12-25-22 Grace-Sahuarita Christmas Day Worship Folder

Christmas Day Worship December 25, 2022

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church Sahuarita, AZ

Welcome to Grace!

Our mission at Grace is to teach the inspired and inerrant Word of God, to proclaim that Jesus Christ is the crucified and risen Savior of the world, and to nurture believers for lives of Christian service.

Check out the GRACE WEBSITE at www.GraceLutheranSAZ.org

Welcome!

We are glad that you have joined us to celebrate the birth of the Christ-child. The worship service is printed in its entirety in this worship folder for you to follow along and participate. You’ll notice that the service is a dialogue between God and us, his people. The pastor speaks to God along with the congregation and also speaks the Word of God to the people.

Those wishing to leave an offering can do so at the exit today or give online at www.GraceLutheranSAZ.org/give. (You can also scan the QR code to the right to access the online giving page.)

Service of Lessons and Carols

Our worship this morning is an adaptation of the Lessons and Carols service traditionally held at King's College, Cambridge, England, on December 24th every year. Lessons and Carols was first held on Christmas Eve, 1918. It was planned by Eric Milner-White, who at the age of thirty-four had just been appointed Dean of King’s College after experience as an army chaplain.

Worship Theme

Welcome to worship this Christmas Day. We trust that God will bless you in this service of lessons and carols/hymns. Our focus, “The Greatest Gift,” is found in every lesson and song. The progression of lessons and songs gradually reveals more and more about this greatest gift. Imagine yourself as someone who over centuries is trying to figure out the nature of God’s gift. Or, if the readings are not familiar to you, let the meaning of God’s gift become clearer and clearer to you as you hear each lesson and sing each song. Today we see God’s gift, in the words of the first hymn, “in that poor, lowly stable, with the oxen standing by.” By trusting what God’s gift means for us, we look forward to seeing that gift in heaven where God’s “praise will sound” for all eternity!

HYMN

Text: Cecil F. Alexander, 1818–1895, abr., alt.

Tune: Henry J. Gauntlett, 1805–1876 Text and tune: Public domain Please stand

Once in Royal David’s City Chris an Worship #343

EXHORTATION AND PRAYER

Minister: Beloved in Christ: In this Christmas season it is our duty and delight to hear again the message of the angels and, in heart and mind, to go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us, the Christchild, lying in a manger.

Let us read and learn in Holy Scripture the story of God’s loving purposes from the first days a er our fall and into the birth and glorious redemp on brought to us by this Holy Child. Let us hear how peace was lost and how peace is restored.

But first, let us pray, for this is good and right.

Heavenly Father, we pray for ourselves and all people who worship you and your Son this holy night. By your holy Word, lead us to say with the angels, Congrega on: Glory to God in the highest!

M: We pray for your blessing upon the people of our city, our state, our na on, and our world.

C: Glory to God in the highest!

M: We pray for the poor and helpless, the cold and hungry, the sick and sad, that you would give them the joy of your salva on and the comfort of your presence.

C: Glory to God in the highest!

M: We pray for unbelievers and enemies of the Church, that through your Law and Gospel you would lead them to recognize your Son as their only hope for eternal life.

C: Glory to God in the highest!

M: Finally, we remember before you all those in heaven who rejoice with us, who live in greater light and beauty than we, that mul tude which no one can number, who died in faith and now praise you in your heavenly temple. We confess that we are united with them and with one another.

C: Glory to God in the highest!

M: We humbly offer up these prayers and praises in the words that Christ himself taught us.

C: 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. Lead us not into tempta on, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen. Please

SERMON

FIRST LESSON Genesis 3:8-15

Humanity’s separa on from God dates to the beginning of me, to the fall into sin by the first humans, Adam and Eve. As tragic as this was, the account of it ends with God’s promise of rescue: that the woman’s offspring, Christ, would ul mately defeat Satan and the rebellion of sin.

8 They heard the voice of the L God, who was walking around in the garden during the cooler part of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the L God among the trees of the garden.

9 The L God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”

10 The man said, “I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid myself.”

11 God said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree from which I commanded you not to eat?”

12

The man said, “The woman you gave to be with me she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”

13

The L God said to the woman, “What have you done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

14

The L God said to the serpent: Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all the livestock, and more than every wild animal. You shall crawl on your belly, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life.

15 I will put hos lity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will crush his heel.

HYMN

Now Sing We, Now Rejoice

Chris an Worship #363

Stanza 3 speaks of the need for God’s gi and the ul mate “opening” of that gi : “Death was reigning o’er us

… ll he opened for us a bright eternity.”

Text: tr. Arthur T. Russell, 1806–1874, alt.; Latin and German, 14th cent.

Tune: German, 14th cent., alt.

Text and tune: Public domain

Striking symbolic language describes the gi more than 700 years before it was given.

1 A shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit.

2 The Spirit of the L will rest on him: the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the L .

3 He will be delighted with the fear of the L . He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, nor will he render decisions based on what he hears with his ears,

4 but with righteousness he will judge the poor, and he will render fair decisions in favor of the oppressed on the earth.

He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath from his lips he will put the wicked to death.

5 Righteousness will be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his hips.

6 The wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat, the calf, the young lion, and the fa ened calf together, and a li le child will lead them.

7 The cow and the bear will graze together, and their young ones will lie down together. The lion will eat straw like the ca le.

8 The nursing child will play near a cobra’s hole, and the weaned child will put his hand into a viper’s den.

9 They will not hurt or destroy anywhere on my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the L , as the waters cover the sea.

Infant Holy, Infant Lowly Chris an Worship #339

Text: Polish; tr. Edith M. G. Reed, 1885–1933, alt.

Tune: Polish Text and tune: Public domain

God wants there to be no doubt about his gi . Through prophesy he reveals the exact ny village where Jesus would be born. The wonder of fulfilled prophesy con nues to convince people about the validity of God’s gi even today.

2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, from you, will go out the one who will be the ruler for me in Israel. His goings forth are from the beginning, from the days of eternity.

3 Therefore the L will give them up, un l the me when the woman who is in labor bears a child. Then the remaining survivors from his brothers will return to the people of Israel.

4 He will stand and shepherd with the strength of the L , in the majesty of the name of the L his God. They will dwell securely, for at that me he will be great to the ends of the earth.

HYMN

O Li le Town of Bethlehem

Chris an Worship #333

Not to a palace in a city does God send his gi , but to an obscure village. “How silently the wondrous gi is given”

Text: Phillips Brooks, 1835–1893, abr., alt.

Tune: Lewis H. Redner, 1831–1908

Text and tune: Public domain

So many of God’s ways of intervening in our world are beyond our understanding. We are blessed to receive God’s gi when, like Mary, we humbly accept God’s plan and marvel at it.

26

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Gree ngs, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women.”

29 But she was greatly troubled by the statement and was wondering what kind of gree ng this could be. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, because you have found favor with God. 31 Listen, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end.”

34 Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Listen, Elizabeth, your rela ve, has also conceived a son in her old age even though she was called barren, and this is her sixth month. 37 For nothing will be impossible for God.”

38 Then Mary said, “See, I am the Lord’s servant. May it happen to me as you have said.” Then the angel le her.

HYMN

Of the Father’s Love Bego en Chris an Worship #358

God’s gi is born of the virgin Mary but bego en by the Father from eternity. Note how this hymn comments both on Mary (stanza 2) and the many prophecies from earlier centuries (stanza 3).

Text: Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, 348–c. 413, abr.; (sts. 1–4): tr. John Mason Neale, 1818–1866, alt.; (st. 5): tr. Henry W. Baker, 1821–1877, alt.

Tune: plainsong, 13th cent.

Text and tune: Public domain

The first lesson described the human race’s separa on from God. God’s gi to end this separa on is his Son, Immanuel “God with us.”

18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ took place. His mother, Mary, was pledged in marriage to Joseph. Before they came together, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, her husband, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her. So he decided to divorce her privately. 20 But as he was considering these things, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All this happened to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “Look, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son. And they will name him Immanuel,” which means, “God with us.”

24 When Joseph woke up from his sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him. He took Mary home as his wife, 25 but he was not in mate with her un l she gave birth to her firstborn son. And he named him Jesus.

O Come, All Ye Faithful Chris an Worship #354

Text: tr. Frederick Oakeley, 1802–1880, alt.; John F. Wade, c. 1711–1786

Tune: John F. Wade, c. 1711–1786, alt.

Text and tune: Public domain

In a fulfillment of the prophecy in today’s third lesson, God uses the mighty powers of this world to accomplish his will and to deliver his gi to an otherwise doomed world.

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 And everyone went to register, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the town of Nazareth, into Judea, to the town of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was from the house and family line of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, his wife, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expec ng a child.

6 And so it was that while they were there, the me came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

HYMN

Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, 1919–2008

Tune: Carl F. Schalk, 1929–2021

Text: © 1986 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199

Tune: © 1986 GIA Publications, Inc. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199

Where Shepherds Lately Knelt Chris an Worship #345

The angels can’t help but celebrate God’s gi . The shepherds eagerly spread the word of this gi as announced by the angels. We join them, glorifying and praising God for all that we have come to know about God’s great gi .

8 There were in the same country shepherds staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified! 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. For behold, I bring you good news of great joy, which will be for all people: 11 Today in the town of David, a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly, there was with the angel a mul tude from the heavenly army, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward mankind.”

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Now let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they told others the message they had been told about this child. 18 And all who heard it were amazed by what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

CLOSING PRAYER

M: O God, who makes us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of your only Son, Jesus Christ; grant that, as we joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, so may we also behold him with sure confidence when he shall come to be our judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.

BLESSING

M: May he who by his incarna on gathered things earthly and heavenly into one fill us with such joy that comes with the knowledge of the forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal life.

And the blessing of God Almighty—the Father, the (…) Son, and the Holy Spirit—be upon you and remain with you always.

C: Amen.

CLOSING HYMN

Text: John W. Work II, 1873–1925, verses, alt.; African American spiritual, refrain

Tune: African American spiritual

Go, Tell It on the Mountain Chris an Worship #361

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Thank you for joining us for worship on this Christmas Day. We pray that God will continue to strengthen you in your faith through his Word, during this blessed season and beyond. If you are a guest with us today and do not have a church home, we would consider it a special privilege to share God’s Word with you on a regular basis. Please speak with Pastor Heiman to learn more about our congregation. You can also find us online at GraceLutheranSAZ.org.

Friendship Register

We would like to have a record of both members and guests who are worshiping with us. Please sign the red Friendship Register book located along the center aisle in the hymnal rack.

Sunday Morning Bible Study & Sunday School

Our regular Sunday morning Bible study and Sunday School will not be held this morning or next Sunday, January 1. All classes will resume on Sunday, January 8.

Devotional Books

Grace Moments and Meditations daily devotional books are on the desk in the entryway. A new Grace Moments book with devotions beginning January 1 is now available.

Child Learning Center Closed

The Child Learning Center will be closed this week. It will reopen on Monday, January 2, 2023.

Grace Central Office Closed

The Grace Central Office located at our Tucson site will be closed tomorrow, December 26, and Monday, January 2. Additionally, the hours the office is open during the week of December 26 will be sporadic. If you’d like to stop by, please call first to be sure someone is available. You may always call or email the office. Messages and email will be checked regularly.

Pastor Ryan Heiman

Jane Neujahr

Teri Guenther

Lee Neujahr

Buske/Patzer

Heiman

Heiman

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Midweek Bible Study

Our Midweek Bible study normally held on Wednesday will not meet this week. The Bible Project study will resume again at 10:00 AM on January 4 in the church entryway.

New Year’s Eve All-Site Service & Celebration

Grace’s New Year’s Eve Service will be held this year at our Tucson location. This ALL-SITE Service (there are no other services planned at the same time) will take place at 7:00 PM and will include a remembrance of departed members and the celebration of Holy Communion. Join us after worship for snacks and fellowship.

Memorial Service: January 7

Grace member Bernice Marsala was called to her Savior’s side in heaven on November 10. We thank God for the many blessings he bestowed on Bernice during her life on earth and rejoice that she has received the crown of life in heaven. A memorial service is scheduled for 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 7, at Grace-Tucson. A light lunch will follow in the Fellowship Hall.

Grace Night at the Tucson Roadrunners: January 10

Join fellow Grace members and members of our sister WELS churches for an exciting night of hockey action on Tuesday, January 10, at 6:30 PM. That night our Tucson Roadrunners will be facing off against the Milwaukee Admirals, minor league team to the Nashville Predators. This should be a great time to come together and cheer on your favorite team, be it from Tucson or from Milwaukee. To purchase tickets please reach out to Kirsten Brand, Tucson Roadrunners Ticket Manager, at (520)269-7962 and let her know you are with the group from Grace. Tickets are $20 each and must be purchased by Sunday, January 8. Each ticket will also come with a Tucson Roadrunners ball cap so let’s get out there and enjoy each other's company. Feel free to reach out to Eric Hanson at (520)664-6626 with any questions you may have regarding Grace Night With the Roadrunners.

Youth Night: January 8

Are you in high school? Then join your Christian peers from across Tucson for our next Youth Night! We will play fun games, eat comfort food, praise our Lord, and discuss "A Night of Godpliments." Youth Night will be at Redeemer Lutheran Church (8845 N Silverbell Rd 85743) on Sunday, January 8, starting at 6:00 PM. Contact Pastor Patoka if you have questions or are interested in going.

Ladies’ Fellowship Group: January 19

The Ladies’ Fellowship Group will meet on Thursday, January 19, at 10:15 AM in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall. They will be carpooling to brunch at Millie’s Pancake Haus in Trail Dust Town (6541 E. Tanque Verde Road). Please contact Lois Thornton at (520)323-8772 if you have any questions.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Men of His Word Rally: January 21

WELS men of all ages are invited to this one-day event on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at the Desert Willow Conference Center in Phoenix. The theme will be “Man Up! - In a Man Down World.” The keynote speaker will be Pastor Dan Solofra of CrossWalk, Phoenix. There will also be eight breakout sessions including: “Hot Button Topics in Our Society and How to Handle Them,” “Dating and Choosing a Spouse Today” (young men), “Lead Me, Father” (parenting), and “Prayer by Men.” More information can be found at MenofHisWord.org.

Chili Cook-Off at Grace Benson: January 28

The members at our Grace-Benson location are hosting an all-site chili-cook off on Saturday, January 28, at noon. If you would like, bring your best chili for some friendly competition! You may also bring a side dish or dessert to share. Please come out and join us for this fun event! If you have any questions, please contact Frances Lindquist at (520) 686-4152.

TCM Soup Supper & Gaslight Theater Fundraiser: February 4

Satisfy your hunger and slap your knees! WELS Tucson Campus Ministry (TCM) is hosting a Soup Supper and Gaslight Theatre Fundraiser on Saturday, February 4. Dine on home-cooked soup and sides from 6:30-7:30 PM in the TCM Student Center. Laugh it up at Gaslight Theatre’s "The Ballad of Two Gun McGraw" show that starts at 8:30 PM. Supper is a freewill donation and Gaslight tickets are $30 each. You can participate in one or both parts of this fundraiser. If you are interested in going, please contact Student Assistant Hailey Brandt (608-387-9319) or Campus Pastor Tim Patoka (540-623-1149) by January 17.

Divine Calls Extended

At our Annual Meeting on Sunday, December 11, Grace extended three Divine Calls for Mission Teachers at our Child Learning Center. Calls were extended to:

Debra Bahlmann who currently serves Grace for Kids Learning Center in Prairie du Chien, WI.

Christine Leathers who currently serves Trinity Lutheran School in Kiel, WI

Theresa Pratt who currently serves Beautiful Savior Lutheran School in Cincinnati, OH

Please keep all of these ladies in your prayers as they deliberate whether to accept our call and to move their ministry here to southern Arizona or to decline our call and continue serving in their current locations. Feel free to communicate with them any information that you feel may be helpful in their deliberations.

Debra Bahlmann: graceforkids316@gmail.com or (608)476-2320

Christine Leathers: chleathers@trinitykiel.com or (920)286-6074

Theresa Pratt: tpratt@beautiful-savior.com or (920)344-6395

Grow in Grace Class

Would you like to learn more about our Newborn King, about the Bible that tells us about him, and about what Grace Lutheran Church believes and teaches? Our congregation offers a series of Biblebased lessons called Grow in Grace. Grow in Grace also serves as our membership class for those who may be interested in joining the church. If you would be interested in scheduling a Grow in Grace Class, please speak to Pastor Heiman, or register your interest at GraceLutheranSAZ.org/ GIG.

This schedule is subject to change. Please watch your email for the most up-to-date information or call the Grace Central Office at (520)623-6633 if you have questions.

This Week at Grace Ÿ December 25 – January 1

SAHUARITA Today

NO Adult Bible Study (resumes January 8)

NO Children’s Sunday School (resumes January 8) Worship Service 10:00a

Monday Friday

Child Learning Center Closed

Wednesday

NO Adult Bible Study (resumes January 4)

Next Sunday, January 1

NO Adult Bible Study (resumes January 8)

NO Children’s Sunday School (resumes January 8) Worship Service with communion 10:00a

VAIL Today

NO Children’s Sunday School (resumes January 8)

NO Adult Bible Study (resumes January 8) Worship Service 10:00a

Thursday

NO Midweek Bible Study (resumes January 5)

Next Sunday, January 1

NO Children’s Sunday School (resumes January 8)

NO Adult Bible Study (resumes January 8) Worship Service with communion 10:00a

BENSON Today

Worship Service 7:30a

NO Adult Bible Study (resumes January 8)

Wednesday

NO Adult Bible Study (resumes January 4)

Next Sunday, January 1

Worship Service with communion 7:30a

NO Adult Bible Study (resumes January 8)

Stay Up to Date

TUCSON Today

NO Children’s Bible Hour (resumes January 8)

NO Adult Bible Study (resumes January 8)

NO Lifeliners (High School) Bible Study (resumes January 8) Worship Service 10:00a

Monday

Grace Central Office Closed

Tuesday

NO Weekly Pastors’ Meeting

NO English Classes (resumes January 10)

Wednesday

NO Church History Bible Study (resumes January 11)

Thursday

NO Women’s Bible Study (resumes January 12)

Saturday

New Year’s Eve All-Site Worship with communion ........7:00p Fellowship following worship

Next Sunday, January 1

NO Children’s Bible Hour (resumes January 8)

NO Adult Bible Study (resumes January 8)

NO Lifeliners (High School) Bible Study (resumes January 8) Worship Service with communion 10:00a

ONLINE

Today

Worship Services (Tucson and Sahuarita) 10:00a

Saturday

New Year’s Eve Worship Service (Tucson) 7:00p

Next Sunday, January 1 Worship Services (Tucson and Sahuarita) 10:00a

The fastest and easiest way to keep Grace members and friends informed about what is happening at our four sites is through our weekly email update. This email is sent every Friday and at other times when special announcements are necessary. If you have not been receiving this email, but would like to, please email the Grace Central Office at office@gracelutheransaz.org and request to be added to our email list.

Grace-Tucson and Central Office 830 N. 1st Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85719 (520)623-6633 office@gracelutheransaz.org

Pastor Ronald G. Koehler III revrgk3@gracelutheransaz.org

Pastor Nathan P. Kassulke revnpk@gracelutheransaz.org

Pastor

Grace-Benson 451 W. Duane St., Benson, AZ 85602

Grace-Vail Worshipping at Esmond Station Elementary 9400 S. Atterbury Wash Way, Tucson, AZ 85747

Pastor Seth A. Scheuerlein revsas@gracelutheransaz.org

Office at Civano

10501 E. Seven Generations Way, Tucson, AZ 85747 (520)848-4631

Prayer Group—Laura Hodgson prayergroup@gracelutheransaz.org

Grace-Sahuarita

75 W. Sahuarita Rd, Sahuarita, AZ 85629 (520)578-3538

Pastor

Bible-Based Counselor Cinda Drescher cinda@gracelutheransaz.org (520)405-3286

Administrative Assistant—Debbie Koehler assistant@gracelutheransaz.org

Worship Coordinator Beth Kassulke music@gracelutheransaz.org

Office Assistant Cora Stuhr office@gracelutheransaz.org

Grace Lutheran Church is a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), a group of nearly 400,000 men, women, and children in nearly 1,300 congregations across the United States and Canada united by a common faith in Christ's saving love. We are committed to a common calling encouraging each other in our faith and sharing God's gift of a Savior with the rest of the world.

For more information about our synod and what we believe visit: www.wels.net