ST. JOHN’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
MAYTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA
THE REV. ROBERT M. LESCALLETTE, PASTOR
KEITH SMITH, ORGANIST AND CHOIRMASTER
JANIE MOHR, JR. CHOIRMASTER
JONAN SHIRK, PARISH SECRETARY
BECKY FLECKENSTEIN, PARISH SEXTON
SUE FRANK, SENIOR YOUTH GROUP LEADER
VICKI McCONNELL, JUNIOR YOUTH MINISTRY LEADER
CHRISTMAS DAY December 25, 2005
THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD 9:00 AM
This service of lessons and carols using primarily the green hymnal.
THE PRELUDE MUSIC – “Hark The Herald Angels Sing”
- arr. R. J. Hughes
THE DIALOG
PASTOR: THE LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS,
PEOPLE: AND THE DARKNESS HAS NOT OVERCOME IT.
PASTOR: THE WORD BECAME FLESH AND LIVED AMONG US,
PEOPLE: AND WE HAVE BEHELD CHRIST’S GLORY.
PASTOR: TO US A CHILD IS BORN, TO US A SON IS GIVEN.
PEOPLE: IN THE WORD WAS LIFE,
AND THE LIFE WAS THE LIGHT OF ALL PEOPLE.
THE OPENING PRAYER
PASTOR: THE LORD BE WITH YOU.
PEOPLE: AND ALSO WITH YOU.
PASTOR: LET US PRAY:
ALMIGHTY GOD, YOU HAVE FILLED US WITH THE NEW LIGHT OF THE WORD WHO BECAME FLESH AND LIVED AMONG US. LET THE LIGHT OF OUR FAITH SHINE IN ALL WE DO; THROUGH YOUR SON, JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD, NOW AND FOREVER.
PEOPLE: AMEN (All sit, following the prayer.)
THE LESSONS AND CAROLS
THE FIRST READING –ISAIAH 9:2-7
THE HYMN #58 “LO, HOW A ROSE”
THE SECOND READING – MICAH 5:2-5a
THE HYMN #41 “O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM”
THE THIRD READING – LUKE 1:26-35, 38
THE HYMN – “SING OF MARY, PURE AND LOWLY” (enclosed)
THE FORTH READING – LUKE 2:1-7
THE HYMN #67 “AWAY IN A MANGER”
(SUNG TO TUNE OF “CRADLE SONG”)
THE FIFTH READING – LUKE 2:8-16
THE HYMN #44 “INFANT HOLY, INFANT LOWLY”
THE SIXTH READING – LUKE 2:21-36
THE HYMN #184 “IN HIS TEMPLE NOW BEHOLD HIM”
(TO THE TUNE OF “REGENT SQUARE)
THE SEVENTH READING – MATTHEW 2:2-11
THE HYMN “WE THREE KINGS OF ORIENT ARE” (ENCLOSED)
THE EIGHTH READING – MATTHEW 2:13-18
THE HYMN “OH SLEEP NOW, HOLY BABY” (ENCLOSED)
THE NINTH READING – JOHN 1:1-14
THE HYMN #42 “OF FATHER’S LOVE BEGOTTEN”
THE BLESSING OF THE CRECHE
PASTOR: O LORD OUR GOD,
WITH MARY AND JOSEPH, ANGELS AND SHEPHERDS, AND THE ANIMALS IN THE STABLE, WE GATHER AROUND YOUR SON, BORN FOR US.
BLESS US WITH YOUR HOLY PRESENCE, AND INSPIRE US TO HELP THOSE WHO HAVE NO PLACE TO DWELL. BE WITH US SO THAT WE MIGHT SHARE CHRIST’S LOVE WITH AL THE WORLD, FOR HE IS OUR LIGHT AND SALVATION. GLORY IN HEAVEN AND PEACE ON EARTH, NOW AND FOREVER.
PEOPLE: AMEN
THE ORGAN OFFERTORY – “BELL MELODY”
J. Marks - arr. C. Taylor
THE OFFERING
(Sing verse 3 only)
THE RESPONSE PRAYER
PASTOR: GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST,
PEOPLE: AND PEACE TO GOD’S PEOPLE ON EARTH.
PASTOR: BLESSED ARE YOU, PRINCE OF PEACE. YOU RULE THE EARTH WITH TRUTH AND JUSTICE.
PEOPLE: SEND YOUR GIFT OF PEACE TO ALL NATIONS OF THE WORLD.
PASTOR: BLESSED ARE YOU, SON OF MARY.
YOU SHARE OUR HUMANITY.
PEOPLE: HAVE MERCY ON THE SICK, THE DYING, AND ALL WHO SUFFER THIS DAY.
PASTOR: BLESSED ARE YOU, SON OF GOD. YOU DWELL AMONG US AS THE WORD MADE FLESH.
PEOPLE: REVEAL YOURSELF TO US, IN WORD, LIFE, AND SACRAMENT. THAT WE MAY BEAR YOUR LIGHT TO ALL THE WORLD.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
THE BLESSING
PASTOR: LET US BLESS THE LORD
PEOPLE: THANKS BE TO GOD.
PASTOR: MAY YOU BE FILLED WITH THE WONDER OF MARY, THE OBEDIENCE OF JOSEPH, THE JOY OF THE ANGELS, THE EAGERNESS OF THE SHEPHERDS, THE DETERMINATION OF THE MAGI, AND THE PEACE OF THE CHRIST CHILD. ALMIGHTY GOD, FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT, BLESS YOU NOW AND FOREVER.
PEOPLE: AMEN
THE SENDING HYMN #60 “HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING”
THE SILENT PRAYER
…are given in celebration of Jesus’ birthday, may the Light shine in all of us, by Shirl Reich.
SERVING GOD’S PEOPLE TODAY
Morning Lector – Mark Harnish
Crucifer – Samuel Thomas
Acolyte – Becky Thomas
Head Usher – Charlie Johns
Altar Care – Pat Vogel
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:
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 can not 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