PRESERVICE MUSIC
RINGING OF THE BELLS
CHRISTMAS DIALOG
P: The people who walk in darkness have seen a great light.
C: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
P: Those who dwelt in the land of deep darkness, on them has lighted shined.
C: We have beheld Christ’s glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.
P: For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given.
C: In him is life, and life was the light of all.
CHRISTMAS CAROL: 283 Oh, Come All Ye Faithful
WELCOME
CHRISTMAS LITANY
P: Lord, tonight we surround ourselves with the soft glow of candles to celebrate your birth into the world.
C: It seems right, Lord, that we celebrate in this way. Not just that candles are for birthdays, but because you come as a light into the world.
P: We look at the candles and know that light comes only as the candles are spent.
C: We remember that you came, not to save your life, but to spend it for others.
P: We look at the candles, Lord, and know that one candle is not enough to light our church.
C: We remember how you taught your disciples to be like you and to be a light in the world.
P: Lord, make our Christmas not only a celebration of your coming as light, but a commitment to pass it on!
C: Amen!
FIRST READING
Isaiah 9:2-7
2The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. 3You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. 4For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. 6For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
CHRISTMAS CAROL: 279 Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem, vs. 1 & 2
THE CHRISTMAS STORY: Luke 2:1-7
P: 1In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
C: Open our eyes, Lord, that we may see your glory around us.
CHRISTMAS HYMN: 277 Away in the Manger, vs. 1 & 2
Luke 2: 8-9
P: 8In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
C: Open our eyes, that we may see your glory around us!
CHRISTMAS HYMN: 289 Angels, We have Heard on High
Luke 2:10-14
P: 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”
C: Open our ears, Lord, that we may hear the words of your heavenly hosts!
CHRISTMAS HYMN: 296 What Child Is This
P: 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
C: Open our mouths, Lord, that we may sing glory to you in the highest!
CHRISTMAS HYMN: 270 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Luke 2:15-20
P: 15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
CHRISTMAS HYMN: 271 I Am So Glad Each Christmas Eve
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
P: Amid the shadows of this world. Let us confess our sin and welcome the light of God’s forgiveness. (Silence for reflection and self-examination.) God of grace and truth,
C: In Christ Jesus you come among us as light shining in the darkness. We confess that we have not welcomed the light, nor trusted the good news of great joy. Forgive us and renew our hope, so that we may live in the fullness of your love,, trusting in the grace of Christ our Lord. Amen.
P: The angel said, You shall call his name Jesus for he will save his people from their sins. With great joy, I announce to you the entire forgiveness of your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
WORDS OF JESUS AT THE LAST SUPPER
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.
SHARING IN THE MEAL OF HOLY COMMUNION
All are welcome to share in the meal who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior. Children may come forward for a blessing.
COMMUNION HYMNS:
282 It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
290 Go Tell It On the Mountain
276 Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
CANDLE LIGHTING
(Leader takes the light from the Christ Candle and passes it to the ushers. They pass the light on to the congregation. Tip only the unlighted candle. Do not tip the lighted candle to avoid dripping wax. Hold the candle straight up and the wax will not drip. Thank you.)
P: As the light of these candles illumines our faces, it reminds us of Christ, our Light, the child in the manger at Bethlehem, a Savior suffering our death on the cross, and soon to come from his throne on high as judge of all. He is our light here on earth and the eternal light who enlightens heaven, where there is no need of candle or sun. Rejoice! The Light of the World has come. That light transforms us with the brightness of his glory.
CHRISTMAS CAROL: 281 Silent Night
CHRISTMAS PRAYER
P: O God, as you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, grand that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our judge: who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
DISMISSAL
P: Filled with the joy of Christ’s birth, go in peace to live and service the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
CHRISTMAS CAROL: 267 Joy to the World
POSTLUDE
Poinsettias at Grace were given by: Jack and Kathy Besant, Alice and Lori Brooks, Don and Renee Urban, Penny and Dave Zmolek and family, Jesana and Justin Eckelberg and Evalyn in memory of grandparents and loved ones, the Tom Stowell family, Nora Clark, Kelly Green in honor of our youth—the future of our church and in memory of Dad, Rodney, and in honor of Mom, Sharon, from their children, Carol Hyer, Shirley Hyer and David and Sonja Denter in memory of Buck and LaVerne Rogers and Mahlon and Lovayne Denter.
WE PRAY FOR: Andy Helmann, Lola Frye, Holly and Harry Hinzpeter, Shirley Hyer, Calvin Nelson, Kandy Hagen, Mariam Burdick, Kathy Haske, Suzanne Soltvedt, Lola St. Clair, John Thompson, Clarence Johnson, Carol Leopold, Alan Leopold, Pete Nelson, Donnie Benson, David Benson, Barney Johnson, Everett Burdick, Bob Brod, LouAnn Bever, Sue Ann Preuss and Deacon Karen and Pastor Jim as they mourn the death of her mother.
The Elroy Senior Meal Site will need a cook starting the first of the year, 2022. It is part time 6 – 7 hours a day, 4 days a week. If you are interested or know someone have them call Karen Nelson at 608-547-4108 or stop down to the meal site any Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday after 9:30 A.M.
COMMUNION INSTRUCTION for children will be given soon. If you have a child you would like to attend, let the church office know (608-462-5398).
WE PRAY FOR:
+ Together In Mission +
WELCOME! If you are a visitor please fill out a “Welcome Card” and drop it in the offering plate. Fountain Grace Trinity Lutheran Parish is a congregation of the ELCA in the La Crosse Area Synod. We invite you to participate with us in following Christ as he leads.
Parish Office: 226 Erickson Street, Elroy WI 53929 Parish E-mail: fgtlpadmin@centurytel.net Phone: (608)462-5398 Sunday Organist: Heather Vlasak Sunday Pianist: Bev Rood
Parish Secretary: Kris Stauffacher; Grace Custodian: Dave Clark
Check us out on our web page www.fgtlp.org
AND find us on Facebook search @FGTLutheranParish
We gather each week to worship God, Sunday morning at 10:15 a.m. at Grace & each Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. at Trinity or Fountain.
Our Communion invitation is for all who seek to partake of the real presence of Christ in this meal. All are welcome to the Lord’s Table.
Office Hours Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 8 AM—1 PM