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We glorify God by building healthy relationships with God, with one another, and with our community following the example of Jesus Christ. WE WELCOME ALL in Christ s name to our worship service today. All baptized Christians who believe the bread and wine are the body and blood of Christ for the forgiveness of sins may receive the sacrament. Communion is by common cup (for drinking only), or with individual glasses, the center rings are grape juice and the outer rings are wine. Young persons not yet instructed in the meaning of the Sacrament are invited forward for a blessing. GATHERING PRELUDE Angels We Have Heard on High Danielle Bossler Alleluia, Glory Hallelujah St. Peter Choir COMMUNITY CONVERSATION CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the Word made flesh, the Lord and giver of life. P: Let us come into the light of Christ, confessing our need for God's mercy. God of peace, C: we confess that we are not at peace with others or with ourselves. We bring to you all that tears us apart: discord in our families, violence in our world, our own conflicted hearts. In your mercy, mend us. Reconnect us to one another and to you. Let peace reign over all the earth, through the Prince of peace, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. P: In the Word who has come to dwell with us, God has given us grace upon grace: forgiveness that is stronger than our sins, love that can heal every broken heart. Hear this word of God's pardon and peace: in the name of + Jesus our Savior, you are free from all your sins. Rise, shine, for your light has come. 3
OPENING HYMN Angels, from the Realms of Glory ELW # 275 (Red Hymnal) GREETING P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. C: And also with you. HYMN OF PRAISE Angels We Have Heard on High ELW # 289 (Red Hymnal) PRAYER OF THE DAY P: Let us pray. Almighty God, C: you gave us your only Son to take on our human nature and to illumine the world with your light. By your grace adopt us as your children and enlighten us with your Spirit, through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. WORD FIRST LESSON Isaiah 52:7 10 7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns." 8 Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices, together they sing for joy; for in plain sight they see the return of the LORD to Zion. 9 Break forth together into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem; for the LORD has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. 10 The LORD has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. Word of God, Word of Life. C: Thanks be to God. CHOIR ANTHEM Touched By a Child St. Peter Choir 4
SECOND LESSON Hebrews 1:1 12 Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. 3 He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. 5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son; today I have begotten you"? Or again, "I will be his Father, and he will be my Son"? 6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him." 7 Of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire." 8 But of the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions." 10 And, "In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands; 11 they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like clothing; 12 like a cloak you will roll them up, and like clothing they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will never end." Word of God, Word of Life. C: Thanks be to God. CHILDREN S MOMENT Pastor Kristin Berglund GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Away in a Manger ELW # 277 (verse 1) (Red Hymnal) 5
GOSPEL John 1:1 14 P: The holy gospel according to John the first chapter. C: Glory to you, O Lord. P: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. This is the gospel of our Lord. C: Praise to you O Christ. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Away in a Manger ELW # 277 (verse 2) (Red Hymnal) SERMON Pastor Kristin Berglund HYMN OF THE DAY Hark! The Herald Angels Sing ELW # 270 (Red Hymnal) NICENE CREED We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; 6
through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. THE PRAYERS AM: Lord, in your mercy, C: hear our prayer. MEAL THE PEACE P: The peace of Christ be with you always. C: And also with you. OFFERING Christmas Communion Song St. Peter Choir OFFERTORY PRAYER AM: Let us pray. Good and loving God, C: we rejoice in the birth of Jesus, who came among the poor to bring the riches of your grace. As you have blessed us with your gifts, let them be blessing for others. With the trees of the field, with all earth and heaven, we shout for joy at the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 7
SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION P: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. P: Lift up your hearts. C: We lift them to the Lord. P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C: It is right to give our thanks and praise. P: It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ. In the wonder and mystery of the Word made flesh you have opened the eyes of faith to a new and radiant vision of your glory, that, beholding the God made visible, we may be drawn to love the God whom we cannot see. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn: O Little Town of Bethlehem ELW # 279 (verses 1 & 4) (Red Hymnal) P: Holy One, the beginning and the end, the giver of life: Blessed are you for the birth of creation. Blessed are you in the darkness and in the light. Blessed are you for your promise to your people. Blessed are you in the prophets' hopes and dreams. Blessed are you for Mary's openness to your will. Blessed are you for your Son Jesus, the Word made flesh. In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. Let us proclaim the mystery of faith: C: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. 8
P: With this bread and cup we remember your Word dwelling among us, full of grace and truth. We remember our new birth in his death and resurrection. We look with hope for his coming. C: Come, Lord Jesus. P: Holy God, we long for your Spirit. Come among us. Bless this meal. May your Word take flesh in us. Awaken your people. Fill us with your light. Bring the gift of peace on earth. C: Come, Holy Spirit. P: All praise and glory are yours, Holy One of Israel, Word of God incarnate, Power of the Most High, one God, now and forever. THE LORD'S PRAYER P: Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us. C: 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. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen. INVITATION TO COMMUNION P: The mystery hidden for the ages is revealed for us in this meal. Come, behold and receive your God. COMMUNION HYMN God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Danielle Bossler What Child Is This ELW # 296 (Red Hymnal) POST COMMUNION PRAYER P: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. 9
AM: Let us pray. We give you thanks, O God, that in this bread and cup of Christ's very life, you give us food for our journey. As you led the magi by a star, as you brought the holy family home again, guide us on the way unfolding before us. Wherever we go, may our lives proclaim good news of great joy in Jesus Christ our Lord. SENDING BLESSING P: May the Word that Mary brought to birth carry you into new and abundant life. P: May the Word that Joseph cradled in his arms enfold you with love and strength. P: May the Word that angels proclaimed in song bring harmony to our world. P: And the blessing of almighty God, the Father, the + Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always. SENDING HYMN Go Tell It on the Mountain ELW # 290 (Red Hymnal) DISMISSAL AM: Go in peace. Christ is with you. C: Thanks be to God. POSTLUDE We would like to send out a special thank you to Danielle Bossler for providing special music for today's service. We always appreciate her time and talents. 10
SERVING CHRISTMAS WEEK Thursday Sunday Dec. 25th December 28th 9:00am 8:00am 10:30am Assistant Minister Dione Knop Cindy Weina Carol Witt Crucifer Austin Stiebs Darcy Bossler Ethan Wollert Reader Eric Brunnich Gary Klein Lessons & Carols Ushers Marge Byrum Marion Dion Martens Family Dave & Karen Berglund Communion Distributors Kevin, Carol & Emily Witt 1 Person Please HELP! Dawn & Danielle Bossler Steve Weina Kathy Dana Kevin Witt Mara, Makell & Kathy Babak Altar Set up N/A Bossler Family Altar inbetween Altar Clean up Children's Moment Council on Duty Bread Bakers Coffee Fellowship N/A Witt Family Pastor Kristin Bossler Family Wollert Family Nate Smith Steve Weina Scott Morrelle Barb Bubb Judy Brunnich N/A JoAnne Krysak Kevin & Carol Witt Duane & Jane Strausser Shirley Housey Barb Zempel Dan & Roxanne Stiebs Deana Rabideaux Choir Judy Brunnich Lori Ristow 11
THIS WEEKS CALENDAR Thursday, December 25, 2014 OFFICE CLOSED 9:00 AM Worship Sanctuary Sunday, December 28, 2014 8:00 AM Worship Sanctuary 10:30 AM Worship Sanctuary Monday, December 29, 2014 4:00 PM TLC Meeting Fellowship Hall Tuesday, December 30, 2014 6:30 PM Knitting Ministry Fireside Room 7:00 PM NA Meeting Chapel Wednesday, December 31, 2014 12:00 PM OFFICE CLOSED Thursday, January 01, 2015 OFFICE CLOSED Sunday, January 04, 2015 8:00 AM Worship Sanctuary 9:15 AM Sunday School Classrooms 10:30 AM Worship Sanctuary 12:00 PM Take Down Christmas Tree Sanctuary WELCOME TO ALL WHO ARE WORSHIPPING WITH US TODAY, ESPECIALLY THOSE VISITING ITING. All visitors are invited to sign and put a Pew Card in the offering plate or hand it to the ushers, or sign the guest book in the narthex. Other opportunities to use the Pew Card would be to inform Pastor of a prayer request or a future hospital visit. Thank you. 12
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO DONATED POINSETTIAS!! The Kirchenwitz Family Myra Schneider The Weina Family Dan & Cheryl Rostollan The Smith Family Please feel free to take your poinsettias home any time after the Christmas Day service. A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO JIM AND DARLENE GRUENKE FOR DONATING THE CHRISTMAS TREE Photos of our NEW MEMBERS are posted on the kiosk in the narthex! Check it out and give our new members a warm St. Peter WELCOME. WEATHER CANCELLATIONS When it is necessary to cancel services due to weather this information will be posted on our St. Peter website: www.stpetersheboygan.com as early as possible after the decision is made by Pastor Kristin and the Executive Team. The information will also be communicated in a mass e-mail, when possible, to members we have email addresses for, and through local TV and radio stations such as WTMJ-4, WHBL, and WISN. We will be taking down the CHRISTMAS TREE AND OTHER DECORATIONS on Sunday, January 4th at 12:00pm. All are welcome. The more hands we have to help the quicker it will go!! KNITTING/CROCHET MINISTRY will resume Tuesday nights at 6:30pm in the Fireside Room at St. Peter beginning on September 9, 2014. Hope to see you there! Any questions, contact Ruth Hartig at rhartig@excel.net. 13
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING Annual Meeting, Council Member Elections and a light lunch will be held on Sunday, January 18th, 2014 at 11:45am in the Fellowship Hall. Business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting on the 18th will include: Elections Looking Ahead to 2015 Approval of the Budget for 2015 If you have any questions, please contact Nate Smith, Steve Weina, Barb Bubb or Kathy Babak The meeting agenda and proposed 2015 budget will be available by January 11th, 2015 From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2005 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #22432. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Hymns reprinted with permission. CCLI#1162147 14
There will be SPANISH CLASSES offered at St. Peter during Lent 2015. Classes will meet in February and March. More information and registration information available on the kiosk. Class sponsored by the St. Peter congregation and free to students. Registration required by January 25, 2015. MITTEN TREE Cold weather has arrived and we need help. Please help fill the mitten tree once again. The Mitten Tree is located in the Fellowship Hall. Feel free to fill it with mittens, socks and hats. We will then donate to local school children who need them as the cold weather is creeping up on us to help keep them warm. Whether you are buying them on sale, knitting, or crocheting them, they are appreciated by our little friends. FIRST COMMUNION Stay tuned for more information about a First Communion class for youth in 2 nd grade and above. Parents - If your child is interested in receiving communion prior to the class please talk to Pastor Kristin. GREETING CARDS Recycle those greeting cards that you get over the holidays. Birthday, sympathy, thank you, holiday, Anniversary, etc. Thank you to all of you who have been donating your cards. WELCA will continue to collect used/new greeting cards for Taycheedah Correctional Institution. They have a great need for the cards. We only need the front of the card. You may cut off the personal section or we can do that for you. Used cards can be placed in the "card" box located on the shelf across from the bathrooms in the Fellowship Hall. No envelopes are needed. THE CUT UPS A quilting group for Lutheran World Relief, will meet the 2 nd and 4 th Tuesday of the month at St. Peter from 9:00am to 3:00pm. There is no experience necessary, so please join us for fun, fellowship, and a chance to help others ~ all at the same time!! Please bring along: a snack to share, a desire to help others, a pair of sharp scissors, and a smile. Please call Wendy Bertram at 452-9982 if you have any questions. 15
ST. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCH HOLIDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25TH Worship at 9:00am SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28TH Worship 8:00am & 10:30am Lessons & Carols NO SUNDAY SCHOOL Christmas Day 9:00am 25 December 2014 St. Peter Lutheran Church 2104 Geele Avenue, Sheboygan, WI 53083 Pastor Kristin Berglund Pastor's Email: kberglund@stpetersheboygan.com Pastor's Phone: (773) 759-8686 Ministers: All members of St. Peter Lutheran Church Phone: (920) 452-4771 Church Email: stpeter@stpetersheboygan.com Web address: www.stpetersheboygan.com 16