Praise Band

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer - Robert Galloway

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. 

Announcements (for complete list, please see below) - Robert Galloway

Final Worship Song: “Angels We Have Heard on High” - FPC Praise Band

Benediction - Robert Galloway                         

Praise Band tag 

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Announcements:

Today, December 28

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

Monday, December 29

  • Lectio/Visio Divina, 10 a.m., via Zoom

Wednesday, December 31

  • No Praise Band rehearsal

Thursday, January 1, 2026 - Happy New Year!

  • Church Office closed

Friday, January 2

  • Church Office closed

Sunday, January 4

  • 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-2nd grade), 10 a.m., S-100

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

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

Upcoming Events:

  • Monday, January 5, 4 p.m., Room N-123, Faith & Fiction

  • Tuesday, January 6, 9 a.m., Youth Center New Ladies’ Bible study begins: Angels: Finding Hope in God Who Reigns Over Heaven and Earth by Melissa Spoelstra

  • Wednesday, January 14, 6 p.m., our first Fellowship Dinner of the new year! FPC will be providing the food (menu TBD). Mark your calendar and watch for details in First News!

Amy McCutcheon