Christmas Day Service December 25, 2014

Peace Lutheran Church 2090 Commerce Drive

North Mankato, MN 56003

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“Serving Christ with united hearts and hands and voices” Pastor Timothy Hartwig

Church Office: 507-385-1386

Cell Phone: 507-382-6826

Email: pastorhartwig@gmail.com

Jesus Lambs’ at Peace Preschool

Teacher/Director: Joslyn Moldstad

Phone: 507-385-7752

Email: joslynm@chartermi.net

Divine Service Sunday – 8:30 & 10:45 AM & Wednesday – 6:30 PM

December 25, 2014 Christmas Day

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

Almighty God, grant that the birth of your 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. Amen.

For the Children

A Cry-Room is available if your little ones need a moment. It is the first room on the left 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.

Peace Lutheran Church Evangelical Lutheran Synod

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Christmas Day

Hymn: #133, “O Come, All Ye Faithful” Congregation verses 1,3,4; Choir verse 2

Christmas Invocation P: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. P: Heavenly Father, we celebrate the birth of Your One and Only Son, Jesus Christ, as

a baby in Bethlehem. C: In the stillness and quiet He came to bring us eternal peace.

P: Yet the peace of this Christchild was not something we deserved. We have sinned and broken God’s law, even on Christmas. Therefore, let us confess our sins and ask the Lord to forgive us.

C: Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and that I have disobeyed you in my thoughts, words and actions. I have done what is evil and failed to do what is good. For this I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity. But I am truly sorry for my sins, and trusting in my Savior Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord have mercy on me, a sinner.

Hymn: #137:1,4, “O Little Town of Bethlehem”

P: God, our heavenly Father, has been merciful to us and has given his only Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen. P: Glory to God in the highest. C: And peace to his people on earth.

Adult Choir: “There is No Rose” There is no rose of such virtue As is the rose that bare Jesu: Alleluia.

For in this rose contained was Heav'n and earth in little space: Resmiranda. (a wonderful thing)

By that rose we may well see There be one God in persons three: Pares forma. (of the same form)

Then leave we all this worldly mirth, And follow we this joyous birth; Transeamus. (Let us go)

© Oxford University Press 1998 and 2002. All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-721927

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Prayer of the Day

First Lesson – Isaiah 52:7-10 7How 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!" 8Listen! 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. 9Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the LORD has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. 10The 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.

Hymn: #125:1, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”

Psalm 96 P: Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.

C: Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.

P: Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

C: For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.

P: For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.

C: Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary.

P: Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

C: Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts.

P: Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.

C: Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns.” The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.

P: Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it;

C: let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy;

P: they will sing before the LORD, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth.

C: He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth.

Hymn 125:2,3, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”

Second Lesson – Hebrews 1:1-9 1In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times

and in various ways, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom

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he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. 5For to which of the angels did God ever say,

"You are my Son; today I have become your Father"? Or again, "I will be his Father, and he will be my Son"? 6And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him." 7In speaking of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire." 8But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the

scepter of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy."

Hymn 125:4, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”

Gospel – John 1:1-14 1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word

was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has

been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

6There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- 13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

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Duet: “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” Of the Father's love begotten, Ere the worlds began to be, He is Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending he Of the things that are, that have been, And that future years shall see, Evermore and evermore.

Let the heights of heav'n adore him; Angel hosts, his praises sing; Pow'rs, dominions, bow before him, And extol our God and King; Let no tongue on earth be silent, Ev'ry voice in concert ring, Evermore and evermore.

Christ, to you with God the Father, Spirit blest eternally, Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving, And unending praises be: Honor, glory, and dominion, And eternal victory Evermore and evermore.

© 1998 by G.I.A. Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-721927.

2nd Article of the Apostle’s Creed and Meaning I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

What does this mean?

I believe that Jesus Christ is true God, begotten of the Father from eternity and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary; and that He is my Lord, Who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, purchased and won me from all sins, from death and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood, and with His innocent suffering and death; in order that I might be His own, live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence and blessedness; even as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.

Solo: “The Birthday of a King” In the little village of Bethlehem, There lay a child one day, And the sky was bright with a holy light, O'er the place were Jesus lay: Alleluia! O how the angels sang; Alleluia! how it rang; And the sky was bright with a holy light, 'Twas the birthday of a King.

'Twas a humble birthplace, but oh! how much God gave to us that day, From the manger bed, what a path has led What a perfect holy way: Alleluia! O how the angels sang, Alleluia! how it rang; And the sky was bright with a holy light, 'Twas the birthday of a King.

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Exordium1

Exordium Hymn: #142, “Rejoice, Rejoice This Happy Morn”

Sermon – John 1:1-14 The True Light that Gives Life Has Come

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.

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use,

it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38 NIV) Please fill out the Friendship Register.

Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

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.

1 The Exordium is an “introduction” for the festival day. This is a tradition of Norwegian Lutherans that

dates to the 16th

century. After the Exordium, the congregation stands to sing the festival hymn.

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Closing Hymn 138, “Joy to the World”

Thank you to those who served in our service today: The Adult Choir; Soloist: Eric Halvorson; Accompanists: Susan Lepak, Amanda Madson

Trumpets: Laura Chopp, Aaron Krattiger; Organist: Amanda Madson; The ushers. Cover artwork: Gustave Doré

To God be the Glory

Thanks to all who participated in special music for the various

Advent and Christmas services this season. To God be the glory!

Adult Choir (Susan Lepak, director) Vocal Ensembles/ Instrumentalists Bass Tenor Soloists Rachel Olsen, flute Ernie Geistfeld Matt Lukasek Eric Halvorson Adie Harstad, guitar Jon Geistfeld Todd Olsen Adie Harstad Mike Madson, guitar Tom Kuster Pete Schuch Katie Hartwig Janeen Schultz, saxophone Phillip Lepak Philip Wels Mike Madson Taylor Theiste, saxophone Mike Madson Josh Wierschke Todd Olsen Rylee Woller, saxophone Ben Schultz Eric Woller Ben Schultz Ben Schultz, violin Keith Wiederhoeft Alison Wierschke Laura Harstad, piano Eric Woller Leah Klammer, piano Gracen Lukasek, piano Alto Soprano Olivia Woller, piano Kris Flygare Laura Gehlhar Rylee Woller, piano

Danielle Geistfeld Helen Harstad Accompanists/Organists Katie Hartwig Sarah Holbird Aaron Ferkenstad Kristi Hough Amy Jo Reiner Katie Hartwig Judy Kuster Janeen Schultz Susan Lepak Beka Matthes Joni Wiederhoeft Amanda Madson Rachel Moldstad Marilyn Paulsen Alisha Schuch Marnie Werner Alison Wierschke

To our Peace family, We wish you all God’s richest blessings as we celebrate the birth of His Son. We give Him thanks for you and for the many blessings He has poured out on us through you!

Merry Christmas, The Hartwig Family

December 28th – 9:00 am One service only

December 31st – 6:30 pm New Year’s Eve Worship Service

No Sunday School or Bible Class on December 28th Classes will resume again on January 4th