Christmas 2015 Poinsettias--Thank you for sharing your beautiful poinsettias plants
with St. John’s this very special time of the year. Please remember to take them with you
following Christmas Day Worship.
In Memory or Honor of
Randy & Joan Bender
In Memory of Parents and Grandparents
Al & Karen Young
In Memory of Parents
Sandy & Dennis Voss
Keith & Diane Weiland
Randy & Lynn Busse
In Memory of Ray Brockmann & Levern Busse
Val Stuckmann
In Memory of Gilbert & Glen Stuckmann
Karl & Janet Wesener
In Memory of Parents
Rosalie Miller
In Memory of Emma Meyer
Annette Holtz
In Memory of Victor Holtz
David & Helen Schmitz
In Memory of Parents
Judy & Fred
Westermeyer
In Memory of Ann Westermeyer
Lucille Brass
In Memory of Eugene Brass
Jim & LaVerne Laack
In Memory of Trudy Luecke
Tracy Litz
Carol & Dave Hemb
Aaron Luebke
In Memory of Alfred Luebke
Denise Thiel
Women’s Guild Honorees:
Doris Schueler and Marilyn Roethel
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The flowers on the organ are sponsored by Jean Stoeckigt in memory of her husband, Eugene, who
passed away 25 years ago and of her son, James Lee.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------CHURCH & SUNDAY SCHOOL CANCELLATION DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER
will be made by 7:00 am on the stations listed below:
WCUB - Radio 980, Manitowoc Radio Station
WLUK – Channel 11, Green Bay TV station
WISN – Channel 12, Milwaukee TV station
The cancellation will also be sent via Mail chimp through email; on Facebook and on the
church website. You can always call Pastor Melinda at 920-809-7265 or any Council
Members. Please use your own discretion in deciding whether to go out in inclement weather.
ST. JOHN’S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
December 24, 2015
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Pastor: Rev. Melinda Feller
Ministers: All the people
Organist: Joan Bender
*Those who so desire, may stand.
The bulletin is sponsored by Aaron Luebke.
The Service of Lessons & Carols is based on an ancient service that uses scripture lessons (Old and New
Testament) and carols to tell the story of Jesus Christ. The service starts before the birth of Jesus and leads us
through the birth story. Traditionally, there is no sermon as the message comes through the lessons and carols.
RINGING OF THE BELL
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
LESSON
CAROL
Luke 1:26-35, 38
Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song) by Amy Grant (on TV’s)
LESSON
CAROL
Micah 5:2-5a; Luke 2:1-5
O Little Town of Bethlehem (v. 1-3)
LESSON
CAROL
Luke 2:6-7
Away in a Manger (The Bell Choir, Joan Bender - Director)
LESSON
CAROL
Luke 2:8-14
Angels We Have Heard on High
LESSON
CAROL
Luke 2:15-20
What Child Is This?
LESSON
*CAROL
Isaiah 9:2-7; Luke 2:21
Joy to the World!
THE PRELUDE & LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH – The Wagner Family
*CALL TO WORSHIP
L: Through frozen farmland and snowy streets,
P: Sweeps good news of great joy!
L: Through empty wants and desperate needs,
P: Blazes a star to light our way.
L: Through family squabbles and holiday disappointments,
P: Sounds an angel chorus, “Glory to God in the highest heaven. Peace to God’s
people on earth!”
L: Receive the good news! Follow the star! Heed the angels!
P: Through song and silence, word and wonder, let us make our way to Bethlehem.
L: Let us worship the Holy One, who beckons in an infant’s cry.
*CAROL Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (all carols are on the song sheet insert)
*CELEBRATING THE COMING OF THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
L: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and
void, and darkness was on the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the
waters. And God said, “Let there be light;” and there was light.
The Christ Candle is lit.
L:
The God who said, “Let there be light,” has caused light to shine in our hearts. That light is
the glory of God reflected in the face of Jesus Christ. As our candles are a sea of light lit
from the one light of Christ, so may the church reflect Christ’s light and love in the world.
As the person next to you dips their unlit candle to your lit candle, please say, “The Light of the
world has come.” When all the candles are lit, we will sing “Silent Night, Holy Night” a
cappella.
FOR THE CHILD IN ALL OF US
*CAROL Silent Night, Holy Night (v. 1 in German, v. 2 & 3 in English)
RETURNING TO GOD THAT WHICH BELONGS TO GOD
OFFERTORY MUSIC – Silent Night, Holy Night (Joan Bender - Piano, Helen Schmitz – Organ)
*PRAISE RESPONSE – The First Nowell (v. 5)
*UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
We offer our gifts, O God, as the angels offered praise. We offer our time, O God, as
the shepherds offered an amazing witness. We offer our talent, O God, as the Magi
faithfully traveled far to offer gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Bless these offerings
we lay on your altar for the present-day work of Jesus Christ. Amen.
LESSON
CAROL
Isaiah 7:14-15
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (v. 1, 2, 5 & 7)
*THE BLESSING
L: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in
him may not perish but may have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
P: Praise be to God!
L: Jesus said: “You are the light of the world.” Let your light so shine that people around you
will be moved by the good things you do to glorify God in heaven. Go in peace. God is
with you.
P: Amen.
*CHRISTMAS GREETINGS
Please blow out your candle and extend Christmas greetings to those around you.