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Welcome to First Methodist Church! We are so glad you are here. Whatever your week has been like, whatever your life has been like, whatever you look like, and whether you believe what we believe or disagree with us, you are welcome in this place in the name of Jesus Christ.
Have a prayer request? Please text prayer requests to us at (806) 304-5905, or email prayer@firstmethodist.church.
Entrance Hymn: “Once in Royal David’s City”
(Congregation and Choir)
Verse 1: choir
Verse 2:
He came down to earth from heaven
Who is God and Lord of all,
And His shelter was a stable,
And His cradle was a stall;
With the poor and mean and low
Lived our Savior long ago.
Verse 3: choir
Verse 4:
Not in that poor lowly stable
With the oxen standing by
Shall we see Him, but in heaven,
Set at God’s right hand on high.
Then like stars his children, crowned,
All in white, His praise will sound!
First Lesson: To Us a Child is Born
Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
Carol: “Break Forth, O Beauteous, Heavenly Light”
(Choir)
Second Lesson: The Branch from Jesse
Isaiah 11:1-4, 6-9
Carol: “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”
(Choir)
Third Lesson: A Promised Ruler from Bethlehem
Micah 5:2-5a
Carol: “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
(Congregation and Choir)
Verse 1:
O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light.
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.
Verse 2: choir
Verse 3:
O holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray.
Cast out our sin, and enter in;
Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell.
O, come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Immanuel!
Fourth Lesson: The Birth of Jesus Foretold
Luke 1:26-35, 38
Carol: “O How Joyfully”
(Choir)
Fifth Lesson: The Birth of Jesus
Luke 2:1-7
Carol: “Away in a Manger”
(Choir)
Sixth Lesson: The Shepherds and the Angels
Luke 2:8-16
Carol: Ding Dong! Merrily on High
(Choir)
Seventh Lesson: The Visit of the Magi
Matthew 2:1-11
Carol: “As with Gladness Men of Old”
(Congregation and Choir)
Verse 1:
As with gladness men of old
Did the guiding star behold;
As with joy they hailed its light,
Leading onward, beaming bright;
So most gracious Lord, may we
Evermore be led by thee.
Verse 2: choir
Verse 3:
In the heav’nly country bright
Need they no created light;
Thou its light, its joy, its crown,
Thou its sun which goes not down;
There forever may we sing
Alleluias to our King.
Eighth Lesson: The Escape to Egypt
Matthew 2:13-18
Carol: “The Coventry Carol”
(Choir)
Ninth Lesson: The Word Became Flesh
John 1:1-14
Closing Hymn: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
(Congregation and Choir)
Verse 1:
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King;
Pease on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled.”
Joyful, all you nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With angelic hosts proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Verse 2: choir
Verse 3:
Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Ris’n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the son of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
If this is your first time here, we have a gift for you! Visit the welcome table in the foyer, and a member of our Guest Connections Team (they’ll be wearing a white name tag) will happily assist you.
Our nursery is available for infants to pre-k students. We believe in family worship, so your kids are welcome to stay in the worship service with you. We have a time for children during worship where kids are invited to come forward to hear from our children’s ministry team. If your children are joining you in worship, we offer “wiggle bags” filled with activities for your children to do during worship. Wiggle bags may be found in the back of the sanctuary.
Church members are invited to attend this meeting to approve pastor salaries, budgets, and an ordination candidate.
All women are invited to a time of food, fellowship, and fun next Saturday morning at 10:00 in Fellowship Hall!
Wait, What? is a comedic musical featuring traditional Christmas songs, a journey through Israel’s history of rulers, and the Magi who visit the toddler Jesus. Wait, What? will be presented in Fellowship Hall next Sunday at 8:30 and 10:50 in place of our regular worship services. Can’t make it in the morning? There will also be a showing at 5:30 that evening.
The Methodist Women are selling poinsettias through December 15. The poinsettias are $20 apiece, and ordering envelopes are available in the pew-back pockets and at the welcome areas.
Feeling lonely, navigating grief, or simply experiencing a rough season? We invite you to our Blue Christmas service, a solemn time of worship and reflection for those who are hurting.
Experience the wonder and joy of the birth of Christ! We will hold two traditional Christmas Eve services at 4:00 and 6:00 in the sanctuary, as well as a modern service at 4:00 in Fellowship Hall.
Final donations for this year must be postmarked no later than Wednesday, December 31, 2025. If you prefer to hand-deliver your donation, the church office will close at noon on December 31.
Our Wednesday night meals and GrowGroups will resume on January 14. If you are interested in leading a GrowGroup in the spring, please email Pastor Matt.
If you would like to purchase flowers to be displayed in the sanctuary in honor of a group or individual or in memory of a loved one, please contact the church office at (806) 655-2851.
