From Heaven Above to Earth I Come December 17, 2017, 10:45 AM

Sunday School Children s Christmas Program From Heaven Above to Earth I Come December 17, 2017, 10:45 AM Peace Lutheran Church 2090 Commerce Drive North Mankato, MN 56003

Peace Lutheran Church Evangelical Lutheran Synod Built on the Rock Church Staff Pastor Hartwig: 507-382-6826 Email: pastorhartwig@gmail.com Pastor Moldstad: 507-382-0045 Email: pastormoldstad@gmail.com Church Office: 507-385-1386 Jesus Lambs at Peace Preschool Teacher/Director: Joslyn Moldstad Phone: 507-385-7752 Email: joslynmoldstad@gmail.com Church website: Peacemankato.com Email: karen@peacemankato.com Sunday School Children s Christmas Program Sunday 10:45 AM December 17, 2017 Third Sunday in Advent Welcome to Peace! The purpose of our congregation is to worship God, who gives life through Word and Sacrament; to serve one another in love and fellowship; and to proclaim forgiveness and salvation to all through Jesus Christ alone. Before Worship As you prepare to worship your Lord today, spend a few quiet minutes in prayer before the service. Review the lessons, the service notes, and pray this prayer: Prayer of the Day Hear our prayers, Lord Jesus Christ, and come with the good news of Your mighty deliverance. Drive the darkness from our hearts and fill us with Your light; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. For the Children A Cry-Room is available if your little ones need a moment. It is the first room on the right as you walk into the church building. Sound and video are piped into the room to enable you to hear and see the service. Facilities Restrooms are located down the hall and on the right side. 2

From Heaven Above to Earth I Come Processional Hymn: #116, Angels We Have Heard on High Children Recitation Luther s Morning Prayer In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen. I thank you my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger. Keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please you. Into your hands I commend my body and soul and all things. Let your holy angel be with me, that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen. The Confession of Sin P: Let us confess our sins to God and pray: We poor sinners confess to You, O God, not only that we have been conceived and born in sin, but also that throughout life we have often and in many ways offended You, our Lord and Maker, in thought, word and deed, so that You could with perfect justice reject and condemn us for all eternity. Therefore we come before You with sorrow of heart, in dread and terror of Your holy justice and of everlasting death. Our sins are a grievous foe, which we should hate in every way as long as we live. O merciful God, You still grant us in this hour to be reminded of Your fatherly goodness. According to the promise of Your Word we flee for refuge to Your infinite mercy and implore You, dearest Father, for the sake of Jesus Christ, Your onlybegotten Son, our Brother, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised again for our justification: Forgive us all our sins through faith, which the Holy Spirit increases in our hearts to full assurance. C: We therefore pray You, O Lord, through Your servant to declare to us the forgiveness of all our sins. We poor sinners are willing to forgive all who have offended against us. We earnestly desire to grow in true godliness. Help us, O God, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. The Absolution P: Hear the holy and comforting Word of our Lord: Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 3

Lift up your hearts! By the authority of God and of my holy office I forgive you all your sins, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Narrator Children Sing: From Heaven Above to Earth I Come, vs. 1-2 Recitation Preschool: Lift up your heads, you mighty gates! Behold the King of glory waits. All Grades Recitation Kindergarten 1 st Grade: Tis Christ, our God, who far on high, hath heard your sad and bitter cry; Himself will your salvation be, Himself from sin will make you free. (From Heaven Above vs. 3) Children Sing: Away in a Manger Narrator Hymn: #123:4-5, From Heaven Above to Earth I Come Preschool 3 rd Grade Recitation 2 nd 3 rd Grade girls: Now let us all with gladsome cheer, follow the shepherds and draw near; to see this wondrous gift of God, who hath His only Son bestowed. ( From Heaven Above verse 6) Recitation 2 nd 3 rd Grade boys: Give heed, my heart, lift up thine eyes! Who is it in yon manger lies? Who is this Child, so young and fair? The blessed Christ-Child lieth there. ( From Heaven Above verse 7) Recitation 4 th 6 th Grade girls: Welcome to earth thou noble guest, through whom the sinful world is blest! Thou com st to share our misery; what can we render, Lord, to Thee? ( From Heaven Above verse 8) Recitation 4 th 6 th Grade boys: Ah, Lord, who hast created all, How weak art Thou, how poor and small; that Thou dost choose Thine infant bed, where ass and ox but lately fed! ( From Heaven Above verse 9) Children Sing: Savior of the Nations Come 2 nd 8 th Grade 4

The Apostles Creed (Sung) Verses 1, 2 Children; verse 3 Congregation I believe in God the Father, Maker of the heav n and earth. And in Jesus Christ, our Savior; God s own Son of human birth. Virgin-born, the Lord incarnate, Whom the Spirit did conceive; Suffered under Pontius Pilate; He s the God whom I believe! Crucified, was dead and buried; Down to hell in victory; From the dead he rose the third day; Up to heav n triumphantly. There at God s right hand he s ruling, By his will the world is led. He will come to judge the nations, Both the living and the dead. I believe in God the Spirit, In his Church, his chosen band. They are joined in sweet communion, Holy in his sight they stand. I believe in sins forgiven I believe I ll rise again; I believe in life eternal. Amen! A-amen! A-a-men! Sermon: John 1:6-8, 19-28 Witness to the Light 6 There was a man, sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as an eyewitness to testify about the light so that everyone would believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. 19 This is the testimony John gave when the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, Who are you? 20 He confessed and did not deny. He confessed, I am not the Christ. 21 And they asked him, Who are you then? Are you Elijah? He said, I am not. Are you the Prophet? No, he answered. 22 Then they asked him, Who are you? Tell us so we can give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself? 23 He said, I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, just as Isaiah the prophet said. 24 They had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 So they asked John, Why then do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, or Elijah, or the Prophet? 26 I baptize with water, John answered. Among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie. 28 These things happened in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. P: The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus unto everlasting life. Amen. 5

The Offering The members of Peace Lutheran Congregation have joined together to do the Lord s work in this community and around the world. Visitors need not feel obligated to participate in this offering which supports our ministry. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. (Malachi 3:10) Please fill out the Friendship Register. Peace Youth Choir, I Am So Glad When Christmas Comes ELH 127 Prayer of the Church P: Eternal Father, throughout the centuries You repeated and affirmed Your promise to send the offspring of the woman to crush the serpent s head. Through Your prophets of old, You continually directed the eyes of Your people to the advent of their Savior. C: We praise You, O Lord, for keeping Your promise and sending Your Son to destroy the works of the devil. P: As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our King, use Your mighty Word to shatter our pride and to rouse us from spiritual slumber and apathy. C: Move us to take to heart the words of John: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near. P: You sent Your Son to redeem us from sin. Let this good news be our joy and strength. Use it to cheer the lonely, encourage the fearful, and give hope to the despairing. In these days before Christmas, spare us from the stress of deadlines and the frenzy of commercialism. C: Fill our lives with the message of Your peace and the music of Your grace. P: Direct our eyes not only to the manger but also to the skies, where we will see Your Son coming again, not as a lowly child but as the Lord of lords. C: Lift up our hearts in joyful anticipation of that day. Special prayers and intercessions may follow. P: Come quickly, Lord Jesus, in Your grace, in Your power, and in Your glory. C: Come, Lord Jesus! Amen. Narrator 6

Hymn: #123:10-13, From Heaven Above to Earth I Come Recitation 7th 8th Grade: The Christmas Gospel, Luke 2:1-14 1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register. 4So 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. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and 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. 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Hymn #140, Silent Night Verse 1-2 Sunday School; Verses 3-4 Everyone The Lord s Prayer 7

The Benediction P: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. 8

Narrator The Closing Hymn #123:14-15, From Heaven Above to Earth I Come SOLI DEO GLORIA! TO GOD ALONE THE GLORY! Thank you to those who served in our service today: Pre-service music: Gemma Lin, Gracen & Nathaniel Lukasek, Mallory Novak, Lilli Olsen, Christian Moldstad, Taylor, Jakob & Cloe Theiste, Rylee, Claire & Bridger Woller, The Sunday School Children; Organist: Amanda Madson; The ushers; Cover artwork: Don Moldstad. To God be the Glory! Announcements Sunday: 8:30 AM Divine Service 9:45 AM Sunday School & Adult Bible Class 10:45 AM Sunday School Christmas Program Monday: 3:00 PM Youth Choir Rehearsal 4:00 PM High School Choir Rehearsal 6:30 PM Construction Committee Meeting Tuesday: 9:00 AM Solid Grounds Bible Study 6:30 PM Council Meeting Wednesday: 4:00 PM Catechism class 5:15 PM Advent Supper 6:30 PM Advent Service 7:30 PM Adult Choir Rehearsal Sunday: 9:00 AM Divine Service with Holy Communion 9:45 AM NO Sunday School & Adult Bible Class 6:30 PM Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Important upcoming events: December December 25 th December 31 st January January 11 th March 8 th Group 2 Refreshments; Group 6 Greeters Christmas Day service at 9:00 AM Worship service at 9:00 AM & 6:30 PM Group 3 Refreshments; Group 1 Greeters Financial Peace University, 6:30 PM 9

Thank you to the Sunday school children and to the Peace Lutheran Sunday school staff Lynnea Bunkowske, Brooke Hartung, Becky Novak, Missy Vandermause, Kristi Harding, Kristen Lukasek, Denice Woller, Jen Wosmek, accompanist Amanda Madson and Superintendent Mike Madson. Substitutes: Joni Moldstad, Stephanie Wentzlaff, Lori Pipal, Rebecca Johannes. Angel Tags on the Tree If you took a tag and bought a gift, please bring the wrapped gift and tag to the church office by Wednesday, December 20 th. The gifts will be delivered to the family before Christmas. Please pick up your 2018 offering envelopes from the table by the office in the new addition. If you can t find yours, please leave a note on Karen s desk. Jesus Lambs at Peace Preschool thanks Kristy Ringen for heading up our Fellowship Snack Supper for our Preschool Program. We also thank our preschool alumni, Kenzie Graham who played Mary, Christian Lyngholm who played Joseph and Aleah Liverseed who played the angel. We especially thank Pastor Hartwig and Pastor Moldstad for leading our service and Amanda Madson for accompanying our preschoolers. Special thanks to Stephanie Wentzlaff for helping to guide and teach our preschoolers. Last of all, we thank our preschoolers and parents for working so hard to make our Preschool Christmas possible! We have 55 children registered for our winter semester. Please call Joslyn at 385 7752 if you would like to register your preschooler in our Christ-centered preschool. Imagine what the people of God, could do for the Kingdom of God, it they were debt free. What would you be able to do if you were debt free? Imagine what it would feel like to be able to give freely and generously toward needs you feel passionate about, whenever God leads you to. In Financial Peace University you ll learn to eliminate debt and start saving, but you ll also start experiencing peace in your home, your relationships and your life when you get your money under control! You ll find how to truly manage all of the resources God has given you His way. Classes meet for 9 weeks on Thursdays at 6:30pm at Peace Lutheran, January 11 th March 8 th. The average family through FPU pays off more than $5000 dollars in debt and saves almost $3000 during the 90 day class. Sign up at https://fpu.com/1055154 It s practical, it s easy to understand, and it will be a lot of fun too! This class is open to the community, please invite friends and family. 10

Calling All Writers! Critique writings, share resources, overcome writer's block, have fun, and commiserate with your fellow writers here at Peace. And what Lutheran gathering would be complete without food? All genres welcome, fiction and nonfiction. If you are interested in joining this new writers' group, please contact Jessie Fries at jfries@blc.edu. Last week at Peace: Sunday 343 Wednesday 176 Offerings to the Lord s work here at Peace: $8,529.23 To watch our services live, go to: www.peacemankato.com/livestreaming or our Facebook page. The service will start automatically when it is live (8:30AM). For recorded services, go to www.vimeo.com/peacemankato and you can choose which service you wish to watch. We are currently only streaming and recording during the 8:30 service. Young Professionals Small Group - We are excited to offer a chance for young adults (ages 21-30) to meet for Christian fellowship and Bible Study. Max and Danica Kerr, new members at St. Paul's, are starting a small group on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-7:30 in the conference room at the North Mankato Taylor Library beginning on January 3. We will be studying the book of Romans and the many ways it applies to our lives as young professionals. We look forward to great discussion on handling our spiritual struggles as well as celebrating the joys of being children of the All-Powerful God! Please contact Max and Danica with any questions via email at max.danica.kerr@gmail.com or phone (507) 227-0286. Childcare will not be provided. 11

Christmas Worship Schedule 12/20 5:15-6:15PM Advent Supper 6:30PM Advent Service 12/24 & 31 9:00AM One Sunday morning worship service Christmas Eve Worship Service 6:30pm Christmas Day Worship Service 9:00am New Year s Eve Worship Service with Holy Communion 6:30pm No Sunday School or Bible Class on December 24 th and December 31 st. Classes will resume again on January 7 th. No Solid Grounds Bible Study on December 26 th. Class will resume on January 2 nd. No Confirmation Class on December 27 th. Class will resume on January 3 rd. To watch our services live, go to: www.peacemankato.com/live-streaming. The service will start automatically when it is live (Sunday 8:30AM, evening services 6:30PM). For recorded services, go to www.vimeo.com/peacemankato and you can choose which service you want to watch. 12