Ascension Evangelical Lutheran Church Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod 4768 Union Deposit Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111 office: 652-8285; cell: 319-5424; home: 732-2631; Email: [email protected]; Church’s Website: www.ascension-wels.net; Pastor Robert Green; Officers: President: Gary Graf; Vice President: Chuck Thompson; Secretary: Ralph Buehler; Elders: Gary Graf, Chuck Thompson, Ralph Buehler, Rick Grove; Fellowship: Ron Althoff; Treasurer: Rick Grove; Properties: Larry Stoner; Publications: Terry Reilly; Stewardship: Franklin Stauffer; Evangelism: Steve Lange; Organists/pianists: Marge Metz, and Brook Larson; Willing Workers: Chairwoman: Barb Buehler; Secretary: Linda Graf; Altar Guild: Barb Buehler; LWMS Reporter: Marge Metz; Choir director: Lori Nowaczyk.

SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS FOR CHRISTMAS EVE, 2014

1 Christ the babe looks up to see himself on the Cross; God’s divine meaning of Christmas!

Welcome to our Christmas Eve worship service. We are glad you are here. Please sign our guest book, located on the cabinet to your left as you leave the sanctuary or fill out the guest card in the pew and put the guest card in the offering plate. Please include your e-mail or mailing address, if you would like to be added to our weekly e-mail for sermons, bulletins and announcements. We invite you to follow our service as outlined below. May our worship strengthen your faith in Jesus as your Savior! A Nursery from which you can hear and see the service is available for parents with children in the back of the sanctuary. A restroom is in the narthex, the large room you came through to enter the church.

Pre-service music song by our soloist, Sharon Larson, “Some Children See Him” by Hutson and Burt, as found in “Let all the People Praise You, Songbook.” WELS, 1999, Reprinted under OneLicense A-718321

Welcome one and all to worship this Christmas Eve!

Where Shepherds Lately Knelt

2 3 Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, b. 1919 MANGER SONG Tune: Carl F. Schalk, b. 1929 12 12 10 10 Text © 1987 Jaroslav J. Vajda: Tune and Setting © 1987 GIA Publications Inc. Reprinted under OneLicense A-718321

STAND EXHORTATION AND PRAYER

M: Dear people of God, in this Christmas season, it is our duty and delight to hear again the message of the angels and, in heart and mind, to go to Bethlehem and see this thing which has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us—the Christ Child lying in a manger. Let us read and learn in Holy Scripture the story of the loving purpose of God from the first days after our fall into sin to the glorious redemption brought to us by this Holy Child. But first, let us pray for people all over the world who would delight with us to know the good news of Jesus Christ and who would join with us in singing his praises. Let us pray for the people of this city and for all those in our own congregation. And, because this would please our Lord, let us remember in his name the poor and helpless, the cold, the hungry and the oppressed, the sick and those who are sad, the lonely and the unloved, and the elderly and the little children. We especially remember all those who do not know the Lord Jesus, those who do not love him, and those who by sin have grieved his heart of love.

4 Finally, let us remember before God all those who rejoice with us in heaven, who live in greater light than we, that multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, who died in faith, and who live before the throne of God and praise him each day in his temple. We confess that we are united with them as we are united with one another. To sum up all these petitions, let us pray as Christ himself taught us:

C: 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.

BE SEATED Children’s Devotion

First set of lessons read by Ralph Beuhler

THE FIRST PROMISE OF THE SAVIOR

Genesis 2:15–17 (NIV):

“The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.”

Genesis 3:1–15 (NIV84):

5 “Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ ” 4 “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. 8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” 11 And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” 12 The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” 13 Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” 14 So the LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, “Cursed are you above all the livestock 6 and all the wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. 15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

Our soloist Sharon Larson sings “One Small Child” by David Meece, © 1971 and this arr. By Word Music, (a div. of WORD, INC.) All rights reserved, as found in “Let all the People Praise You, Songbook.” WELS, 1999, Reprinted under OneLicense A-718321

Second set of lessons read by Ron Althoff

SO THAT WE WOULD KNOW WHO THE SAVIOR WOULD BE GOD GAVE PROPHECIES NARROWING THE ANCESTORAL LINE OF THE SAVIOR

Genesis 12:1–3 (NIV)

“The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. 2 “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

Genesis 28:12–15 (NIV84) 7 “He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 There above it stood the LORD, and he said: “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. 14 Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. 15 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

Genesis 49:10 (NIV)

“ The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his.”

2 Samuel 7:11–16 (NIV)

“‘The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you: 12 When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men.

Hark the Herald Angels Sing- we sing the first two verses.

8 9 Text: Charles Wesly, 1707-1788.. abr. Alt. MENDELSSOHN 77 77 D with refrain Tune Felix Mendelsohn, 1809-1847. Alt.; Desc. With harm. By David V. Willcocks, born 1919 Descant and harm. By permission of Oxford University Press Reprinted under OneLicense A-718321

Third set of lessons read by Terry Reilly

SO THAT WE WOULD KNOW JUST WHO THE SAVOR WOULD BE GOD TOLD US HE WOULD BE NO MERE MAN

Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)

10 “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.”

Isaiah 9:6–7 (NIV) “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and 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.”

Psalm 49 (NIV) “ No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him— 8 the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough— 9 that he should live on forever and not see decay.”

Hark the Herald Angels Sing,–we sing the third verse, (previous page)

Fourth set of lessons read by Steve Lange

SO THAT WE WOULD KNOW WHO THE SAVIOR WOULD BE GOD GAVE PROPHECIES OF WHEN AND WHERE TO EXPECT THE SAVIOR TO BE BORN

Daniel 7:13–14 (NIV84) “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that 11 will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”

Micah 5:2 (NIV84)

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

Isaiah 40:3–5 (NIV84)

3 A voice of one calling: “In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. 5 And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

O Little Town of Bethlehem

12 Text: Philips Brooks, 1835-93, abr., alt. ST. LOUIS Tune: Lewis H. Redner, 1831-1908 86 446 76 446 Reprinted under OneLicense A-718321

Fifth Lesson read by Franklin Stauffer

13 SO THAT WE WOULD KNOW WHO THE SAVIOR WOULD BE GOD PROPHECIED THE VIRGIN MARY WOULD GIVE BIRTH TO GOD’S SON

Luke 1:26-39 (NIV)

“In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.”

Of the Father’s Love Begotten

14 15 Text: Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, 348-c.413, abr., DIVINUM MYSTERIUM Tr. John M. Neale, 1818-66, st. 1-4.; Henry W, Baker, 1821-77, st. 5, alt. 87 87 877 Setting © 1982 Condordia Publishing House Reprinted under OneLicense A-718321

Sixth Lesson read by Larry Stoner

SO THAT WE WOULD KNOW AND SEE THE SAVIOR GOD FULFILLED THESE PROPHECIES IN THE BIRTH OF JESUS Luke 2:1-7 (NIV) “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” 16 “Away in the Manger” Our Ascension Children’s Choir will sing the first verse. Our soloist, Betty Murray, will sing the second verse, and the congregation joins in singing the third verse.

Away in the Manger

Text: Little Children’s Book, Philadephia, 1885, st. 1-2; CRADLE SONG Vineyard Songs, Louisville, 1892, st. 3 alt. 11 11 11 11 Tune: William J. Kirkpatrick, 1838-1921 Setting © Mrs. James E. Engel Reprinted under OneLicense A-718321

17 Seventh Lesson read by Eric Metz

SO THAT WE KNOW THE SAVIOR HAD COME GOD SENT THE ANGELS TO ANNOUNCE THE GOOD NEWS TO THE SHEPERDS

Luke 2:8-20 (NIV)

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”

18 Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful

Text: John F. Wade, c. 1711-86; tr. Frederick Oakeley, 1802-80. Alt Tune: John F. Wade, c. 1711-86; alt; Desc. With harm. By David Willcocks, b. 1919; Reprinted under OneLicense A-718321 19 Eighth Lesson read by Ray Jones

GOD GIVES US THE MYSTERY OF THE INCARNATION

John 1:1–14 (NIV84)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. 6 There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 14 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.

20 What Child Is This

21 Text: William C. Dix 1837-98, alt. GREENSLEEVES Tune: English ballad, 16th century Reprinted under OneLicense A-718321

Ninth Lesson read by Chuck Thompson

GOD GIVES AND FULFILLS THE DIVINE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS IN THE FULFILLMENT OF THE PROMISE OF THE SAVIOR ON THE CROSS

Luke 24:1–8 (NIV84)

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words.

22 Joy to the World

Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748, alt. ANTIOCH Tune: George F. Handel, 1685-1759, adapt. Reprinted under OneLicense A-718321 CM with refrain

23 The Offering Hymn: Angels We Have Heard on High

Text: Nouveau recueil de cantiques, 1855; tr. The Crown of Jesus, Part 2, London, 1862 alt. GLORIA Tune: Nouveau recueil de cantiques, 1885 77 77 with Refrain 24 STAND FOR PRAYER

PRAYER

M: When all was still and it was midnight, your eternal Word, O Lord, descended from the almighty throne to dwell among us. May we receive him in the peace of forgiven hearts and proclaim your gracious goodwill to all people on earth, for he is God with us, Emmanuel, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.

BLESSING

M: May he who by his incarnation gathered things earthly and heavenly into one, fill us with such joy that comes with the knowledge of the forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal life. And the blessing of God Almighty—the Father, the Son, † and the Holy Spirit—be upon you and remain with you always.

C: Amen.

Silent Night will be sung to candlelight. Our Ascension Choir will sing verse one in German, then we all join in singing all three verses.

To light the candle move the cup down about 2" and hold the unlit candle horizontally to the lighted candle. Once you light the candle, move the cup back up so that the flame is covered. Hold the candle straight up so as not to melt the plastic cup.

25 Silent Night

Text: Franz Joseph Mohr, 1792-1848, abr., tr. John F. Young, 1820-85 STILLE NACHT Tune: Franz X. Gruber 1787-1863, alt. Reprinted under OneLicense A-718321 Irregular

26 We thank all for coming to share this most holy night with us. We pray that you were strengthened in faith and trust that the babe in the manger is your Savior from sin, death, and the devil!

Our Thanks

We thank our Ascension Choir members and director Lori Nowaczyk, our organist Marge Metz, our soloists Sharon Larson and Betty Murray, and our Ascension Children’s Choir members and teachers Sharon Larson, Jeanne Green, and Kundry Grove.

A Blessed Christmas to all

Please pick up a gift bag for your child on your way out.

We all who helped set up for our service tonight and all of you for coming sharing our celebration of our Savior’s birth.

For a prayer for after worship see page 11 of Christian Worship, A Lutheran Hymnal.

This is a short summary of what we believe here at Ascension Evangelical Lutheran Church: We believe: that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant and infallible Word of God; that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and therefore cannot save themselves. That 27 we are saved by grace alone through faith in God's Son, Jesus Christ, who lived, died and rose again. We also believe that it is the mission and responsibility of every member to reach out with the Gospel to all nations. That everything we do as a congregation should support this purpose. As servants of Christ, these beliefs will lead us to use our time, talents and treasures for the growth, preservation and the extension of Christ's Kingdom.

The week of December 21 st at Ascension: Wed. Dec. 24th: 10:30am Bible study – Cancelled 7:00pm Christmas Eve Worship Thurs. Dec. 25th: 7:00pm Bible study cancelled Sat. Dec. 27th: 10:00am Target Shooting Club Sun. Dec. 28th: 9:00am Bible study for adults – Evangelism 10:30am Worship Service Sunday school -dismissal after the Sermon and Children’s Devotion

January and February upcoming events: Wed. Jan. 7th: 9:00am Dodge City Breakfast Brunch Sun. Jan. 11th: Sunday school – dismissal after the Sermon and Children’s Devotion Take Christmas tree down after the service Tues. Jan. 13th: 6:30pm Elders Meeting 7:00pm Church Council Sat. Jan. 17th: 10:00am Church Calendar Planning meeting Sun. Jan. 18th: 12th Annual Chile Cook off Sun. Jan. 25th: Sunday school – dismissal after the Sermon and Children’s Devotion Sat. Jan. 31st: 10:00am Target Shooting Club Wed. Feb. 3rd: 9:00am Dodge City Breakfast Brunch Sun. Feb. 8th: Sunday school – dismissal after the Sermon and Children’s Devotion Tues. Feb. 10th: 6:30pm Elders Meeting 7:00pm Church Council Wed. Feb. 18th: 7:00 pm Ash Wednesday service.

28 Sun. Feb. 22nd: Sunday school – dismissal after the Sermon and Children’s Devotion Wed. Feb. 25th: 7:00 pm Lenten service Sat. Feb. 28th: 10:00am Target Shooting Club

General Information:

School of Outreach: The 2nd session of the school of outreach will be held at Immanuel Evangelical. Lutheran Church, in Long Valley, NJ, Saturday March 7, 2015.

New Sign Fund: The church council has decided it would be good to replace our sign out front with a perpendicular sign, which would be much more readable by those passing by. If you would like to contribute, please do so by marking your envelope. Please remember we continue to need regular offerings.

Lutheran Pioneers: Eric Larson is heading the Pioneer program that is for young children and meets once a month. There are T-shirts available. Parents please make sure we have the right size for your child or children.

Ascension Choir: To Singers and Wannabe Singers! We need you! If you would like to join our choir, please speak to our director Lori Nowaczyk.

Target shooting club: Join us on the last Saturday of each month at the Harrisburg Hunters and Anglers Club. You must be a member or guest to go. For more information please ask Pastor Green, or Tammy McGhee.

29