ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH OF PRAIRIE HILL DECEMBER 24, 2015 AT 7:00PM

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1 ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH OF PRAIRIE HILL DECEMBER 24, 2015 AT 7:00PM Our mission is to be a family of faith Gathering around Word and Sacrament, Forming disciples, and Proclaiming the Gospel to the world. phone:

2 WELCOME TO THIS CELEBRATION: If you are visiting with us for the first time this sacred night, consider yourself home. Pastor Kyle and the members of St. John Lutheran Church Prairie Hill welcome you. On this most holy night and every Sunday we invite you to the table where there is always room for you. May your Christmas be blessed as you welcome the Christ Child into your heart and into your life. God s deep peace be with you. If you feel comfortable please take a moment and fill out a worship attendance card (located in the pew rack in front of you) and sign our guestbook at the entrance to the sanctuary. A cry room and a bathroom are located near the entrance to the church (the back of the sanctuary). TOMORROW, December 25 we will gather to celebrate the Christmas Day at 9:00 AM with an informal service of Holy Communion and singing of our favorite Christmas carols. We wish you and your family a blessed Christmas. May your celebrations be occasions of happiness and wonder. May your travels be safe. And may the miracle of this holy season fill your hearts with peace and joy. Merry Christmas, St. John Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill 2

3 *GREETING GATHERING AROUND THE WORD *GATHERING HYMN O Come All Ye Faithful #283 *LITANY FOR CHRISTMAS EVE *PRAYER OF CONFESSION *HYMN OF PRAISE Angels We Have Heard on High #289 *PRAYER OF THE DAY Christmas Eve December 24, 2015 A Place to Call Home PROCLAIMING THE WORD FIRST READING ISAIAH 9:2-7 Pew Bible p. 598 (OT) RESPONSIVE READING PSALM 96 1Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. 2Sing to the LORD, bless the name of the LORD; proclaim God s salvation from day to day. 3Declare God s glory among the nations and God s wonders among all peoples. 4For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised, more to be feared than all gods. 5As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols; but you, O LORD, have made the heavens. 6Majesty and magnificence are in your presence; power and splendor are in your sanctuary. 7Ascribe to the LORD, you families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD honor and power. 8Ascribe to the LORD the honor due the holy name; bring offerings and enter the courts of the LORD. 9Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness; tremble before the LORD, all the earth. 10Tell it out among the nations: The LORD is king! The one who made the world so firm that it cannot be moved will judge the peoples with equity. 3

4 11Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea thunder and all that is in it; let the field be joyful and all that is therein. 12Then shall all the trees of the wood shout for joy at your coming, O LORD, for you come to judge the earth. 13You will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with your truth. READING TITUS 2:11-14 Pew Bible, p. 190(NT) *ALLELUIA *GOSPEL LUKE 2:1-14[15-20] Pew Bible, p. 50(NT) SERMON Pastor Kyle Merkle HYMN OF THE DAY Away in the Manger #277 *APOSTLES CREED P. 105 *PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Each petition of the prayers ends with the following response: Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. *THE PEACE SHARING OUR GIFTS We take up an offering, acknowledging that all that we have is a gift from God. The offering supports the ministries of St. John here at Prairie Hill and around the world. We ask that you also fill out a worship attendance card and place it in the offering plate so that we can stay in touch with you You may use the back of the card to share any prayer concerns with the pastor. OFFERING HYMN Give Thanks (screen) *OFFERTORY Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow #885 *OFFERTORY PRAYER 4

5 THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION is distributed by bread and wine in individual glasses. Glasses of white grape juice are also available for those unable to consume wine. All baptized Christians are invited to join us at the table for the Sacrament of Holy Communion, in which we confess that we receive the Body and Blood of our Lord in, with, and under the elements of bread and wine. RECEIVING GOD S SACRAMENT *DIALOGUE p. 152 * SANCTUS #473 *WORDS OF INSTITUTION *THE LORDS PRAYER P. 154 LAMB OF GOD P.154 COMMUNION HYMN It Came Upon a Midnight Clear #282 Love Has Come #292 *POST COMMUNION BLESSING & PRAYER BEING SENT TO PROCLAIM & CANDLE LIGHTING *BENEDICTION As the light is passed from one candle to another, please tilt the unlit candle and leave lit candles upright. Please do not tilt lit candles. *SENDING HYMN Silent Night, Holy Night #281 *DISMISSAL 5

6 Calendar FRIDAY, DEC CHRISTMAS DAY 9:00AM Holy Communion SUNDAY, DEC ONE WORSHIP SERVICE 9:00 AM Holy Communion No Sunday School MONDAY-TUESDAY... 8:00AM-4:00PM WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY... Office Closed SUNDAY, JAN :00AM Holy Communion No Sunday School 10:05AM Holy Communion Pastor Kyle Merkle Office phone: Cell phone:

7 Our Church Family: Prayers Mavis Smith Linda Bryan Janice Cordova Sydney Wagner Kervin Finke Clarence Moehlmann Shirley Moehlmann Lora Quebe Elwood Oevermann Fay Kokemor Ella Ruemke Pearlie Becker Anna Finke Willie Rosenbaum Shirley Finke Howard & Harriet Grebe Peggy & Milton Bosse Harry Wehring Clarence Witt Henry Sefcik Kathy Nordt Esther Mae Klatte In addition, please remember the leaders of our congregation in your prayers as we head toward the new year: Church Council Members Pastor Kyle Merkle Worship Assistants Pastor The Rev. Kyle Merkle Accompanist Mary Longhofer Council Members Connie Rohde & Steve Skrla Altar Preparations Delores Gaskamp, Diana Williams Layreader Jean Seeker Acolyte Haylie Tosta Screen Kallie Finke/Janice Fairlie 7

8 News & Announcements Christmas Day Worship tomorrow at 9:00am. Flower Chart The 2016 Flower Chart is in the Annex to sign up for altar flowers for next year! Annual Reports Please have annual reports in the church office on Jan. 4, Offering Envelopes Next year s offering envelopes may be picked up in the back of the church. Reminder: One Service!! Next Sunday, December 27, we will have one service at 9:00am. Join us as we sing our favorite Christmas carols and continue to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus! Also, there will be no Sunday School on December 27 th. End of the Year Giving As the calendar year draws to a close, please consider a special gift to support the mission of St. John Lutheran Church. Your gifts help us to reach more people with the Gospel, and to share the faith with the next generation. Financial gifts need to be received at the church by December 28 th to be reported on your giving statement from the church for