Ascension Evangelical Lutheran Church Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

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; Organists/pianists: Marge Metz, and Brook Larson; Altar Guild: Barb Buehler; LWMS Reporter: Marge Metz; Choir director: Lori Nowaczyk.

Christmas Day 2012

The Festival of the Nativity of Our Lord

“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.”

Guests and Visitors: Welcome to our Christmas Day worship service. A Nursery from which you can hear and see the service is available for parents with children. A restroom is in the narthex.

1 A personal prayer for before worship from page 10 in the hymnal Christian Worship: Heavenly Father, I have come to worship you. Draw near to me in your gracious Word, and assure me of your loving kindness. Curb my wandering thoughts, that with undivided attention I may hear your voice and sing your praise. Amen.

Oh Come All Ye Faithful

2 GREETING:

P: Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

C: Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

M: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.

C: And also with you.

CONFESSION OF SINS

P: By right, we should have nothing to sing about. We do not deserve God's love. He created humankind in his perfect image to live with him in peace forever. But Adam and Eve sinned against him, and we have sinned against him no less than they.

C: We confess our sins, O Lord.

P: We are embarrassed to think of our sins. Here our hearts are filled with love for you, but we confess we have often loved others more than you. Here our eyes behold your glory, but we confess our eyes have served our own sinful desires for what you forbid. Here our lips praise you, but we confess we have spoken evil time and again.

C: We deplore our sins, O Lord.

3 P: They have only gained us trouble. They have not given us the happiness they promised.

C: For the sake of Jesus, forgive us for sinning against you, O Lord.

P: Remind us that Christ came into the world to free us from the guilt of sin. Proclaim to us that his life and death cover our sins. Keep us from being attracted to sin. Spare us from being enslaved by sin. Help us make up for the sins we commit against one another.

C: Deliver us from sin's power, O Lord.

P: Glory to God in the highest! In love that astounds us, the eternal God sent his one and only Son to live among us, to obey, as we could not, and to suffer what we deserved. In Christ, there is indeed peace on earth. In him, God extends his good will to all people. Because of Christ and by his authority, I say to you what God says: In Christ your sins are forgiven!

C: Glory to God in the highest! Amen.

Angels We have Heard on High

4 PRAYER OF THE DAY

M: Almighty God, grant that the birth of your only Son in the flesh may set us free from our old bondage under the yoke of sin; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen. (spoken) 5 FIRST LESSON: The Christmas proclamation of good news is captured in Isaiah's words: ''The Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem." Jesus has been born to save us from our sins. Christmas Day heralds the "good news to Zion."

Isaiah 52:7-10 (NIV)

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” 8 Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the LORD returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes. 9 Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the LORD has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. 10 The LORD will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

6 SECOND LESSON: Jesus is "the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being." As impressive as the angels are, Jesus is even more impressive because he is God's one and only Son.

Hebrews 1:1-9 (NIV) In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. 5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”? Or again, “I will be 7 his Father, and he will be my Son”? 6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” 7 In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire.” 8 But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.”

VERSE OF THE DAY

Alleluia! When the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law. Alleluia.

O Little Town of Bethlehem

8 GOSPEL: This is the reading for the sermon.

John 1:1-14 (NIV) 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

9 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.

What Child is This

10 11 Sermon: by Pastor Green based on John 1:1-14

CONFESSION OF FAITH

From the Athanasian Creed

Whoever wishes to be saved must, above all else, hold to the true Christian faith. Now this is the true Christian faith:

We believe and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ, God's Son, is both God and man.

He is God, eternally begotten from the nature of the Father, and he is man, born in time from the nature of his mother, fully God, fully man, with rational soul and human flesh, equal to the Father as to his deity, less than the Father as to his humanity;

And though he is both God and man, Christ is not two persons but one, one, not by changing the deity into flesh, but by taking the humanity into God; one indeed, not by mixture of the natures, but by unity in one person;

For just as the rational soul and flesh are one human being, so God and man are one Christ.

He suffered for our salvation, descended into hell, rose the third day from the dead. He ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty, and from there will come to judge the living and the dead. At his coming all people will rise with their own bodies

This is the true Christian faith.

12 OUR THANK OFFERING will be used to spread the joy of knowing Christ as Savior. A medley of Christmas hymns and carols will be played during the offering.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

P: Eternal Father, we give you thanks and praise on this Holy day for sending your one and only Son to share our humanity, to carry our guilt, and to become for us the perfect Lamb who takes away the sin of the world.

C: We adore you, O Lord.

P: Keep our faith in your Son alive and strong. Nourish us with your Word and Sacrament and, by your Holy Spirit, give us strength to overcome Satan's power and pride. Help us to withstand the temptations the world and our sinful nature put in our path.

C: Give us courage, O Lord.

P: Remember ministers of the gospel throughout the world who on this day are proclaiming that a Savior has been born. We especially commend to your care the missionaries we, as members of the Wisconsin Synod, have called. Since they cannot enjoy the fellowship of their extended families this Christmas, we pray that you would give them the inner joy that comes with service in your kingdom.

C: Protect all those who preach the gospel in our place, O Lord.

P: We pray for our city, O Lord, for its neighborhoods and suburbs and for all who live and work and find delight here. Keep the economy of our nation strong so that we may enjoy plenty from which to bring you our first and best offerings. 13 C: Govern and prosper your people, O Lord.

P: As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who are less fortunate than we are. Give us hearts that truly care for people who need our help. If it is your will, bring your powerful healing to those who are sick or diseased in body or mind. We pray especially for brothers and sisters who are setting aside their celebration today to care for the sick, feed the bedridden, and stand at the side of the dying.

C: Sustain those who endure the troubles of life, O Lord.

P: Be a source of strength to the members of this congregation. Comfort all who have lost a loved one during the past year, support those who are troubled, and be with those who are spending Christmas alone. If any are among us today who have lost the true meaning of this festival, let them rediscover the joy that comes from Christ alone.

C: Let your peace reign in the hearts of all, O Lord.

Special prayers and intercessions may follow

Prayers have been requested for the following:

For health issues for: Anthony Pockey, Lance’s father for cancer; Steve Lange for illness; Kathy Risley, a friend of Phyllis Cross, for stomach problems; Paul Kraft for heart; Betty Murray for heart; Birgit Peltzer, friend of Pastor and Jeanne; Barbara Stottlelmeyer, Kimberly Larson’s grandmother, for health issues; Jolynn Larson, for multiple sclerosis; for Steve Murray, for stroke; Ann Swan, for kidney problems; Sonia Schmidt for cerebral palsy; Evelyn Kraft for lung issues; Bob Leathe for arthritis, heart, and kidney issues; Faye Falcone Phyllis Cross’s sister for eyesight; Brenda Thompson for her knee; for Caleb for 14 autism and back problems; Margret Negley; Grace Nitz for heart problems. for the faith, health and welfare: Paul, Betty’s nephew, Jules Coyell, Marge’s friend, Christina Kurk; Erika Hauer, Kundry’s mother, Sharon Miller, Phyllis Cross’ niece; Patrick Collins; Pam Seed; Ryan Collins; Billy Martin; Cece Stoner, Larry’s mother, Chris and Heather and sons Dalton and Dane; Linda Helms; for our world and home mission work; for our college students: Eric Metz, Steven Nowaczyk, and Lori Nowaczyk; for those in the military: Matthew Easter, Brian Easter, Sarah Buehler; Alyssa Briggs; Dennis Willie; Lance Pockey; and Ralph Lounsbrough.

P: Hear us, Lord, as we bring you our private petitions.

Silent prayer

P: As you sent your Son to bring peace to all people on earth, so we pray for all people, those known and those unknown to us.

THE 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.

15 CLOSING PRAYER

P: O Lord, our heavenly Father, you have proclaimed to us once again the joyful good news of the birth of your Son. We give you thanks and praise for the gift of the world's redemption, for the gift of eternal peace, and for the gift of joy in the Holy Spirit. Preserve these treasures in our hearts and minds until we finally come to share your eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen. (spoken)

Joy to the World

16 A prayer for after worship from page 11 of Christian Worship, A Lutheran Hymnal:

Good Shepherd, I was glad to be here, gathered with your flock to worship you. Cause the Word I have heard to take root in my heart and bear fruit in my life. Guide me in paths of righteousness, that my words and actions might lead others to glorify you. Grant, O Lord, that the lips which have sung your praise may continue to glorify you in the world; that the ears which have heard you speak may be open always to your Word and closed to hatred and discord; that the tongues which have confessed your name may always speak the truth without fear; that all of us who have worshiped together today may be united in true love for each other as you have loved us in Jesus. Amen!

17 This is 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 no one can save her or himself. That 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.

December Elder: Rick Grove December Ushers: Rick Grove and Franklin Stauffer January Elder: Gary Graf January Ushers: Tim Rowe and Chuck Thompson

Church Cleaning leader: for January Ron Althoff

Today, December 25 th , 2016, at Ascension:

9:15am Bible Class cancelled 10:30am Worship Service – no Sunday school

The week of Dec. 26 th at Ascension:

Tues. Dec. 27th: 5:30pm Catechism- cancelled Wed. Dec. 28th: 10:30am Bible class- cancelled Thurs. Dec. 29th: 7:00pm Bible Class West Shore YMCA Sun. Jan. 1st: 9:15am Bible Class Gospels 10:30am Sunday Worship Service with communion

Birthdays: Yvonne Stephenson 12/28

18 Anniversaries: none

Upcoming Events January 2017

Wed. Jan. 4th: 9:00am Dodge City Breakfast Sat. Jan. 6th: 9:00am Take down Christmas tree Tues. Jan. 10th: 6:30pm Church Council - Skype call with Dave Maines, President of Praise and Proclaim Ministries

Mon. Jan. 16th: 6:30pm Elders 7:00pm Church Council Sun. Jan. 29th: 13th Annual Chili Cook off

General Announcements:

Elder visits: Dear members of Ascension: Our elders will continue to make every member visits to those they have not reached to date.

Attendance: 12/18: 17;

Church Sign Fund Balance as of 12-11-2016- $7020

“ Let’s continue to share the Gospel of Jesus mortgage elimination offerings” which is an ongoing effort through October 2017 to pay off the anticipated $21,000 mortgage balance on December 1, 2017.

Tracking as of Sunday (Nov 27, 2016) Mortgage Elimination Offering Goal $21,000 Contributions to Debt Retirement Fund $4,125 Matching Funds $4,125 Total $8,250 Percentage of Goal Achieved 39.3%

19 Mortgage Beginning Balance 12-31-2015 $37,613.75 Current Balance 12-5-2016 $20,883.56 YTD Reduction $16,730.1