Bulletin: December 17th, 2023

December 15th, 2023
by Steve Osero

First Lutheran Church Advent 3
PO Box 153 - 240 Elm Street West December 17, 2023
Amery, WI 715-268-7135 www.flcamery.org
Our mission is to know Jesus and to make Jesus known. Jn. 17

Hymn: Twas in The Moon………………………………Green 72

PRAYER/ ADVENT CANDLES

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

PRAYER: Almighty God, you once called John the Baptist to give witness to the coming of your Son and to prepare his way. Grant us, your people, the wisdom to see your purpose today and the openness to hear your will, that we may witness to Christ's coming and so prepare his way; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Hymn: I Am So Glad………………………………………Green 69

John 1:6-8, 19-28 John's gospel describes Jesus as the "light of the world." John the Baptist is presented as a witness to Jesus, as one who directs attention away from himself to Christ, the true light. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, "I am not the Messiah." And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the prophet?" He answered, "No." Then they said to him, "Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' " as the prophet Isaiah said. Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, "Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?" John answered them, "I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal." This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

SERMON

OFFERING: Special Music

PRAYERS

“THE GREATEST GIFT CHRISTMAS PAGEANT”

Handbells: “Joy to the World”
“We Wish You A Merry Christmas”
“Holy Child Within the Manger”

Mary and the Angel “His Name is Jesus”

Joseph and the Angel “Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful”

The Trip to Bethlehem and the Birth of Jesus
“Away in a Manger” and “Silent Night”

The Shepherds and The Angels
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”

The Magi and The Star
“We Three Kings” and “Joy to the World”

Handbells: “Jingle Bells”

CAST
Narrator: Vivian Schuh King Herod: Croix Severson
Mary: Laken Aizupura Magi 1: Graham Rose
Joseph: Paul Johnson Magi 2: Tate Rose
Dove: Chloe Nelson Magi 3: Miles Schuh
Dog: Alice Lee Angel Gabriel: Sophia Nelson
Shepherd 1: Emmit Christian Joseph’s Angel: Mary Lee
Shepherd 2: Jacob Andersen Shepherd’s Angel 1: Julia Lee
Sheep: Cora Severson Shepherd’s Angel 2: Estelle White
Camel: Blake Boe Donkey: Skylar Chelberg
Townspeople/Innkeepers: Jack & Wylie Christopherson

Handbells (Directed by Liz Bowman): Katelyn Osero, Zach Osero, Brady Johnson, Macie Boe, Mateo Aizpurua, Ellie Amans, Lila Schuh, Laken Aizpurua, Vivian Schuh, Paul Johnson

THANK YOU to EVERYONE who helped with the program!
We appreciate all you did!

CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER, LORD’S PRAYER
Handbells: “Oh Come, All Ye Faithful” & “The First Noel”, Music: Beth

BLESSING God's blessing be with you, Christ's peace be with you, the Spirit's outpouring be with you, now and always. Amen

Go in peace. Live the gospel. Thanks be to God.