Welcome !

Fourth Sunday in

December 20, 2015

Worship Service – Sunday mornings at 10:30 Adult Bible Class and Sunday school – Sunday mornings at 9:20

St. Paul Sanctuary (Northeast corner of Tipton and Walnut)

Peace’s Mission: Connecting, celebrating, and serving in Christ.

Connecting people to life in Christ Celebrating our relationship with Christ and the family of faith Serving Christ by sharing His love with others

Peace Lutheran Church Fourth Sunday in Advent December 20, 2015

The Song of the Church

 AS WE GATHER 

Welcome to Peace Lutheran Church – a special welcome to our guests!

Please take some time during worship to fill out the attendance/prayer card, located at the end of each pew. If you are a guest, we would love to receive contact information so we can respond to your visit with us today.

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

INVOCATION

P: In the name of the Father, and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen.

 PREPARATION 

OPENING SONG “Come, Now Is the Time to Worship” Brian Doerksen

L: O God, we love the song of the Church— C: recalling your promises to us and the blessings you wish to release through us.

L: The song of the Church has come down to us through the ages C: and we have every desire to pass it on as the melody of reconciliation.

L: We want many to know what causes us great joy, much comfort, full hope: C: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’”

1 LIGHTING OF THE

L: The Advent wreath is a commonly-used symbol during Advent and . Let us light four candles. The first candle is the candle of repentance. The second, the candle of remembrance. The third, the candle of rejoicing. C: The fourth candle is the candle of reconciliation, for we know our sins have separated us from God.

(All four candles of the Advent Wreath are lit at this time.)

CONFESSION and ABSOLUTION

P: We, as members of the Church, have a desperate need for the message of reconciliation. C: Almighty God, I confess to you all my sins by which I have offended you. I deserve to suffer for my sins, both now and in eternity. I am very sorry for all my sins and I pray that you will look on me in mercy and forgive me for the sake of Jesus my Savior, who suffered the punishment for my sins when he died on the cross.

P: We rejoice with the whole Church that, through Christ, reconciliation with him and with all our neighbors has been arranged. So with confidence I share with you that our Christ, by his suffering, death and resurrection, forgives you all your sins, in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit! C: Amen.

L: Another symbol of our life in Christ is fellowship with our Christian brothers and sisters. We share God’s Peace with each other through handshakes, hugs, or just a smile with each other.

SHARING of PEACE

SONG of PRAISE “Come Christian Men Rejoice”

(As we sing the song of praise, please pass your attendance / prayer card to the ushers. If you are a first- time guest, please provide your contact information so that we can respond to your visit this week.) 2  SERVICE OF THE WORD 

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 52:7-10 Page 730 (LP: 1144)

Epistle Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Page 1145 (LP: 1799)

Gospel Reading: Matthew 1:18-23 Page 955 (LP: 1497)

MESSAGE by the Children: “The Symbols of Christmas”

The Symbols of Christmas Introduction: Kids decorating for Christmas

Symbol 1: The Evergreen Tree Coleman: An evergreen tree has a very appropriate name. It is ever green – always green. It does not become dormant in the winter as other trees do. The color green represents new life and the needles of the evergreen always point up – heavenward. It symbolizes our everlasting life with Jesus Christ. We should be as the evergreen tree – always full of life, never becoming dormant in our life with Christ as our arms are lifted heavenward.

Congregation: “The bread of God is the One who comes down from heaven. He gives life to the world.” John 6:33

Symbol 2: Ornaments Emma: Ornaments are used to decorate Christmas trees each and every year. People look for the perfect ones to fit on their tree. Our just wouldn’t seem complete without our ornaments. Ornaments can symbolize the blessings in our lives. Our lives just wouldn’t be complete without God’s blessings. Everything that we have is due to God loving us so much that He wants to shower us with His blessings. Just as ornaments are all different shapes and sizes, blessings are all different as well. God picks and chooses each blessing for us so that it will be just right. The next time you decorate your tree, and as you put up each ornament, think of a blessing that God has given you. I think you’ll find that you’ll run out of ornaments before you can run out of blessings!

Congregation: “Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God that He has given you.” Deuteronomy 16:17

3 Symbol 3: Lights Lydia: Lights and candles are used to give light. When a room is full of darkness, it is dark. But, if you light a single match in a dark room, the room is light. There may be more darkness, but the light overpowers it. We are that light. We can be the single light in a world of darkness. We must share our light with the world so that the light increases.

Congregation: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.” Matthew 5:14‐15

Symbol 4: Bells Keaton: The bell rings out to guide the lost sheep back to the fold, signifying that all are precious in the eyes of the Lord. Jesus is our shepherd and He laid down His life for us so that we may spend eternity with Him in heaven. He is calling us to follow Him through His Word. Are you going to listen?

Congregation: “If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety‐nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?” Matthew 18:12 “I am the . The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11

Symbol 5: Candy Canes Emma: The Candy Cane symbolizes multiple things. If you hold it upright…it looks like a shepherd’s crook. The shepherds were some of the few people who were able to see the baby Jesus in . If you turn the candy cane upside down…it looks like a “J”. Jesus starts with the letter “J”. The colors of the candy cane are also symbolic. The red represents the blood that Jesus shed for us on the cross and the white represents the purity of Jesus. There are candy canes with three small red stripes running around it. These stripes symbolize the Trinity – God the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Who knew that this delicious simple candy was so profoundly symbolic of our Lord Jesus Christ and His simple birth?

Congregation:“And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

Symbol 6: Stars Lydia: The star is a heavenly sign of prophecy fulfilled ages ago, the shining hope for all mankind. The star led the wise men to find the baby Jesus. These wise men traveled many miles following a star in the sky. The star was their “guiding light” to the Savior. God was the wise men’s travel agent, in sorts, leading them to the greatest destination known to man – the Savior. We now have His Word as our “guiding light” to lead us to be with Him in heaven. Are you going to follow Him? 4 Congregation: “And behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.” Matthew 2:9b‐10

Symbol 7: The Angel Tree Topper Keaton: Imagine…you are a lowly shepherd, watching over your sheep. This night seems no different than any other. Then all of a sudden an angel of the Lord is in the sky above you…telling you of the Savior’s birth. You, a shepherd? Why did God send an angel to tell shepherds? Because the message that God had about the birth of Jesus was for all people! Not just for the right, not just for the Jew…EVERYONE! God chose His #1 messenger to tell the lowest of people (in the world’s eyes) of His Son’s birth! God looks at the heart – not what the world looks at – thank goodness! “

Congregation: “And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone ‘round about them: and they were so afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:9‐11

Symbol 8: The Holly and the Berries Sam: We see holly as decorations during the Christmas season. But do we really understand what holly stands for? The leaves represent the crown of thorns that were placed upon Jesus’ head as He was being crucified. The berries symbolize the blood that He shed for us. He endured criticism, excruciating pain, and embarrassment…all for you and I. The next time you see a decoration with holly on it, remember what was done for you so that He could spend eternity with you. I know that I will.

Congregation: “And twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head and put a reed in His right hand. And kneeling before Him, they mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Matthew 27:29

“Someone Special” Song by Children

Symbol 9: The Wreath Wyatt: The wreath has its evergreen branches bent in a circle so that the ends touch, having no beginning or end, just as there is no beginning or end of Jesus’ eternal love for us. Just as the wreath looks the same throughout and seems to not change, so He will always be the same.

Congregation: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 5 Symbol 10: Presents

Lydia: These days, the world has forgotten the reason for Christmas. Most people seem to think that getting presents is the greatest thing about Christmas. Other people seem to think that presents have nothing to do with Christmas. Well, they are both wrong. The wise men came to visit Jesus as a young child and gave Him presents. They have Him gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They offered Him gold, as a king, paying Him tribute; frankincense, as God, for they honored God with the smoke of incense; and myrrh, as a man that should die, for myrrh was used in embalming dead bodies. These men…these wise men…saw this child and knew that He is a king, is God, and that He would die for the sins of the world. How can anyone, with the knowledge that we have now, not believe?

Congregation: “The Wise Men went to the house. There they saw the child with His mother Mary. They bowed down and worshipped Him. Then they opened their treasures. They gave Him gold, incense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11

Symbol 11: Bows and Ribbons

Keaton: Many people spend hours wrapping all of their presents during Christmas time. They use ribbons, garland, and bows to make sure that their presents are as beautiful as possible. What they don’t realize is that the items that they use to complete the outside of the gift have more meaning than the actually gift inside. The bow ties our present with a beautiful ribbon, just as Jesus ties us as Christians together in His love. We may not be in the same family, but we are all in the family of God. Jesus is the ribbon that binds us together.

Congregation: “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:14

Symbol 12: Christmas Cookies

Kayla: Making cookies is a favorite pastime for most families during the Christmas season. Cookie cutters are used to turn ordinary dough into edible masterpieces. God doesn’t use cookie cutters when He creates each one of us. He makes every one of us so special and unique that He would have to break the mold after just one use. He is the potter and we are His clay. He wants to mold us into His masterpieces. We only need to be moldable and willing to follow His lead.

Congregation: “Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.” Jeremiah 18:6

SONG of RESPONSE: “He Knows My Name” Tommy Walker

6 AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

P: The Scriptures tell us, “He who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Upon what faith shall we stand? Upon what hope can we keep on trusting?

All: The One true faith! For we believe in God the Father Almighty, who created all things. We believe in Jesus Christ His Son, who died for our sins and rose from the grave giving us the promise of eternal life. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life! He calls us, gathers us from the ends of the earth, works in us this one true faith, that we may live as Kingdom people and share our faith with others. We stand firm on this faith, confident in our belief, for our God is faithful. Amen and Amen.

OFFERING MUSICAL OFFERINGS from Rachel Onken and Kayla Goecker

(In response to His gracious, daily provision, as an act of adoration and praise, we joyfully give back a portion of what our Lord has entrusted to us. If you are a first time guest please do not feel obligated to contribute but you may do so as the Holy Spirit leads. May God bless every sacrifice we bring!)

PRAYERS of the CHURCH

P: O Heavenly Father, we are so grateful for the song of the Church, the melody of reconciliation. C: We bless you, O God of Israel.

P: We are so grateful for all those whose feet brought them into our presence to share with us the dramatic message of your love and forgiveness. C: Now bless our feet as we bring the message of your love to those who are separated, alienated and alone.

P: Bless the message of the whole Christian Church, that many may be brought to love the message of the angel, that this Jesus will save his people from their sins. It is in this confidence and hope we pray. ALL: Amen.

LORD’S PRAYER

 BLESSING & SENDING 

BLESSING

CLOSING SONG “” 7 The SENDING of GOD’S PEOPLE

P: GO IN PEACE—Connect, Celebrate, and Serve the Lord!

Let all the people say:

C: “Amen!” (Psalm 106:48)

Permission for all lyrics used during worship – CCLI # 2647991 Copies of song lyrics are available upon request from the church office.

Calendar of Upcoming Events

Dec 24 7:00 pm Service

Previous Week (12-13-15) Advent Service (12-16-15)

Worship Attendance: 109 Worship Attendance: 55 Communion Attendance: 88

Online Giving is available through the church website.

Youth Service Assistants: Zack Ellerman, Daniel Franke, Rebekah Franke, A.J. Goecker, Luke Onken, and Rachel Onken

Children's Message: Ellie Ahlbrand, Evan Ahlbrand, Amy Branham, Cora Branham, Luke Branham, Jaron Bryant, Jerica Bryant, Lydia Chandler, Elizabeth Elijah, Sam Friend, Emma Goecker, Kayla Goecker, Coleman Haurez, Ally Leinart, Marci Leinart, Marshall Leinart, Kalli Napier, Kelsie Napier, Keaton Stout, Wyatt Wischmeier, Zoe Wischmeier

8 SERVING US TODAY (Dec 20th):

Preacher: Pastor Scott Roberts Lay Reader: Youth Acolyte: Lydia Chandler Greeters: Ida Mae Stahl Nancy Stahl Ushers: Max Goecker AJ Goecker Daniel Franke Zack Ellerman Sound: Rachel Onken Power Point: Luke Onken Counting Team: Leland Otte & Jerry McGinley Donut Pick-up: Jerry & Judy McGinley Fellowship Hosts: Alice Ridlen & Kim Ellerman

SERVING US NEXT SUNDAY (Dec 27th):

Preacher: Pastor Scott Roberts Lay Reader: Craig Allman Acolyte: Aidan Hiester Greeters: Ed Bodem Cindy Bodem Ushers: Jerry McGinley Craig Allman Ed Bodem Bryan Kothman Sound: Jack Middleton Power Point: Jeremy Wischmeier Communion Prep: Jane Tormoehlen, Ruth Frische, Deb Stahl Counting Team: Richard Tormoehlen & Mark Holtman Donut Pick-up: Jerry & Judy McGinley Fellowship Hosts: Alice Ridlen & Kim Ellerman

Peace Lutheran Church Pastor Scott Roberts P.O. Box 591 810-580-1596 (cell) 812-523-3838(church/office) Pastor’s email:[email protected] Church email: [email protected] Church Website: www.seymourpeacelutheran.com 9