https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTyoDk1ipZ0

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD—CHRISTMAS EVE – Dec. 24, 2023

ZION EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH – LCMS

700 Main St.  P.O. Box 220   Clyman, WI  53016

 Love Came to Us in Person – The Savior Christ the Lord

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

Bulletin Announcement email: zionclyman@gmail.com

AS WE GATHER-   One of the charming traditions of days gone by, still observed by some families, is the designation of a Christmas room in the house.  The Christmas room was closed off to the family for days or even weeks before Christmas Eve as it was decorated by a parent, grandparent, or other adult with decorations, but its focal point was the Christmas tree, which frequently had heirloom ornaments on it.  The room was to remind everyone in the house, that they needed to make room in their lives for the coming of Jesus, the Christ Child. Tonight, we fill our room prepared, our hearts, with the joyful assurance that Christ came to this world to fill hearts and lives with His forgiving grace and love.

Ringing of the Bell and Welcome

 Hymn  “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”  *vs1-5*   LSB 357

The Christ Candle is lit during verse 5

Invocation

Opening Prayer –   Gracious heavenly Father, with joy we celebrate our Lord’s birth as the fulfillment of Your promise of redemption from sin.  Grant that as Your Holy Spirit works in our lives, there always be room for Jesus as Lord of our hearts, who now lives and rules with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.    Amen.

Opening Sentences –    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!  Sing to the Lord, bless His name; tell of His salvation from day to day.      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.     

Hymn  “Angels from the Realms of Glory”         LSB 367

Old Testament Reading   Isaiah 7:10–14 –    Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”  But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.”  Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David!  Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also?  Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Epistle  1 John 4:9–12 –    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.

Gradual – To us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder.  And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.       Alleluia.  She will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. Alleluia.

Choir    “Jesus is Born”

Holy Gospel           Matthew 1:18–25 –    Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way.  When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.  And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.   But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”  All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).  When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son.  And he called his name Jesus.

Hymn  “It Came upon the Midnight Clear”         LSB 366

Sermon

Choir & Congregation  “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne”

   Vs1- Choir in Unison         Vs 2 Ladies in Choir only

     ****Vs 3- Congregation please sing along***

When the Heavens shall ring, and the angels sing, At Thy coming to victory, Let Thy voice call me home, Saying, “Yet there is room, There is room at My side for thee.”  My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus, When Thou comest and callest for me.

Prayers of the Church

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.

Hymn      “O Little Town of Bethlehem”                LSB 361

The Birth of our Lord – Luke 2:1-8

Hymn      “Away in a Manger”                                LSB 365

Our Lord’s birth is announced, the Shepherds respond – Luke 2:12-20

 Hymn      “Angels We Have Heard on High”         LSB 368

 Our Christmas Candle Light Service

 ***PLEASE DO NOT TIP A LIT CANDLE***

 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.

 “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.

Once the church lights are turned on, please gently blow your individual candles out, allowing the wax to harden before setting them in the pew.

 Closing Prayer –   Heavenly Father, how silently Your wondrous gift was given in a humble lowly manger.  Your greatest gift of love, was given to the world as a child.  Your gift of flesh and blood 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 hearts and the excitement of the shepherds to rejoice and share the news of Jesus Christ who was born, as the Savior of all.  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     

Hymn  “Joy to the World”                                        LSB 387

___________________________________________

 *Announcements*

From the Board of Stewardship and Evangelism:    Luke 2:12 – “And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” Truly, as St. Paul said, He who was rich for our sakes became poor. The King was laid in a manger, no crib for His bed! There in the manger is the very picture of self-giving generosity.

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 — “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 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: $3,072

Advent  $640    Plate $5    Sunday Envelopes $1,445

Cemetery Memorial – Eli Dornfeld Fund $ 100

Attendance:    Bible Class:   7

Advent Service: 26   Communed:   25       Mid-Week Service: 11   Communed:  11            Sunday Service: 39                  Communed: 34

Dates to Remember:

Dec 25^th – Christmas Day @ 830am

Dec 31st – New Year’s Eve @ 830am

Jan 1^st – New Year’s Day – no service

Jan 4^th – quilting 11am to 2pm

Jan 4^th – Council Meeting 6pm

Jan 10^th – Voice Choir @ 6pm

Jan 10^th – Mid-week services resume

Happy Birthday and A Blessed Anniversary to these members!

 

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

 

Karen H	12/25
Douglas S	12/28
Carl F	12/30

Quilter’s will be enjoying time off this December and will meet Thursday, January 4, 2024

The small evergreen tree on the stairs going to the altar is from Mary Jo Kohlhoff in memory of her husband Allen’s birthday.

By Ina G. Roberts –  

I was sitting at my computer thinking, “What’s wrong with the world?” We are more worried about banning a Christmas song than all of the truly bad things happening in our world. Then these words came to me, so I had to write them down

The True Christmas Spirit

A long time ago, down Bethlehem way,
A star shown in the night sky as bright as the day.
The shepherds were watching their flocks with care
When a host of angels appeared in the air,

Proclaiming the son of God had been born
To deliver our souls on that cold Christmas morn.
You will find him wrapped in swaddling clothes,
Lying in a manger while the cattle lows.

A few short decades later, he died on a cross.
Without his sacrifice, we would all be lost.
So as you’re running around, buying gifts and treats
To have a big party when your family meets,

Stop and remember why we celebrate this day,
It’s not about gifts and food and games to play.
I think of that; we all have enough.
When you think about it, it’s all just stuff.

The gift of love is what Jesus gave,
And salvation the day he arose from the grave.
To love each other is all that he asks.
I know that at times that can be a big task.

Just humble yourself and look all around.
I think what you find will be profound.
There are many who can only afford the gift of love.
No presents, no tree with a star up above.

Look into your life, and you will find you are blessed
By many who love you; that gift is the best.
So when it comes time to bless your meal,
Ask for your family to be blessed as well.

Not with gifts or money or material stuff,
but that love and tolerance will be enough.
Remember the loved ones who cannot be there,
But rejoice they’re in heaven and not suffering here.

And when you see someone who is down and out,
Don’t put them down or have any doubt.
Just do what you think Jesus would do.
Give what you can to help them get through.

If they misuse it, that’s between them and God.
In Jesus’ eyes you have done your job.
God bless you and enjoy your family Christmas day,
May peace, love, and happiness come your way.