11:00 AM TRADITIONAL WORSHIP SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2025
We welcome those of you visiting with us today and pray that you connect with the Holy Spirit during your time here.
We invite everyone to fill out the Friendship Pad as it is passed down your pew, or complete the online version by scanning the QR code found on the Friendship Pad and to the left.
SUNDAY CHILDCARE & NURSING ROOMS: Childcare for children ages 8 weeks - 5 years is available each Sunday Morning from 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM. Nursing areas are available in Room 118 and across from Westminster Hall in the parlor area of the women's restroom.
SUNDAY MORNING SCHEDULE
8:30 AM Adult Class
300 - The Bereans (formerly Genesis 2 Reboot)
9:30 AM Traditional Worship in Sanctuary Modern Worship in Westminster Hall
Adult Classes | 2nd & 3rd Floor Classrooms fpcsanantonio.org/christian-education
207 - Arthur Gray Jones (St. Andrews Room)
224 - Connections
302 - Ambassadors Class for Parents of Young Children
310 - Family Journey Class: Families with Students 6th Grade+
315 - Bridges presents "The Chosen" (Covenant Hall)
6th-12th Grade & Confirmation Classes | Student Center fpcsanantonio.org/students
2yrs-5th Grade Children's Classes | 1st Floor fpcsanantonio.org/children
11:00 AM Traditional Worship in Sanctuary Modern Worship in Westminster Hall
SANCTUARY FLOWERS: The flowers in the Sanctuary are given by the congregation to the glory of God and in memory and honor of loved ones.
FPC3 - COFFEE, COOKIES, & CONNECTION: Visit the McCullough Room from 9:15 AM - 12:00 PM for FPC3. 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM is a dedicated halfhour between Services & Classes for connecting with the Church community. Sign up at http://bit. ly/fpc-cookie-bakers to bake or bring cookies to share.
PRAYER
AND CARE
Please take a moment today to add your prayers, silently and individually, for our church and its missions, ministries, leadership, staff, and community.
A TIME FOR PRAYER: A Deacon will be available after the service today for those seeking prayer. Visit Griffith Chapel in the foyer outside the Sanctuary.
CARE & CONCERN: Join the congregational care email list by filling out the form at http://bit.ly/ careandconcern or calling 210226-0215. Care & Concern phone line: 210-222-CARE (2273).
Let our Mental Health Team walk with you toward hope and healing: contact mentalhealth@ fpcsat.org or 210-271-2708. In crisis, call or text 988.
THE ORDER OF WORSHIP
ASSISTING IN WORSHIP | Elder Sallie Guy and Rev. Scott Simpson
Please silence all electronic devices and do not take flash photos during the service. As the prelude begins, we invite you into a period of quiet reflection as we prepare for worship. Please stand at these times if you are able to do so.
PREPARATION
PRELUDE | Noel Ecossais (Scotch Carol), Op. 60 Alexander Guilmant
CHIMING OF THE HOUR
WELCOME AND GREETINGS
ADVENT WREATH LITURGY
John & Lynn Durbin
Leader: During Advent, God’s light illuminates a weary world. For any who have grown weary of waiting:
People: God speaks, “Peace, be still.”
Leader: For any who are anxious about the worries of tomorrow: People: God speaks, “Peace, be still.”
Leader: For any whose lips have been silenced: People: God speaks, “Peace, be still.”
PRAYER OF ADORATION
CONGREGATIONAL WORSHIP | Hymn #229 The First Noel (Please Sing Verses 1-3 only) & Hymn #236 As with Gladness (Verses 1 & 2)
CALL TO CONFESSION
CONFESSING OUR SIN
Merciful Savior, in our rush to Christmas joy, we confess that, like our culture, we would prefer to skip Advent's invitation to stillness, reflection and preparation. Shiny wrappings and ornaments are more festive than looking at the ways we fall short of the call to be your people. Holiday parties and shopping conveniently blind us to the poverty of those who will celebrate your birth with neither tree nor gifts. Our busyness numbs us to the despair felt by many during this time of year. Thank you for the story of Christmas, that pierces our self-absorbed revelry with the truth we need to face: we are lost, we are broken, we need you. Come, Lord Jesus. Come into our hearts with mercies new this morning, grace sufficient for this day, forgiveness that cleanses us from our guilt and sin. We pray in His name and by the power of the Holy Spirit.
SILENT CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Leader: Friends, believe the good news!
People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
AFFIRMATION AND DEDICATION
DECLARING OUR FAITH | The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
Sawyer Alcott, Emma Alexis, and Carter Allen Jackson, children of Melissa and Steve Jackson, receive the sacrament of baptism.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND 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 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.
PRESENTING OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS
(While the offering is received, please sign the friendship pad found on the end of the pews and pass it down the row, returning it to its original place. Please take time after the worship service to greet those seated near you.)
OFFERTORY | And the Glory of the Lord from Messiah G. F. Handel
DOXOLOGY | Old Hundredth
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host: Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
SCRIPTURE READING | Luke 2:1-7
PROCLAMATION
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
SERMON | An Extraordinary Story Rev. Dr. Bob Fuller
CONGREGATIONAL WORSHIP | Hymn #191 It Came Upon the Midnight Clear & #203 Away in a Manger (Please Sing Verse 1 only)
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BENEDICTION AND CHARGE
BENEDICTION
CHORAL RESPONSE | Lift Up Your Eyes Joel Raney
POSTLUDE | Go Tell It on the Mountain in the style of Widor’s Toccata from Symphony No.5 Dr. Jae Ha, arr.
Onelicense Streaming/Podcast License #A-729727; CCS
WORSHIPCast Streaming License #10603; CCLI License #360983; CCLI Streaming License #20343418. All Rights Reserved.
Worship & Rejoice Hymnal. Hope Publishing Company, 2001.
Handel, George Frideric. And the Glory of the Lord Messiah, Novello & Company, 1992.
Malotte, Albert Hay. The Lord’s Prayer. 1935. G. Schirmer, renewed 1963.
Raney, Joel, and Rich Davis. Lift Up Your Eyes. Hope Publishing Company, 2009, 2015.
Other content is public domain. All Rights Reserved.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
SCAN FOR ALL OUR IMPORTANT SUNDAY LINKS AT LINKTR.EE/FPCSANANTONIO
GENERAL CONGREGATION
ROAD CLOSURES FOR SA MARATHON:
Today. Avoid downtown streets including lower Broadway, during the SA Marathon races; use Highway 281 and view the map at sanantoniomarathon.com/courses
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING NEXT
SUNDAY: Dec 14, All Worship Services. A congregational meeting will be held at the end of all worship services to approve proposed Officer Nomination Committee members.
PRAYER MINISTRY DEVOTIONALS SALE: Dec. 7, and Dec. 14, Mauzé Lobby. Prayer Ministry will be offering "The Songs of Jesus: A Year of Daily Devotions in the Psalms" by Timothy Keller as the 2026 devotional reading resource. Books are available for $10 each on the dates listed.
MIDDAY NOELS – “A GIFT TO THE CITY” CONCERT SERIES: Thursdays, Dec 11 & 18, 12:00–12:45 PM, FPC Sanctuary. Three free midday concerts celebrating the beauty of Advent in downtown San Antonio. All concerts will be livestreamed at fpcsanantonio.org/live, with full details and videos at http://bit.ly/midday-noels.
• Dec 11: Jazz Jingles with the Dirty River Jazz Band
• Dec 18: Shimmering Brass with the Castle Brass Quintet
Hot lunch ($15) or Grab & Go ($5) available after each concert. Contact Tom Dooling, tomd@fpcsat.org.
WOC CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS: Women of the Church are offering beautiful Christmas ornaments featuring the windows from the Griffith Chapel for $15. Ornaments will be available for purchase at their table in Mauzé Lobby on Sundays throughout December.
