God Fulfills His Promises!  Christ is born!  Come to Bethlehem and see!

CHRISTMAS EVE – December 24, 2022    ZION EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH – LCMS             700 Main St.  P.O. Box 220   Clyman, WI  53016

Pastor Dan 1-(920)-341-2025      shepherdatzion@gmail.com

Guests.  Welcome to Zion.  We are glad to have you worshipping with us on this Joyous Christmas Eve!  Please sign our guestbook located in the Narthex!  May the Joy of the Light of the world, Jesus Christ, be with you and bless you each day.  Merry Christmas to you as we celebrate our Saviors birth!  Your brothers and sisters at Zion.

 AS WE GATHER – A familiar hymn tells of the birth of the Savior in the words “How silently the wondrous gift is given!” (LSB 361:3).  Many of our Lord’s activities happened in the quiet and stillness of His presence.  Indeed, even as He accomplished the reason why He was born, He entered Jerusalem in quiet humility, suffered obediently, closed His eyes and breathed His last in death, and finally, was laid in the silence of a tomb.  There are times for loud praise and rejoicing, but this night let us gather in quiet, humble joy, contemplating the mystery that in this little baby, born in the little town of Bethlehem of Judea, was born to fulfill God’s ancient promise of redemption and peace for all who would be drawn in the silence of the Holy Spirit to have faith in Him as their Lord and Savior.

 Ringing of the Bell and Welcome

Hymn  “Once in Royal David’s City”                   LSB 376

 Invocation

Confession and Absolution- In the silence of this special night, let us prepare our hearts to receive the Savior born for us by confessing our sin and hearing the forgiveness the Babe of Bethlehem has given to us as was promised by the Prophets, and proclaimed by the angels to shepherds as they watched their flocks by night.

Holy and gracious God, I confess that I have sinned against You.  Some of my sin I know—the thoughts, words, and deeds of which I am ashamed—but some of my sin is known only to You.  I repent of them all as my unrepentant sin is what stops Your Son, my Savior, from entering my heart, cleansing my soul, and giving me life.  In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord, I ask for Your mercy and forgiveness.  Heavenly Father cleanse and restore me that I may rest in peace. 

In the silence of this night, by the mercy of God which comes to us through His Son born in Bethlehem, you are forgiven and redeemed in the one the shepherds went in haste to find and worship.  In the name of Jesus Christ, I announce His forgiveness to you.  Your sins are forgiven.  I do this in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. Our hearts and souls rest in His peace and are filled with His joy.  Amen

 Luke 2:1-7  The Journey of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem

 Hymn  “O Little Town of Bethlehem”                  LSB 361

 The Christ Candle is lit

 Choir  “Were You There on That Christmas Night?”

Old Testament Reading and Psalm of the Day –  Isaiah 9:2–7, Psalm 96

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;  those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.  You have multiplied the nation; You have increased its joy; they rejoice before You as with joy at the harvest!  For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulders, and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end.  He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.  The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.  Sing to the Lord, bless His name; tell of His salvation from day to day.  Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!  Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples!  For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.  Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth!  Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!  Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity.”  Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice.  Sing to the Lord, bless His name; tell of His salvation from day to day.

Luke 2:8-14  Our Lord’s Birth is proclaimed

Choir  “Christmas Hymn”

Luke 2:15-20 Our Lord is worshipped by shepherds and the News of His birth is shared with all they meet!

Our New Testament Reading  1 John 4:9-16      This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.  We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.  And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.  If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.  And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.

Apostles’ Creed- I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.  And 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 sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

 Hymn “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”                 LSB 380

Sermon

 Prayers of the Church

 We gather our Tithes and Offerings  

 Our Christmas Candle Light Service-  As each individual candle is lit in the darkness, the progression of the light through the Sanctuary, symbolizes how the light of the world, Jesus Christ and His message of life spread to the entire world.  One person to another, to YOU, and into your heart.  We are now called to be the light of Christ in our world, spreading the same message of forgiveness, light and life in all that we do, to all people.  One heart to another.  Remain seated until Pastor stands the entire congregation to sing, “Silent Night!” 

 “Silent Night!”

Silent Night, Holy Night!  All is calm, all is bright, Round yon virgin mother and child.  Holy Infant, so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht! Alles Schlaeft, einsam wacht.  Nur das traute, hochheilige Paar Holder knabe im lockigen Haar Schlaf in Himmlischen Ruh.  Schlaf in himmlischen Ruh.

 Silent night, Holy night!  Shepherds quake at the sight; Glories stream from Heaven afar, Heav’nly hosts sing, Alleluia!  Christ, the Savior, is born!  Christ, the Savior, is born!

Silent night, Holy night!  Son of God, love’s pure light, Radiant beams from Thy Holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

Lord’s Prayer – ***Spoken softly***- 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.

 Once the church lights are turned on, please GENTLY blow out your individual candles.

 Closing Prayer- In quiet joy, O God, how silently Your wondrous gift was given in a humble lowly manger.  You gave the gift of Your Son to the world, as a child who laid in His mother’s lap.  He was the one who would go the way of the cross so our sins could be forgiven, our lives filled with an eternal hope, and we could live in heaven with You forever.  With the Babe of Bethlehem as our Lord of life, grant us a quiet night, peace in our lives and the excitement of the shepherds to rejoice and share the news of Jesus Christ who was born, died and rose again for all people!  We pray this in the name of the one born for us, Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen. 

Benediction- The Lord bless you and keep you.  The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and +  give you peace.     Amen.

 Hymn:  “Joy to the World”                                   LSB 387                 

_______________________________________________________________________

 *Announcements*

From the Board of Stewardship and Evangelism:  Matthew 1:21 – “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” What our good works could never do, Jesus has done: He has saved us from our sins, paid our debt, set us free. How can we not give thanks to Him with lives of generosity and godliness? What God’s Law could not do — truly motivate us to truly good works — Jesus’ love has done!

 The Pewpoint – THEME OF THE DAY – The Word of the Lord Is Fulfilled in the Flesh of Jesus 

Though Ahaz would not ask, the Lord gives a sign to the house of David, that “the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Is. 7:14). With this promise, He signifies that salvation is by His grace alone; it is no work or achievement of man, but the Lord’s own work and His free gift. The promise is fulfilled as the Son of God is conceived and born of the blessed Virgin Mary, and the sign is received in faith by the house of David in the person of Joseph (Matt. 1:20–24). “Incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary” (Nicene Creed), God is with us (Immanuel) in the flesh of Jesus, Mary’s Son. Joseph believes that Word of God and so demonstrates a marvelous example in his immediate and quiet obedience, taking Mary to be his wife and caring for her in faith and love. He loves her because the love of God is manifest in this, that “the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world,” “to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10, 14).

YES IN CHRIST  —  Saying Yes With Our Treasures – Needed per week to make budget: $3,025                  Advent Envelopes $6,135     Sunday Envelopes $2,030  Plate $5      Memorial, General Eli Dornfeld $100  Advent Envelopes $6,135

 Attendance:  Advent Service:  22   Communed:  19    Sunday Service:  50  Communed:     44

 Brothers and sisters in Christ to lift up in prayer!

1) Greg who had surgery on Dec. 13th and Dec. 23rd.

2) Chris who had heart surgery December 23rd.

3) We rejoice with Ross, Dee Dee’s brother, whose heart procedure went well.

4) We pray for, Clark, a brother-in-law of Tim who had open heart surgery on Sunday Dec. 18.

Upcoming Events

December 25^th – Christmas Day Service 8:30am                                                                                                                  January 1^st – New Year’s Day Service 8:30am  January 2^nd – Elder’s Meeting @ 6pm                                               January 5^th Council Meeting @ 6pm   January 8^th – Installation of Officers                                                                  January 12^th – Quilting Resumes 11am to 2pm

On their special day please wish them a Happy Birthday.

 

Karen	12/25
Douglas	12/28
Carl	12/30

Upcoming Anniversaries

Felix & Janet	12/29
Kevin & Sandra	12/29

The December Lutheran Witness has arrived pick up a copy!

The new Portal’s pf Prayer have arrived – please pick up a copy!

It’s that time of the year and I’m going to need reports from the following people by the end of January.

Pastor

President – Neal

Archivist – Tracy

Elder – Dan

Board of Trustee – Dave

Secretary – Connie

Cemetery – Nancy

Treasurer – Erica

Thanking everyone in advance  Nancy

 Please be aware that on Sunday January 1^st there will be new envelope numbers. So please make sure that you put your name on the envelope so that you get proper credit for 2023.