ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH OF PRAIRIE HILL DECEMBER 25, 2015 AT 9:00AM

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1 ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH OF PRAIRIE HILL DECEMBER 25, 2015 AT 9:00AM 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). 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 *RESPONSIVE PRAYER *CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION FOR CHRISTMAS DAY *HYMN OF PRAISE The Bells of Christmas (v 1, 2, 4) #298 *PRAYER OF THE DAY Christmas Day December 25, 2015 A Place to Call Home PROCLAIMING THE WORD FIRST READING ISAIAH 62:6-12 Pew Bible p. 652 (OT) RESPONSIVE READING PSALM 97 1The LORD reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of the isles be glad. 2Clouds and darkness surround the LORD, righteousness and justice are the foundations of God s throne. 3Fire goes before the LORD, burning up enemies on every side. 4Lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles. 5The mountains melt like wax before the Lord of all the earth. 6The heavens declare your righteousness, O LORD, and all the peoples see your glory. 7Confounded be all who worship carved images and delight in false gods! Bow down before the LORD, all you gods. 8Zion hears and is glad, and the cities of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O LORD. 3

4 9For you are the LORD, most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. 10You who love the LORD, hate evil! God guards the lives of the saints and rescues them from the hand of the wicked. 11Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the honest of heart. 12Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous, and give thanks to God s holy name. READING TITUS 3:4-7 Pew Bible, p. 190(NT) *ALLELUIA *GOSPEL LUKE 2:[1-7] 8-20 Pew Bible, p. 50(NT) SERMON Pastor Kyle Merkle HYMN OF THE DAY O Little Town of Bethlehem #279 *APOSTLES CREED P. 105 *PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Each petition of the prayers ends with the following response: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. *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 Infant Holy, Infant Lowly #276 *POST COMMUNION BLESSING & PRAYER BEING SENT TO PROCLAIM *BENEDICTION *SENDING HYMN Hark! The Herald Angels Sing #270 *DISMISSAL 5

6 Calendar 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 Linda Schulze Council Members Connie Rohde & Steve Skrla Altar Preparations Delores Gaskamp, Diana Williams Layreader Kallie Finke Acolyte Clay Boeker Screen Kallie Finke/Janice Fairlie 7

8 News & Announcements 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