2019 Gr 1-3 Arise and Shine Children's Christmas Service SCRIPT

2019 Gr 1-3 Arise and Shine Children’s Christmas Service SCRIPT On 5 Risers: 2nd-Nelsen 2nd-Schlichting 1st-Pingel 1st-Boyce Steps: 3rd-Radue tree on top/first step 3rd-Clemens

Pre-service Music As We Gather Take notice of the sources of light around you. How does each source serve a different purpose? As you prepare to worship, pray that everyone here will take notice of the many ways Jesus—the Light of the World—shines in our lives.

Processional sung by Congregation (organ)... Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful 1. Oh, come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant! Oh, come ye, oh, come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold him born the king of angels Oh, come, let us adore him, 3. Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, oh, come, let us adore him, Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Oh, come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. Glory to God in the highest: Oh, come, let us adore him, 2. Highest, most holy, Light of light eternal, oh, come, let us adore him, Born of a virgin, a mortal he comes. Oh, come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. Son of the Father now in flesh appearing. Oh, come, let us adore him, oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

Invocation P In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

(based on Isaiah 60 and John 1) Call to Worship P Arise! Shine! For your light has come. And the glory of the Lord rises upon you. C The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. P Darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples. C The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. P Arise! Shine! For your light has come. C Our Light is Jesus! We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son. Amen.

Prayer of the Day P Lord, shine upon all who worship this day, especially the children who lead us. Let them radiate your light through the Gospel message they share. Amen.

Message by the Children Introduction by Pastor Have you ever driven through a Christmas light display? Lights surround you—some flashing in coordination to music; some depicting various themes; some outlining trees and buildings with brilliant colors. It’s interesting how crowded these displays can be and yet nobody gets impatient. They forget the stress of the holiday season and pause to be present in the moment, taking in every detail of the display. There are many light displays around, but there is one you don’t want to miss. That is the light of Jesus displayed

1 in many ways, and in every corner of our lives. His rising light shines hope into our despair. His glorious light overshadows our fear with peace. His shining light reveals God’s truth in his Word. His healing light shines into our pain, our grief and our sin-sick lives. His eternal light shines God’s promise of abundant life with him—today and forever. And his reflective light is seen in us as we share his good news with others. So, arise! Shine! Your light has come! Leave all the distractions behind. Enjoy the display of Jesus’ light which our children will reflect. [2nd Gr-N moves next to Christmas tree. The parents are yawning and rubbing sleepy eyes.]

Rising Light 2nd-Nelsen (Turn on lamp on table) Bella 1. Rise and shine, Mom and Dad! . (parent, shielding eyes from light) Isaac 2. Ooh! Bright light! OK. I’m up. Izzy 3. That’s good, because it’s Christmas! We have a lot to do, like open presents, go to church, eat our Christmas dinner, open presents … (parent) Juliet 4. If only you were this eager to wake up on school days! Grayson 5. We don’t have to go out in the cold to wait for the school bus today. Owen 6. Yeah. It’s easy to wake up on Christmas. It’s a day for celebration. And did I mention there are presents to be opened? (parent) Isaac 7. You’re right. Thanks for the wake-up call. (proudly) (opening Bible) AJ 8. I was inspired by the prophet Isaiah. We read Isaiah, chapter 60 in school.

SCRIPTURE: Pastor: Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Congregation: For behold, darkness shall cover the earth and thick darkness the peoples, but the Lord will rise upon you and his glory will be seen upon you (Isaiah 60:1-2).

Liam 9. Isaiah said “wake up” because something exciting was happening. (parent) Juliet 10. Isaiah had to wake people up because they had lost hope. Their nation was a mess. Life was so hard that they wondered if God was even with them. Harper 11. It’s like they were stumbling in the dark and couldn’t see God. Connor 12. Kind of like how Mom and Dad were stumbling around in the dark this morning. They couldn’t see our bright, smiling faces and all the wonderful gifts waiting for them under the tree! (pointing to lamp) Joel 13. But when we said, “Rise and shine,” just like Isaiah, they remembered it’s no ordinary day. (parent) Isaac 14. Right! Isaiah’s wake-up call reminded people that their lives were not dark and hopeless! God had not forgotten his promises. Landon 15. I get it! Isaiah said, “The glory of God will rise upon you.” He was giving people a sneak peek at Christmas! Gavin 16. Jesus was born on Christmas. He’s the Savior God promised. (turning off lamp) Madeline 17. Sometimes it seems I’m in the dark too. When things get tough, I forget that God is with me and cares about me. Aliyah 18. Without Jesus, we’d all be hopeless—worse than standing outside on a cold, dark morning wondering if the school bus will ever come! (parent) Juliet 19. But we live in the light of Jesus. Just before his birth, a priest named Zechariah sang a song that describes Jesus as a rising light bringing hope to all people.

SCRIPTURE: Pastor: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people. Congregation: …because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death (Luke 1:68, 78-79).

(turn on lamp) Sienna 20. Well, rise and shine, everybody. It’s Christmas! . No need to sit around in the dark! Jesus—our light—has come!

Song by Children & Congregation (organ) …The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns

(Grades 1-3) 1. The King shall come when morning Congregation: 2. Not as of old, a little child dawns To bear and fight and die, And light triumphant breaks, But crowned with glory like the sun When beauty gilds the eastern hills, That lights the morning sky. And life to joy awakes. 3. The King shall come when morning dawns [2nd-N moves back to risers during st. 2, then 2nd-S And light and beauty brings. moves around tree ] Hail, Christ the Lord! Thy people pray: Come quickly, King of kings

Glorious Light 2nd-Schlichting (shaking a wrapped gift) Blake 21. I wonder what’s in this box? I don’t hear anything moving. I hope it’s not socks, or worse yet, underwear! (to parent) Cooper 22. Please, can we open presents now? We’ve been in the dark too long. We need to know what we got for Christmas! (holding up star for tree) Caitlin 23. Don’t forget about our tradition. First we put the star on top of the Christmas tree. Then we open presents. James 24. Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s put up that star. (parent) Hunter 25. Be patient. Remember, people waited many generations before God put his star in the sky and revealed his gift. Staurt 26. First, the gift had to be delivered … and Jesus wasn’t ordered on Amazon Prime. His delivery came at the end of a long journey!

SCRIPTURE: Pastor: In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world … And everyone went to their own town to register. 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. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. Congregation: While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger (Luke 2 1-7).

Nolan 27. That’s when God put the star in the sky to lead people to Jesus. Joshua 28. But first he sent angels to light up the sky for some shepherds sitting in the dark. And let’s just say, they might have appreciated new underwear after that light display!

SCRIPTURE: Pastor: In the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, Congregation: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” Pastor: And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

Leah 29. I know, they said, “Arise and shine! Your light has come!” (parent) Ada 30. Close. They said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:8-14). Leah 31. Wow! That must have been a glorious light in the sky! (parent) Hunter 32. Not as glorious as the light waiting for them in the manger. Jesus was God’s gift who would outshine their fear with his peace. 3

SCRIPTURE: Pastor: When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Congregation: “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” Pastor: So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger (Luke 2:15-16).

Brady 33. But don’t forget about the star of Bethlehem. It led others to Jesus. (parent) Ada 34. Right. Kings from foreign lands saw the star and followed it. But it took a long time for them to reach Bethlehem and meet Jesus. (impatiently) Alexa 35. Longer than I’ve been waiting to open my presents?

SCRIPTURE: Pastor: After Jesus was born in Bethlehem … wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, Congregation: “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” … Pastor: Going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him (Matthew 2:1-2, 10-11).

(pick up the tree star) Mason 36. First, the wise men saw the star, then they got their gift. Does that give anyone any ideas? (parent, laughing) Ada 37. O K, OK. Let’s put the star on the tree. (putting up star) Quynn 38. It’s beautiful—like the glorious light of Jesus.

SCRIPTURE: Pastor: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Congregation: those who dwelt in the land of deep darkness, on them has light shown. (Isaiah 9:2).

(opening gift) Collin 39. W ell, here goes … will it be socks or something better? Lilly 40. Fear not! No matter what’s in the box, we have the gift of Jesus! [2nd grade moves back to risers]

Song by Children & Congregation (track)… Silent Night, Holy Night (Gr. 1-3) Silent night, holy night! (Gr. 1-3) 3. Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright Son of God, love’s pure light Round yon virgin mother and child. Radiant beams from thy holy face Holy Infant so tender and mild, With the dawn of redeeming grace. Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace. Jesus, Lord, at thy birth. Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

[3rd-R grade moves around tree]

Shining Light 3rd-Radue (pick up gift and hold close to eyes) Brystol 41a. Finally, it’s time for presents. Alana 41b. Whose gift is this? I can’t read the tiny print. (shining flashlight on gift) Colton 42. Here. “Let there be light!” Hank 43. Ah, thanks. It says, “To everyone!” (children open gift and hold it up) Lillian 44. Let’s open it! It’s the baby Jesus that belongs in our nativity set. (parent) Braelyn 45. That’s right. I wrapped it to remind you that Jesus is the best gift of all. Evan 46. Not everyone in Bethlehem could see that the tiny baby born in a stable was God’s gift to everyone. (Turn on flashlight) Joey 47. I guess they needed a shining light! Taylor 48a. Actually, Jesus is the shining Light who shows us God’s love is big!

Macey 48b. In school we read John 1 that says, “The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. Gabriel 48c. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. Hadley 48d. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” (parent) Ben 49. When God created the world, he said, “Let there be light.” Then, to save his creation, he once again said, “Let there be light,” and he sent Jesus, the Light of the World.

SCRIPTURE: (emphasizing “Word” each time) Word Word Word Pastor: In the beginning was the , and the was with God, and the was God. Congregation: He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 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. … Word Pastor: And the 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 (John 1:1-5, 14).

(hold up Bible) Ellie 50. Even though we don’t see Jesus, He shines in his Word so we can see that he is our God and Savior. (picking up baby Jesus figure) Kinsley 51. And, that Jesus really is the best gift! [3rd-C grade moves back to steps]

Song by Children (track)…. The Best Present of All (Grade 1) At Christmas there are presents (Grade 2) Underneath the mistletoe, underneath the tree. Grandma gives me a kiss; The train goes clang And the drum goes bang; So I give her a gift I made myself, There's a gift that you cannot see. And I give it with a wish. Chorus (Gr. 1-3) Chorus (Always Gr. 1-3) : O the best present of all is Jesus. The best present of all is God's Son. (Grade 3) Well, I wish you a merry Christmas, Yes, the best present of all And a happy new year; Is the one God gave to me. But most of all I wish for you The best present of all is from Him. That Jesus would be near. A baby in a manger, Two thousand years ago, Was the greatest gift that we will ever know. Chorus (Gr. 1-3)

[3rd-C grade moves around tree]

Healing Light 3rd-Clemens (Mom lights scented candle) (to Mom) Emma 52. Oh, Mom, you sure like scented candles! (parent) Makayla 53. It’s aroma therapy. It’s healing. (laughing) Will 54. Are you sure about that? (sniffing) Laila 55. This candle smells like Christmas and makes me feel great! Reese 56. And it can remind us that Jesus is our healing light. Brennick 57. I get it. Jesus heals us from our sin—you know, the bad things we do. (parent) Sam 58. Sin is a serious disease and the whole world is infected. Toby 59. It’s deadly too! Because of sin, we deserve to die and be cut off from God forever.

5 (blows out Joey 60a. That’s why Jesus came! He is the Light of the World, but he chose to die in our place. candle)

Bryce 60b. H e took the punishment for our sin so we could be forgiven.

SCRIPTURE: Pastor: Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. … Congregation: He was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:4-5).

Adalynn 61. But Jesus’ light didn’t get blown out for good. He rose to life again. (re-lighting candle) Audrey 62. Yes! Jesus is alive, and God promises that all who believe in Jesus will live forever with him. Brooklyn 62a. There will be no more sin, pain or grief with him in heaven.

SCRIPTURE: Pastor: He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, Congregation: neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away (Revelation 21:4).

Gage 63. Aroma therapy candles can’t do that! Campbell 64. Rise and shine! We’re fit for God’s kingdom because Jesus is our healing light who takes away our sin. [3rd-R grade moves back to steps and 1st-P moves to tree during song]

Song by Congregation (track)… Light One Candle (Gr. 1-3 with congregation): 1. Light one candle for hope, 3. Light one candle for joy, one bright candle for hope. one bright candle for joy, He brings hope to every heart He comes, He comes! Every nation will find salvation in Bethlehem’s baby boy. 2. Light one candle for peace, one bright candle for peace. 4. Light one candle for love, He brings peace to every heart He comes,He comes! one bright candle for love. He brings love to every heart He comes, He comes! He brings love to every heart He comes, He comes!

Eternal Light 1st-Pingel Rosy 65a. Our Christmas tree is so pretty this year. Sam 65b.Remember how half the lights went out last Christmas? Kaitlyn 65c. It looked so sad on the dark side. (pointing to tree lights) Alex 66a. But these new LED bulbs will last forever. Rhyan 66b.Forever is a long, long, long time!!! Talan 67a. Maybe not forever, but there is something that can last. Nilah 67b.The light of Jesus will last forever. Cadence 67c. Jesus is our eternal light. (parent) Chayston 68a. God promises that those who know Jesus will live forever. Jaelyn 68b.And we will shine too—like the stars in the sky.

SCRIPTURE: Pastor: Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; Congregation: and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever (Daniel 12:3). 6

Nolan 69a. It could be a long wait before we get to heaven. Nathan 69b.We aren’t very old, you know! (parent) Hope 70a. Only God knows if it is a long or short time before we go home to heaven. Luke 70b.But an eternal light is always shining, even here on earth. Linnea 70c. So, we can shine in the light of Jesus every day.

SCRIPTURE: Pastor: Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, Congregation: children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world (Philippians 2:14-16).

(pointing to tree lights) KJ 71a. I’m pretty sure these LED lights will still work next year. Griffin 71b.But I’m even more sure that Jesus’ eternal light will keep shining— Gracelyn 71c. It will shine today, next year and forever!

[1st-P grade moves back to risers] Song by Children (organ)… God Loves Me Dearly 1. (Grade 1) G od loves me dearly, grants me my dear Redeemer, salvation, He sent forth Jesus and set me free. God loves me dearly, loves even me. Chorus Chorus (Always Gr. 1-3): Therefore, I’ll say again God loves me dearly, (Grade 3) 3. Now I will praise you, O Love God loves me dearly, loves even me. Eternal; Now I will praise you all my life long. Chorus (Grade 2) 2. He sent forth Jesus,

[1st-B grade moves to tree]

Reflective Light 1st-Boyce (open gift) Maylana 72. This present is mine. It’s a mirror. (hold up mirror Hailey P 73. It can help you see the back of your hair when you get ready in the morning. near tree so lights reflect off mirror) . Gabby 74. Cool! Look at how the mirror reflects the Christmas tree lights. (taking mirror and holding it near candle) Ainsley 75. That’s so pretty! It reflects the candle too. (turn on flashlight and use mirror to Phoenix 76. It does! It’ll be really bright reflecting off the flashlight. reflect its light) (parent) Nolan 77a. That mirror is a lot like all of us who love Jesus. Natalie 77b.How can we be like mirrors? Marek 77c. When we live in Jesus’ light, we reflect his light so others can see who he is. Ayden 77d.That is why our school theme this year is ‘Made to Reflect!’ Abby 78a. God sent Jesus as the Light of the World. (pointing to others) Hailey H 78b.And then Jesus said to all his followers, “You are the light of the world.” Elijah 79. Just like the shepherds who lit the way for others to see Jesus.

SCRIPTURE: Pastor: When they saw him, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. …

7 Congregation: And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them (Luke 2:17-20).

(uses mirror to reflect the Wryker 80. Hey, just like all the lights in this room, Jesus’ light is all around us. various light sources as indicated.) Makaiah 81a. We can reflect Jesus’ rising light by pointing out God’s blessings; Sam 81b.And praying with people who are afraid. Cohen 82a. We reflect Jesus’ shining light by loving people like God loves us. Piper 82b.And reflect His healing light by forgiving others and telling them Jesus forgives them too. (parent) Kate 83a. We reflect Jesus’ eternal light by staying faithful to God’s will. Claire 83b.We need to tell people that because of Jesus, we all will rise and shine forever in his glory! [1st-B grade moves back to risers]

Song by Congregation (organ)… Go Tell It on the Mountain Congregation: 2. The shepherds feared and trembled

Chorus Go tell it on the mountain, when lo, above the earth Over the hills and everywhere; Rang out the angel chorus Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born! that hailed our Savior’s birth. Chorus

1. While shepherds kept their watching 3. Down in a lonely manger o’er silent flocks by night, the humble Christ was born; Behold throughout the heavens And God sent us salvation there shone a holy light. Chorus that blessed Christmas morn. Chorus

“O Come Little Children,” Offering - Children’s Choir

Message by Pastor

Closing Prayer P Thank you, God, for the gift of your Son, Jesus, the Light of the World. Help us all to live in his light and to display his light in the world. Amen.

Benediction P Arise! Shine! Your light has come. Your Light is Jesus. Sparkle, because he forgives your sin; shimmer in his grace; and illumine the world, reflecting his light. Amen.

Recessional Song by Congregation (organ)… Now Sing We, Now Rejoice

Congregation: 1. Now sing we, now rejoice, Through thy grace and merit Now raise to heav’n our voice; , Blest Jesus, Lord most mild, He from whom joy streameth Draw me unto thee! Draw me unto thee! Poor in a manger lies; Not so brightly beameth 3. Now through his Son doth shine The sun in yonder skies. The Father’s grace divine. Thou my Savior art! Thou my Savior art! Death was reigning o’er us Through sin and vanity 2. Come from on high to me; Till he opened for us a bright eternity. I cannot rise to thee. May we praise him there! Cheer my wearied spirit, May we praise him there! O pure and holy Child;