THERE IS NO ROOM
St. John’s Sunday School Christmas Service
December 16, 2018
PROCESSIONAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Congregation
“Oh, Come, Little Children”
- Oh, come, little children, oh, come, one and all, To Bethlehem haste, to the manger so small. God’s Son for a gift has been sent you this night To be your Redeemer, your joy and Delight.
- He’s born in a stable for you and for me, Draw near by the bright gleaming starlight to see, In swaddling clothes lying, so meek and so mild, And purer than angels, the heavenly Child.
- See Mary and Joseph with love-beaming eyes Are gazing upon the rude bed where He lies. The shepherds are kneeling, with hearts full of love, While angels sing loud hallelujahs above.
- Kneel down and adore Him with shepherds today, Lift up little hands now and praise Him as they, Rejoice that a Savior from sin you can boast, And join in the song of the heavenly host.
Please stand.
INVOCATION
Pastor: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation: Amen.
CALL TO WORSHIP
P: Christ, the Savior is born!
C: Oh, come, let us adore Him!
P: You shall find the Baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
C: Oh, come, let us adore Him!
P: His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
C: Oh, come, let us adore Him!
P: He shall save His people from their sins.
C: Oh, come, let us adore Him!
P: Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.
C: Oh, come, let us adore Him!
P: He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
C: Oh, come, let us adore Him!
P: Christ, the Savior is born!
Congregation: (sing) Oh, come let us adore Him! Oh, come, let us adore Him! Oh, come let us adore him, Christ, the Lord!
Please be seated.
SONG: “Little Baby Jesus” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Children
Violin: Victoria Wachholz
Little Baby Jesus, born in Bethlehem;
Little Baby Jesus, born in Bethlehem;
Little Baby Jesus, born to die,
To suffer on the cross for you and I;
Little Baby Jesus, born in Bethlehem.
PSALM 47, p. 85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. Wachholz/Congregation
Please stand.
CHRISTMAS PRAYER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pastor
Dear Heavenly Father, we praise You for sending Your Son into the world as a little child. Give us the faith of little children, that we may make room for Him in our hearts. Fill us with the Holy Spirit, that we may daily show our thanks for this most previous Gift. In the Savior’s name we pray. Amen.
Please be seated.
PROPHECY
THE SAVIOR IS PROMISED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. Wachholz
Children: “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers;
Congregation: “He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
Ch: “A star will come out of Jacob;
C: “A scepter will rise out of Israel.”
Ch: “The Lord himself will give you a sign;
C: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
Ch: “But you, Bethlehem Ephratha, though you are small among the clans of Judah,
C: “Out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.
THE CHRISTMAS STORY, Part 1, Luke 2:1-7
SONG “In Those Days Caesar Augustus” . . . . . . . . . . Children
“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.
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 room for them in the inn.”
THE CHRISTMAS STORY, Luke 2:8-14 . . . . . . . . Children &
Congregation
Children: And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
Congregation: An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
Ch: But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
C: Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
Ch: This will be a sign to you:
C: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
Ch: Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
C: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.
THE OFFERING, WORSHIPER GREETINGS,
FRIENDSHIP REGISTERS
HYMN “Once in Royal David’s City”. . . . . . . . . . . Congregation
- Once in royal David’s city Stood a lowly cattle shed, Where a mother laid her baby In a manger for his bed; Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child.
- He came down to earth from heaven Who is God and Lord of all, And his shelter was a stable, And his cradle was a stall; With the poor and mean and lowly Lived on earth our Savior holy.
- But our eyes at last shall see him Through his own redeeming love, For that child, so dear and gentle, Is our Lord in heav’n above, And he leads his children on To the place where he is gone.
- Not in that poor, lowly stable With the oxen standing by Shall we see him, but in heaven, Set at God’s right hand on high. Then like stars his children crowned, All in white, his praise will sound.
PART 1: THE TRAVELERS
NARRATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. Wachholz
Mrs. Brown
Mrs. Stelter
SPEECH CHOIR Recitation 1: There is no room!
There is no room!
The inns are full;
There is no room!
JOSEPH/Haiden Van Treeck: My wife and I have come from Nazareth to add our names to Caesar’s rolls. But see, my wife is weary from the trip. Our tiny beast of burden groans beneath her weight. He has walked the road so slowly that we are late arriving at this place. Please let us enter, for the light is gone; the chilly wind of night is in the air.
SPEECH CHOIR Recitation 1
SONG “Pitter Patter Donkey Feet” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Children
Pitter, patter, donkey’s feet clatter down the busy street. Seek some shelter, find a bed where a child can lay his head. Just ignore the crowds and milling; prophecies await fulfilling. You will see a wondrous sight, for God will visit earth tonight!
RECITATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GATEKEEPER/Mrs. Brown
SPEECH CHOIR Recitation 1
JOSEPH: Come now, donkey, let’s see if we can find a place. Be patient, Mary, we’ve made it to David’s town, but we must find a place to stay. I will knock on every door until I find a place where we can rest our heads.
SPEECH CHOIR Recitation 1
RECITATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . INNKEEPER #1/Mrs. Stelter
SONG “Bethlehem Is Busy Today” V1-2 . . . . . . . . . . Children
- Bethlehem is busy today, Crowds of people here to stay. “Have you any room?” Joseph said. Innkeeper sadly shakes his head: “I regret on this occasion Every single room is taken. I suggest you try elsewhere instead!”
- Down the street they go once more, Knock upon another door; “Have you any room you could let?” Innkeeper says “I do regret . . . In the present situation, Caused by Caesar’s new taxation, Rooms are just impossible to get!”
SPEECH CHOIR Recitation 1
SONG “There was No Room for Mary There” . . . .V1 Children/
V2-3 Choir, V4 All
- There was no room for Mary there In yonder Bethl’em’s inn; They knocked and waited ev’rywhere But no one said, “Come in!” But no one said, “Come in!”
- In human form came down the Lord To save all men for lorn; And yet the world would not afford A shelter to be born, A shelter to be born.
- And still He stands outside the door Today of ev’ry home; Alas so many lock the door And say, “There is no room,” And say, “There is no room.”
- Dear Lord, come in, I welcome You, I pray, do not depart! I pray that You be born in me, There’s room within my heart, There’s room within my heart.
HYMN “O Little Town of Bethlehem” . . . . . . . . . Congregation
1. O 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.
- 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!
PART 2: THE STABLE
RECITATION . . . . . . . . . . . . .INNKEEPER #2/Mr. Wachholz
SPEECH CHOIR Recitation #2: There is no room!
The inns are full;
The stable old
Will have to do!
SONG “Bethlehem Is Busy Today” V3 . . . . . . . . . . . . Children
- Wearily they go their way, There just is no room today; Only one more inn left to try, Innkeeper sadly starts to sigh. “I would help if I were able, Wait a minute, there’s a stable! Hardly five star, but at least it’s dry! And in that stable on that morn, The Savior of the world was born.
NARRATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mrs. Brown
SPEECH CHOIR Recitation #2
NARRATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . Mrs. Stelter
Mr. Wachholz
SPEECH CHOIR Recitation #3
SONG “The Friendly Beasts” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Children
Donkey-Trenton Jahr, Cow-William Stelter, Sheep-Molly Utke, Dove-Rilyn Henke
1. Jesus, our Brother, kind and good Was humbly born in a stable rude. And the friendly beasts around Him stood– Jesus, our Brother, kind and good.
2. “I,” said the donkey, shaggy and brown, “I carried His mother up hill and down; I carried her safely to Bethlehem town.” “I,” said the donkey, shaggy and brown.
3. “I,” said the cow, all white and red, “I gave Him my manger for His bed; I gave Him my hay to pillow His head.” “I,” said the cow, all white and red.
4. “I,” said the sheep with curly horn, “I gave Him my wool for His blanket warm; He wore my coat on Christmas morn.” “I,” said the sheep with curly horn.
5. I,” said the dove from the rafters high, “I cooed Him to sleep that He would not cry; We cooed Him to sleep, my mate and I.” “I,” said the dove from the rafters high.
6. So ev’ry beast by some good spell In a stable dark was glad to tell Of the gift he gave Emmanuel, The gift he gave Emmanuel.
HYMN “Away in a Manger” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Congregation
- Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head; The stars in the bright sky looked down where He lay, The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.
- The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes. I love you, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky, And stay by my side until morning is nigh.
- Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask you to stay Close by me forever and l0ve me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in your ender care, And take us to heaven to live with you there.
PART 3: THE SHEPHERDS
ANGEL/Aurora Stelter: Glory in the highest,
Peace on earth to men,
Good will among all people
The Prince of Peace is born!
HYMN “Angels We Have Heard on High” . . . . . . Congregation
- Angels we have heard on high, Sweetly singing o’er the plains, And the mountains in reply, Echoing their joyous strain, Gloria in excelsis Deo; Gloria in excelsis Deo.
- Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing. Come, adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn King. Gloria in excelsis Deo; Gloria in excelsis Deo.
ANGEL: Run, shepherds, run,
Find the little baby,
He’s your Savior and Lord!
Run, shepherds, run!
SONG “Run, Shepherds, Run!” . . . Mr. Wachholz & Children
Over the hills of Judea,
Stars were shining down so bright;
Angelic voices were singing,
Telling the world “A King is born tonight!”
So . . .Run, shepherds, run to the village,
Run, shepherds, run one and all;
Run till you come to the stable,
He lies within a cattle stall!
Run, shepherds, run till you find Him,
Run till you see the glorious sight!
Kneel and adore Him on bended knee;
Tell ev’rybody you happen to see,
Jesus is born tonight! (repeat)
Jesus is born tonight!
SHEPHERD #1/Brody Henke: We have come to worship this infant, Christ, the Savior of the world! There were angels everywhere! We could barely believe our eyes. They pointed us to this humble stable.
SHEPHERD #2/Nolan Van Treeck: The sky was full of angels! Our ears are still ringing with the song they sang! What a glorious sound!
SHEPHERD #3/Easton Wegner: We kneel at his manger bed. Here lies our Savior, God’s anointed Son, but . . . we do not understand. Why is he here in a barn, in a manger?
MARY/Katie Marlowe: There was no room. There was no place in the whole town, but do not be troubled. These gentle beasts around us have sung a lullaby sweeter than any human voice could offer. Joseph keeps his watch, and I rock Jesus gently in my arms. But come, shepherds, see God’s Son. Tonight He is born for you and everyone!
NARRATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mrs. Brown
ANGEL: Love came down tonight!
Glory in the highest,
God has sent our Savior,
Love came down tonight!
ANTHEM “This Peaceful Night”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Senior Choir
SHEPHERD #1: We kneel before His manger bed to bring Him our hearts.
SHEPHERD #2: The angels brought the news to us–lowly, humble shepherds. Someday He will be our Shepherd!
SHEPHERD #3: We each lay down our shepherd’s staff. For this Babe is Messiah! We have waited so long for Him to come to be our Shepherd and lead us. To Him we give ourselves. To Him we pray.
SPEECH CHOIR Recitation #3: The inns are full
But there is room
Within our hearts,
O Lord for You
HYMN “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come” Congregation
- “From heav’n above to earth I come To bear good news to ev’ry home; Glad tidings of great joy I bring, Where-of I now will say and sing:
- “This is the Christ, our God and Lord, Who in all need shall aid afford: He will Himself your Savior be From all your sins to set you free.
- Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child, Make Thee a bed, soft, undefiled, Within my heart, that it may be A quiet chamber kept for Thee.
PART 4: THE WISE MEN
NARRATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mrs. Stelter
SPEECH CHOIR Recitation #4: Wise men saw
A wondrous star;
It led them to
The tiny Child.
WISE MAN #1/Wally Wolsdorf: We saw a star in the East.
WISE MAN #2/Haiden Van Treeck: It was like no other we had ever seen, so we knew it was special. We loaded our camels, and the star led us to your little village of Bethlehem.
WISEMAN #3/Bruchs Wegner: We followed the star!
WISEMAN #2: Thinking a king would be born in a palace in the great city of Jerusalem, we went there, but soon we learned from the chief priests and teachers of the law that the scriptures said “Go to Bethlehem!”
SPEECH CHOIR Recitation #4
SONG “March of the Kings” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Children
Three great kings I met at early morn, With all their retinue were slowly marching. Three great kings I met at early morn were on their way to meet the newly born, With gifts of gold brought from far away, And valiant warriors to guard the kingly treasure, With gifts of gold brought from far away, and shields all shining in their bright array.
MARY/Katie Marlowe: Welcome! Your search ends here. Meet Jesus, the Son of God, the promised Savior, and your King! Guided by God Himself, the star has led you here.
SPEECH CHOIR Recitation #4
WISEMAN #2: We bring great gifts! Dearest Jesus, we lay our crowns before you in solemn worship. We offer our treasures—not only gold, frankincense, and myrrh, but also our greater gifts of love—our faith, our hope, and our joy. In adoration, we lay these gifts at your feet.
SPEECH CHOIR Recitation #3: The inns are full.
But there is room
Within our hearts
O Lord for You!
HYMN “As With Gladness Men of Old” Congregation
- As with gladness men of old Did the guiding star behold; As with joy they hailed its light, Leading onward, beaming bright, So most gracious Lord, may we Evermore be led by Thee!
- As with joyful steps they sped, Savior, to Thy lowly bed, there to bend the knee before Thee whom heav’n and earth adore, So may we with willing feet Ever seek Thy mercy seat.
- As they offered gifts more rare At Thy cradle, rude and bare, So may we with holy joy, Pure and free from sin’s alloy, All our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to Thee, our heav’nly King!
PART 5: IS THERE ROOM TODAY?
NARRATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. Wachholz
Mrs. Brown
CHILDREN: But what about YOU? Have we or any of you really given him the place He deserves in our hearts?
NATIVITY CHARACTERS: Your hearts should overflow with joy! All our sins and your sins are paid for by what Jesus did on the cross. The Baby in the manger is OUR SAVIOR AND YOURS!
SONG: “There’s A Village in Judea” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Children
- There’s a village in Judea, overcrowded and forlorn; but the village in Judea is the place where Christ was born.
- There’s a stable in the village, where the sheep and goats are shorn; and the stable in the village is the place where Christ was born.
- There’s a manger in the stable, looking very old and worn; but the manger in the stable is the place where Christ was born.
- There’s a baby in the manger; gather round to keep him warm; for the baby is God in human form.
- There’s a baby in the manger; see him sleeping peacefully; for the baby in the manger is the one who died for me.
Please stand.
THE CHRISTMAS CREED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Congregation
I believe in God the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth, who sent
His Son as my Savior on Christmas Day;
I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
announced by the angels,
worshipped by the shepherds,
adored by the Wise Men,
who lived to suffer, die, and rise again,
to free us from sin, death, and the power of the devil;
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
who has brought me to faith in the Christ of Christmas
and by whose continuous work in my heart
I am ever led to lay before the feet of Christ
the treasures of my love
and live under Him as my King,
both now and forevermore. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER (sung) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Congregation
Melody: Away in a Manger
Our Father in heaven, all praise to your name! Your kingdom among us, your will done the same By mortals and angels. Come, Lord reign alone: Oh, hear us and bless us from heaven’s high throne.
The bread that we yearn for provide us each day; As we forgive others, our sins take away; In times of temptation, to lead us be near; From evil deliver your children most dear.
For yours is the kingdom; o’er all things you reign. And yours is the power; all things you maintain. To you be the glory, resounding again From all of creation, forever. Amen.
THE BENEDICTION
Please be seated.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
RECESSIONAL
“Let Us All With Gladsome Voice” . . . . . . . . . . . . . Congregation
- Let us all with gladsome voice Praise the God of heaven, Who, to bid our hearts rejoice, His own Son has given.
- To this vale of tears He comes, Here to serve in sadness, That with Him in heav’n’s fair homes We may reign in gladness.
- We are rich, for He was poor; Is not this a wonder? Therefore praise God evermore Here on earth and yonder.