Learn, love, live for Christ!

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2 Christmas Eve Children s Service December 24, 2017 Welcome, guests! We re glad you could be with us and join us in observing this spiritual holiday. No one should be without a Christian family to enjoy giving and receiving in the new life Jesus was born to bring us. If you would like to explore what this family holds dear, ask an usher or the pastor. Life gets better at St John s. What s next? If you re just getting back to church or looking for a new church, let this be your road map on the journey. Come back next week. The connection between yourself and Christ gets closer and stronger with more listening to his word, the Bible. And the connection with his people grows also as we experience his truth and love together, extending his peace in our relationships. Sign up for The Four Key Concepts. This short course gives you the very basics for a good relationship with God. If you know anything from the Bible, know these four keys! Then the rest of the Bible starts to open up for you. Sign up for Bible Inquirer s Class. This comparative religions course digs into the Bible s basic teachings while letting you see how other religions and denominations, including ours, handle those teachings. You get to see the Bible s own word on these topics and let God s Spirit show you what the Bible says. This is a pre-requisite for membership here because we base membership not on feelings and style but on unity in God s precious truths. Personal Hearing Devices are available in the pass-through window near the elevator. Please silence or turn off your cell, for an undisturbed worship hour! Restrooms are downstairs, through doors on the west wall. For Parents: If your child is restless during the service, please use the lobby or lower level to quiet him/her down, so you can rejoin the assembly in worship. A TV monitor is on in the lower level so you don t have to miss much while your child gets calm. Children s worship bags are available for small children during the service. Find them next to the upper elevator door. Offerings: Our offerings make it possible to run the programs and ministries of our church, participating with the Lord our God in his kingdom plans and expansion. Each member is taught to make his own decision what to give, based on the simple principles of giving first to God, generously and with a heart of trust. If you are a guest, you are not expected to participate in the offering. We re just glad you can be here and listen to God s Word with us! There are resources for you and your family to discover on the display tables in the narthex (lobby). Take home some helpful tools and news free! Our Mission Statement Learn, love, live for Christ! 2

3 A Sola Christmas This morning our children bring us the message from God! Jesus quoted from the ancient prophecy that from the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise. Listen carefully, then, to everything they say, for their presentation will tell you how to have life, real life, the true life with God Almighty! God s plan to give sinners life required several unique details. In these alone life is found and experienced. See if you can list them clearly and take your stand in them! by the end of the presentation. PROCESSIONAL Oh, Come, Little Children Congregation and children 1. Oh, come, little children, oh, come, one and all; To Bethlehem haste to the manger so small. God s Son for a gift has been sent you this night To be your Redeemer, your Joy and Delight. 2. He s born in a stable for you and for me; Draw near by the bright gleaming starlight to see, In swaddling clothes lying, so meek and so mild, And purer than angels, the heavenly Child. 3. See Mary and Joseph, with love-beaming eyes, Are gazing upon the rude bed where he lies; The shepherds are kneeling with hearts full of love, While angels sing loud alleluias above. 4. Kneel down and adore him with shepherds today. Oh, lift up your hands now and praise them as they; Rejoice that a Savior from sin you can boast, And join in the song of the heavenly host. PASTOR S WELCOME INVOCATION Minister: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Congregation: Amen. 3

4 RESPONSIVE READING M: Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. C: Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. M: Declare his glory among the nations, C: his marvelous deeds among the nations. M: Ascribe to the LORD, all you families of nations, C: ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. M: Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; C: tremble before him, all the earth. M: Let the heavens rejoice; let the earth be glad; C: let the sea resound, and all that is in it. M: Let all creation rejoice before the LORD, for he comes, C: he comes to judge the earth. M: He will judge the world in righteousness C: and the peoples in his faithfulness. INTRODUCTION SONG Noel, Noel, a Boy Is Born by Natalie Sleeth Noel, Noel, a boy is born in Bethlehem, So therefore let us joyful be and sing Noel. He comes to earth to save us all on Christmas day. Alleluia! NARRATION, RECITATION PART ONE: BY SCRIPTURE ALONE Sola Scriptura 4

5 HYMN Of the Father s Love Begotten The children and congregation will sing responsively. Children sing the lines in italics and the congregation sings the lines in bold print. 1. Of the Father s love begotten Ere the worlds began to be, He is Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending he, Of the things that are, that have been, And that future years shall see evermore and evermore. 2. Oh, that birth forever blessed When the virgin, full of grace, By the Holy Ghost conceiving, Bore the Savior of our race, And the babe, the world s Redeemer, First revealed his sacred face evermore and evermore. 3. This is he whom heaven-taught singers Sang of old with one accord; Whom the Scriptures of the prophets Promised in their faithful word. Now he shines, the long-expected; Let creation praise its Lord evermore and evermore. PART TWO: BY FAITH ALONE, THROUGH CHRIST ALONE Sola Fide, Solus Christus NARRATION, RECITATION SONG Advent Joy by Nancy Gifford Prepare ye, prepare ye to celebrate the Savior s birth. Prepare ye, prepare ye; Emmanuel is coming to earth. John the Baptist, in the wilderness, eating locusts and honey wild. Mother Mary, in her faithfulness, bravely waiting this Holy Child. Light a candle, sing with gladness; Mary welcomes the Living Word. Light a candle, sing with gladness; John the Baptist can still be heard. 5

6 NARRATION, RECITATION SONG Infant Holy, Infant Lowly 1. Infant holy, infant lowly, for his bed a cattle stall; Oxen lowing, little knowing Christ the child is Lord of all. Swift are winging angels singing, bells are ringing, tidings bringing: Christ the child is Lord of all, Christ the child is Lord of all. 2. Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping vigil till the morning new Saw the glory, heard the story, tidings of a gospel true. This rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing, greet the morrow: Christ the child was born for you, Christ the child was born for you. NARRATION, RECITATION PART THREE: TO GOD S GLORY ALONE Soli Deo Gloria HYMN Silent Night, Holy Night After the children sing a verse in Spanish, the congregation may join them. Noche de paz, noche de amor! Todo duerme in derredor. Entre los astros que esparcen su luz, bella anunciando al niñito Jesús Brilla la estrella de paz, brilla la Estrella de paz. Women and girls 1. Silent night! Holy night! All is calm, all is bright, Round yon virgin mother and child. Holy infant, so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace. Men and boys 2. Silent night! Holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight. Glories stream from heaven afar; heavenly hosts sing, Alleluia; Christ the Savior is born! Christ the Savior is born! 6

7 All 3. Silent night! Holy night! Son of God, love s pure light, Radiant, beams from thy holy face with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth. RECITATION SONG Christmas News by Carol Greene Hear us sing; news we bring: Jesus the Savior is born! Hear the bell; hear it tell: Jesus the Savior is born! HYMN Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Congregation and children 1. Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled! Joyful, all you nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies; With th angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem! Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King! 2. Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord, Late in time behold him come, offspring of a virgin s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, hail the incarnate Deity! Pleased as man with us to dwell, Jesus, our Immanuel! Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King! 3. Hail, the heavenly Prince of Peace! Hail, the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, ris n with healing in his wings. Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die, Born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth. Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King! 7

8 NARRATION, RECITATION PART FOUR: BY GRACE ALONE Sola Gratia SONG Hallelujah to the Newborn King by Mary Val Marsh Sing to the Baby, hallelu, sing to the Baby, hallelu. Oh, what a night in Bethlehem town; all the people do sing. Refrain: Hallelu! Hallelu! Hallelujah to the newborn King: Hallelu! Hallelu! Sing hallelujah again. Sing to the bright star high above, sing to the bright star high above. Oh, what a night in Bethlehem town; all the people do sing. Refrain His mother sang a lullaby to her little boy. The sky was bright with a heavenly light, and the bells rang for joy. Sing with the mother and her boy, sing with the bells that ring for joy. Oh, what a night in Bethlehem town; all the people do sing. Refrain OFFERING This is a good time to sign the Friendship Registers. Please share as much as you would like, ask a question, indicate change in contact information, etc. RESPONSIVE PRAYER M: God our Wonderful Counselor, in your Word you reveal to us who you are and what we are. C: Through your Scriptures alone you show us that you are righteous and we are not. You also show us that you are love and that we are forgiven. M: Mighty God, you provide us with certain hope and redeem us from our sin. C: Through faith alone we hold to your promises, and through Christ alone we receive salvation. 8

9 M: Everlasting Father, you rule the universe, the church, and the hearts of your people. C: To you alone belongs all glory and praise! M: Prince of Peace, your love covers us and fills us and moves us. C: Through grace alone we receive new life and eternal hope. M: Faithful God, we rejoice in our salvation! Fill us with a strong desire to share this good news with everyone. C: Help us to live for you through Scripture alone, by faith alone, in Christ alone, under grace alone, and to your glory alone. Amen. LORD S PRAYER C: 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. BLESSING M: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor and give you peace. C: Amen. CLOSING HYMN Joy to the World Congregation and children 1. Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare him room and heaven and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven and nature sing. 2. Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ, While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy. continued on the next page 9

10 3. No more let sins and sorrows grow nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found, Far as the curse is found, far as, far as the curse is found. 4. He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove The glories of his righteousness and wonders of his love, And wonders of his love, and wonders, wonders of his love. Join us this evening at 7:00 pm for Candlelight Worship, a special service of quiet joy and anticipation! And then join us tomorrow morning, 9:00 am, in a special celebration of Christmas Day: He Isn t Just Cute! There will be no Monday evening service this week. Next Sunday s worship theme: Is There Life After Christmas? Estate Planning Presentation! Which asset would be the most valuable after-tax inheritance: a home, appreciated securities such as stocks and bonds, a retirement account, or a life insurance policy? If you don't know, is that lack of knowledge reflected in your personal estate plan? Or have you gotten that far yet? Do you know what probate is or how to avoid it? Are you aware there are ways to increase your retirement income and receive a charitable contribution now even though your contribution won't occur until later? If you don't know the answers (or didn't even know to ask), join us on Sunday, January 7, at 10:15 am, for an Estate Planning presentation during Bible Class hour! Our guest speaker, MVL Mission Advancement Director Jim Hahn, will help you ask the right questions and praise Jesus on earth even after he's called you to your home in heaven. 10

11 DIRECTOR: PIANIST: ORGANIST: Mrs. Janet Crabtree Mrs. Rachel Cordes Mrs. Laurie Silfies PRE-SERVICE MUSIC Oliver Trebesch Infant Holy, Infant Lowly Ben Rossow We Three Kings Emma Beussman The Coventry Carol Ella Beussman The First Noel Chantel, Colton, Cayden Moldan God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen Cayden Moldan Once in Royal David s City Wyatt Silfies Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful OFFERTORY Elizabeth Beussman What Child Is This Laura Rossow O Little Town of Bethlehem INSTRUMENTALISTS Trumpet Brooklyn Moldan Laura Rossow Alto Saxophone Mr. Dan Rick Flute Jesse Cordes French Horn Hannah Beussman Recorder Mrs. Laurie Silfies Percussion Tony Cordes Jason Piotter Mr. Dan Rick Laura Rossow 11

12 COMING EVENTS Sun Dec 24 7:00pm Christmas Candlelight Service Theme: Steady, Secure, Sure the Light Will Dawn! Mon Dec 25 9:00am Christmas Day Worship - Theme: He Isn t Just Cute! 7:00pm No Monday worship or Bible class this week Tue Dec 26 6:00pm St. John s on TV - Channel 8 (Channel 7, Springfield) Wed Dec 27 9:00am Newsletter assembly 1:30pm St. John s on TV - Channel 8 (Channel 7, Springfield) Thu Dec 28 4:00pm Worship service at Sleepy Eye Care Center Sun Dec 31 9:00am Worship - Theme: Is There Life After Christmas? 10:30am Spiritual growth for kids, teens, and adults! Mon Jan 1, :00am New Year s Day Worship w/ Communion - Theme: Fill the Emptiness! 7:00pm No Monday worship or Bible class this week St. John s Lutheran Church and School (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod) 221 Walnut Street SE 216 3rd Ave SE Sleepy Eye, Minnesota Rev. Chris Cordes, Pastor ~ Mr. Dan Rick, Principal pastorcordes@gmail.com danrick07@gmail.com Church and School Office: (507) Fax: (507) office@stjohnsse.com Acknowledgements: Cover image used by permission of the artist, Jesse Cordes. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright , 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc. Hymns and worship sourced from Christian Worship: Hymnal, New Service Settings, and Supplement, 1993, 2002, 2008 respectively, by Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. Used by permission and OneLicense.net License #A and/or CCLI License # Used by permission under Creative Commons license for non-commercial, no derivatives, attribution license ( licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0 12