Good News of Great Joy!

Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  —Luke 2:10

We tend to think that we need special experiences or circumstances to hear from God. If we’d start a new devotional practice, or make time for a spiritual retreat, or make another pass at reading through the Bible, then maybe we’d get a sense of God-with-us. Maybe then God would speak to us.

It’s curious then that the shepherds, as far as Luke tells it, weren’t doing anything other than keeping watch over their flock. They were working the night shift. Same routine as always. The good news came to them in the ordinary rhythms of life. One wonders if the same could be true for us.

The angel makes a remarkable claim: This good news of God’s rescue operation is for “all the people.”  And to prove the point, this good news is first delivered not to high priests and high kings, but to lowly shepherds, which is putting it politely. The good news of great joy is, believe it or not, for ordinary shepherds. One wonders if it could be for us as well.

Christ’s coming is good news for you. It is good news for everyone. This is news that casts out fear, restores hope, and fills us with overflowing joy.
So come, make the journey to Bethlehem, behold Christ the newborn king, the joy of heaven come down for us and our salvation.

Warmly in Christ,
Dr. Ryan Moore
Pastor & Head of Staff

Sunday Morning Worship

December 1, 8, & 22 | 8:30 (livestreamed) and 11:00 a.m. | Sanctuary 
The 8:30 a.m. service will be livestreamed each week on our website. Nursery care will be available from 8:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m., and Young Children & Worship will be offered at both services. Sunday School for PreK–6th grade will be held. Adults should check with their Sunday School leader for their schedule. 

Christmas Music Sunday (3rd Sunday of Advent)

December 15 | 8:00, 9:30 (livestreamed), & 11:00 a.m. | Sanctuary  
Worship will feature brass, strings, and percussion, beloved carols of the season, and festive choral music. Because there are three worship services that morning, there will be no education hour programming. Coffee and donuts will be available in Courtenay Hall. Nursery care will be available from 7:45 a.m.– 12:15 p.m. and Young Children & Worship will be offered at all service times.  

Advent Vespers & Communion

Wednesdays, December 4, 11, & 18 | 6:00 p.m. | Stanford Chapel 
Join us on Wednesday evenings for worship, hymns, and communion as we watch and wait for the Incarnation. These services will prepare our hearts and minds to celebrate Christ's birth. 

Service of Hope

December 15 | 12:15 p.m. | Stanford Chapel  
If you or a loved one is going through a challenging time, join us for prayer, Scripture, Communion, and lighting candles of hope. Hosted by our Stephen Ministry. All are welcome to come and find comfort. 

Christmas Eve | Tuesday, December 24

Christmas Eve Communion
3:00 p.m. | Sanctuary 
This quiet, traditional service will include the lighting of the Advent wreath and a celebration of the Lord’s Supper. 

Journey To Bethlehem Pageant
5:00 p.m. (livestreamed) | Sanctuary 
A lively pageant led by our children and youth. Through their voices, actions, and hearts, they invite us to experience the wonder and awe of the Christmas story in a fresh way. As they guide us through the journey to the manger, they remind us that worship comes from a place of childlike faith, inviting us to encounter Christ anew and join them in celebrating the true meaning of Christmas. Seating is limited; doors open after prior service concludes at 4:15 p.m. Please consider blessing our friends at Room In The Inn with a donation of M, L, or XL weatherproof gloves, hand warmers, or warm hat. Bring them to worship for a special offering during the children’s time! 

Lessons and Carols
8:00 (livestreamed) and 10:00 p.m. | Sanctuary  
This beloved service, first celebrated in the English cathedral town of Truro in 1880, features Scripture readings that recount salvation history, with hymns and choral anthems sung in response. Communion will be celebrated at the 10:00 p.m. service. The service culminates in the candlelit singing of “Silent Night.” 

Christmastide 

Christmas Day Worship
Wednesday, December 25 | 11:00 a.m. | Stanford Chapel 
Happy Birthday, Jesus! Spend an hour worshiping the newborn King with your church family at this informal, relaxed service. We will enjoy some birthday cake and children are welcome to come in pajamas. 

First Sunday of Christmas
December 29 | 11:00 a.m. (livestreamed) | Sanctuary 
On Sunday, December 29, there will be only one worship service, at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary. Nursery care will be available, beginning at 10:45 a.m. Young Children & Worship will not be provided. 

Advent Wreath Workshop

Sunday, November 24 | 5:00 p.m. | Courtenay Hall | Cost: $25 per family
Join us as we prepare for Advent with dinner, singing, and crafting live Advent wreaths. Families will create their own wreaths and learn how to observe the Advent season at home. Friendly for children of all ages: tiniest tots and too-cool teens included! The $25 cost offsets the cost of wreath supplies. Hosted by the Children's Ministry and Worship Flower Committee, registration is requested to ensure enough supplies are available. Please visit fpcnashville.org/wreathworkshop. 

Ceilidh and Christmas Tree Lighting

Sunday, December 1 | 4:30 p.m. | Enrichment Center  
Join us for a festive Ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee) and experience the warmth of a traditional Scottish and Irish gathering filled with music, singing, and dancing. We'll kick off the festivities in the Enrichment Center with delicious Christmas Market food, mulled cider, Celtic tunes, and Highland dancing. Afterward, led by the Nashville Pipes & Drums, we'll follow a charming bagpipe procession to the front of the Sanctuary for caroling and our beloved annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Gather by the fire-pits with family and friends for hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows. To help Kim plan for food, we invite you to register in advance, but registration isn’t necessary. Invite your friends to come celebrate the beginning of the holiday season together! Cheerful, colorful tartan plaids are encouraged. 

Explore all upcoming events below.

My Soul Magnifies the Lord: Advent Devotional  

A collection of devotionals written by members of First Presbyterian Church based on Scripture readings from the two-year daily lectionary of the Presbyterian Book of Common Worship. Copies will be available on Sunday, November 24. 

Centennial Christmas Waffle Shop at Downtown Presbyterian 

December 5 | 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. | $15 in advance; $20 at the door 
Enjoy waffles, a guided tour of the historic Egyptian Revival sanctuary, a silent auction, holiday gift shop and organ recital. All proceeds from this fundraiser will go directly to the Fish and Loaves ministry at The Downtown Presbyterian Church. Free parking is available at Nissan Stadium and Old Town Trolley will provide free shuttle service to and from the church. Tickets can be purchased online or at FPC's Hospitality Desk.

Christmas Toy Drive  

Collecting gifts November 10–December 8 
This Advent, FPC will be holding a Christmas gift drive for children in need, infants through age 12. Collection boxes will be in the Narthex and in the Hospitality Center. Toys should be new and unwrapped. Please avoid giving toys in the shape of a gun or water gun. Gifts should be dropped off no later than Sunday, December 8.  

Room In The Inn  

Wednesdays through March  

Every year from November through March, First Presbyterian Church provides shelter for men experiencing homelessness through Room In The Inn. There are a number of volunteer opportunities available this year: overnight hosts, van drivers, breakfast donors, lunch donors, and laundry volunteers. Room In The Inn takes its name from the Christmas story in Luke 2, a reminder that Jesus was laid in a manger because there was no room for him in the inn. Participating in this ministry is a beautiful way to serve Christ by serving the least of his brethren (Matthew 25:40). In addition to food and shelter, they regularly need clothing.  

This Advent, we are collecting these items:  

• New only: handwarmers, undershirts, boxer shorts, and socks; size medium through 2XL.  
• Used or new items: light and medium-weight jackets, stocking caps, weatherproof gloves, jeans, and work pants. No slacks or dress shirts please.  

Please consider blessing our friends at Room In The Inn with donations of these needed items.

Christmas Greenery Dedication 

Dedications close December 15 

FPC’s Flower Ministry prepares the greenery that beautifies our Sanctuary during the Advent season. A greenery fund has been established to provide for these decorations. During Advent, those who make a contribution to the flower fund may do so in memory or in honor of loved ones. These dedications will be printed in the December 22 bulletin. To contribute and make a dedication, fill out a paper form (available in the narthex or hospitality center) or complete one online below. Last day to submit an Advent dedication is December 15.