Join us this Sunday, Christmas Day (in-person and ZOOM when available) for
Lessons and Carols
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS ZOOM AND WORSHIP ONLINE.
“Don’t Miss Christmas”
Thank you for worshiping online with us. We are so glad that you are spending part of your day with us!
Order of Service
Worship Service Participants
Rev. Scott Siefert | Organist: Penny Rolf
Liturgists: Jeannette Bachmann, Michelle Bachmann, Keith Kohls, Kenneth Kohls, and Chris Wing
Ringing of the Church Bell
Welcome
Announcements
Opening Hymn: “O Come All Ye Faithful” (The Hymnal #112)
Opening Prayer: Rev. Scott
One: We come before you in awe, O God, freshly aware of your glory and your love embodied in the midst of this world. Here amid dirt and straw, amid noise of cattle and labor of birth, we perceive your work. We dare to believe that it is you, God, coming to be among us in Jesus, and so we praise you with songs of joy.
All: Glory be to you, O God, now and forever. AMEN.
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
Carol: “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” (The Hymnal #88)
One: Today we light the four Advent candles and recall what the good news means.
{Lighting of the hope, peace, joy, and love candles – Jeannette}
One: Jesus Christ is the greatest gift who makes all these gifts possible. So, we light the Christ candle now, as we think about what Christ’s coming means to each one of us.
{Lighting of the Christ candle – Jeannette}
First Lesson: Genesis 3:8-15, 17-19 – Michelle
God announces in the Garden of Eden Adam and Eve’s punishment for their rebellion. Setting the need for a savior in motion.
Carol: “Angels We Have Heard on High” (The Hymnal# 105)
Second Lesson: Genesis 22:15-18 – Keith
God promises to Abraham that by his descendants all the nations of the earth will obtain blessings.
Carol: “Good Christians Friends Rejoice” (New Century Hymnal #129)
Third Lesson: Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 – Kenneth
The prophet announces the birth of a king to a people in darkness.
Carol: “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” (The Hymnal #107)
Fourth Lesson: Isaiah 11:1-4a, 6-9 – Chris
The king is coming and will usher in a reign of justice for the poor and peace for all God’s creation.
Carol: “O Little Town of Bethlehem” (The Hymnal #108)
Fifth Lesson: Luke 1:26-35, 38 – Jeannette
The angel Gabriel announces to the virgin Mary that she will give birth to God’s promised Son, whose kingdom will never end.
Carol: “Away in a Manger” (The Hymnal #109)
Sixth Lesson: Luke 2:1-7 – Michelle
Against a backdrop of emperors and taxes, Jesus is born.
Carol: “Silent Night, Holy Night” (The Hymnal #101)
Collection and Presentation of the Offering
Invitation to the Offering
One: On this day that has become synonymous with gift giving, let us reflect on the gifts of love, hope, joy, and peace. Let us respond to the generosity of the one that gives us all things beautiful. Let us give generously to share God’s beauty in our community.
Hymn: “Praise God from Whom All Blessing Flow” (The Hymnal #551)
Prayer of Dedication
All: All: Generous God, we give thanks for the beautiful resources you have given to us. Let these gifts bring glory and honor to you and beauty and peace to your creation. AMEN.
Seventh Lesson: Luke 2:8-16 – Keith
The shepherds go to see the Savior, and find him lying in a manger.
Carol: “What Child is This” (New Century Hymnal #148)
Eighth Lesson: Matthew 2:1-11 – Kenneth
The wise men follow a star to find the child Jesus, the King of the Jews.
Carol: “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” (The Hymnal #102)
Ninth Lesson: John 1:1-14 – Chris
John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation.
Carol: “Joy to the World” (The Hymnal #120)
Closing and Blessing
*Closing Hymn: “Go Tell It On the Mountain” (New Century Hymnal #154)
*Closing Prayer
Rev Scott: Loving God, we thank you that you have come into our lives and that you act with saving power to make all things new. We thank you for pouring out your life into the human form of Jesus and the continual rebirth of Christ in the human heart. Touched by your Word made flesh, we would embody, incarnate, and signify your love on this earth. May the joy of Christmas never end, but continue through the ages until at last your reign of justice and peace is fully established on this earth.
All: We pray in the name of Jesus, the Word. AMEN.
Benediction and Blessing
Ringing of the Church Bell
Upcoming Events – Save the Date
- Wednesdays – Confirmation Class – 6pm – schedule on website
- Thursdays – Bible Fellowship – 6pm – Fellowship Hall and ZOOM
- Dec. 25 – Lessons and Carols – 915am (no Fellowship/Coffee Hour)
- Jan. 1 – “Happy Birthday St. John’s” Celebration service – 915am – followed by Fellowship and Birthday cake
- Jan. 16 – Consistory Team Meeting – 6pm via ZOOM
Announcements for the Community
Blessings Advent Calendar. Thank you to everyone who participated in our Blessings Advent Calendar to collect items for our local food shelves.
Fruit of the Spirit. The December the Fruit of Spirit offering will go towards the Southwest Carver County Food shelf. Look for the special collection basket at the rear of the sanctuary.
Weather Watch Policy. The decision to cancel worship or church activities will be made at 6pm the day prior to the service or event. Announcements will be made via social media, website, and email.
Many hands make light work! Please consider serving as a Consistory Team Member. We are in need of 3 members in 2023. Contact Michelle Bachmann at 952-361-3033 or Pastor Scott for more details.
Find Food Carver County. Volunteers are needed to pack produce, sort food items, and distribute food into vehicles in NYA the first Friday of the month. This program helps with food insecurity and food rescue to reduce waste. If interested, contact Michelle Bachmann at 952-361-3033 or findfoodcarvercounty.org.
Live Streaming: We want to train others on live-streaming and recording services. Contact Michelle Bachmann if you’re interested.
Looking for a church family? If you have been led to St. John’s looking to be more than a visitor, we welcome you openly to our family and would love an opportunity to chat. Contact Pastor Scott at 804-350-0826 or email pastorsjuccbongards@gmail.com.
The Word To Go: Find Sunday morning worship services on our YouTube channel, St. John’s UCC-Bongards. Worship will also be live-streamed on Facebook, when available.
Bongards Buzz: Submit items for the newsletter by the 1st of each month to Michelle Bachmann or sjuccbongards@gmail.com.
For Pastoral Care. Please contact Pastor Scott at 804-350-0826 or email pastorsjuccbongards@gmail.com. Vacation planned for Jan. 9 to 15th.
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St. John's United Church of Christ 
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