Children Heaven Far A Children s Christmas Service y Gregory C. A. Lyon Luke C. Werre Contents Copyright Notices Information... 2 General Service Notes... 3 Banner Design... 5 Service Copy Master... 6 Song Accompaniments Vocal Scores Oh, Come, Little Children... 13 See Yonder Manger Low... 1 Of Far s Love Begotten... 15 Behold, a Branch Is Growg... 15 As Each Happy Christmas... 16 Silent Night! Ho Night... 18 O Little Town Bethlehem... 19 Children Heaven Far... 20 Your Little Ones, Dear Lord, Are We... 21 oy World... 22
Copyright Notice Information Please Read! The copyright service Children Heaven Far is held y Northwestern Pulishg House. 201 Northwestern Pulishg House, Milwaukee, WI. All rights reserved. Purchase t kit gives user permission adapt copy t material for use with one or more groups with a sgle congregation or organization. (Dual parishes may purchase one copy for use oth.) Permission adapt copy is not transferale anor congregation or organization. Scripture taken from HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 198 y Bilica, Inc. Used y permission Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Hymnal references marked CW are Christian Worship: A Luran Hymnal 1993 Northwestern Pulishg House. Musical settgs t kit may e duplicated for preparations performances t Christmas service, unless orwise dicated. Northwestern Pulishg House 1250 N. 113th St., Milwaukee, WI 53226328 www.nph.net 201 Northwestern Pulishg House All rights reserved Pulished 201 Prted United States America ISBN 9780810026629 2
CHILDREN OF THE HEAVENLY FATHER A Children s Christmas Service The Christmas kit contas complete Leader s Guide, plus a sample ullet cover a CD, which cludes followg: 1. PDF Leader s Guide for service, cludg copy master service, notes on its use, design for a service anner, song accompaniments 2. RTF file an optional sermon 3. RTF text file service copy master cludg song rics. PDF sample ullet cover 5. Graphic files logo anner for service 6. MIDI files song accompaniments 7. WAV files vocal accompaniment tracks General Service Notes 1. Children Heaven Far is a children s service that proclaims Christmas message irth Savior. Through use familiar Bile passages Christmas songs, we hear wonderful message Savior that was orn how we have ecome God s children through faith. 2. T service can e easi adapted for use with oth large small groups children. Adult choirs speakers may also e used as desired. Recitations can e used with a narrar group children or with pasr congregation. 3. An optional sermon outle has een cluded that could e used place dicated service. If sermon is used, troduction narration parts should e deleted or condensed sce narrations are taken from sermon text.. Open README file on CD get formation on usg text MIDI files for service. If CD direcry shows on audio tracks, use Wdows Explorer open text MIDI files. 5. You may duplicate copy master entire service or adapt text file found on service CD. Usg text file allows you make changes that meet your local needs. 6. The service copy master (RTF) file on CD may e used prepare a service folder for congregation. It cludes texts hymns, which are not prted t ooklet. 7. Practice all speakg parts for clarity, volume, expression. Encourage students proect ir voices ack church. Determe where pauses should e made text which words should e stressed. Then teach recitation groups recite an expressive style, with appropriate rhythm flection. 8. Assign hymns songs groups as desired. You may sustitute or hymns or Christmas songs, ut texts should reflect content for that pot service. Consider usg appropriate choir settgs for children or adults on suggested hymns. 3
9. The CD cludes accompaniment tracks hymns songs service. These may e used for rehearsal or for accompaniment durg service. Demonstration vocal tracks are also cluded for most hymns for teachg m children. (Note: The hymn accompaniments are not designed accompany a large congregation.) Sce music recordgs is pulic doma or has permission for use t service, you may copy recordgs writale CDs for use y multiple classrooms for rehearsal purposes on. Any video or audio recordgs service that clude copyrighted songs will need permission for distriution or sales. 10. You may use MIDI files on CD with a media player on a computer. Use m for rehearsal or for accompaniment durg service. You may also use m with a MIDIcompatile keyoard that reads stard MIDI files. Consult keyoard manual for additional formation on usg files. 11. The design for anner used service is provided on page 5 t guide. 12. Coordated ullet covers (8.5" x 11" 8.5" x 1") are availale. Order formation follows. Children Heaven Far Service Bullets Availale multiples 50: KT130021, 8.5" x 11" per 100 8.99 KT130022, 8.5" x 1" per 100 9.99 Prices are suect change. Availale onle at www.nph.net. To order call 18006626022 Milwaukee area 1756600, ext. 5800 (8:30 A.M. :00 P.M. CT weekdays) Microst Wdows Explorer is a registered trademark Microst Corporation United States /or or countries.
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P Y C O Children Heaven Far A Children s Christmas Service y Gregory C. A. Lyon Luke C. Werre Processional Hymn: Oh, Come, Little Children Invocation: In name Far Son (+) Ho Spirit. Amen. LE Sermon (optional) Text: 1 ohn 3:1 Theme: He ecame a child make us children God! A M P Introduction Oh, e young aga! Wouldn t it e great have that youthful energy that ust doesn t quit Wouldn t it e nice wake up morng without all aches pas that you ve ecome so accusmed Wouldn t it e nice have docr say you, You know, you could real st add a few pounds Wouldn t it e nice live life carefree rar than stress over deadle after deadle There comes a pot life that you fal come realization, I m not a kid anymore. But lessgs eg children go eyond physical enefits. esus tells us have faith like that a little child. In day s Christmas service, you are gog see that childlike faith on display. You are gog see children proclaimg a truth that does not change with age: Today wn David a Savior has een orn you; he is Christ Lord. Through ir proclamation gospel us, may Ho Spirit strengn our faith e children heaven Far. Hymn: See Yonder Manger Low (CW 58) S (Note: Durg openg narration each section, pianist or organist may st play optional hymn Of Far s Love Begotten [CW 35]. When narration ends, crescendo troduction hymn, congregation sgs stanza.) 6
Part 1: Children Heaven Far Trust His Word Narration: Often people will say, If on I knew n what I know now. Do you ever wish you could go ack your youth with years knowledge experience you have now Or would you ust prefer youthful ignorance take life as it comes Perhaps it might not e a ad thg go ack what it was like e a child. Thk aout it: what has time done adults Besides wearg down our odies physical, it has led people lose simple trust. But good news a child orn Bethlehem for us renews simple, childlike faith so that we accept God s Word as truth, ust as Mary did. Optional Hymn: Of Far s Love Begotten (CW 35:1) Recitation: The Announcement Christ Child s Comg In sixth month, God sent angel Gariel Nazareth, a wn Galilee, a virg pledged e married a man named oseph, a descendant David. The virg s name was Mary. The angel went her said, Greetgs, you who are high favored! The Lord is with you. Mary was great trouled at words wondered what kd greetg t might e. But angel said her, Do not e afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will e with child give irth a son, you are give him name esus. He will e great will e called Son Most High. The Lord God will give him throne far David, he will reign over house aco forever; kgdom will never end. How will t e, Mary asked angel, sce I am a virg The angel answered, The Ho Spirit will come upon you, power Most High will overshadow you. So ho one e orn will e called Son God. I am Lord s servant, Mary answered. May it e me as you have said. Then angel left her. (Luke 1:2635,38) Congregation Hymn: Behold, a Branch Is Growg (CW 7) Part 2: esus Became a Child Make Us Children Heaven Far Narration: Oh, e young aga! My friends, look no farr than manger fd a cure for your guilt, your cynicism, your skepticism, your lack faith. For that manger is a child who was not ld s t world. No, he knew exact world he was comg. He knew how sful t world is. So esus Christ came t world ecame what he was not so that we could e what we were not children God. Optional Hymn: Of Far s Love Begotten (CW 35:2) 7
Recitation: The Birth Christ Child In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should e taken entire Roman world. (T was first census that ok place while Quirius was governor Syria.) everyone went own wn register. So oseph also went up from wn Nazareth Galilee udea, Bethlehem wn David, ecause he elonged house le David. He went re register with Mary, who was pledged e married him was expectg a child. While y were re, time came for ay e orn, she gave irth her firsrn, a son. She wrapped him cloths placed him a manger, ecause re was no room for m n. (Luke 2:17) Song: As Each Happy Christmas Part 3: Children Heaven Far Reoice God s Grace Narration: esus Christ came t world has forgiven all our ss. The Bile says that he has removed m as far as East is from West! Years guilt are gone. Years skepticism cynicism ward God are gone. All that remas is a simple, childlike faith. A faith that does not get rattled y doutg world ut sts upon truth God s unchangg Word. A faith that old confident proclaims, My Savior has come for me! so we hear voices children proclaimg mighty deeds Lord at Christmastime, we sg with m as fellow children God. as we sg, we also o oyous song shepherds angels on that very first Christmas. Optional Hymn: Of Far s Love Begotten (CW 35:3) Recitation: The Shepherds Angels Reoice There were shepherds livg out fields neary, keepg watch over ir flocks at night. An angel Lord appeared m, glory Lord shone around m, y were terrified. But angel said m, Do not e afraid. I rg you good news great oy that will e for all people. Today wn David a Savior has een orn you; he is Christ Lord. T will e a sign you: You will fd a ay wrapped cloths g a manger. Sudden a great company heaven host appeared with angel, praisg God sayg, Glory God highest, on earth peace men on whom favor rests. (Luke 2:81) Hymn: Silent Night! Ho Night (CW 60) 8
Part : Children Heaven Far Proclaim God s Word Narration: Is re any way we can go ack days when all hiition was gone as we sang out Away a Manger esus Loves Me Is re any way we can go ack days when we were so excited tell Mommy Daddy that esus died on cross for us We may e tempted call it youthful ignorance, ut let s call it what it real is: simple, childlike faith. These words that come oyful pourg out mouths children are words that are active ir hearts. They proclaim what y elieve that esus Christ came world make us children God. The youthful faith se children is not eyond us. The same Spirit that created faith hearts se children created faith our hearts through simple proclamation gospel. now that gospel is ours share, ust as shepherds did. Optional Hymn: Of Far s Love Begotten (CW 35:) Recitation: The Shepherds Go Bethlehem When angels had left m gone heaven, shepherds said one anor, Let s go Bethlehem see t thg that has happened, which Lord has ld us aout. So y hurried f found Mary oseph, ay, who was g manger. When y had seen him, y spread word concerng what had een ld m aout t child, all who heard it were amazed at what shepherds said m. But Mary treasured up all se thgs pondered m her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifyg praisg God for all thgs y had heard seen, which were ust as y had een ld. (Luke 2:1520) Congregation Hymn: O Little Town Bethlehem (CW 65) Part 5: By Faith, We Are Children Heaven Far Narration: How great is love Far has lavished on us a love that we did nothg earn or deserve, ut a love that God gave us. That s what God s agape love is. It is a love that is a gift. T is a love that God free gave when he sent Son, esus Christ, e a child for us. t is a love that he has free given us Baptism, where, connected with simple water, he marked us as redeemed children God. When God says that we are called children God, that s ecause he made us children God. So through faith esus Christ, we can e confident that children God is what we are! Optional Hymn: Of Far s Love Begotten (CW 35:5) Recitation: We See esus With a Childlike Faith At that time disciples came esus asked, Who is greatest kgdom heaven He called a little child had him st among m. he said: I tell you 9
truth, unless you change ecome like little children, you will never enter kgdom heaven. Therefore, whoever humles himself like t child is greatest kgdom heaven. whoever welcomes a little child like t my name welcomes me. See that you do not look down on one se little ones. (Matw 18:15,10) Those who are led y Spirit God are sons God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave aga fear, ut you received Spirit sonship. y him we cry, Aa, Far. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God s children. Now if we are children, n we are heirs heirs God coheirs with Christ, if deed we share suffergs order that we may also share glory. (Romans 8:117) Narration: The followg passages speak tender Farchild relationship we have with God through faith esus. Recitation: Sce children have flesh lood, he o shared ir humanity so that y death he might destroy him who holds power death that is, devil. (Herews 2:1) To all who received him, those who elieved name, he gave right ecome children God children orn not natural descent, nor human decision or a hus s will, ut orn God. (ohn 1:12,13) I write you, dear children, ecause your ss have een forgiven on account name. (1 ohn 2:12) The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God s children. (Romans 8:16) Be imitars God, refore, as dear loved children. (Ephesians 5:1) How great is love Far has lavished on us, that we should e called children God! (1 ohn 3:1) Narration: In Small Catecm, Mart Lur expressed t affectionate relationship etween God eliever The Address Lord s Prayer. Recitation: Our Far heaven. What does t mean With se words God tender vites us elieve that he is our true Far that we are His true children, so that we may pray him as old confident as dear children ask ir dear far. (Lur s Catecm) 10
Song: Children Heaven Far (CW 9) Please St. The Second Article Explanation: I elieve esus Christ, on Son, our Lord, who was conceived y Ho Spirit, orn virg Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, was uried. He descended hell. The third day he rose aga from dead. He ascended heaven is seated at right h God Far almighty. From re he will come udge livg dead. What does t mean I elieve that esus Christ, true God, egotten Far from eternity, also true man, orn virg Mary, is my Lord. He has redeemed me, a lost condemned creature, purchased won me from all ss, from death, from power devil, not with gold or silver ut with ho, precious lood with nocent sufferg death. All t he did that I should e own, live under him kgdom serve him everlastg righteousness, nocence, lessedness, ust as he has risen from death lives rules eternal. T is most certa true. Please Be Seated. Offerg Offerg Hymn: Your Little Ones, Dear Lord, Are We (CW 6) Please St. Prayer The Lord s Prayer: Our Far heaven, hallowed e your name, your kgdom come, your will e done on earth as heaven. Give us day our dai read. Forgive us our ss, as we forgive those who s agast us. Lead us not temptation, ut deliver us from evil. 11
For kgdom, power, glory are yours, now forever. Amen. Blessg: The Lord less you keep you; Lord make face she on you e gracious you; Lord look on you with favor (+) give you peace. Amen. Please Be Seated. Recessional Hymn: oy World (CW 62) 12
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