IN THE NAME OF JESUS, SAVIOR OF THE WORLD, WELCOME TO OUR GUESTS AND VISITORS!! May His Word strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ and your love for Him. We celebrate Holy Communion on the second and fourth Thursdays and Sundays. We practice close communion and invite guests to speak with the pastor before coming to the Lord s Table. If you would like to know more about our congregation or Risen Savior Lutheran School, please sign the Worship Register in your pew or use the contact information found below. Also, you are invited to take a copy of the monthly calendar, available in the narthex or ask an usher for a copy. Come join us for worship again soon! QUIET BAGS, filled with items and activities for children, are available on the rack near the Nursery door. The nursery is available for parents with small children who may be restless during the service. Please use at your discretion. Thank you for returning the toys to the tubs. T M G, M G S. M. W G W, G, J. Christmas Day Festival Service December 25, 2016 Pastor Keith Siverly ST MARK EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 502 West 7 th Street Mankato, MN 56001 www.stmarksmankato.com Pastor Keith Siverly 388-2013 (Office), 507-382-7679 (Cell) stmark@hickorytech.net RISEN SAVIOR LUTHERAN SCHOOL 502 West 7 th Street Mankato, MN 56001 www.risensaviorlutheranschool.com Principal Jason Rupnow 507-388-6624 (School), 507-720-6335 (Home) principal@rslsmn.com When the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law. (Galatians 4:4, 5a) Welcome to all who have joined us for this Festival of the Nativity. We pray that this service will be a blessing to you. As we join together this Christmas morning, Oh, come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
Call to Worship: Found in Christian Worship Hymnal (red hymnal in pew) CONFESSION OF SINS (Responses sung) M: Almighty Triune God, before whom all angels hide their faces, and in whose presence they delight, with all reverence and joy we acknowledge your glory and worship you: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. C: 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 the angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem! Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King! M: Confessing our many sin and our unworthiness, we beg your mercy and forgiveness, for the sake of Jesus Christ, who is the Word made flesh to dwell among us, full of grace and truth. C: 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! M: The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. 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. C: Hail, the heavenly Prince of Peace! Hail, the Son of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, risen 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! STAND 1 2
Prayer of the Day Response to the Word: Found in Christian Worship Hymnal (red hymnal in pew) M: Let us pray. Almighty God, grant that the birth of your one and only Son in the flesh may set us free from our old bondage under the yoke of sin; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. BE SEATED First Lesson Isaiah 52:7-10 As God once used an angel host to announce the birth of his Son, so he also uses preachers of the gospel to share the same message. And just as the shepherds rejoiced, all nations rejoice in the salvation God gives us through the Savior, Jesus. 7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, Your God reigns! 8 Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the LORD returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes. 9 Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the LORD has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. 10 The LORD will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God. Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-719971 3 4
Second Lesson John 1:1-14 John unfolds for us the mystery of the Incarnation. Jesus, the Word from all eternity, the light of the world and true God, who was foretold by John the Baptist, became flesh and made his dwelling among us. Psalm of the Day Psalm 98 1 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[a] 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. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband s will, but born of God. 14 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. Sing to the LORD a new song,* for he has done marvelous things. The LORD has made his salvation known* and revealed his righteousness to the nations. He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel;* all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Refrain Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth,* burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the LORD with the harp,* with the harp and the sound of singing. Shout for joy before the LORD, the King.* He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity. Glory be to the Father and to the Son* and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning,* is now, and will be forever. Amen. Refrain Refrain Tune: J. Robert Carroll. 1986 GIA Publica ons, Inc., Chicago, IL, www.giamusic.com. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-719971 5 6
Gospel Lesson Luke 2:1-20 (King James Version) In fulfillment of all of God s promises, Christ is born in Bethlehem. Heralded by angels, he is worshiped first by lowly shepherds. Congregation please read as indicated below: All Congregation: And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. Men: And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. Women: And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Children: And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. Women: And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Children: And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, All Congregation: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Men: And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. Women: And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. All Congregation: And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. 7 8
Hymn of the Day: Found in Christian Worship Hymnal (red hymnal in pew) Sermon John 1:1-14 Theme: Jesus is our Christmas Light I. Shining in all the world (1-5) II. Burning in our hearts as well (6-14) STAND 9 10
Confession of Faith for Christmas Day I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth. who sent his Son as my Savior on Christmas Day. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, announced by the angels, worshiped by the shepherds, adored by the Wise Men, who lived to suffer, die, and rise again, who has freed me from sin, death, and the power of the devil. I believe in the Holy Spirit, who has brought me to faith in the Christ of Christmas, who continues to work in my heart, who leads me to lay before the feet of my Lord the treasures of my heart and to live under him as my King, both now and forevermore. Amen. BE SEATED Offering The members of St. Mark have joined together to do the Lord s work in our community and around the world, and our offerings are a joyful response of our faith. If you are a visitor this morning, you are welcome but not obligated to give an offering. STAND Prayer of the Church for Christmas Day M: On this holy day, dear Father, we rejoice to hear the good news of great joy that a Savior has been born for us. For fulfilling your prophecies and in the fullness of time sending your Son to be our Savior, we give you our heartfelt thanks and praise. M: What a great mystery of our faith this is, that God has become a man to be our Savior! Even though wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger, he is still the all-powerful Lord of all, who willingly and lovingly became fully human. C: Help us always to believe that this precious child was born as our substitute to be our Savior. M: In the midst of our joy, we grieve for the many people in our world who do not know that Jesus has come to bring them forgiveness and healing. As the shepherds spread abroad the good news of the birth of the Savior born for all the world, may we also make use of the unique opportunities this holiday presents to tell others of what we have seen and heard concerning the child. C: Grant that the true peace on earth between God and fallen mankind may comfort all people. M: As the angels sang out their praise, move us also to sing out our praise to you, not just today, but every day, as the joy of Christmas remains in our hearts. C: Glory to God in the highest! Amen. The Lord s Prayer (tune: "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear") C: Our Father, Lord on heav'n's high throne, most holy be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth - in heav'n the same. Give us this day the food we need; forgiven may we be; Into temptation do not lead; from evil set us free. Yours is the kingdom; unto You in grateful love we bow; And yours the pow'r; Lord, let us view Your mighty presence now, The glory yours; Your praise be sung by angel hosts and men In ev'ry land, by ev'ry tongue forevermore! Amen. C: Unto us a child is born! Unto us a Son is given! 11 12