ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH
MAYTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA
The Rev. Robert M. Lescallette, Pastor
JoNan Shirk, Parish Secretary
Becky Fleckenstein, Parish Sexton
Susan Frank, Youth Director
CHRISTMAS EVE December 24, 2005
THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD 10:30 p.m.
A Festival Eucharist
Celebrating the Word made flesh
In the Babe of Bethlehem and
The Bread and Wine of Maytown
THE PRELUDE MUSIC
“O Little Town Of Bethlehem” – Arr. L. Smith
“Glory To God On The Highest with Angels We Have Heard On High”
arr. C. Taylor
“Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter Of Zion” from The Messiah
G. F. Handel Margaret Landis – Soloist
(All rise at the sounding of the chimes.)
THE PROCLAMATION OF THE BIRTH OF CHRIST
(Read by Pastor from the balcony.)
(After the concluding words: “Thanks Be To God”, the organist introduces the opening hymn and the congregation and choir explode in song.)
THE PROCESSIONAL HYMN # 45 “O’ COME ALL YE
FAITHFUL”
THE GREETING pg. 56
THE KYRIE pg. 57
THE HYMN #71 “ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH!”
Verse 1 – all sing Verse 2 – women sing (all sing refrain)
Verse 3 – men sing (all sing refrain)
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY
Pastor: Almighty God, you made this Holy night shine with the brightness of the true Light. Grant that here on earth we may walk in the light of Jesus’ presence and in the last day wake to the brightness of His glory; through your only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
PEOPLE: AMEN. (All sit, following the prayer.)
THE FIRST LESSON – ISAIAH 9:2-7
THE ANTHEMS –
“Were You There on That Christmas Night?” N. Sleeth
“Good Christian Friends Rejoice!” arr. S. Scott
THE SECOND LESSON – TITUS 2:11-14
THE HYMN #390 “I LOVE TO TELL THE STORY” (verse 1 only)
(As the hymn is sung, a Gospel Procession forms and moves into the midst of God’s people.)
THE HOLY GOSPEL – LUKE 2:1-20
THE HYMN #70 “GO, TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN”
(The procession returns to the chancel.)
A SERMON – “WINTER’S GIFT”
(Based on a new book by that title by Jane Monroe Donovan.)
THE NICENE CREED, page 64
THE PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
THE PEACE
THE OFFERING
THE CHORAL OFFERTORY – “CHRISTMAS LULLABY”
arr. C. Taylor
THE OFFERTORY HYMN “WHAT CHILD IS THIS?” pg. 40 (vrs. 3)
THE PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS, page 68 (top)
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
THE PREFACE, page 69
THE SANCTUS, page 69 (“Holy, Holy, Holy”)
THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING, page 69 (pink)
THE LORD’S PRAYER
THE AGNUS DEI, page 72 (“Lamb of God”)
THE DISTRIBUTION (Continuous, standing, by intinction)
(Come forward via the central aisle and return via the side aisles. Those seated on the pulpit side should receive communion from Pastor, those seated on the choir loft side should receive communion from the lector.. The balcony should divide equally or seek out the shortest line.)
(All baptized Christians who receive communion in their home churches and who believe that Christ is present in this supper, giving us forgiveness and strength, are welcome at our altar. The unbaptized and those who do not wish to commune may remain in their pews or come forward for a blessing.
Simply bow your head before Pastor or the lector, to indicate your desire for a blessing.)
THE HYMNS SUNG DURING THE DISTRIBUTION:
“LOVE HAS COME” (See last page)
#67 “AWAY IN A MANGER”
#41 “O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM”
#56 “THE FIRST NOEL”
#54 “IT CAME UPON THE MIDNIGHT CLEAR”
#60 “HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING”
#55 “GOOD CHRISTIAN FRIENDS, REJOICE”
THE BLESSING
THE CANTICLE, page 72 “THANK THE LORD”
THE PRAYER
THE CHORAL INTRODUCTION –
“PEACE, PEACE WITH SILENT NIGHT”, R. & S. Powell
with the congregation singing “Silent Night”
(As the choir sings, the lights are extinguished and the acolytes will pass the fire to the congregation’s candles. Unlit candles should be inclined toward lit ones, to avoid dripping wax.)
THE HYMN #65 “SILENT NIGHT”
THE BENEDICTION
THE DISMISSAL
Pastor: Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
PEOPLE: THANKS BE TO GOD!
THE RECESSIONAL HYMN #39 “JOY TO THE WORLD!”
(As the hymn begins, the lights will be turned on, and the choir will recess from the sanctuary.)
THE ORGAN POSTLUDE “I SAW THREE SHIPS COME SAILING
IN” S. Rogers
Lector – Dan Nichols
Acolyte – David Hoffmann
Crucifer – Kelsey Hafer
Altar Care – The Vogels
Head Usher – Charlie Johns
IF YOU HAVEN’T CHECKED YOUR ELEVATOR LOBBY MAILBOX FOR AWHILE …please do so after the service. You may have cards or other mail awaiting you.
DONORS ARE NEEDED… …to place flowers on the altar for 2006. …to pay for weekly bulletins in 2006.
OPEN HOUSE REPORT
Only 20 visitors visited our church last Sunday afternoon, but those who came seemed very appreciative of the opportunity. Thanks to our docents: Jim, Margie, Joyce, and Janie; to our hostess, Jan; to our Sunday School program presenters, Missy and Ann; and to all our musicians: The Rehkuglers, The Chapmans, The Franks, The Junior choir, and The Senior Choir.
WORSHIP ATTENDANCES
December 18 10:30 am 118
6:00 pm 29
147
THIS WEEKEND IS YOUR LAST OPPORTUNITY...
...to help our church get into the “black” with regard to our financial obligations in 2005. As we go to press, here is what we need to get caught up in the 3 offerings remaining:
Current
Benevolence
World Hunger
Building Fund Goal already met (extended by
Pastor has asked that all of St. John’s households who can afford to do so give the church an extra $100 to current and $20 more to benevolence. Do not give to the building fund because we have already met our annual goal there. Thanks for your help.
THANKS...
...to all those who bought poinsettias to decorate our church. 69 were ordered - a record!
...to all those who helped decorate the church on December 17 and earlier this week. Thanks to Janelle, Butch and Joyce, Pat V., Pat K., Janie, Jamie, George and Vicki, and Shirl. (Our workers gave 2 - 5 hours of their time!)
...to our 14 carolers who visited 20 houses on Monday night - and to our cookie/pie and hot chocolate servers, Pauline, Charlie, Jim and Jo. (Thanks to the Donegal High Singers who lent such beautiful voices to our traveling choir!) Where were all our younger kids? You guys really missed some fun. See you next year?
VERY SAD NEWS
On Tuesday of this week, our Temporary Shelter burned down. The family is fine (housed in another shelter in Mount Joy), but the house is a total loss. There was insurance but we do not yet know to what extent. Stay tuned - and help us provide “room in the inn” when the opportunity arises.
POINSETTIAS...
...may be picked up after the 10:30 PM service on Christmas Eve or after the 9:00 AM service on Christmas Day. Please do not leave them at church beyond the 25th because they cannot be properly cared for. Also - please take only the number of plants that you have donated. Check the bulletin to remind yourself of the number.
LAST COMMUNION OF 2005...
...will be held on Christmas Eve at 10:30 PM. Persons who have not communed at least 1 time in 2005 will no longer be able to vote or hold office in the congregation.
THIS WEEK AT ST. JOHN’S:
Christmas Day: 9:00 AM Carol Service
NO CONTEMPORARY SERVICE
Wednesday No Bible Study
5:30 PM Social Ministry Christmas
Dinner at Brownstone
No Choir Practice
Next Sunday (Jan. 1, 2006) No Sunday School
10:30 AM Communion Service
Noon ACFLB
NO CONTEMPORARY SERVICE
January 2 6:30 PM Praise Band rehearsal
7:00 PM Council
January 3 6:30 PM Evangelism Christmas Party
at Roosevelt Tavern
January 4 10:00 AM Bible Study at Longwood
6:45 PM Junior Choir
7:30 PM Senior Choir
January 6 Synodical Youth “Winterfest” begins
POINSETTIAS
Shirl Reich – In memory of my dad Richard Lease (2)
Butch & Joyce Boyer – In memory of Eugene C. & Jean E. (1)
Bob & Wanda Long –Happy Birthday Jesus. (2)
Cliff , Sheri & Kelsey Hafer – On the birth of our Savior. (1)
Pastor – In Thanksgiving to God for the Birth of our Savior. (2)
Charleen & Mike Smeltzer – In loving memory of Kenneth Landis and Henry T. Smeltzer; and in honor of our grandchildren, Alyssa & Ashlyn. (3)
Pat & Gene Kirchner – In loving memory of our parents George Jacobs and Merhl and Isabel Kirchner. (1)
Hazel Bachert – In loving memory of my dear husband. (1)
Gladys Ney – In memory of my loved ones. (1)
Richard & Louise Baker – In celebration of our Lord’s birth and in memory of loved ones. (1)
The Chapmans – Given to the Glory of God in honor of the birth of Jesus. (2)
Harold & Janie Mohr – In loving memory Helen Engle. A blessed Christmas and Happy New Year to all. (1)
Dick & Esther Shirk – In honor of Jesus’ birthday. Merry Christmas to everyone. (2)
Steve & Cathy Manley – To the Glory and Thankful praise of our precious Lord. (3)
Jim and Diane Leonard – For the wonderful gift of our children and grandchildren God has shared with us - …God Bless us everyone. (3)
Jack & Ann Frank – Happy Birthday Jesus . (1)
Frank & Ginny Zimmerman – To the Glory of God and in honor of the Christ Child. (1)
JoNan Shirk – In thanksgiving to God for wonderful friends and family, Merry Christmas to all. (1)
Dolores Arnold – To the Glory of God and in loving memory of my mother, Ethel O’Reilly. (1)
Michael & Jamie Sine – In memory of our loved ones. Let’s all thank God for the best Christmas present ever, His Blessed Son. Merry Christmas. (1)
Bruce, Linda, Kristen, Eric & Rachel Sipling – In celebration of the birth of or Savior Jesus Christ. (2)
Jeff & Christine Meckley – For those we hold in our hearts. (2)
Jamey, Buffy, Kaycee & Tanner Shirk – Merry Christmas to all! (3)
John & Rose Leas – In loving memory of our parents and sister Wanda. (2)
Victricia McConnell – To the Glory of God for the gift of Christmas and the many blessings throughout the years. (1)
Karen Mayers – In loving memory of Fred Angiolillo. (2)
The Ross Family – To the Glory of God and in thanksgiving for His Son. (2)
Betty Henny – In thanksgiving for God’s greatest gift, His Son, our Lord and Savior! (1)
Katie Lehman – In loving memory of Ruth Gilbert. (1)
Ruth & Natalie Ebersole – In celebration of our Savior’s birth and in loving memory of those we hold close in our hearts. (1)
Ani Leonhart – For my dear family with love. (1)
Alice & Norm Leas – In memory of loved ones. (1)
Harriet Smith – In memory of my family. (1)
Sandy & Bill Wittick – In memory of our mothers and fathers, and to the Glory of God, the birth of our Lord and Savior. (1)
Ronald E. Peirson – To the Glory of God and in grateful appreciation for the love, care and support given to me since becoming part of St. John in 1962. (5)
Sue Young – In memory of my beloved husband C. Kenneth Young. (2)
Connie Longenecker – We thank God for our 3 grandchildren and anticipate the coming of the birth of the fourth child this July. (6)
Dottie, Todd & Amanda Allen – To the Glory of God and in memory of Esther E. Shirk and David Allen. (1)
Charlie & Pauline Johns – To the Glory of Jesus’ Birth and in memory of all our loved ones. (1)
Anna Houseal – To the Glory of God and in memory of loved ones. (1)
Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Wallander – In memory of Walter L. Wallander, II. (2)