Presiding Minister... Pastor Mike Gehl Accompaniment... Marti Ellingboe (9pm) Festival of the Nativity of Our Lord December 24, 206 Choir Director... Jeremy Uecker Choir Accompaniment... Amy Fehlauer Instrumentalists... Adam Bunn (trumpet) Jennifer Bunn (flute) Nathaniel Bunn (violin) Claire Ellingboe (flute) Emilie Sieker (clarinet) Martina Sieker (trumpet) Silvia Sieker (trombone) Ginny Uecker (flute) Jeremy Uecker (tuba) It s been our joy to have you here with us tonight to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. As we all go our separate ways traveling toward our traditions around the tree may we each remember that the greatest gift came wrapped in swaddling clothes with a tag saying From: God the Father To: The World With Love! That gift was none other than God in the flesh, come to this earth for the sole purpose of removing the curse of our sins by his death on the cross. Let the Holy Spirit of Christmas capture your heart this year so that the joy you feel might remain with you beyond the holidays, throughout the year, for the rest of your life, and into eternity. Have a blessed Christmas celebration and please join us again tomorrow morning for our Christmas Day Festival service. Christmas Day Festival Worship 9:00 am New Year s Eve Worship 6:30 pm [2] St. John Lutheran Church 437 Turner St., Wrightstown, WI, 5480 980.532.4865 (church) stjlw.com 920.532-436 (school)
Lessons & Carols for Christmas Eve Part : Preparation & Praise [4pm] Solo: Jeremy Uecker... Away in a Manger Greeting & Call to Worship Hymn Setting and Accompaniment: Florence Brandt-Wagner Behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all people: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given. And the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. He is our Savior, Jesus Christ. Let us worship him in spirit and in truth. Prayer of the Day 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 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. Amen. Hymn... Once Again My Heart Rejoices (CW 37). Once again my heart rejoices 5. Softly from his lowly manger As I hear far and near Jesus calls one and all, Sweetest angel voices. You are safe from danger. Christ is born! their choirs are singing Children, from the sins that grieve you Till the air ev rywhere You are freed; all you need Now with joy is ringing. I will surely give you. 2. Hear! The conqueror has spoken: 6. Come, then, banish all your sadness! Now the foe, sin and woe, One and all, great and small, Death and hell are broken! Come with songs of gladness; God is man, man to deliver, We shall live with him forever And the Son now is one There on high in that joy With our blood forever. Which will vanish never. [2] Blessing Part 5: Blessing & Promise May he who by his incarnation gathered things earthly and heavenly into one, fill us with such joy that comes from the knowledge of the forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal life. And the blessing of God Almighty the Father, the Son [], and the Holy Spirit be upon you and remain with you always. Amen. Closing Lesson... Ephesians :3-4 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 0 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 2 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 3 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 4 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God s possession to the praise of his glory. Choir / Closing Hymn... Peace, Peace w/ Silent Night (CW 60) The choir sings the anthem and the congregation joins in verse of the hymn. The congregation is invited to follow with verse in German, as well as verses 2 and 3.. Silent night! Holy night! 2. Silent night! Holy night! All is calm, all is bright, Shepherds quake at the sight. Round yon virgin mother and child. Glories stream from heaven afar; Holy Infant, so tender and mild, Heav nly hosts sing, Alleluia; Sleep in heavenly peace, Christ, the Savior, is born! Sleep in heavenly peace. Christ, the Savior, is born! G. Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht! 3. Silent night! Holy night! Alles schläft; einsam wacht Son of God, love s pure light Nur das traute, hochheilige Paar. Radiant beams from thy holy face Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar; With the dawn of redeeming grace, Schlafe in himmlischer Ruh! Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Schlafe in himmlischer Ruh! Jesus, Lord, at thy birth. * * * * * []
Choir... Canon of Praise During the choir anthem, the ushers will come forward and light their candles from the center Christ candle in our Advent wreath. As they make their way down the center aisle, they ll light the candles of those at the end of each row. They should in turn light the candle of the person next to them, and so on down the row, until all the candles are lit. To keep the wax from dripping, lit candles should remain upright while the unlit candles are tilted over the flame. You may extinguish your candle after the closing hymn. Prayer of the Church Oh gracious and almighty Father, we praise you that you kept your ancient promises by sending your everlasting Son in human flesh. On this holy night, receive our thanks and devotion, our songs and prayers. You sent Jesus as a lowly child to demonstrate your concern for all, the weak and lonely, the troubled and frightened, the timid and helpless. No one is overlooked by your ever-seeking eyes. No one is excluded from your upholding arms. No one is denied the comfort and help of your outstretched hand. Bless us with a childlike faith in the divine assurance that you love and care for us always. You sent Jesus as the Savior of the world to deliver all from the curse of sin, the power of death, and the torment of hell. He took our place. He was born under the law to set us free. He became the innocent lamb of sacrifice. He came to die and rise again in order that we might live eternally. Firmly implant this good news in our hearts, and fill us with an eager desire to spread the Word concerning what we have heard tonight. May all who hear the message, in every nation under heaven, be amazed and believe what is told them about the child. You sent Jesus as the Light of the world to drive out all darkness that would rob us of the full life that you intend for us. May the joy that will be for all people be our joy. May the peace on earth to all on whom his favor rests be our peace. May the treasure that Mary pondered in her heart be our treasure. For today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to us. He is Christ, the Lord. Amen. Part 2: Exhortation & Prayer Dear people of God, in this Christmas season, it s our duty and delight to hear again the message of the angels and, in heart and mind, to go to Bethlehem and see this thing which has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us the Christ Child lying in a manger. Let s read and learn in Holy Scripture the story of the loving purposes of God from the first days after our fall into sin to the glorious redemption brought to us by this holy Child. But first, let s pray for people all over the world who would delight with us to know the good news of Jesus Christ and who would join with us in singing his praises. Let s pray for the people of this city and for all those in our own congregation. And, because this would please our Lord, let s remember in his name the poor and helpless, the cold, the hungry and oppressed, the sick and those who are sad, the lonely and the unloved, and the elderly and the little children. We especially remember all those who don t know the Lord Jesus, those who don t love him, and those who by sin have grieved his heart of love. Finally, let s remember before God all those who rejoice with us in heaven, who live in greater light than we, that multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, who died in faith, and who live before the throne of God and praise him each day in his temple. We confess that we re united with them as we re united with one another. To sum up all these petitions, let s pray as Christ himself taught us: 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. Choir... Still, Still, Still [0] [3]
Part 3: Lessons & Carols First Lesson... Genesis 3:8-5 The Seed of the woman will crush the serpent s head 8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the LORD God called to the man, Where are you? 0 He answered, I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid. And he said, Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from? 2 The man said, The woman you put here with me she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it. 3 Then the LORD God said to the woman, What is this you have done? The woman said, The serpent deceived me, and I ate. 4 So the LORD God said to the serpent, Because you have done this, Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. 5 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel. Hymn... Come, Your Hearts and Voices Raising (CW 42). Come, your hearts and voices raising, 4. Jacob s Star in all its splendor Christ the Lord with gladness praising; Beams with comfort sweet and tender, Loudly sing his love amazing, Forcing Satan to surrender, Worthy folk of Christendom. Breaking all the pow rs of hell. Second Lesson... Genesis 22:5-8 God s promises to Abraham 5 The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time 6 and said, I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 7 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 8 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me. Hymn... Let All Together Praise Our God (CW 4). Let all together praise our God 5. He serves that I a lord may be Before his highest throne; A great exchange indeed! Today he opens heav n again Could Jesus love do more for me And gives us his own Son, To help me in my need, And gives us his own Son. To help me in my need? 2. He leaves his heav nly Father s throne, 6. For us he opens wide the door Is born an infant small, Of paradise today. And in a manger, poor and lone, The angel guards the gate no more; Lies in a humble stall, To God our thanks we pay, Lies in a humble stall. To God our thanks we pay. Ninth Lesson... John :-4 The mystery of the incarnation In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 0 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 2 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God 3 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband s will, but born of God. 4 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Hymn... What Child Is This (CW 67). What child is this who, laid to rest, on Mary s lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet while shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing. Haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the Son of Mary! 2. Why lies he in such mean estate where oxen now are feeding? Good Christians, fear; for sinners here the silent Word is pleading. Nails, spear shall pierce him through; the cross he ll bear for me, for you. Hail, hail the Word made flesh, the babe, the Son of Mary! 3. So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh; come, peasant, king, to own him. The King of kings salvation brings; let loving hearts enthrone him. Raise, raise the song on high; the virgin sings her lullaby. Joy, joy, for Christ is born, the babe, the Son of Mary! Christmas Eve Thank-Offering Part 4: Offering & Prayer These offerings are used to support the ministries of our church, both locally and worldwide. Our guests should not feel compelled to give an offering, but may do so if they desire. [4] [9]
2. In that unlikely place I find him as they said: Sweet newborn Babe, how frail! and in a manger bed, A still, small voice to cry one day for me, A still, small voice to cry one day for me. 3. How should I not have known Isaiah would be there, His prophecies fulfilled? With pounding heart I stare: A child, a son, the Prince of Peace for me, A child, a son, the Prince of Peace for me. 4. Can I, will I forget how Love was born, and burned Its way into my heart unasked, unforced, unearned, To die, to live, and not alone for me, To die, to live, and not alone for me? Eighth Lesson... Matthew 2:- (EHV) The Magi worship the newborn King After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, when Herod was king, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 2 Where is he who has been born King of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him. 3 When King Herod heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem was troubled with him. 4 He gathered together all the people s chief priests and experts in the law. He asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They said to him, In Bethlehem of Judea, because this is written through the prophet: 6 You Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are certainly not least among the rulers of Judah, because out of you will come a ruler, who will shepherd my people, Israel. 7 Then Herod secretly called the wise men and learned from them exactly when the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem, and he said, Go and search carefully for the child. When you find him,report to me, so that I may also go and worship him. 9 After listening to the king, they departed. Then the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them, until it stood still over the place where the child was. 0 When they saw the star, they were filled with overwhelming joy. They came into the house and saw the child with Mary, his mother, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Hymn... As with Gladness Men of Old (CW 83). As with gladness men of old 3. As they offered gifts most rare Did the guiding star behold, At your cradle, rude and bare, As with joy they hailed its light, So may we with holy joy, Leading onward, beaming bright, Pure and free from sin s alloy, So, most gracious Lord, may we All our costliest treasures bring, Evermore your foll wers be. Christ, to you, our heav nly King. 2. As with joyful steps they sped, Savior, to your lowly bed, There to bend the knee before You whom heav n and earth adore, So may we with willing feet Ever seek your mercy seat. [8] Third Lesson... Isaiah 9:2,6,7 (EHV) The people who walked in darkness have seen a great Light 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in the land of the shadow of death, the light has dawned. 6 For to us a child is born. To us a son is given. The authority to rule will rest on his shoulders. His name will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 There will be no limit to his authority and no end to his peace. He will rule on David s throne and over his kingdom to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the LORD of Armies will accomplish this. Hymn... Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (CW 6). Hark! The herald angels sing, 3. Hail, the heav nly Prince of Peace! Glory to the newborn King; Hail, the Sun of Righteousness! Peace on earth and mercy mild, Light and life to all he brings, God and sinners reconciled! Ris n with healing in his wings. Joyful, all you nations rise, Mild he lays his glory by, Join the triumph of the skies; Born that we no more may die, With th angelic host proclaim, Born to raise us from the earth, Christ is born in Bethlehem! Born to give us second birth. Hark! The herald angels sing, Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King! Glory to the newborn King! Fourth Lesson... Isaiah :-9 A Branch from the stem of Jesse A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. 2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD 3 and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; 4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. 5 Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist. 6 The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. 7 The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. 8 The infant will play near the cobra s den, the young child will put its hand into the viper s nest. 9 They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. Hymn... Behold, a Branch Is Growing (CW 47). Behold, a Branch is growing 4. This flow r, so small and tender, Of loveliest form and grace, With fragrance fills the air; As prophets sang, foreknowing; His brightness ends the darkness It springs from Jesse s race That kept the earth in fear. And bears one little flow r True God and yet true man, In midst of coldest winter, He came to save his people At deepest midnight hour. From earth s dark night of sin. [5]
Fifth Lesson...Luke :26-35,38 The angel Gabriel visits Mary 26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 3 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end. 34 How will this be, Mary asked the angel, since I am a virgin? 35 The angel answered, The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 38 I am the Lord s servant, Mary answered. May your word to me be fulfilled. Then the angel left her. Hymn... The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came (CW 24). The angel Gabriel from heaven came, His wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame; All hail, said he to meek and lowly Mary, Most highly favored maiden. Gloria! 2. I come from heav n to tell the Lord s decree: A blessed virgin mother you shall be. Your Son shall be Immanuel, by seers foretold, Most highly favored maiden. Gloria! 3. Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head; To me be as it pleases God, she said. My soul shall praise and magnify his holy name. Most highly favored maiden, Gloria! Sixth Lesson... Luke 2:-7 (EHV) The birth of Jesus In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 And everyone went to register, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the town of Nazareth, into Judea, to the town of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was from the house and family line of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, his wife, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child. 6 And so it was that while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Hymn... O Little Town of Bethlehem (CW 65). O little town of Bethlehem, 3. How silently, how silently How still we see thee lie! The wondrous gift is giv n! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep So God imparts to human hearts The silent stars go by. The blessings of his heav n. Yet in thy dark streets shineth No ear may hear his coming, The everlasting light. But in this world of sin The hopes and fears of all the years Where meek souls will receive him still, Are met in thee tonight. The dear Christ enters in. 2. For Christ is born of Mary, 4. O holy Child of Bethlehem, And, gathered all above, Descend to us, we pray; While mortals sleep, the angels keep Cast out our sin and enter in; Their watch of wond ring love. Be born in us today. O morning stars, together We hear the Christmas angels Proclaim the holy birth, The great glad tidings tell; And praises sing to God the King Oh, come to us, abide with us, And peace to all the earth. Our Lord Immanuel! Seventh Lesson... Luke 2:8-20 (EHV) The shepherds visit the manger 8 There were in the same country shepherds staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified! 0 But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. For behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all people: Today in the town of David, a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. 2 And this will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. 3 Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude from the heavenly army, praising God and saying, 4 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward mankind. 5 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Now let s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us. 6 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 7 When they had seen him, they told others the message they had been told about this child. 8 And all who heard it were amazed by what the shepherds said to them. 9 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Hymn... Where Shepherds Lately Knelt (CW 54). Where shepherds lately knelt and kept the angel s word, I come in half-belief, a pilgrim strangely stirred; But there is room and welcome there for me, But there is room and welcome there for me. continued on the following page [6] [7]