A Children’s Christmas (or Advent) Service on the Lavish Love of God

by Debra Bakken

Contents

Copyright Notice and Information ....................................................................................... 2 General Service Notes ......................................................................................................... 3 Explanation of Kit Imagery.................................................................................................. 5 Banner Design ..................................................................................................................... 6 Service Copy Master ........................................................................................................... 7

Hymn Accompaniments and Additional Musical Resources: Both Tracks

“Of the Father’s Love Begotten”........................................................................................ 16 “The Tree of Life” ............................................................................................................. 18 “Savior of the Nations, Come” ........................................................................................... 20 “See What Great Love” (by Debra Bakken) ....................................................................... 21

Hymn Accompaniments: Christmas Track

“Come, Your Hearts and Voices Raising” .......................................................................... 23 “All Mankind Fell in Adam’s Fall” (to PUER NOBIS NASCITUR) ......................................... 24 “O Little Town of Bethlehem” (traditional ST. LOUIS) ....................................................... 25 “Angels We Have Heard on High” .................................................................................... 26 “I Am So Glad When Christmas Comes” ........................................................................... 27 “Let All Together Praise Our God” .................................................................................... 28

Hymn Accompaniments: Advent Track

“On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry” ................................................................................ 29 “All Mankind Fell in Adam’s Fall” (to VENI EMMANUEL) .................................................. 30 “Jesus, Your Church with Longing Eyes” ......................................................................... 31 “Comfort, Comfort All My People” ................................................................................... 32 “Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel” .................................................................................. 33 “O Lord, How Shall I Meet You” ...................................................................................... 34

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Copyright Notice and Information

Please Read!

The copyright to the service See What Great Love is held by Northwestern Publishing House. © 2019 Northwestern Publishing House, Milwaukee, WI. All rights reserved. Purchase of this kit gives the user permission to adapt and copy this material for use with one or more groups within a single congregation or organization. (Dual parishes may purchase one copy for use in both.) Permission to adapt and copy is not transferable to another congregation or organization. Scripture is taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™ Hymnal references marked CW are to Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. Musical settings in this kit may be duplicated for preparations and performances of this Christmas service, unless otherwise indicated.

Northwestern Publishing House N16W23377 Stone Ridge Dr. Waukesha, WI 53188-1109

www.nph.net © 2019 Northwestern Publishing House

All rights reserved Published 2019

Printed in the United States of America ISBN 978-0-8100-3076-3

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See What Great Love

A Children’s Christmas (or Advent) Service on the Lavish Love of God

by Debra Bakken

This Christmas Kit contains the complete Leader’s Guide, a sample bulletin cover, and a CD, which includes the following: 1. PDF of this Leader’s Guide 2. RTF file of the service copy master, including hymn lyrics 3. PDF sample of the bulletin cover 4. PDF and PNG graphic files of the logo and banner for the service 5. MIDI files of the hymn accompaniments 6. Mp3 files of vocal and accompaniment recordings of the hymns 7. “See What Great Love,” an original song for this service (based on the theme passage 1 John

3:1) by Debra Bakken (PDF and associated MIDI/mp3 files) General Service Notes 1. See What Great Love is a children’s service that expounds on the great love of God that the

apostle John speaks of in chapter 3 of his first letter. God’s love is considered at creation, at the fall, throughout Old Testament history, and at Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. Finally, the greatness of God’s love for all people is highlighted. Stanzas from “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” are used throughout as they apply (Note: the stanza order varies from the hymnal).

2. NEW: A growing number of congregations are having their children’s Christmas services prior to Christmas Eve. Additionally, in 2018 the WELS Commission on Congregational Counseling noted that Christmas Eve has surpassed Easter as the most likely time for an unchurched visitor to attend worship, prompting some congregations to move their children’s Christmas services prior to Christmas Eve in order to better accommodate unchurched guests on Christmas Eve (more seating available, alleviate parking issues, etc.). Some congregations who have their children’s services before Christmas Eve still focus on the Luke chapter 2 Christmas account. But some have indicated that an Advent option may be more appropriate. While a large portion of the service remains the same, an Advent track has been included in this year’s kit. For most sections, the difference is simply in the suggested hymns. Please note, however, that section 4 has completely distinct Advent and Christmas tracks. The Christmas track for “God’s Love at Bethlehem” focuses on Luke chapter 2 and the fulfilled promise of sending the world’s Savior that first Christmas. The Advent track for “God’s Love at Bethlehem” correlates the anticipation of Old Testament Christians for Christ’s first coming to the anticipation of New Testament Christians for Christ’s second coming. God-willing, this dual-track accommodation will enable even more congregations to use this kit, regardless of when they have their children’s services.

3. The hymn and song suggestions correlate to the spoken portions of the service that immediately precede them. Corresponding hymn numbers from Evangelical Lutheran

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Hymnary (ELH) and Lutheran Service Book (LSB) have also been supplied. In many cases select stanzas are suggested, though all stanzas may be sung. You may substitute other hymns or Christmas songs, but the texts of those songs should reflect the content for that point in the service. Assign hymns, stanzas of hymns, or other songs to groups as desired. For some portions of this service, a song available from Northwestern Publishing House is suggested as an alternative to a hymn, to be sung either by the children or by an adult choir. You might also consider using choir settings of the suggested hymns for children or adults.

4. Narrations and recitations can be assigned to children, lay readers, pastors, and/or the congregation to accommodate any congregation size or situation.

5. The README file on the CD includes information on using the text and MIDI files for the service. (Note: If the CD directory shows only the audio tracks, use Windows Explorer to open the text and MIDI files.)

6. You may duplicate the copy master of the entire service or adapt the RTF file found on the service CD as needed to meet your local needs. Recitation of the Scripture references is optional. The RTF file on the CD may be used to prepare a service folder and includes the texts of the hymns, which are not printed in this Leader’s Guide.

7. The CD includes accompaniment tracks for the hymns in the service (MIDI and WAV formats). These may be used for rehearsal or accompaniment in the service. Both formats will play on a computer media player. The MIDI files may also be played through a MIDI-compatible keyboard that reads standard MIDI files. Consult the keyboard manual for additional information on using the files. (Note: The hymn accompaniments are not designed to accompany a large congregation.)

8. Demonstration vocal tracks are included for the hymns. These may be useful in teaching the hymns to children.

9. You may copy the recordings to writable CDs for use by multiple classrooms for rehearsal purposes only. Any video or audio recordings of the service that include copyrighted material will need permission for distribution or sales. See the copyright information for each hymn to be aware of those hymns that are under copyright.

10. The banner design correlating with this service is provided on page 6.

11. Coordinated bulletin covers are available from Northwestern Publishing House. Order information follows:

See What Great Love service bulletins available in multiples of 50: KT1300448, 8.5" x 11" per 100: $9.00 KT1300449, 8.5" x 14" per 100: $10.00 (Prices are subject to change without notice. Available at www.nph.net or by calling 800-662-6022.)

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Explanation of Kit Imagery

See What Great Love consists of five sections: • God’s Love at Creation • God’s Love When Humans Sinned • God’s Love in His Faithfulness • God’s Love in Bethlehem • God’s Love to All

The imagery has been intentionally selected and developed to capture the essence of these sections as they frame the salvation account.

Bulletin Image

God’s Love at Creation is captured in the vastness of the universe. While the two humans in the center are likely Mary and Joseph, they could represent the first two human beings (the crown of God’s creation). God’s Love When Humans Sinned is not readily captured in the image (no overt reference to the fall). However, the connection between Genesis 3:15—the first promise of the Savior—and Christmas is one of the most prominent and often-cited at Christmas; thus, it may not need representation. God’s Love in His Faithfulness details messianic prophecies and how God sustained the human bloodline of the Savior up to the birth of Jesus. The orange cloud represents one of the most detailed ways we are aware that God did this as he brought his people out of Egypt and through the desert for 40 years—he led them in a pillar of fire at night. God’s Love at Bethlehem is most obviously captured by the manger in the foreground. The fact that the two traveling figures are still on their way but not yet there makes this bulletin cover applicable to the Advent track as well. God’s Love to All is subtly captured by the bright star, which calls to mind Epiphany, the “Gentiles’ Christmas.” Additionally, the two somewhat indistinct traveling figures could represent any who approach the manger to see the world’s Savior.

Logo

The simple, modern design allows for a variety of print and screen applications. The globe symbolizes creation and the entirety of the world (sections 1 and 5). The manger calls to mind the details of the Christmas account (section 4). The star references Epiphany (section 5) and has the shape of a cross (which ties to the entire account of salvation, most directly to sections 1, 4, and 5). The fonts emphasize the word “Love,” which is prominent in the theme passage (1 John 3:1) and the emphasis of the five sections: “God’s Love . . .”

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See What Great Love

A Children’s Christmas (or Advent) Service on the Lavish Love of God

PLEASE STAND Minister: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” Processional Hymn: Christmas Track Advent Track “Come, Your Hearts and Voices Raising” (CW 42, ELH 128, LSB 375) Stanza 1 Congregation Stanza 2 Congregation Stanza 3 Older children Stanza 4 Younger children Stanza 5 Congregation and All Children

“On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry” (CW 16, ELH 106, LSB 344) Stanza 1 Congregation Stanza 2 Congregation Stanza 3 Older children Stanza 4 Younger children Stanza 5 Congregation and All Children

BE SEATED Optional Sermon

1. GOD’S LOVE AT CREATION Song: “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” stanza 1 (CW 35, ELH 181, LSB 384) Narration: Little children sing, “God is so good, he’s so good to me.” God has always been good to his creation. The song words we just heard tell us that God’s love was at work even before the world was made. The very first verse of the Bible says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Mountains, seas, and rivers; every form of plant life; the universe with the sun, moon, and all the stars; all the living creatures on land and in the water. For all of it, he simply said, “Let there be . . .” and there it was. And then . . . and then he created once more. This time, the Bible chronicles a different process altogether. Recitation: “Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’” (Genesis 1:26)

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Recitation: “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27) Recitation: “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’” (Genesis 1:28) Narration: Genesis chapter 2 goes on to describe the way God created the first human: Recitation: “Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7) Narration: And God provided for every need of this special creation, his children. Recitation: “Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. The LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” (Genesis 2:8,9) Pastor, Children, and Congregation: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” Song: “The Tree of Life” (CWS 754, ELH 302, LSB 561)

2. GOD’S LOVE WHEN HUMANS SINNED Narration: The perfect world God made for his perfect children did not last. Genesis 2:15-17 tells us more about the beginning days of God’s new earth: Recitation: “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the LORD God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.’” (Genesis 2:15-17) Narration: Why would God give such a command? The threat of death does not sound very loving at all. Placing the tree in the garden, along with the command not to eat from what is always there in

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front of them, seems like a recipe for disaster. With our limited reason, we might wonder how that could be good. God had made the entire universe for his children—the cycle of day and night, food for nourishment, a suitable place in which to live, and beauty beyond compare. What love God had shown for his children! And that completely out of his goodness, for they had done nothing to earn it or deserve it. What could they do to show their love for him in return? How could God’s children express their love to their most generous God? God gave them a way. They could eat from ANY tree . . . except one. In walking past the forbidden tree, they were able to show their love for God by following what he said. God says that his children listen to his voice, and they follow him (John 10:27). But Genesis chapter 3 tells us what happened not long after God gave his children a way to express love for him. Recitation: “Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God really say, “You must not eat from any tree in the garden”?’” (Genesis 3:1) Narration: “The woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, “You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.”’” (Genesis 3:2,3) Recitation: “‘You will not certainly die,’ the serpent said to the woman. ‘For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’” (Genesis 3:4,5) Narration: “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.” (Genesis 3:6) Hymn: “All Mankind Fell in Adam’s Fall” stanza 1 (CW 378, ELH 491, LSB 562) Christmas Track Advent Track To the tune PUER NOBIS NASCITUR To the tune VENI, EMMANUEL (with refrain)

All mankind fell in Adam’s fall; one common sin infects us all. From one to all the curse descends, and over all God’s wrath impends. (Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel!)

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Narration: What happened next shows us again the great love of our God and Father. Sin had come. Death was inevitable. But God promised a Savior who would defeat death and the devil and restore peace between God and people. Please stand, and let’s read together these words from Genesis chapter 3: PLEASE STAND Congregation: “Then the LORD God said to the woman, ‘What is this you have done?’ The woman said, ‘The serpent deceived me, and I ate.’ So the LORD God said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this, Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life.’” Congregation and Children: “‘And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.’” Hymn: “All Mankind Fell in Adam’s Fall” stanza 4 (CW 378, ELH 491, LSB 562) Christmas Track Advent Track To the tune PUER NOBIS NASCITUR To the tune VENI, EMMANUEL (with refrain)

But Christ, the second Adam came to bear our sin and woe and shame, to be our life, our light, our way, our only hope, our only stay. (Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel!) Pastor, Children, and Congregation: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” BE SEATED

3. GOD’S LOVE IN HIS FAITHFULNESS Song: “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” stanza 3 (CW 35, ELH 181, LSB 384) Narration: The Savior did not come right away. Adam and Eve did not know it, but it would be many centuries before the Savior would be born. God lavished his love on his children by reminding them of his promise over and over. Again and again, he renewed his promise through his believers and prophets. The prophet with perhaps the most to say about the coming Savior lived eight hundred years before the Savior was born. His name was Isaiah, and he said this:

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Recitation: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14) Narration: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, . . . and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:2,6) Song: “Savior of the Nations, Come” (CW 2, ELH 90, LSB 332) or “Savior of the Nations, Come” (289023E) Pastor, Children, and Congregation: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”

4. GOD’S LOVE IN BETHLEHEM Christmas Track

Song: “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” stanza 2 (CW 35, ELH 181, LSB 384) Narration: Finally, the time came. The time was right. Over three hundred reminders from the Old Testament prophets had revealed details of the great love the Father lavishes on us. When that set time had come, all the events came together in one moment in history. Listen to the account from Luke 2:1-20. Recitation: “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.” (Luke 2:1-3) Recitation: “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” (Luke 2:4-7) Hymn: “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” stanzas 1-3 (CW 65 or 66, ELH 137, LSB 361) Narration: “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will

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cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’” (Luke 2:8-12) Recitation: “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’” (Luke 2:13,14) Hymn: “Angels We Have Heard on High” (CW 63, ELH 116, LSB 368) Recitation: “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’” (Luke 2:15) Recitation: “So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” (Luke 2:16-18) Recitation: “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” (Luke 2:19,20) Pastor, Children, and Congregation: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” Song: “I Am So Glad When Christmas Comes” stanzas 1-3 (CW 51, ELH 127, LSB n/a)

4. GOD’S LOVE IN BETHLEHEM Advent Track

Song: “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” stanza 2 (CW 35, ELH 181, LSB 384) Narration: Finally, the time came. The time was right. Over three hundred reminders from the Old Testament prophets had revealed the details of the great love the Father lavishes on us. When the set time had come, all the events came together in one moment in history. In Advent we ponder God’s love in preserving his promise to send the world’s Savior, even as we anticipate the Christmas celebration of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem.

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But that’s not all we ponder during Advent. Even as we live in the joy of God’s fulfilled promise to send a Savior, we prepare for God’s final but not-yet-fulfilled promise: Jesus will return again. Listen to Jesus’ own words in Luke chapter 21. Recitation: “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.” (Luke 21:25,26) Recitation: “At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:27,28) Hymn: “Jesus, Your Church with Longing Eyes” stanzas 1,2,5 (CW 9, ELH n/a, LSB n/a) Narration: Yes, Jesus will come again, not as a baby born in Bethlehem to win our salvation but as our victorious King bringing us the gift of salvation—heaven with him forever! But he hasn’t told us when that will be. He simply tells us what to do until he comes. Listen to Jesus’ final words to his disciples, recorded in Acts chapter 1. Recitation: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:7,8) Narration: Are you ready for that day? Are your friends, relatives, acquaintances, and neighbors ready? Hold on to Jesus! Tell others about Jesus! Recitation: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.” (2 Corinthians 5:17-19a) Congregation: “And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” (2 Corinthians 5:19b-20a) Song: “Comfort, Comfort All My People” stanzas 1,3,4 (CW 11, ELH 102, LSB 347) or “Comfort, Comfort All My People” (289015E)

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Narration: As Old Testament believers longed for God to fulfill his promise and send the world’s Savior, believers today long for Jesus to return as he promised. He says this in John chapter 14: Recitation: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:1-3) Pastor, Children, and Congregation: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” Hymn: “Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel” stanzas 1,3,4 (CW 23, ELH 110, LSB 357)

5. GOD’S LOVE TO ALL

Song: “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” stanza 4 (CW 35, ELH 181, LSB 384) Narration: Who are the “children of God”? In the Old Testament, the descendants of Abraham were rarely called God’s children but were instead often referred to as “God’s people” or his “chosen people.” God kept these people separate from other nations to preserve the human line for the birth of the promised Savior. But “children of God” appears more often in the New Testament, and the inspired writers tell us who God’s children are: Recitation: “In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.” (Galatians 3:26) Congregation: “It is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring.” (Romans 9:8) Narration: Believers are God’s children! When the Holy Spirit works faith in a person’s heart, that person becomes a child of God. And this is how faith comes: Recitation: “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” (Romans 10:17) Narration: And that word of Christ is this:

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Recitation: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) Pastor, Children, and Congregation: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” Song: “See What Great Love” by Debra Bakken Offering (optional) PLEASE STAND Prayers Benediction BE SEATED Closing Hymn Christmas Track Advent Track “Let All Together Praise Our God” (CW 41, ELH n/a, LSB 389)

“O Lord, How Shall I Meet You” (CW 19, ELH n/a, LSB 334)

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