https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=075aSems8yg

We Celebrate the Birthday of our King! CHRISTMAS DAY December 25, 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

AS WE GATHER     The long wait is over—the Savior is born!  For many people, days, weeks, and even months, have been filled with the anticipation of celebrating Christmas.  With all Christians, we pray the Good News of a Savior born this day in the city of David, is the most important reason to celebrate Christmas.   The days, weeks, months we have waited to celebrate do not compare to those who had to wait a much longer time for their Christmas joy.  Approximately seven centuries before “the Word became flesh” (John 1:14), Isaiah would be inspired by the Spirit to proclaim to the people, “See your Savior comes!” (Isaiah 62:11).  Though the people of Isaiah’s day would not experience Christmas as we do, they would hold on by faith to the anticipated promise of salvation through the Savior who was to come.  We give thanks that salvation has come in the child’s birth we celebrate this morning.  May God’s promise fulfilled, increase our Christmas joy as God continues to come to us in His Means of Grace, His Word, His grace and love.

Ringing of the Bell and Welcome

Hymn  “Angels from the Realms of Glory”         LSB 367

 Invocation- In the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit.    Amen

 Symbolism of the Christ Candle and Opening – On this holy day, we acknowledge the meaning of the Christ Candle we lit last night!  In it’s light, we rejoice in the birth of our Savior Jesus, the Word made flesh, the Child of Bethlehem.  The Christ Candle symbolizes His presence among us.  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.  The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.  For 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.

Pulpit:  Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!  Lectern: Serve the Lord with gladness!  We Come into His presence with singing!  We Know     that the Lord, is God!  Pulpit: It is He who made us, and we are His;  Lectern: we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.  We enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise!  We give thanks to Him; we bless His Holy name!  For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations.

Confession and Absolution   John 1:4–5; Isaiah 52:10   Jesus, Savior, Word made flesh, You came to dwell among us, but the darkness of our sin separates us from You and we often fail to live in the light of Your presence.  We are sinful and unclean; we have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone.  We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment.  

John wrote, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”  Heavenly Father, too often we choose to live in the darkness of our sin.  Forgive us, for those sins we know we have committed, and forgive us for those sins we do not know we have committed.  For the sake of Your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.  Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

Almighty God in His mercy gave His Son to be born into this world in our flesh, for our salvation.  He was born to live a perfect life we can never live, and to give His life as a perfect sacrifice for us.  For His sake, God, your Father, forgives you all your sins.  Christ was born to live for you, to die for you, that you by faith can rise to a new life with Him in victory.  As a called and ordained 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.         Amen.

Introit    Psalm 98:1–4; antiphon: Isaiah 9:6 –Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things!  His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.  The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.  He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel.  All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.  Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing His praise!

 Kyrie In peace let us pray to the Lord.    Lord, have mercy.  For the peace from above and for our salvation let us pray to the Lord.  Lord, have mercy.  For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all let us pray to the Lord.  Lord, have mercy.  For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise let us pray to the Lord.  Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.   Amen.

Salutation The Lord be with you.       And also with you.

 Prayer of the Day- O God, Heavenly Father, You make us glad with the celebration of the birth of Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ.  Help us and all people to the ends of the earth see the salvation You have delivered to the world through this holy child born in Bethlehem.  Grant that as we joyfully receive Him as our Redeemer, we may with the sure confidence of faith, stand before Him when He comes on the last day as the Triumphant Lord and Savior to be our Judge; we pray this through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Old Testament Reading              Isaiah 62:10–12  Pass through, pass through the gates!  Prepare the way for the people.  Build up, build up the highway!  Remove the stones.  Raise a banner for the nations.  The Lord has made proclamation to the ends of the earth: “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your Savior comes!  See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.'”  They will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the LORD; and you will be called Sought After, the City No Longer Deserted.

 Gradual    Isaiah 9:6; Psalm 98:1a-  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.  Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things!

 Epistle          Titus 3:3-8    At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures.  We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.  But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.  He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.  This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.  These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

Verse  John 1:14- Alleluia. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. Alleluia.

 Holy Gospel           John 1:1–14  (The Word became flesh.)

 The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the first chapter.   Glory to You, O Lord.

 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  In him was life, and that life was the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.  There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John.  He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.  He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.  The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.  He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.  He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.  Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God–children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.  The 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.  This is the Gospel of the Lord.   Praise to You, O Christ.

 Nicene Creed-  I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.  And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.  And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life X of the world to come.    Amen.

 Hymn “It Came upon the Midnight Clear”              LSB  366

Sermon

 We Gather our Tithes and Offerings

 Prayers of the Church

Hymn “Gentle Mary Laid Her Child”                   LSB 374

Service of the Sacrament 

 Preface   2 Timothy 4:22- The Lord be with you.     And also with you.  Lift up your hearts.          We lift them to the Lord.  Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.       It is right to give Him thanks and praise.

 Proper Preface    It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord; for in the mystery of the Word made flesh You have given us a new revelation of Your glory that, seeing You in the person of Your Son, we may know and love those things which are not seen. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:

Sanctus- Holy, holy, holy Lord, Lord God of power and might: Heaven and earth are full of Your glory.  Hosanna in the highest.  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.  Hosanna in the highest.

Prayer of Thanksgiving- Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth, for You have had mercy on those whom You created and sent Your only begotten Son into our flesh to bear our sin and be our Savior.  With repentant joy we receive the salvation accomplished for us by the all-availing sacrifice of His body and His blood on the cross.  Gathered in the name and the remembrance of Jesus, we beg You, O Lord, to forgive, renew, and strengthen us with Your Word and Spirit.  Grant us faithfully to eat His body and drink His blood as He bids us do in His own testament.  Gather us together, we pray, from the ends of the earth to celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end.  Graciously receive our prayers; deliver and preserve us.  To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and worship, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.     Amen

The Words of Our Lord – Consecration of the Elements

 Proclamation of Christ     1 Corinthians 11:26; Revelation 22:20- As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.  Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.  O Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, in giving us Your body and blood to eat and to drink, You lead us to remember and confess Your holy cross and passion, Your blessed death, Your rest in the tomb, Your resurrection from the dead, Your ascension into heaven, and Your coming for the final judgment. So remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:

 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.

Pax Domini The peace of the Lord be with you always.  Amen

We Celebrate our Lord’s Supper

 Distribution Hymns:  “Go Tell it on the Mountain”      LSB  388  “What Child Is This”    LSB 370                        “Joy to the World”   LSB 387

Post-Communion Canticle – The Nunc Dimittis

 Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace according to Thy word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people.  For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.  The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.  A light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel.  In him was life, and that life was the light of men.  Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen

Post-Communion Thanksgiving- We give thanks to You, almighty God, that we have seen Your salvation in our Savior born this day, and in His body and blood given and shed for us for the forgiveness of sins.  We implore You that of Your infinite love, mercy, and forgiveness, You would strengthen us through the same in faith toward You, and in fervent love toward one another.  Give us faith that we would share the gifts of grace and the beautiful Good News of Christ the Savior, born for all people;  We pray this through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.    Amen.

 Benediction- Christmas peace and joy through Christ, the Father’s only-begotten Son, be yours; and the blessing of the one true God, the Father, X Son, and Holy Spirit—be and abide with you forever.     Amen.

 Hymn  “Away in a Manger”           LSB 365                  

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*Announcements*

From the Board of Stewardship and Evangelism: John 1:5 – “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Through all of our hardships, all of our sorrows, all of our pains and loneliness, Jesus’ light shines in the darkness, and we are not overcome. In the face of our sin, in the midst of our pettiness, against all our pride, Jesus’ light shines and illuminates our hearts and changes us, day by day, into a greater reflection of His likeness.

 The Pewpoint  THEME OF THE DAY  The Light of Christ Shines Forth in the Darkness 

Heaven and earth rejoice on this night because the glory of the Holy Trinity is manifested in the human birth of “our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13), through whom the Father’s grace and mercy permeate the world. Death’s silence is nullified by this “good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10). And all we who have gone astray like lost and wandering sheep, who have “walked in darkness” of doubt, fear and sinful unbelief, behold “a great light” in the nativity of Jesus Christ (Is. 9:2). In Him, “the grace of God has appeared” (Titus 2:11). For this child of Mary who is born for us, this dear Son of God who is given to us, bears the burden of our sin and death in His own body on the cross. By initiating and fulfilling His earthly journey from nativity to crucifixion, Christ establishes a government of peace, “with justice and with righteousness,” which shall have no end. This is not by any work of man, but “the zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this” (Is. 9:7).

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.

 Brothers and sisters in Christ to lift up in prayer!

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

2) Chris Lamp 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 Dornfeld who had open heart surgery on Sunday Dec. 18.

 Upcoming Events

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
Summer	1/6
Rick	1/6
Jordan	1/7
Larry	1/13
Steve	1/19
Cody	1/20
Brett	1/22
Deanne	1/22
Justin	1/26
Jane	1/29
Lori	1/29
Nancy	1/31

Those celebrating 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 Kohlhoff

Archivist – Tracy Schwartz

Elder – Dan Chaveriat

Board of Trustee – Dave Huebner

Secretary – Connie Kreitzman

Cemetery – Nancy Schlender

Treasurer – Erica Goehl

Thanking everyone in advance  Nancy Kohlhoff