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St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
910 Marne Highway Hainesport, New Jersey 08036-2666
Office Phone: 609.267.0740 Fax: 609.267.3798
E-Mail: [email protected]
Ministers - All Members! Karen Platt,
Council President Rich Moyer,
Council Vice President Beverly Grazioli,
Sunday School Director Rosanne Scassero,
Office Manager Ken Hibbert,
Business Coordinator Denisemarie Porter,
Director of Music The Rev. Elaine C. Quincey,
Interim Pastor
Keep these folks in your prayers… ...those who are hospitalized, ill or other: Mackenzie Alexander, Jacqui Barraclough,
Jack Barry, Sandi Berry, Linda Brooks, Alyssa Corrigan, Angie DelVecchio, Eilyn Doe, Nancy Dous, Barbara Earl, Carol Lee Eckman, Don Egan, Cynthia Fazzini, Mark Fiveash, Matthew Foltz, Amari Fuhriman, Berta Graham, Gabby Harris, Alice Izzo, Marie Kaelin, Kathy Kennedy, Midy Mangiante, Edward McLaughlin, Nicole Monastero, Kathy Moran, Marilyn Murray, Mike Norton, Mike O’Rourke, Dave Pagenkopf, Leroy Parent, Marilyn Phifer, Michael Riddell, Daniel Ritchie, Linda Seitz, Tim Shell, Jane Smith, Julia Stanz, Joshua Sturgess, Jim & Jean Swartz, Bill Tantum, Meghan and Neal Tullos, Connor Wallace, Arlene Weiss, Gary Williams, Donna Wood, Josh Young-Smith
...those who have long-term illnesses: Gerri Burns, Edith Crane, Bob Cross, Sharon Favaloro, Bob Grover, Theresa Jones, Mary Meddahi, Virginia Sandstrom, Betty Schmidt, Kathy Strano, Justin Vinluan, Amanda Williams, Violet P. Wise
...those who are homebound: Elmer & Mildred Conover, Fran Craig,
Eleanor Johnson, Johnny Johnson, John and Rina Johnson, Alice Karis, Arlene Kaye, Gloria Reagoso, Bob Wolfrom
...those who celebrate Rich and Carol Moyer and Megan and Kevin
Rafferty on the birth of their grandson and son, Nathan George Rafferty
...those in the military or other service: L CPL Timothy Robert Ritter, USMC Jacob Henry, AmeriCorps ...for peace and unity in our own country
Please help us keep this list updated. Let the church office know if someone should be removed from this list. (609) 267-0740 or [email protected].
Worship Services:
Sunday 9:45 AM Outdoors or Livestream on Facebook Sunday School 11:00 AM on Facebook Live
Worship Attendance
November 2020
Livestream Worship
393
In-Person Worship
245
For Your Information—For Your Inspiration
News & Notes for St. Paul’s Community
First Sunday of Christmas
December 27, 2020
Visitors and members—Welcome to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church! We’re glad you’re here and pray that you experience God’s kindness with us in worship.
At St. Paul’s, a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, all baptized persons are welcome at Holy Communion—the Altar is God’s table. While the services are online and in-person, we are using individual Communion cups that can be picked up ahead of time at church when the office is open. Gluten free wafers are available upon request. We will announce Communion dates ahead of time.
The psalmist calls on the natural world, celestial bodies, fire and earth, creatures, and all humanity, to praise God. The voices of Simeon and 84-year-old Anna join the chorus today, recognizing what God is doing in Jesus. Simeon’s song is often sung after communion, for we have seen God’s salvation in the assembled community and have held Jesus in our hands in the bread. Then, like the prophet Anna, we tell of Jesus to all who look for the healing of the world.
Today’s Readings
Genesis 1:1-5, 26-31 Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Psalm 116:12-19
Galatians 4:4-7 1 John 1:1-22
Luke 2:22-40 John 21:20-25
St. Paul’s Mission Statement
Rooted in God's unconditional love, the congregation of Saint Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, commits mind, body, spirit, and treasure to encourage all people to become disciples of
Christ, to share God's abundance, and to proclaim the Gospel in word and deed.
Open Study Hours
Pastor Elaine’s open study hours for the upcoming week are listed below:
Week of December 28
There will be no open study hours during this time of physical distancing. Pastor Elaine will be making phone visits. Please do not hesitate to call me any time to ask for prayer for yourself or a loved one. I am happy - anytime - to pray with and for you. I'm never too busy for that. It's why I'm here!
Pastor Elaine’s Contact Info
Cell: 609-410-2828 Office: 609-267-0740 x 21
Email: [email protected]
The church office will be closed on Thursday and Friday, December 30 & 31
Red Cross Blood Drives
Due to the great need for donors and lessened availability of donation sites, we have been hosting monthly blood drives.
The December 30 and January 22 dates are currently available to book on online at redcrossblood.org. Use sponsor code St Paul Lutheran Hainesport. Save a life, give blood!
Due to the rising positivity rate in Burlington County, indoor worship has been suspended. Weather permitting, worship services will be held outdoors. If they cannot be held outdoors, worship will be virtual. You will find the service on our Facebook page, St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. Watch your email and check our Facebook page for updates! Please share this information with friends who do not have internet access. When the positivity rate falls below 5%, we will revisit having indoor worship. Sunday School will be on Facebook live at 11:00 AM. In order to save postage and paper, yearly giving statements will be available by request this year. You can call Ken Hibbert or email him at [email protected] to request a copy of your year-end statement.
Acme/ShopRite Gift Cards
Acme and ShopRite gift
cards are once again
available for purchase!
Cards for each store are available in
denominations of $100, $50, or $25. Payment
must be made in advance and checks should
be made payable to St. Paul's.
Contact Ken Hibbert, Connie Rossano or the
church office to order your cards.
We continue to collect
for the food pantry.
You can drop off
donations Monday
through Thursday. You
can leave your donations in the vestibule, and
Rosanne will bring them into the building.
Food pantries nationwide have seen an 20%
increase since March in the amount of food
they have been distributing. All donations are
welcome!
The shelters are also desperately in need of
paper, plastic and cloth bags. Thank you!
No E-mail? No Problem! Since March, we have been sending the FYI, Chimes and other church news to members we have identified that do not have an email address and/or internet access. It’s recently come to our attention that we have missed some members. If you know of anyone who has not been receiving any information from the church and would like to, please let the church office know. We want to make sure everyone is included and informed. Thank you!
Can Tabs
We are still collecting can tabs to benefit
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. You can
drop off your can tabs in the vestibule.
Please contact Joyce
Alexander if you have any
questions. Thank you!
Open Study Hours
Pastor Elaine’s open study hours for the upcoming week are listed below:
Week of December 28
There will be no open study hours during this time of physical distancing. Pastor Elaine will be making phone visits. Please do not hesitate to call me any time to ask for prayer for yourself or a loved one. I am happy - anytime - to pray with and for you. I'm never too busy for that. It's why I'm here!
Pastor Elaine’s Contact Info
Cell: 609-410-2828 Office: 609-267-0740 x 21
Email: [email protected]
The church office will be closed on Thursday and Friday, December 30 & 31
Red Cross Blood Drives
Due to the great need for donors and lessened availability of donation sites, we have been hosting monthly blood drives.
The December 30 and January 22 dates are currently available to book on online at redcrossblood.org. Use sponsor code St Paul Lutheran Hainesport. Save a life, give blood!
Due to the rising positivity rate in Burlington County, indoor worship has been suspended. Weather permitting, worship services will be held outdoors. If they cannot be held outdoors, worship will be virtual. You will find the service on our Facebook page, St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. Watch your email and check our Facebook page for updates! Please share this information with friends who do not have internet access. When the positivity rate falls below 5%, we will revisit having indoor worship. Sunday School will be on Facebook live at 11:00 AM. In order to save postage and paper, yearly giving statements will be available by request this year. You can call Ken Hibbert or email him at [email protected] to request a copy of your year-end statement.
Acme/ShopRite Gift Cards
Acme and ShopRite gift
cards are once again
available for purchase!
Cards for each store are available in
denominations of $100, $50, or $25. Payment
must be made in advance and checks should
be made payable to St. Paul's.
Contact Ken Hibbert, Connie Rossano or the
church office to order your cards.
We continue to collect
for the food pantry.
You can drop off
donations Monday
through Thursday. You
can leave your donations in the vestibule, and
Rosanne will bring them into the building.
Food pantries nationwide have seen an 20%
increase since March in the amount of food
they have been distributing. All donations are
welcome!
The shelters are also desperately in need of
paper, plastic and cloth bags. Thank you!
No E-mail? No Problem! Since March, we have been sending the FYI, Chimes and other church news to members we have identified that do not have an email address and/or internet access. It’s recently come to our attention that we have missed some members. If you know of anyone who has not been receiving any information from the church and would like to, please let the church office know. We want to make sure everyone is included and informed. Thank you!
Can Tabs
We are still collecting can tabs to benefit
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. You can
drop off your can tabs in the vestibule.
Please contact Joyce
Alexander if you have any
questions. Thank you!
St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
910 Marne Highway Hainesport, New Jersey 08036-2666
Office Phone: 609.267.0740 Fax: 609.267.3798
E-Mail: [email protected]
Ministers - All Members! Karen Platt,
Council President Rich Moyer,
Council Vice President Beverly Grazioli,
Sunday School Director Rosanne Scassero,
Office Manager Ken Hibbert,
Business Coordinator Denisemarie Porter,
Director of Music The Rev. Elaine C. Quincey,
Interim Pastor
Keep these folks in your prayers… ...those who are hospitalized, ill or other: Mackenzie Alexander, Jacqui Barraclough,
Jack Barry, Sandi Berry, Linda Brooks, Alyssa Corrigan, Angie DelVecchio, Eilyn Doe, Nancy Dous, Barbara Earl, Carol Lee Eckman, Don Egan, Cynthia Fazzini, Mark Fiveash, Matthew Foltz, Amari Fuhriman, Berta Graham, Gabby Harris, Alice Izzo, Marie Kaelin, Kathy Kennedy, Midy Mangiante, Edward McLaughlin, Nicole Monastero, Kathy Moran, Marilyn Murray, Mike Norton, Mike O’Rourke, Dave Pagenkopf, Leroy Parent, Marilyn Phifer, Michael Riddell, Daniel Ritchie, Linda Seitz, Tim Shell, Jane Smith, Julia Stanz, Joshua Sturgess, Jim & Jean Swartz, Bill Tantum, Meghan and Neal Tullos, Connor Wallace, Arlene Weiss, Gary Williams, Donna Wood, Josh Young-Smith
...those who have long-term illnesses: Gerri Burns, Edith Crane, Bob Cross, Sharon Favaloro, Bob Grover, Theresa Jones, Mary Meddahi, Virginia Sandstrom, Betty Schmidt, Kathy Strano, Justin Vinluan, Amanda Williams, Violet P. Wise
...those who are homebound: Elmer & Mildred Conover, Fran Craig,
Eleanor Johnson, Johnny Johnson, John and Rina Johnson, Alice Karis, Arlene Kaye, Gloria Reagoso, Bob Wolfrom
...those who celebrate Rich and Carol Moyer and Megan and Kevin
Rafferty on the birth of their grandson and son, Nathan George Rafferty
...those in the military or other service: L CPL Timothy Robert Ritter, USMC Jacob Henry, AmeriCorps ...for peace and unity in our own country
Please help us keep this list updated. Let the church office know if someone should be removed from this list. (609) 267-0740 or [email protected].
Worship Services:
Sunday 9:45 AM Outdoors or Livestream on Facebook Sunday School 11:00 AM on Facebook Live
Worship Attendance
November 2020
Livestream Worship
393
In-Person Worship
245
For Your Information—For Your Inspiration
News & Notes for St. Paul’s Community
First Sunday of Christmas
December 27, 2020
Visitors and members—Welcome to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church! We’re glad you’re here and pray that you experience God’s kindness with us in worship.
At St. Paul’s, a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, all baptized persons are welcome at Holy Communion—the Altar is God’s table. While the services are online and in-person, we are using individual Communion cups that can be picked up ahead of time at church when the office is open. Gluten free wafers are available upon request. We will announce Communion dates ahead of time.
The psalmist calls on the natural world, celestial bodies, fire and earth, creatures, and all humanity, to praise God. The voices of Simeon and 84-year-old Anna join the chorus today, recognizing what God is doing in Jesus. Simeon’s song is often sung after communion, for we have seen God’s salvation in the assembled community and have held Jesus in our hands in the bread. Then, like the prophet Anna, we tell of Jesus to all who look for the healing of the world.
Today’s Readings
Genesis 1:1-5, 26-31 Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Psalm 116:12-19
Galatians 4:4-7 1 John 1:1-22
Luke 2:22-40 John 21:20-25
St. Paul’s Mission Statement
Rooted in God's unconditional love, the congregation of Saint Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, commits mind, body, spirit, and treasure to encourage all people to become disciples of
Christ, to share God's abundance, and to proclaim the Gospel in word and deed.
1
December 27, 2020 First Sunday of Christmas / Lessons and Carols - 10:00 AM Prelude Denise Porter Welcome and Parish Concerns Hymn Good Christian Friends, Rejoice 288 Greeting P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of
the Holy Spirit be with you all. C: And also with you. Prayer of the Day P: Let us pray. Almighty God, you wonderfully created the dignity of human
nature and yet more wonderfully restored it. In your mercy, let us share the divine life of the one who came to share our humanity, Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen. First Reading Genesis 1:1-5, 26-31 Hymn Light Shone in the Darkness 307 Second Reading Isaiah 61:10-62:3 Hymn In the Bleak Mid-Winter 294 Prayer of the Day of John the Apostle P: Let us pray. Merciful God, through John the apostle and the evangelist you
have revealed the mysteries of your Word made flesh. Let the brightness of your light shine upon your church, so that all your people, instructed in the holy gospel, may walk in the light of your truth and attain eternal life, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen. Third Reading Psalm 116:12-19
2
Hymn Love Has Come 292 Prayers of Intercession L: Joining our voices with the song of the angels, let us pray for the church, the world, and all who are in need. A brief silence. L: Night and day, all creation praises you, O God. Strengthen your church across nations, denominations, and traditions. Fill us with wisdom and unify our proclamation of your forgiveness and mercy. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. L: All creation is holy to you, O God. You cause the earth to bring forth its shoots and gardens to spring up. Protect hibernating animals and frozen lands that wait earnestly for longer days of awakening and growth. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. L: The nations are upheld by your hand, O God. Cause righteousness and praise to spring forth, inspiring leaders to serve with compassion and integrity. Send your spirit of discernment upon legislators grappling with complex decisions for the sake of the common good. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. L: Send the spirit of your Son into our hearts, O God. Come quickly to hearts that race with fear, hearts that break with grief, and hearts that long for wholeness (especially). Reveal your power to heal and to save. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. L: Adopt us into your family, O God. Bless our elders with the peace and joy of Simeon and Anna. Strengthen those who have retired, those who work in older age, and those in need of income, food, company, or health care. Connect young and old across generations. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. L: Let us depart in peace, O God, according to your word. For John, apostle and evangelist, and all your saints, we give you thanks. Prepare our salvation in the sight of all your witnesses of every time and place. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: God of mercy, come quickly to us with grace upon grace as we lift these and all our prayers to you, in the name of Jesus. C: Amen. Fourth Reading Galatians 4:4-7 Hymn O Little Town of Bethlehem 279 Offering Prayer
3
L: God is still here! Thank you for joining in our Christmas celebrations and for your offerings to sustain our ministries here at St. Paul’s. You are a blessing. All end of year offerings must be dated on or before December 31. Thank you again. L: Let us pray. C: Gracious God, you came to us as one unknown, bringing joy and salvation to the earth. Nourish us at your banquet table, that with all who welcome your birth we may proclaim your peace, revealed in Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen. Fifth Reading 1 John 1:1-22 Hymn Let Our Gladness Have No End 291 Sixth Reading Luke 2:22-40 Hymn All Earth is Hopeful 266 Seventh Reading John 21:20-25 Hymn Cold December Flies Away 299 The Lord’s Prayer, page 154 Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen. Blessing P: Almighty God, who sent the Holy Spirit to Mary, proclaimed joy through the
angels, sent the shepherds with good news, and led the magi by a star, bless you this day ☩ through the Word made flesh.
C: Amen. Dismissal L: Go in peace. Share the gift of Jesus. C: Thanks be to God. Postlude: Denise Porter
First Sunday of Christmas December 27, 2020
First Reading Genesis 1:1-5, 26-31
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and
darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then
God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God
separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And
there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have
dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild
animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.’
So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he
created them.
God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and
have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that
moves upon the earth.’ God said, ‘See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face
of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. And to every beast of
the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the
breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.’ And it was so. God saw everything that he had
made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Second Reading Isaiah 61:10-62:3
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,
my whole being shall exult in my God;
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
For as the earth brings forth its shoots,
and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,
so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise
to spring up before all the nations.
For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest,
until her vindication shines out like the dawn,
and her salvation like a burning torch.
The nations shall see your vindication,
and all the kings your glory;
and you shall be called by a new name
that the mouth of the LORD will give.
You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD,
and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
Third Reading Psalm 116.12-19
What shall I return to the LORD
for all his bounty to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the LORD,
I will pay my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the sight of the LORD
is the death of his faithful ones.
O LORD, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the child of your serving-maid.
You have loosed my bonds.
I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice
and call on the name of the LORD.
I will pay my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people,
in the courts of the house of the LORD,
in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD!
Fourth Reading Galatians 4:4-7
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in
order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And
because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ So
you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.
Fifth Reading 1John 1:1-22
We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our
eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— this life was
revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the
Father and was revealed to us— we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may
have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We
are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is
no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie
and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship
with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin,
we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will
forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make
him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Sixth Reading Luke 2:22-40
When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to
Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall
be designated as holy to the Lord’), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of
the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout,
looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to
him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by
the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him
what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.’
And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon
blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many
in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and
a sword will pierce your own soul too.’
There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age,
having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-
four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that
moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the
redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their
own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God
was upon him.
Seventh Reading John 21:20-25
Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; he was the one who had reclined
next to Jesus at the supper and had said, ‘Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?’ When Peter saw
him, he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, what about him?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If it is my will that he remain until I
come, what is that to you? Follow me!’ So the rumor spread in the community that this disciple would
not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, ‘If it is my will that he remain until I
come, what is that to you?’
This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his
testimony is true. But there are also many other things that Jesus did; if every one of them were written
down, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
Good Christian Friends, Rejoice. #288 Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; give ye heed to what we say: Jesus Christ is born today; ox and ass before him bow, and he is in the manger now. Christ is born today! Christ is born today! Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; now ye hear of endless bliss: Jesus Christ was born for this! He has opened heaven's door, and we are blest forevermore. Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this! Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; now ye need not fear the grave; Jesus Christ was born to save! Calls you one and calls you all to gain the everlasting hall. Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save! Light Shone in the Darkness, #307 Light shone in darkness at the world's creation, bathing in beauty nature's revelation. All that has being, cry in adoration, "Praise for the light. Amen!" Light shone in darkness at the new creation; Christ rose in glory, won for us salvation. Sing, earth and heaven, hymns of jubilation, praise for the light. Amen!
Light shines in darkness till the full creation; Christ's body, groaning, suffers tribulation, longs for God's justice, global transformation, prays for the light. Amen! In the Bleak Mid-Winter, #294 In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, in the bleak midwinter, long ago. Heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain; heav'n and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign; in the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed the Lord God almighty, Jesus Christ. What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb; if I were a wise man I would do my part; yet what I can give him— give my heart. Love Has Come, #292 Love has come— a light in the darkness! Love shines forth in the Bethlehem skies.
See, all heaven has come to proclaim it; hear how their song of joy arises: Love! Love! Born unto you, a Savior! Love! Love! Glory to God on high. Love is born! Come, share in the wonder. Love is God now asleep in the hay. See the glow in the eyes of his mother; what is the name her heart is saying? Love! Love! Love is the name she whispers; Love! Love! Jesus, Immanuel. Love has come and never will leave us! Love is life everlasting and free. Love is Jesus within and among us. Love is the peace our hearts are seeking. Love! Love! Love is the gift of Christmas; Love! Love! Praise to you, God on high! O Little Town of Bethlehem, #279 1O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by; yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light. The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary, and, gathered all above while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wond'ring love. O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth, and praises sing to God the king, and peace to all the earth! How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is giv'n! So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heav'n. No ear may hear his coming; but, in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in. O holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; oh, come to us, abide with us, our Lord Immanuel! Let Our Gladness Have No End, #291 Let our gladness have no end, Hallelujah! for to earth did Christ descend. Hallelujah! Refrain On this day God gave us Christ, the Son, to save us; Christ, the Son, to save us. Prophesied in days of old, Hallelujah! God has sent the one foretold. Hallelujah! Refrain See the loveliest blooming rose, Hallelujah! from the branch of Jesse grows. Hallelujah! Refrain
Into flesh is made the Word, Hallelujah! our true refuge and our Lord. Hallelujah! Refrain All Earth is Hopeful, #266 All earth is hopeful, the Savior comes at last! Furrows lie open for God’s creative task: this, the labor of people who struggle to see how God’s truth and justice set ev’rybody free People of Israel, you heard the prophet tell: “A virgin mother will bear Emmanuel”; She conceived him, “God is with us,” our brother, whose birth restores hope and courage to children of this earth. Mountains and valleys will have to be prepared; new highways opened, new protocols declared. Almost here! God is nearing, in beauty and grace! All clear ev’ry gateway, in haste, come out in haste! We first saw Jesus a baby in a crib. This same Lord Jesus today has come to live
In our world; he is present, in neighbors we see our Jesus is with us, and ever sets us free. Cold December Flies Away, #299 Cold December flies away at the rose-red splendor. April's crowning glory breaks while the whole world wonders at the holy unseen pow'r of the tree which bears the flow'r. On the blessed tree blooms the reddest flow'r. On the tree blooms the rose here in love's own garden, full and strong in glory. In the hopeless time of sin shadows deep had fallen. All the world lay under death. Eyes were closed in sleeping. But, when all seemed lost in night, came the sun whose golden light brings unending joy, brings the endless joy of our hope, highest hope, of our hope's bright dawning, Son belov'd of heaven. Now the bud has come to bloom, and the world awakens. In the lily's purest flow'r dwells a wondrous fragrance. And it spreads to all the earth from the moment of its birth; and its beauty lives. In the flow'r it lives, in the flow'r, and it spreads in its heav'nly brightness sweet perfume delightful.
