Cop. Sample. For Review Purposes Only LEADER S GUIDE

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1 LEADER S GUIDE A CHILDREN S CHRISTMAS SERVICES by Beth Nolte and Lisa Reckzin Contents right Notice and Information... 2 General Service Notes... 3 Banner Design... 6 Service Master... 7 Song Accompaniments S Cop Reckzopy Now Sing We, Now Rejoice Your Little Ones, Dear Lord, Are We Sing Glory, Glory! (Theme song) Away in a Manger (Traditional melody) From Heaven Above to Earth I Come Angels We Have Heard on High Silent Night! Holy Night... 20

2 COPYRIGHT NOTICE AND INFORMATION Please Read! The copyright to the service We Sing of His Glory is held by Northwestern Publishing House Northwestern Publishing House, Milwaukee, WI. All rights reserved. Purchase of this kit gives the user permission to adapt and copy this material for use with one or more groups within a single congregation or organization. (Dual parishes may purchase one copy for use in both.) Permission to adapt and copy is not transferable to another congregation or organization. Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. right 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Hymnal references marked CW are to Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. References marked CWS are to Christian Worship: Supplement 2008 Northwestern Publishing House. Text for the theme song, Sing Glory, Glory! is from Sing Glory, Glory! Jesus Is Born! by Gail Pawlitz 2007 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Musical settings in this kit may be duplicated for preparations and performances of this Christmas service, unless otherwise indicated. a C y Northwestern Publishing House 1250 N. 113th St., Milwaukee, WI Northwestern Publishing House All rights reserved Published 2011 Printed in the United States of America ISBN

3 This kit contains the following items: A CHILDREN S CHRISTMAS SERVICE 1. Leader s Guide: includes the copy master of the service, notes on its use, a design for a service banner, and song accompaniments 2. CD: includes vocal and accompaniment tracks, text t and graphic files of the service, PDF of Leader s Guide and bulletin cover, and MIDI files of the song accompaniments 3. bulletin cover General Service Notes 1. We Sing of His Glory is a children s service that proclaims the Christmas message of the birth of the Savior. The writers sought to provide a simple presentation of Christmas for children and families new in the faith. For cross-cultural ministries, consider reading the account of Luke chapter 2 from a translation of the Bible for the outreach ministry in your situation, for example, e, a Spanish version of the Bible. Web-based Bible sources often offer various translations. ns. BibleGateway.com is one of them. 2. This service can be easily adapted for use with both large and small groups of children. Adult choirs and speakers may also be used as desired. Recitations can be used with a narrator and group of children or with the pastor and congregation. 3. The words for the theme song, Sing Glory, Glory! are taken from the children s book Sing Glory, Glory! Jesus Is Born! by Gail Pawlitz, published by Concordia Publishing House. Note that permission to use and reprint this song text has been granted for this Christmas service only. Any other use requires permission from Concordia Publishing House. The song is sung to the tune of Jesus Loves Me, This I Know, which has two possible accompaniments included in this kit. Various groups can sing the verses of the song, and all the students can join in on the refrain. S 3

4 4. Note that some of the elements of the service, for example, the optional opening using the Service of Light, can be omitted. These include the directions in italics. The optional sermon or introduction to the service can be a complete sermon on the Christmas message or a devotion on the theme of the service. It should include the concept that we respond to the gospel message by singing of Jesus glory. 5. Open the README file on the CD to get information on using the text and MIDI files for the service. If the CD directory shows only the audio tracks, use Windows Explorer to open the text and MIDI files. 6. You may duplicate the PDF of the entire service or adapt the text file found on the CD. Using the text file allows you to make changes that meet your local needs. 7. The service and hymn text (RTF) files on the CD may be used to prepare a service folder for the congregation. In addition, graphic files of the melody and text only of the songs and hymns has been included for use in service folders. 8. Practice all speaking parts for clarity, volume, and expression. Encourage students to project their voices to the back of the church. Determine where pauses should be made in the text and which words should be stressed. Then teach recitation groups to recite in an expressive style, with appropriate rhythm and inflection. 9. Assign hymns and songs to groups as desired. You may substitute other hymns or Christmas songs, but the texts should reflect the content for that point in the service. Consider using appropriate choir settings for children or adults on the suggested hymns. 10. The CD includes vocal and accompaniment tracks of the hymns and songs in the service. It may be used for rehearsal or for accompaniment during the service. (Note: The hymn accompaniments are not designed to accompany a large congregation.) Since the music in the recordings is in the public domain or has permission for use in this service, you may copy the recordings to writable CDs for use by multiple classrooms for rehearsal purposes only. Any video or audio recordings of the service that include the theme song will l need permission from Concordia Publishing House for distribution or sales. 11. You may use the MIDI files on the CD in conjunction with the HymnSoft Player Module. Use them for rehearsal al or for accompaniment during the service. See the README file on the CD for further information. You may also use them with a MIDIcompatible keyboard that t reads standard MIDI files. Consult the keyboard s manual for additional information on using the files. 12. Included on the CD is a set of graphics that may be used in presentation software to create a slide show to be used during the service. We would encourage you to use the service outline as a basis for the text of the slide show, inserting the slides as indicated in the service copy master. 13. The design for the banner used in the service is provided on page 6 of this guide. 14. Coordinated bulletin covers (8.5" x 11" and 8.5" x 14") are available. Order information follows. S e y Microsoft Windows Explorer is a registered trademark of the Microsoft corporation in the United States and/or other countries. HymnSoft is a registered trademark of Northwestern Publishing House, Milwaukee, WI. 4

5 We Sing of His Glory Christmas Service Bulletins Available in multiples of 50: KT13N0405, 8.5" x 11" per $8.50 KT13N0406, 8.5" x 14" per $9.75 Prices are subject to change. Available online at To order call Milwaukee area , ext (8:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. CT weekdays) 5

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7 A CHILDREN S CHRISTMAS SERVICE by Beth Nolte and Lisa Reckzin Optional Opening Service of Light (CW pages 54-56) Suggested directions: 1. The church is dimly lit with ancillary candles burning. 2. Show a slide of the theme of the service and logo. 3. The children enter the church and are quietly seated. 4. The service begins with the Service of Light liturgy on page 54 of Christian Worship. 5. The cross is carried a third of the way into church by an older student, followed by the pastor who is followed by students with the altar candles. 6. Pastor and congregation sing the first response. se. 7. The procession moves again another third of the way. 8. Pastor and congregation sing the second response. 9. The procession moves to the front of the church for the third response. 10. The cross and candles are carried to the back of the altar and placed into the stands. 11. The Advent wreath and altar candles may be lit during the singing of the hymn on page The service continues on page 56 with the psalm. OR Processional Hymn Now Sing We, Now Rejoice CW 34 Invocation L: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. G: Amen. Prayer L: Almighty God, you made this holy night shine with the brightness of the true light. Grant that as we have known on earth the wonder of that light, we may also behold him in all his glory in the life to come; through your only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. G: Amen. a e 7

8 The congregation may sing or read Psalm 96 from Christian Worship, page 102 or from Christian Worship: Supplement, page 52. Psalm 96 (may be sung or read responsively) All: Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord a new song (CW). All: A Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord (CWS). L: Sing to the LORD, praise his name; G: proclaim his salvation day after day. L: Declare his glory among the nations, G: his marvelous deeds among all peoples. L: Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; G: tremble before him, all the earth. L: Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; G: let the sea resound, and all that is in it; L: let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. G: Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy, M: for he comes to judge the world in righteousness G: and the peoples in his truth. All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Optional Sermon or Introduction to the Service Song by Children Your Little Ones, Dear Lord, Are We CW 46 Part 1: JESUS IS BORN For Review Purposes Only Recitation (slide of Jesus in the manger) (Luke 2:1-7) In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, e the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. es S e C 8

9 Theme Song: Sing Glory, Glory! (sung to the tune of Jesus Loves Me, This I Know ) Text by Gail Pawlitz 2007 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO. All rights reserved. Used by permission In a manger on the hay, Jesus lay on Christmas Day. Born as our Immanuel, He is God with us to dwell. Sing glory, glory! Sing glory, glory! Sing glory, glory! God s Son has come to us. Narration Jacob prophesied that the time would come when the Jews would be governed by a foreign power and taxed. In Genesis 49:10 he says, The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom [tribute] belongs and the obedience of the nations is his. When the Jews came under Roman rule, the emperor planned a taxation based on an empire-wide census. God used this time to bring Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, the home of their forefather David, to fulfill what Micah had prophesied: But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times (Micah 5:2). Optional Song Away in a Manger CW 68 Part 2: HIS BIRTH IS ANNOUNCED TO THE SHEPHERDS Recitation (slide of shepherds in the field) (Luke 2:8-12) There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. ts Theme Song 2. Shepherds with their flocks that night Saw an angel s glory bright. Do not fear, he said to them. A Savior s born in Bethlehem. Sing glory, glory! Sing glory, glory! Sing glory, glory! God s Son has come to us. C y 9

10 Narration The birth of a child is reason to celebrate. Parents send out birth announcements. Friends and family eagerly look forward to getting a glimpse of the baby. And so it was with the birth of our Savior. God sent out a glorious birth announcement to shepherds who were guarding their sheep out in the countryside near the small town of Bethlehem. As with others who saw angels, these lowly shepherds were afraid when the angel appeared to them. But the angel assured them that what they were about to hear was good news. These faithful Jewish shepherds were the ones to whom God decided to proudly announce the birth of his one and only Son. But this message was not only for them. It was for all people of all times. The shepherds were to follow the directions of the angel so that they might have a glimpse of their newborn King. He was to be found in a manger, a feeding trough for animals. Certainly this was an unusual place for a child. But it was part of God s plan to help the shepherds know that they had found the Messiah. Yet how much more unusual and humble was this bed for the newborn King of all creation! Optional Hymn From Heaven Above to Earth I Come CW 38:1-5 Part 3: THE ANGELS SING OF JESUS GLORY Recitation (slide of the angels singing) (Luke 2:13,14) Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. Theme Song 3. Then a heav nly host appeared Praising God for all to hear! With this news the shepherds fled Quickly to the manger bed. Sing glory, glory! Sing glory, glory! Sing glory, glory! God s Son has come to us. Narration What a joy it must have been to hear the multitude of angels praising God! It must have been truly awesome. Someday believers will join the angels around the throne of God, singing his praises. Let us use our lives of worship here on this earth to practice for our perfect praise in heaven! To God be all glory! ars Optional Hymn Angels We Have Heard on High CW 63 10

11 Part 4: THE SHEPHERDS SEE JESUS Recitation (slide of the stable) (Luke 2:15-20) When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about. So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Theme Song 4. There they saw the holy child Wrapped in cloths, so meek and mild. Joyfully the shepherds raced To spread this news in ev ry place. Sing glory, glory! Sing glory, glory! Sing glory, glory! God s Son has come to us. Narration The Jews had been waiting for the Messiah for thousands of years. So it is not surprising that the shepherds excitedly hurried to Bethlehem to search out the child. After seeing the child, they were so overcome with joy that they told all who would listen that the Messiah had been born. Everything that the angel had said was true, and they were witnesses to the fact. And so these shepherds were given the wonderful task of testifying to the truth that God had come to earth as a child born in Bethlehem. Optional Hymn Silent Night! Holy Night CW 60 nns ngelc Narration (slides change during narration) 1. Sleep in heavenly peace. What is heavenly peace? Not something we come by naturally. The Bible tells ls us in Psalm 51:5: Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived ed me. (slide of cross with black background) S e C 2. From our very beginnings, our hearts, dark with sin, made us natural enemies of God. 3. Paul says in Romans 5:8, God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (slide of cross with red background) 11

12 4. Jesus washed us in his blood, which makes us as white as snow. In John s first letter, chapter 1 verse 7, we hear, The blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (slide of cross with white background) 5. Sin no longer separates us from God. We are at peace with God. Paul tells us in Romans 5:1, Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We live knowing our eternal peace awaits us in our heavenly home. (slide of heaven) Theme Song 5. Jesus is God s own dear Son Sent from heav n for ev ryone. Lived and died for you and me So from sin we could be free. Sing alleluia! Sing alleluia! Sing alleluia! The Savior has been born. Offering Prayer for Peace L: Lord God, all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works come from you. Give to us, your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey your commandments. Defend us also from the fear of our enemies that we may live in peace and quietness, through the merits of Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. G: Amen. Lord s Prayer G: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen. OR For Review Purposes Only glc G: 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. C y Blessing L: The grace of our Lord ( ) Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. G: Amen. Closing Hymn From Heaven Above to Earth I Come CW 38:13-15 Recessional 12