A Series Of Special Services For Advent€¦ · A matching devotional booklet will help your congregation follow the theme throughout Advent: Order Code AD-6 A five-session Bible

The Stars TellTHE STORY

PRU

by Rev. Donald H. Neidigk

A Series Of Special Services For Advent

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2 The Stars Tell The Story—PRU

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By Donald H. Neidigk. Theme hymn by Peter Mead. Art by Sally Beck. © 2010 by Creative Communications for the Parish, 1564 Fen-corp Dr., Fenton, MO 63026. 800-325-9414. creativecommunications.com. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

The Stars TELL THE STORY

A Series Of Special Services For AdventBy Rev. Donald H. Neidigk

Index

Notes And Ordering Information ....................................4-5

Service One: The Perfect Star • Creation .......................6-32

Service Two: The Fallen Star • Lucifer ........................33-61

Service Three: The Promised Stars • Christians ...........62-89

Service Four: The Guiding Star • Bethlehem ..............90-118

Service Five: The Morning Star • Christ ..................119-145

Music Guide ............................................................146-185

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A Series Of Special Services For AdventCREATIVE

A Series Of Special Services For AdventBy Rev. Donald H. NeidigkCREATIVE

By Rev. Donald H. Neidigk

Index

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Index

Notes And Ordering Information

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Notes And Ordering Information....................................4-5

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....................................4-5

Service One: The Perfect Star • Creation

CREATIVE Service One: The Perfect Star • Creation .......................6-32

CREATIVE .......................6-32

........................33-61

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Service Three: The Promised Stars • Christians

CREATIVE Service Three: The Promised Stars • Christians ...........62-89

CREATIVE ...........62-89

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A Series Of Special Services For AdventBy Rev. Donald H. Neidigk

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By Rev. Donald H. Neidigk


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wo: The Fallen Star • Lucifer

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Service Four: The Guiding Star • Bethlehem

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Service Four: The Guiding Star • Bethlehem..............90-118

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..............90-118

..................119-145

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............................................................146-185

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Notes And Ordering InformationSAMPLES



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SAMPLESService Three: The Promised Stars • Christians

Service Four: The Guiding Star • Bethlehem

SAMPLESService Four: The Guiding Star • Bethlehem

Service Five: The Morning Star • Christ

SAMPLESService Five: The Morning Star • Christ

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SAMPLES............................................................146-185




Notes For Worship Leaders

What in Heaven’s name do the stars have to do with Christmas? Plenty! Surely you recall the star that guided the Wise Men to the birthplace of the Savior. Far to the east they looked up one night and saw it brightly beckoning them to Bethlehem. But that’s just one star. Stars are scattered throughout the pages of Holy Writ. In fact, you find stars at the very beginning. This special series of worship services for Ad-vent allows the stars to lead us to Bethlehem—proclaiming, as they do, the story of our Savior, Christ, the Lord.

Service 1 • The Perfect Star • CreationService 2 • The Fallen Star • Lucifer

Service 3 • The Promised Stars • ChristiansService 4 • The Guiding Star • Bethlehem

Service 5 • The Morning Star • Christ

The five monologs find the stars themselves speaking in character.

Note that the fourth service may be used for the fourth week of Advent, or for Christmas Eve. Likewise, the fifth service may be used for Christmas, or even for the first Sunday after Christmas (to keep the spirit and theme alive through the season).

Scripture readings are included. This kit includes prayers, music, scripts, children’s sermons, orders of service on sample bulletins, and a CD-ROM in RTF format, plus PDFs of all material.

Ordering Information

Pre-printed bulletins, blank bulletins, and several other resources are available. Call Creative Communications for the Parish at 1-800-325-9414, or visit us on the web at www.creativecommunications.com for current pricing and availability.

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Notes For Worship LeadersCREATIVE

Notes For Worship Leaders

What in Heaven’s name do the stars have to do with Christmas? Plenty! Surely you CREATIVE

What in Heaven’s name do the stars have to do with Christmas? Plenty! Surely you recall the star that guided the Wise Men to the birthplace of the Savior. Far to the

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recall the star that guided the Wise Men to the birthplace of the Savior. Far to the east they looked up one night and saw it brightly beckoning them to Bethlehem. But

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east they looked up one night and saw it brightly beckoning them to Bethlehem. But that’s just one star. Stars are scattered throughout the pages of Holy Writ. In fact,

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that’s just one star. Stars are scattered throughout the pages of Holy Writ. In fact, you find stars at the very beginning. This special series of worship services for Ad-

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you find stars at the very beginning. This special series of worship services for Ad-vent allows the stars to lead us to Bethlehem—proclaiming, as they do, the story of

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vent allows the stars to lead us to Bethlehem—proclaiming, as they do, the story of

Service 1 • The Perfect Star • Creation

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CREATIVE Service 2 • The Fallen Star • Lucifer

Service 3 • The Promised Stars • Christians

CREATIVE Service 3 • The Promised Stars • ChristiansService 4 • The Guiding Star • Bethlehem

CREATIVE Service 4 • The Guiding Star • Bethlehem


CREATIVE Service 5 • The Morning Star • Christ


CREATIVE The five monologs find the stars themselves speaking in character.

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What in Heaven’s name do the stars have to do with Christmas? Plenty! Surely you

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What in Heaven’s name do the stars have to do with Christmas? Plenty! Surely you recall the star that guided the Wise Men to the birthplace of the Savior. Far to the

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recall the star that guided the Wise Men to the birthplace of the Savior. Far to the east they looked up one night and saw it brightly beckoning them to Bethlehem. But

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east they looked up one night and saw it brightly beckoning them to Bethlehem. But that’s just one star. Stars are scattered throughout the pages of Holy Writ. In fact,

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that’s just one star. Stars are scattered throughout the pages of Holy Writ. In fact, you find stars at the very beginning. This special series of worship services for Ad-

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you find stars at the very beginning. This special series of worship services for Ad-vent allows the stars to lead us to Bethlehem—proclaiming, as they do, the story of

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vent allows the stars to lead us to Bethlehem—proclaiming, as they do, the story of our Savior, Christ, the Lord.

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our Savior, Christ, the Lord.


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Service 2 • The Fallen Star • LuciferService 3 • The Promised Stars • Christians

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Service 4 • The Guiding Star • BethlehemService 5 • The Morning Star • Christ

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Note that the fourth service may be used for the fourth week of Advent, or for

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Note that the fourth service may be used for the fourth week of Advent, or for Christmas Eve. Likewise, the fifth service may be used for Christmas, or even for the

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Christmas Eve. Likewise, the fifth service may be used for Christmas, or even for the

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first Sunday after Christmas (to keep the spirit and theme alive through the season).

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first Sunday after Christmas (to keep the spirit and theme alive through the season).

Scripture readings are included. This kit includes prayers, music, scripts, children’s

COMMUNICATIONS Scripture readings are included. This kit includes prayers, music, scripts, children’s

COMMUNICATIONS sermons, orders of service on sample bulletins, and a CD-ROM in RTF format, plus

COMMUNICATIONS sermons, orders of service on sample bulletins, and a CD-ROM in RTF format, plus

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vent allows the stars to lead us to Bethlehem—proclaiming, as they do, the story of SAMPLES

vent allows the stars to lead us to Bethlehem—proclaiming, as they do, the story of our Savior, Christ, the Lord.SAMPLES

our Savior, Christ, the Lord.


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Service 2 • The Fallen Star • LuciferService 3 • The Promised Stars • Christians

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Service 4 • The Guiding Star • BethlehemService 5 • The Morning Star • Christ

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SAMPLESThe five monologs find the stars themselves speaking in character.

Note that the fourth service may be used for the fourth week of Advent, or for

SAMPLESNote that the fourth service may be used for the fourth week of Advent, or for Christmas Eve. Likewise, the fifth service may be used for Christmas, or even for the

SAMPLESChristmas Eve. Likewise, the fifth service may be used for Christmas, or even for the

SAMPLESfirst Sunday after Christmas (to keep the spirit and theme alive through the season).

SAMPLESfirst Sunday after Christmas (to keep the spirit and theme alive through the season).

Scripture readings are included. This kit includes prayers, music, scripts, children’s

SAMPLESScripture readings are included. This kit includes prayers, music, scripts, children’s sermons, orders of service on sample bulletins, and a CD-ROM in RTF format, plus

SAMPLESsermons, orders of service on sample bulletins, and a CD-ROM in RTF format, plus


Printed bulletins Order Codes:Service 1 (The Perfect Star • Creation) PR-DService 2 (The Fallen Star • Lucifer) PR-H

Service 3 (The Promised Stars • Christians) PR-JService 4 (The Guiding Star • Bethlehem) PR-N

Service 5 (The Morning Star • Christ) PR-Q

Blank 8 1/2” x 11” bulletins Order Codes:Service 1 (The Perfect Star • Creation) PR-RService 2 (The Fallen Star • Lucifer) PR-W

Service 3 (The Promised Stars • Christians) PR-ZService 4 (The Guiding Star • Bethlehem) PS-B

Service 5 (The Morning Star • Christ) PS-E

Blank 8 1/2” x 14” bulletins Order Codes:Service 1 (The Perfect Star • Creation) PS-FService 2 (The Fallen Star • Lucifer) PS-G

Service 3 (The Promised Stars • Christians) PS-HService 4 (The Guiding Star • Bethlehem) PS-J

Service 5 (The Morning Star • Christ) PS-K

Order matching prayer-card handouts. Order Code PR-B

Order a beautiful fabric banner for display in your worship space. Size: 36” x 60”. Order Code PHA-Z

Order a promotional poster. Size: 22” x 28”. Order Code PS-M

A promotional bulletin insert is also available: Order Code PS-L

A matching devotional booklet will help your congregation follow the theme throughout Advent: Order Code AD-6

A five-session Bible study is also available: Student Guide Order Code PR-S. Leader Guide Order Code PR-T

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Service 2 (The Fallen Star • Lucifer) CREATIVE

Service 2 (The Fallen Star • Lucifer) Service 3 (The Promised Stars • Christians) CREATIVE

Service 3 (The Promised Stars • Christians) Service 4 (The Guiding Star • Bethlehem)

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Service 4 (The Guiding Star • Bethlehem) Service 5 (The Morning Star • Christ)

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Service 5 (The Morning Star • Christ)

Blank 8 1/2” x 14” bulletins Order Codes:

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Blank 8 1/2” x 14” bulletins Order Codes:Service 1 (The Perfect Star • Creation)

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Service 1 (The Perfect Star • Creation) Service 2 (The Fallen Star • Lucifer)

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Service 2 (The Fallen Star • Lucifer) Service 3 (The Promised Stars • Christians)

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Service 5 (The Morning Star • Christ) PS-K

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PS-K

Order matching prayer-card handouts. Order Code

CREATIVE Order matching prayer-card handouts. Order Code PR-

CREATIVE PR-

Order a beautiful fabric banner for display in your worship space.

CREATIVE Order a beautiful fabric banner for display in your worship space.

Order a promotional poster. Size: 22” x 28”. Order Code

CREATIVE Order a promotional poster. Size: 22” x 28”. Order Code PS-M

CREATIVE PS-M

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Service 3 (The Promised Stars • Christians)

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Blank 8 1/2” x 14” bulletins Order Codes:

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Blank 8 1/2” x 14” bulletins Order Codes:Service 1 (The Perfect Star • Creation)

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Service 1 (The Perfect Star • Creation) Service 2 (The Fallen Star • Lucifer)

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Service 2 (The Fallen Star • Lucifer) Service 3 (The Promised Stars • Christians)

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Order a beautiful fabric banner for display in your worship space. Size: 36” x 60”. Order Code

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Size: 36” x 60”. Order Code PHA-Z

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PHA-Z

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A promotional bulletin insert is also available: Order Code

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A matching devotional booklet will help your congregation follow

COMMUNICATIONS A matching devotional booklet will help your congregation follow

AD-6

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PR-T

COMMUNICATIONS PR-T

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Service 3 (The Promised Stars • Christians) SAMPLES


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Order a beautiful fabric banner for display in your worship space. Size: 36” x 60”. Order Code

SAMPLESSize: 36” x 60”. Order Code

SAMPLESOrder a promotional poster. Size: 22” x 28”. Order Code

SAMPLESOrder a promotional poster. Size: 22” x 28”. Order Code


SAMPLESA promotional bulletin insert is also available: Order Code

A matching devotional booklet will help your congregation follow

SAMPLESA matching devotional booklet will help your congregation follow

SAMPLESthe theme throughout Advent: Order Code

SAMPLESthe theme throughout Advent: Order Code





Order Of Service ...........................................................7-10

Complete Script For Worship Leaders .........................11-22

Scripture Lessons .........................................................23-24

Children’s Sermon .......................................................25-26

Sermon ........................................................................27-31

Prayers ............................................................................. 32

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...........................................................7-10

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.........................11-22

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CREATIVE .........................................................23-24

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...........................................................7-10

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...........................................................7-10

orship Leaders

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orship Leaders .........................11-22

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.........................................................23-24

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.......................................................25-26

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.......................................................25-26

........................................................................27-31

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............................................................................. 32

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Service One: The Perfect Star • CreationSAMPLES


Order Of Service

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Order Of Service ...........................................................7-10

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...........................................................7-10

Complete Script For W

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Complete Script For Worship Leaders

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orship LeadersComplete Script For Worship LeadersComplete Script For W

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Complete Script For Worship LeadersComplete Script For W

SAMPLES.........................................................23-24

SAMPLES.........................................................23-24

.......................................................25-26

SAMPLES.......................................................25-26

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Order Of Service

We Gather ............................................. Lift Up Your Heads

P In the name of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope.C:Amen.

Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates! Behold; the King of Glory waits;The King of kings is drawing near, the Savior of the world is here.Life and salvation he doth bring, therefore rejoice and gladly sing:

We praise thee, Father, now, Creator, wise art thou!

Psalm 19:1-6

A Helper just he comes to thee, his chariot is humility,His kingly crown is holiness, his scepter, pity in distress.

The end of all our woe he brings; therefore the earth is glad and sings:We praise thee, Savior, now, mighty in deed art thou!

Psalm 19:7-13

O blest the land, the city blest; where Christ the Ruler is confessed!O happy hearts and happy homes to whom this King in triumph comes!

The cloudless Sun of joy he is, who bringeth pure delight and bliss.We praise thee, Spirit, now, our Comforter art thou!

Psalm 19:14

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Order Of ServiceCREATIVE

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............................................. Lift Up YCREATIVE

............................................. Lift Up Y

In the name of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope.

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Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates! Behold; the King of Glory waits;

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Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates! Behold; the King of Glory waits;The King of kings is drawing near, the Savior of the world is here.

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The King of kings is drawing near, the Savior of the world is here.Life and salvation he doth bring, therefore rejoice and gladly sing:

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Life and salvation he doth bring, therefore rejoice and gladly sing:We praise thee, Father, now, Creator, wise art thou!

CREATIVE We praise thee, Father, now, Creator, wise art thou!

A Helper just he comes to thee, his chariot is humility,

CREATIVE A Helper just he comes to thee, his chariot is humility,His kingly crown is holiness, his scepter, pity in distress.

CREATIVE His kingly crown is holiness, his scepter, pity in distress.The end of all our woe he brings; therefore the earth is glad and sings:

CREATIVE The end of all our woe he brings; therefore the earth is glad and sings:

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We Gather

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We Gather............................................. Lift Up Y

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............................................. Lift Up Y


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Psalm 19:1-6

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Psalm 19:1-6


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His kingly crown is holiness, his scepter, pity in distress.The end of all our woe he brings; therefore the earth is glad and sings:

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We praise thee, Savior, now, mighty in deed art thou!

O blest the land, the city blest; where Christ the Ruler is confessed!

COMMUNICATIONS O blest the land, the city blest; where Christ the Ruler is confessed!

O happy hearts and happy homes to whom this King in triumph comes!

COMMUNICATIONS O happy hearts and happy homes to whom this King in triumph comes!

The cloudless Sun of joy he is, who bringeth pure delight and bliss.

COMMUNICATIONS The cloudless Sun of joy he is, who bringeth pure delight and bliss.

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Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates! Behold; the King of Glory waits;SAMPLES

Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates! Behold; the King of Glory waits;The King of kings is drawing near, the Savior of the world is here.SAMPLES

The King of kings is drawing near, the Savior of the world is here.Life and salvation he doth bring, therefore rejoice and gladly sing:SAMPLES


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SAMPLESA Helper just he comes to thee, his chariot is humility,

His kingly crown is holiness, his scepter, pity in distress.

SAMPLESHis kingly crown is holiness, his scepter, pity in distress.

The end of all our woe he brings; therefore the earth is glad and sings:

SAMPLESThe end of all our woe he brings; therefore the earth is glad and sings:

We praise thee, Savior, now, mighty in deed art thou!

SAMPLESWe praise thee, Savior, now, mighty in deed art thou!

Psalm 19:7-13

SAMPLESPsalm 19:7-13


SAMPLESO blest the land, the city blest; where Christ the Ruler is confessed!


SAMPLESO happy hearts and happy homes to whom this King in triumph comes!


(Lighting of the Advent Wreath)

P Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world.” (John 8:12)

C:“Walk while you have the Light before the darkness overtakes you.” (John 12:35)

Fling wide the portals of your heart; make it a temple set apartFrom earthly use of heaven’s employ, adorned with prayer and love and joy.

So shall your Sovereign enter in and new and nobler life begin.To thee, O God, be praise for word and deed and grace!

Prayer Of The Day

Redeemer, come! I open wide my heart to thee; here, Lord, abide!Let me thine inner presence feel, thy grace and love in me reveal;

Thy Holy Spirit guide us on until our glorious goal is won.Eternal praise and fame we offer to thy name.

Confession And Absolution

P Let us confess our sins to God our Maker.

(Silence for reflection and prayer)

C:Creator God, you created the heavens and earth, the stars and all things. The lights above proclaim your handiwork to all the world. Yet I have turned from you and sought to darken your revelation, going my own way rather than yours, causing hurt to others by my words and deeds. Forgive me. Draw me back to you that I might with all creation proclaim your wonders. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

P God is gracious. He has seen your sorrow for sin and heard your plea for mercy. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, has died for all your sins and has risen to assure you of eternal life. As his called and ordained servant, in his stead and at his command, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C:Amen. Thanks be to God.

Old Testament Lesson ................................. Genesis 1:14-19

P God spoke and the stars gave light to the earth.C:Thanks be to God for creating the stars and all things.

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Prayer Of The DayCREATIVE

Prayer Of The Day

Redeemer, come! I open wide my heart to thee; here, Lord, abide!

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Let me thine inner presence feel, thy grace and love in me reveal;Thy Holy Spirit guide us on until our glorious goal is won.

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Eternal praise and fame we offer to thy name.


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CREATIVE (Silence for reflection and prayer)

Creator God, you created the heavens and earth, the stars and all things. The

CREATIVE Creator God, you created the heavens and earth, the stars and all things. The lights above proclaim your handiwork to all the world. Yet I have turned from

CREATIVE lights above proclaim your handiwork to all the world. Yet I have turned from you and sought to darken your revelation, going my own way rather than yours,

CREATIVE you and sought to darken your revelation, going my own way rather than yours,

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From earthly use of heaven’s employ, adorned with prayer and love and joy.COMMUNICATIONS

From earthly use of heaven’s employ, adorned with prayer and love and joy.


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Let us confess our sins to God our Maker.

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Creator God, you created the heavens and earth, the stars and all things. The lights above proclaim your handiwork to all the world. Yet I have turned from

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lights above proclaim your handiwork to all the world. Yet I have turned from you and sought to darken your revelation, going my own way rather than yours,

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you and sought to darken your revelation, going my own way rather than yours, causing hurt to others by my words and deeds. Forgive me. Draw me back to you

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causing hurt to others by my words and deeds. Forgive me. Draw me back to you that I might with all creation proclaim your wonders. In the name of Jesus Christ

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that I might with all creation proclaim your wonders. In the name of Jesus Christ

God is gracious. He has seen your sorrow for sin and heard your plea for mercy.

COMMUNICATIONS God is gracious. He has seen your sorrow for sin and heard your plea for mercy. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, has died for all your sins and has risen to assure you of

COMMUNICATIONS Jesus Christ, God’s Son, has died for all your sins and has risen to assure you of

COMMUNICATIONS eternal life. As his called and ordained servant, in his stead and at his command, I

COMMUNICATIONS eternal life. As his called and ordained servant, in his stead and at his command, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy

COMMUNICATIONS forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy

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SAMPLESCreator God, you created the heavens and earth, the stars and all things. The lights above proclaim your handiwork to all the world. Yet I have turned from

SAMPLESlights above proclaim your handiwork to all the world. Yet I have turned from you and sought to darken your revelation, going my own way rather than yours,

SAMPLESyou and sought to darken your revelation, going my own way rather than yours, causing hurt to others by my words and deeds. Forgive me. Draw me back to you

SAMPLEScausing hurt to others by my words and deeds. Forgive me. Draw me back to you that I might with all creation proclaim your wonders. In the name of Jesus Christ

SAMPLESthat I might with all creation proclaim your wonders. In the name of Jesus Christ

God is gracious. He has seen your sorrow for sin and heard your plea for mercy.

SAMPLESGod is gracious. He has seen your sorrow for sin and heard your plea for mercy. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, has died for all your sins and has risen to assure you of

SAMPLESJesus Christ, God’s Son, has died for all your sins and has risen to assure you of

SAMPLESeternal life. As his called and ordained servant, in his stead and at his command, I

SAMPLESeternal life. As his called and ordained servant, in his stead and at his command, I


Epistle Lesson ................................................ Acts 17:22-31

P The creator God is made known through his word.C:Thanks be to God for making us his offspring.

Holy Gospel ..............................................Matthew 6:25-34

P This is the Gospel of the Lord who cares for his children.C:Praise be to you, O Christ, who takes away all our fears.

Children’s Sermon

Theme Hymn ..... Melody: Nun Komm, Der Heiden Heiland

Let the stars their story tell,For the heavens know it well:

How the Son of God, enfleshed,Came to breathe our mortal breath.

Word of God, who with a shoutDrove the dread of darkness out,

Come to us, O Light divine.In our shadowed darkness shine.

So may we in glory glowWith your presence, here below.

Grant that we the story tellWhich the heavens know so well.

—The Perfect Star • Creation—

The Creed And Offering

Pastoral Prayers(This response is made:)

P Lord of all creation,C:Hear our prayer.

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Praise be to you, O Christ, who takes away all our fears.CREATIVE

Praise be to you, O Christ, who takes away all our fears.

Children’s SermonCREATIVE

Children’s Sermon

..... Melody: Nun Komm, Der Heiden Heiland

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Let the stars their story tell,

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For the heavens know it well:How the Son of God, enfleshed,

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Came to breathe our mortal breath.

Word of God, who with a shout

CREATIVE Word of God, who with a shoutDrove the dread of darkness out,

CREATIVE Drove the dread of darkness out,

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Holy GospelCOMMUNICATIONS

Holy Gospel

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P This is the Gospel of the Lord who cares for his children.COMMUNICATIONS

This is the Gospel of the Lord who cares for his children.C:

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C:Praise be to you, O Christ, who takes away all our fears.

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Theme Hymn

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Theme Hymn ..... Melody: Nun Komm, Der Heiden Heiland

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Drove the dread of darkness out,Come to us, O Light divine.

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In our shadowed darkness shine.

So may we in glory glow

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With your presence, here below.Grant that we the story tell

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Which the heavens know so well.

—The Perfect Star • Creation—

COMMUNICATIONS —The Perfect Star • Creation—

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SAMPLES

Drove the dread of darkness out,Come to us, O Light divine.

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SAMPLESIn our shadowed darkness shine.

SAMPLESSo may we in glory glow

SAMPLESSo may we in glory glow

With your presence, here below.

SAMPLESWith your presence, here below.

Grant that we the story tell

SAMPLESGrant that we the story tellWhich the heavens know so well.

SAMPLESWhich the heavens know so well.

SAMPLES—The Perfect Star • Creation—

SAMPLES—The Perfect Star • Creation—


The Lord’s Prayer(If Holy Communion is celebrated, it may take place here.)

We Are Sent .................................. Melody: Beautiful Savior

P Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. (Daniel 12:3)

Fair is the sunshine,Fair is the moonlight,

Bright the sparkling stars on high; Jesus shines brighter,

Jesus shines purer Than all the angels in the sky.

P Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. (2 Peter 3:18)

C:Amen

Closing Hymn ........................ For The Beauty Of The Earth

For the beauty of the earth, for the beauty of the skies,For the love which from our birth over and around us lies:

Christ, our Lord, to you we raise this our sacrifice of praise.

For the wonder of each hour of the day and of the night,Hill and vale and tree and flow’r, sun and moon and stars of light:


For yourself, best gift divine to the world so freely giv’n;Agent of God’s grand design, peace on earth and joy in heav’n:


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Fair is the sunshine,CREATIVE

Fair is the sunshine,Fair is the moonlight,CREATIVE

Fair is the moonlight,Bright the sparkling stars on high; CREATIVE


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Jesus shines brighter,Jesus shines purer

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Than all the angels in the sky.

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. To him be glory both

CREATIVE


........................ For The Beauty Of The Earth

CREATIVE ........................ For The Beauty Of The Earth

For the beauty of the earth, for the beauty of the skies,

CREATIVE For the beauty of the earth, for the beauty of the skies,

For the love which from our birth over and around us lies:

CREATIVE For the love which from our birth over and around us lies:


CREATIVE Christ, our Lord, to you we raise this our sacrifice of praise.

For the wonder of each hour of the day and of the night,

CREATIVE For the wonder of each hour of the day and of the night,

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Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who COMMUNICATIONS

Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. COMMUNICATIONS

lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.


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Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. To him be glory both (2 Peter 3:18)

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(2 Peter 3:18)


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For the love which from our birth over and around us lies:Christ, our Lord, to you we raise this our sacrifice of praise.

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Hill and vale and tree and flow’r, sun and moon and stars of light:Christ, our Lord, to you we raise this our sacrifice of praise.

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For yourself, best gift divine to the world so freely giv’n;

COMMUNICATIONS For yourself, best gift divine to the world so freely giv’n;

Agent of God’s grand design, peace on earth and joy in heav’n:

COMMUNICATIONS Agent of God’s grand design, peace on earth and joy in heav’n:


COMMUNICATIONS Christ, our Lord, to you we raise this our sacrifice of praise.

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Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. To him be glory both SAMPLES

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. SAMPLES

now and forever.

Closing Hymn

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Closing Hymn........................ For The Beauty Of The Earth

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SAMPLES


SAMPLES


SAMPLESChrist, our Lord, to you we raise this our sacrifice of praise.

SAMPLESFor the wonder of each hour of the day and of the night,

SAMPLESFor the wonder of each hour of the day and of the night,

Hill and vale and tree and flow’r, sun and moon and stars of light:

SAMPLESHill and vale and tree and flow’r, sun and moon and stars of light:




SAMPLESFor yourself, best gift divine to the world so freely giv’n;

SAMPLESAgent of God’s grand design, peace on earth and joy in heav’n:








• This Opening Liturgy includes readings spoken by the pastor and hymn verses sung by the congregation to the tune Macht Hoch Die Tur 88 88 88 66:

P In the name of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope.C:Amen.

• This Hymn Verse is sung by the congregation to the tune Macht Hoch Die Tur 88 88 88 66:

Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates! Behold; the King of Glory waits;The King of kings is drawing near, the Savior of the world is here.Life and salvation he doth bring, therefore rejoice and gladly sing:


• Psalm 19:1-6 is read by the pastor:

P The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handi-work. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hid from its heat.

CREATIVE

Complete Script For Worship LeadersCREATIVE


includes readings spoken by the pastor and hymn verses CREATIVE

includes readings spoken by the pastor and hymn verses sung by the congregation to the tune

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sung by the congregation to the tune Macht Hoch Die Tur 88 88 88 66

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Macht Hoch Die Tur 88 88 88 66


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is sung by the congregation to the tune

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CREATIVE Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates! Behold; the King of Glory waits;

The King of kings is drawing near, the Savior of the world is here.

CREATIVE The King of kings is drawing near, the Savior of the world is here.Life and salvation he doth bring, therefore rejoice and gladly sing:

CREATIVE Life and salvation he doth bring, therefore rejoice and gladly sing:


CREATIVE We praise thee, Father, now, Creator, wise art thou!

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This

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This Opening

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Opening Liturgy

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Liturgysung by the congregation to the tune

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sung by the congregation to the tune


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Life and salvation he doth bring, therefore rejoice and gladly sing:

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The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament

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The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handi-

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proclaims his handi-work. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.

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work. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice

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There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voiceout through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In the

COMMUNICATIONS out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In the

he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom from his

COMMUNICATIONS he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom from his

COMMUNICATIONS wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy. Its rising is from

COMMUNICATIONS wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hid from

COMMUNICATIONS the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hid from

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Hymn SAMPLES

Hymn VerseSAMPLES

Verse88 88 66SAMPLES

88 88 66:SAMPLES

:


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SAMPLES


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Life and salvation he doth bring, therefore rejoice and gladly sing:

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SAMPLES


is read by the pastor:

SAMPLES is read by the pastor:

The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament

SAMPLESThe heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmamentwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.

SAMPLESwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice

SAMPLESThere is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voiceout through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In the

SAMPLESout through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In the he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom from his

SAMPLEShe has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom from his

wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy. Its rising is from

SAMPLESwedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy. Its rising is from





• Psalm 19:7-13 is read by the pastor:

P The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous alto-gether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.


O blest the land, the city blest; where Christ the Ruler is confessed!O happy hearts and happy homes to whom this King in triumph comes!


• Psalm 19:14 is read by the pastor:

P Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

• The first candle on the Advent Wreath is lit.

P Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world.” (John 8:12)

C:“Walk while you have the Light before the darkness overtakes you.” (John 12:35)

CREATIVE

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, CREATIVE

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;

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making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord

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the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous alto-

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is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous alto-gether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also

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gether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover by them is your servant

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than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. But who can detect their errors?

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warned; in keeping them there is great reward. But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from the insolent;

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Clear me from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from the insolent;not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of

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not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of


CREATIVE is sung by the congregation to the tune Macht Hoch Die Tur 88

CREATIVE Macht Hoch Die Tur 88


CREATIVE O blest the land, the city blest; where Christ the Ruler is confessed!

CREATIVE O happy hearts and happy homes to whom this King in triumph comes!

CREATIVE O happy hearts and happy homes to whom this King in triumph comes!The cloudless Sun of joy he is, who bringeth pure delight and bliss.

CREATIVE The cloudless Sun of joy he is, who bringeth pure delight and bliss.

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•COMMUNICATIONS

• Psalm 19:7-13COMMUNICATIONS

Psalm 19:7-13

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure,

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The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;

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making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord

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the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous alto-

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is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous alto-gether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also

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gether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover by them is your servant

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than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. But who can detect their errors?

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warned; in keeping them there is great reward. But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from the insolent;

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Clear me from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from the insolent;not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of

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not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of


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O happy hearts and happy homes to whom this King in triumph comes!The cloudless Sun of joy he is, who bringeth pure delight and bliss.

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We praise thee, Spirit, now, our Comforter art thou!

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you,

COMMUNICATIONS Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you,

SAMPLES

warned; in keeping them there is great reward. But who can detect their errors? SAMPLES

warned; in keeping them there is great reward. But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from the insolent;SAMPLES

Clear me from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from the insolent;not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of SAMPLES

not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.

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great transgression.

Verse

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Verse is sung by the congregation to the tune

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SAMPLESO blest the land, the city blest; where Christ the Ruler is confessed!



The cloudless Sun of joy he is, who bringeth pure delight and bliss.

SAMPLESThe cloudless Sun of joy he is, who bringeth pure delight and bliss.

We praise thee, Spirit, now, our Comforter art thou!

SAMPLESWe praise thee, Spirit, now, our Comforter art thou!

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you,

SAMPLESLet the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you,



Fling wide the portals of your heart; make it a temple set apartFrom earthly use of heaven’s employ, adorned with prayer and love and joy.

So shall your Sovereign enter in and new and nobler life begin.To thee, O God, be praise for word and deed and grace!

• The Prayer Of The Day is offered by the pastor:

P Creator God, you made heaven and earth, the stars and all things. When you fin-ished your work, you said that it was very good. Yet, we, your highest creation, fell from your goodness. Restore us to yourself through faith in your Son Jesus Christ whom you sent to be our Savior, that we might praise you for your awe-some power. In his name, one God with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.




• This Confession And Absolution is offered by the pastor and the congregation:

P Let us confess our sins to God our Maker.


C:Creator God, you created the heavens and earth, the stars and all things. The lights above proclaim your handiwork to all the world. Yet I have turned from you and sought to darken your revelation, going my own way rather than yours, causing hurt to others by my words and deeds. Forgive me. Draw me back to you that I might with all creation proclaim your wonders. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

P God is gracious. He has seen your sorrow for sin and heard your plea for mercy. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, has died for all your sins and has risen to assure you of eternal life. As his called and ordained servant, in his stead and at his command, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C:Amen. Thanks be to God.

CREATIVE

Creator God, you made heaven and earth, the stars and all things. When you fin-CREATIVE

Creator God, you made heaven and earth, the stars and all things. When you fin-ished your work, you said that it was very good. Yet, we, your highest creation, CREATIVE

ished your work, you said that it was very good. Yet, we, your highest creation, fell from your goodness. Restore us to yourself through faith in your Son Jesus

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fell from your goodness. Restore us to yourself through faith in your Son Jesus Christ whom you sent to be our Savior, that we might praise you for your awe-

CREATIVE

Christ whom you sent to be our Savior, that we might praise you for your awe-some power. In his name, one God with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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some power. In his name, one God with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.


CREATIVE



CREATIVE


CREATIVE Let me thine inner presence feel, thy grace and love in me reveal;

Thy Holy Spirit guide us on until our glorious goal is won.

CREATIVE Thy Holy Spirit guide us on until our glorious goal is won.

CREATIVE Eternal praise and fame we offer to thy name.

CREATIVE Eternal praise and fame we offer to thy name.

is offered by the pastor and the congregation:

CREATIVE is offered by the pastor and the congregation:

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• The COMMUNICATIONS

The Prayer Of The DayCOMMUNICATIONS

Prayer Of The Day

Creator God, you made heaven and earth, the stars and all things. When you fin-

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Creator God, you made heaven and earth, the stars and all things. When you fin-ished your work, you said that it was very good. Yet, we, your highest creation,

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ished your work, you said that it was very good. Yet, we, your highest creation, fell from your goodness. Restore us to yourself through faith in your Son Jesus

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fell from your goodness. Restore us to yourself through faith in your Son Jesus Christ whom you sent to be our Savior, that we might praise you for your awe-

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Christ whom you sent to be our Savior, that we might praise you for your awe-some power. In his name, one God with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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some power. In his name, one God with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.


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COMMUNICATIONS Creator God, you created the heavens and earth, the stars and all things. The lights above proclaim your handiwork to all the world. Yet I have turned from

COMMUNICATIONS lights above proclaim your handiwork to all the world. Yet I have turned from you and sought to darken your revelation, going my own way rather than yours,

COMMUNICATIONS you and sought to darken your revelation, going my own way rather than yours,

COMMUNICATIONS causing hurt to others by my words and deeds. Forgive me. Draw me back to you

COMMUNICATIONS causing hurt to others by my words and deeds. Forgive me. Draw me back to you that I might with all creation proclaim your wonders. In the name of Jesus Christ

COMMUNICATIONS that I might with all creation proclaim your wonders. In the name of Jesus Christ

COMMUNICATIONS God is gracious. He has seen your sorrow for sin and heard your plea for mercy.

COMMUNICATIONS God is gracious. He has seen your sorrow for sin and heard your plea for mercy.

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Hymn SAMPLES

Hymn VerseSAMPLES

Verse88 88 66SAMPLES

88 88 66:SAMPLES

:


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SAMPLESConfession And Absolution is offered by the pastor and the congregation:

SAMPLES is offered by the pastor and the congregation:


SAMPLESLet us confess our sins to God our Maker.


SAMPLES(Silence for reflection and prayer)


SAMPLESCreator God, you created the heavens and earth, the stars and all things. The lights above proclaim your handiwork to all the world. Yet I have turned from

SAMPLESlights above proclaim your handiwork to all the world. Yet I have turned from you and sought to darken your revelation, going my own way rather than yours,

SAMPLESyou and sought to darken your revelation, going my own way rather than yours,


• The Old Testament Lesson, Genesis 1:14-19, is read:

P And God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.


• The Epistle Lesson, Acts 17:22-31, is read:

P Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, “Athenians, I see how ex-tremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. From one ancestor he made all na-tions to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from each one of us. For ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we too are his offspring.’ Since we are God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to re-pent, because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righ-teousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”


CREATIVE

was evening and there was morning, the fourth day. CREATIVE

was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.

God spoke and the stars gave light to the earth.CREATIVE

God spoke and the stars gave light to the earth.Thanks be to God for creating the stars and all things.

CREATIVE

Thanks be to God for creating the stars and all things.

, Acts 17:22-31, is read:

CREATIVE


Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, “Athenians, I see how ex-

CREATIVE

Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, “Athenians, I see how ex-tremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked

CREATIVE

tremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the

CREATIVE

carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this

CREATIVE

inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is

CREATIVE I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is

CREATIVE Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives

CREATIVE he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives

CREATIVE to all mortals life and breath and all things. From one ancestor

CREATIVE to all mortals life and breath and all things. From one ancestor he made all na-

CREATIVE he made all na-

tions to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and

CREATIVE tions to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, so that they would search for

CREATIVE the boundaries of the places where they would live, so that they would search for and perhaps grope for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from

CREATIVE and perhaps grope for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from

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it was so. God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and COMMUNICATIONS

it was so. God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. God set them in the dome of the COMMUNICATIONS

the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to COMMUNICATIONS

sky to give light upon the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there

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separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.

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God spoke and the stars gave light to the earth.

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Epistle Lesson

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Epistle Lesson, Acts 17:22-31, is read:

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Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, “Athenians, I see how ex-tremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked

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I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is

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Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives

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he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives

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to all mortals life and breath and all things. From one ancestor

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to all mortals life and breath and all things. From one ancestortions to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and

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tions to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, so that they would search for

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the boundaries of the places where they would live, so that they would search for and perhaps grope for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from

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and perhaps grope for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from each one of us. For ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some

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each one of us. For ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we too are his offspring.’ Since we are God’s

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of your own poets have said, ‘For we too are his offspring.’ Since we are God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an

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offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an

COMMUNICATIONS image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. While God has overlooked

COMMUNICATIONS image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to re-

COMMUNICATIONS the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to re-pent, because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righ-

COMMUNICATIONS pent, because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righ-teousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance

COMMUNICATIONS teousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance

SAMPLES

Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, “Athenians, I see how ex-SAMPLES

Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, “Athenians, I see how ex-tremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked SAMPLES

tremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the SAMPLES


SAMPLES


SAMPLES

I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is

SAMPLES

Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives

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he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives

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to all mortals life and breath and all things. From one ancestor

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to all mortals life and breath and all things. From one ancestortions to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and

SAMPLEStions to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, so that they would search for

SAMPLESthe boundaries of the places where they would live, so that they would search for

and perhaps grope for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from

SAMPLESand perhaps grope for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from

each one of us. For ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some

SAMPLESeach one of us. For ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we too are his offspring.’ Since we are God’s

SAMPLESof your own poets have said, ‘For we too are his offspring.’ Since we are God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an

SAMPLESoffspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an

SAMPLESimage formed by the art and imagination of mortals. While God has overlooked

SAMPLESimage formed by the art and imagination of mortals. While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to re-

SAMPLESthe times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to re-pent, because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righ-

SAMPLESpent, because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righ-


• The Holy Gospel, Matthew 6:25-34, is read:

P Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heav-enly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

P This is the Gospel of the Lord who cares for his children.C:Praise be to you, O Christ, who takes away all our fears.

• This Children’s Sermon is offered. Items needed—green star ornaments.

P “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” Psalm 19:1

Hello, children! I’m glad you’re here for these Advent services. Who can tell me what Advent is? (Let children answer.) Yes, it’s the time of the year we prepare for the coming of Jesus. Did you know that the stars have much to tell us about God? I brought a green star for each of you. It’s green to remind us that God made everything in heaven and on earth. You can put this on your Christmas tree at home. (Pass out stars.) I’ll be giving you a different star at each service to help you remember how “The Stars Tell the Story.”

When God made the stars, everything was perfect. There was no wrong or evil anywhere. But one of God’s creatures, Lucifer, an angel, turned against God. He came to earth and began causing trouble. He tempted Adam and Eve to sin. They fell away from God like Lucifer and so did all their children and grandchildren.

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you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God CREATIVE

you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into CREATIVE

so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore do

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the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we

CREATIVE

not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heav-

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wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heav-enly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom

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enly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

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righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own.

CREATIVE

So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own.

This is the Gospel of the Lord who cares for his children.

CREATIVE

This is the Gospel of the Lord who cares for his children.Praise be to you, O Christ, who takes away all our fears.

CREATIVE Praise be to you, O Christ, who takes away all our fears.

CREATIVE is offered. Items needed—green star ornaments.

CREATIVE is offered. Items needed—green star ornaments.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.”

CREATIVE “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.”

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neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds COMMUNICATIONS

neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying COMMUNICATIONS

them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?COMMUNICATIONS

add a single hour to your span of life?Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell

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Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God

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you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into

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enly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom and his

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and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

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righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own.

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So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

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Today’s trouble is enough for today.”


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is offered. Items needed—green star ornaments.

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children! I’m glad you’re here for these Advent services. Who can tell me

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children! I’m glad you’re here for these Advent services. Who can tell me what Advent is? (Let children answer.) Yes, it’s the time of the year we prepare

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what Advent is? (Let children answer.) Yes, it’s the time of the year we prepare for the coming of Jesus. Did you know that the stars have much to tell us about

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for the coming of Jesus. Did you know that the stars have much to tell us about God? I brought a green star for each of you. It’s green to remind us that God

COMMUNICATIONS God? I brought a green star for each of you. It’s green to remind us that God made everything in heaven and on earth. You can put this on your Christmas tree

COMMUNICATIONS made everything in heaven and on earth. You can put this on your Christmas tree

COMMUNICATIONS at home. (Pass out stars.) I’ll be giving you a different star at each service to help

COMMUNICATIONS at home. (Pass out stars.) I’ll be giving you a different star at each service to help

God made the stars, everything was perfect. There was no wrong or evil

COMMUNICATIONS God made the stars, everything was perfect. There was no wrong or evil anywhere. But one of God’s creatures, Lucifer, an angel, turned against God. He

COMMUNICATIONS anywhere. But one of God’s creatures, Lucifer, an angel, turned against God. He

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So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. SAMPLES

So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”SAMPLES

Today’s trouble is enough for today.”


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SAMPLES


SAMPLES

Children’s Sermon

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Children’s Sermon is offered. Items needed—green star ornaments.

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SAMPLES“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.”


SAMPLESchildren! I’m glad you’re here for these Advent services. Who can tell me

what Advent is? (Let children answer.) Yes, it’s the time of the year we prepare

SAMPLESwhat Advent is? (Let children answer.) Yes, it’s the time of the year we prepare for the coming of Jesus. Did you know that the stars have much to tell us about

SAMPLESfor the coming of Jesus. Did you know that the stars have much to tell us about God? I brought a green star for each of you. It’s green to remind us that God

SAMPLESGod? I brought a green star for each of you. It’s green to remind us that God made everything in heaven and on earth. You can put this on your Christmas tree

SAMPLESmade everything in heaven and on earth. You can put this on your Christmas tree at home. (Pass out stars.) I’ll be giving you a different star at each service to help

SAMPLESat home. (Pass out stars.) I’ll be giving you a different star at each service to help


Who might those grandchildren be? (Let children answer.) Yes, you and I are the grandchildren of Adam and Eve and we are fallen sinners too. But God is always calling us back to Himself. Did you know that He uses the stars to do that? He does! The stars say God is good and holy. They say He is the maker of everything. They say to you and me, “Come home to God and worship Him.” That’s what your green creation star reminds you of.

But the stars don’t tell us how to come home to God! That’s why we need the Bible and the story of Jesus. In the Bible we learn that God loves sinners. He wants us to come back and He shows us the way. Jesus is the way. The little Baby born in Bethlehem is our Savior. He’s our way back to God. Someday Baby Jesus would grow up and become a Man. He would love us so much He would die for our sins on the cross.

Let’s thank God for loving us even though we’ve turned away from Him. Espe-cially let’s thank Him for sending Jesus to be our Savior.

Prayer: Thank You, God, that You made me and love me. Thank You for creating the stars that shine brightly, calling me back to You. Thank You for sending Jesus to die for me and to bring me home. In His name I pray. Amen.

• This Theme Hymn is sung by the congregation to the tune Nun Komm, Der Heiden Heiland 77 77:







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wants us to come back and He shows us the way. Jesus is the way. The little Baby CREATIVE

wants us to come back and He shows us the way. Jesus is the way. The little Baby born in Bethlehem is our Savior. He’s our way back to God. Someday Baby Jesus CREATIVE

born in Bethlehem is our Savior. He’s our way back to God. Someday Baby Jesus would grow up and become a Man. He would love us so much He would die for

CREATIVE

would grow up and become a Man. He would love us so much He would die for

s thank God for loving us even though we’ve turned away from Him. Espe-

CREATIVE

s thank God for loving us even though we’ve turned away from Him. Espe-cially let’s thank Him for sending Jesus to be our Savior.

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cially let’s thank Him for sending Jesus to be our Savior.

Thank You, God, that You made me and love me. Thank You for creating

CREATIVE

Thank You, God, that You made me and love me. Thank You for creating the stars that shine brightly, calling me back to You. Thank You for sending Jesus

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the stars that shine brightly, calling me back to You. Thank You for sending Jesus to die for me and to bring me home. In His name I pray. Amen.

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to die for me and to bring me home. In His name I pray. Amen.


CREATIVE is sung by the congregation to the tune Nun Komm, Der

CREATIVE Nun Komm, Der

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your green creation star reminds you of.COMMUNICATIONS

your green creation star reminds you of.

But COMMUNICATIONS

But the stars don’t tell us how to come home to God! That’s why we need the COMMUNICATIONS

the stars don’t tell us how to come home to God! That’s why we need the Bible and the story of Jesus. In the Bible we learn that God loves sinners. He

COMMUNICATIONS

Bible and the story of Jesus. In the Bible we learn that God loves sinners. He wants us to come back and He shows us the way. Jesus is the way. The little Baby

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wants us to come back and He shows us the way. Jesus is the way. The little Baby born in Bethlehem is our Savior. He’s our way back to God. Someday Baby Jesus

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born in Bethlehem is our Savior. He’s our way back to God. Someday Baby Jesus would grow up and become a Man. He would love us so much He would die for

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would grow up and become a Man. He would love us so much He would die for our sins on the cross.

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our sins on the cross.

s thank God for loving us even though we’ve turned away from Him. Espe-

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s thank God for loving us even though we’ve turned away from Him. Espe-cially let’s thank Him for sending Jesus to be our Savior.

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cially let’s thank Him for sending Jesus to be our Savior.

Thank You, God, that You made me and love me. Thank You for creating

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Thank You, God, that You made me and love me. Thank You for creating the stars that shine brightly, calling me back to You. Thank You for sending Jesus

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SAMPLES

Prayer: SAMPLES

Prayer: Thank You, God, that You made me and love me. Thank You for creating SAMPLES

Thank You, God, that You made me and love me. Thank You for creating the stars that shine brightly, calling me back to You. Thank You for sending Jesus SAMPLES


SAMPLES


Hymn

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Hymn is sung by the congregation to the tune

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SAMPLES

Heiden Heiland 77 77

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Heiden Heiland 77 77:

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:


SAMPLESLet the stars their story tell,

For the heavens know it well:

SAMPLESFor the heavens know it well:

How the Son of God, enfleshed,

SAMPLESHow the Son of God, enfleshed,


SAMPLESCame to breathe our mortal breath.


SAMPLESWord of God, who with a shout

SAMPLESDrove the dread of darkness out,

SAMPLESDrove the dread of darkness out,Come to us, O Light divine.

SAMPLESCome to us, O Light divine.

In our shadowed darkness shine.

SAMPLESIn our shadowed darkness shine.


• This Sermon, entitled The Perfect Star • Creation, is delivered by the pastor:

P “… He also made the stars. God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth.” Genesis 1:16b-17

What in Heaven’s name do the stars have to do with Christmas? Plenty! Surely you recall the star that guided the Wise Men to the birthplace of the Savior. Far to the east they looked up one night and saw it brightly beckoning them to Beth-lehem. But that’s just one star. Stars are scattered throughout the pages of Holy Writ. In fact, you find stars at the very beginning. You find me, Polaris, on the fourth day of creation.

I was one of that vast array of celestial diamonds set in place by the Creator to separate night from day and give light to the good earth. And it was good. Night and day, sea and land, sun, moon and stars, birds, fish, creeping and crawling things, livestock, and most important, man made in God’s image – all this was good. On the sixth day after finishing His work, God looked upon all He had made and said it was “very good.”

And that includes me, Polaris, the North Star. Travelers have relied on me for centuries. Many a sailor has suffered through a stormy night adrift on waves boil-ing from the wind, awaiting a break in the clouds that he might catch a glimpse of me shining his way home.

Doubtless, you’ve seen me many times. I’m not hard to find. As you look to the northern sky, you’ll see the constellation Ursa Major, the Great Bear. Perhaps you know it as the Big Dipper. The two bright stars on the dipper’s cup point to me, the one bright star that never seems to move while all through the night the other stars revolve around me. There you’ll find me, less than one degree off true north.So I was part of what God made, part of what He called “very good.” If you think about it, how could it be any other way? God Himself is the greatest good, perfect in all His attributes, utterly holy. Everything He made and sustained bore the stamp of His perfection. You might say that a definition of sin is thinking that God’s work and His way is not perfect, that someone else knows better. Lucifer, another star whom you’ll soon meet, a star once perfect but now corrupt and twisted, thought he knew better.

It was his sin that made the Christmas story necessary. You see, sin never happens in isolation. It always involves someone else. In Lucifer’s case, it involved legions of angels who joined him in rebellion against God. But it was futile. There is no power greater than that of the omnipotent and holy Creator. Losing the battle,

CREATIVE

Writ. In fact, you find stars at the very beginning. You find me, Polaris, on the CREATIVE

Writ. In fact, you find stars at the very beginning. You find me, Polaris, on the

was one of that vast array of celestial diamonds set in place by the Creator to

CREATIVE

was one of that vast array of celestial diamonds set in place by the Creator to separate night from day and give light to the good earth. And it was good. Night

CREATIVE

separate night from day and give light to the good earth. And it was good. Night and day, sea and land, sun, moon and stars, birds, fish, creeping and crawling

CREATIVE

and day, sea and land, sun, moon and stars, birds, fish, creeping and crawling things, livestock, and most important, man made in God’s image – all this was

CREATIVE

things, livestock, and most important, man made in God’s image – all this was good. On the sixth day after finishing His work, God looked upon all He had

CREATIVE

good. On the sixth day after finishing His work, God looked upon all He had

that includes me, Polaris, the North Star. Travelers have relied on me for

CREATIVE

that includes me, Polaris, the North Star. Travelers have relied on me for centuries. Many a sailor has suffered through a stormy night adrift on waves boil-

CREATIVE centuries. Many a sailor has suffered through a stormy night adrift on waves boil-ing from the wind, awaiting a break in the clouds that he might catch a glimpse

CREATIVE ing from the wind, awaiting a break in the clouds that he might catch a glimpse

you’ve seen me many times. I’m not hard to find. As you look to the

CREATIVE you’ve seen me many times. I’m not hard to find. As you look to the

CREATIVE northern sky, you’ll see the constellation Ursa Major, the Great Bear. Perhaps you

CREATIVE northern sky, you’ll see the constellation Ursa Major, the Great Bear. Perhaps you know it as the Big Dipper. The two bright stars on the dipper’s cup point to me,

CREATIVE know it as the Big Dipper. The two bright stars on the dipper’s cup point to me,

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you recall the star that guided the Wise Men to the birthplace of the Savior. Far COMMUNICATIONS

you recall the star that guided the Wise Men to the birthplace of the Savior. Far to the east they looked up one night and saw it brightly beckoning them to Beth-COMMUNICATIONS

to the east they looked up one night and saw it brightly beckoning them to Beth-lehem. But that’s just one star. Stars are scattered throughout the pages of Holy

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lehem. But that’s just one star. Stars are scattered throughout the pages of Holy Writ. In fact, you find stars at the very beginning. You find me, Polaris, on the

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Writ. In fact, you find stars at the very beginning. You find me, Polaris, on the fourth day of creation.

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fourth day of creation.


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things, livestock, and most important, man made in God’s image – all this was good. On the sixth day after finishing His work, God looked upon all He had

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good. On the sixth day after finishing His work, God looked upon all He had made and said it was “very good.”

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made and said it was “very good.”


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centuries. Many a sailor has suffered through a stormy night adrift on waves boil-ing from the wind, awaiting a break in the clouds that he might catch a glimpse

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ing from the wind, awaiting a break in the clouds that he might catch a glimpse


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northern sky, you’ll see the constellation Ursa Major, the Great Bear. Perhaps you

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northern sky, you’ll see the constellation Ursa Major, the Great Bear. Perhaps you know it as the Big Dipper. The two bright stars on the dipper’s cup point to me,

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know it as the Big Dipper. The two bright stars on the dipper’s cup point to me, the one bright star that never seems to move while all through the night the other

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the one bright star that never seems to move while all through the night the other stars revolve around me. There you’ll find me, less than one degree off true north.

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stars revolve around me. There you’ll find me, less than one degree off true north.I was part of what God made, part of what He called “very good.” If you

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I was part of what God made, part of what He called “very good.” If you think about it, how could it be any other way? God Himself is the greatest good,

COMMUNICATIONS think about it, how could it be any other way? God Himself is the greatest good, perfect in all His attributes, utterly holy. Everything He made and sustained bore

COMMUNICATIONS perfect in all His attributes, utterly holy. Everything He made and sustained bore the stamp of His perfection. You might say that a definition of sin is thinking that

COMMUNICATIONS the stamp of His perfection. You might say that a definition of sin is thinking that

COMMUNICATIONS God’s work and His way is not perfect, that someone else knows better. Lucifer,

COMMUNICATIONS God’s work and His way is not perfect, that someone else knows better. Lucifer, another star whom you’ll soon meet, a star once perfect but now corrupt and

COMMUNICATIONS another star whom you’ll soon meet, a star once perfect but now corrupt and

SAMPLES

good. On the sixth day after finishing His work, God looked upon all He had SAMPLES

good. On the sixth day after finishing His work, God looked upon all He had made and said it was “very good.”SAMPLES

made and said it was “very good.”


SAMPLES


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centuries. Many a sailor has suffered through a stormy night adrift on waves boil-ing from the wind, awaiting a break in the clouds that he might catch a glimpse

SAMPLES

ing from the wind, awaiting a break in the clouds that he might catch a glimpse of me shining his way home.

SAMPLES

of me shining his way home.


SAMPLESyou’ve seen me many times. I’m not hard to find. As you look to the

SAMPLESnorthern sky, you’ll see the constellation Ursa Major, the Great Bear. Perhaps you

SAMPLESnorthern sky, you’ll see the constellation Ursa Major, the Great Bear. Perhaps you know it as the Big Dipper. The two bright stars on the dipper’s cup point to me,

SAMPLESknow it as the Big Dipper. The two bright stars on the dipper’s cup point to me, the one bright star that never seems to move while all through the night the other

SAMPLESthe one bright star that never seems to move while all through the night the other stars revolve around me. There you’ll find me, less than one degree off true north.

SAMPLESstars revolve around me. There you’ll find me, less than one degree off true north.I was part of what God made, part of what He called “very good.” If you

SAMPLESI was part of what God made, part of what He called “very good.” If you think about it, how could it be any other way? God Himself is the greatest good,

SAMPLESthink about it, how could it be any other way? God Himself is the greatest good, perfect in all His attributes, utterly holy. Everything He made and sustained bore

SAMPLESperfect in all His attributes, utterly holy. Everything He made and sustained bore the stamp of His perfection. You might say that a definition of sin is thinking that

SAMPLESthe stamp of His perfection. You might say that a definition of sin is thinking that


Lucifer and his cohorts were banished from heaven and took the battle elsewhere. They invaded earth where Lucifer enlisted Adam and Eve in the rebellion.

Poor, pathetic Adam and Eve—they had everything to lose and nothing to gain. A perfect home, a perfect marriage, a perfect relationship with God, a perfect future—it was all theirs. They alone of all the characters in history and literature had the potential for living “happily ever after.” But Lucifer set them to question-ing God’s perfect plan for them.

God had given them all they needed for eternal life in Paradise. He made only one requirement of them—don’t eat from one particular tree, the tree of the knowl-edge of good and evil, in the center of the garden. If you do, you will die. What an unreasonable demand, Lucifer suggested, resorting to truths and half-truths and lies. You won’t die, he claimed. Rather, you’ll become like God Himself, knowing good and evil.

Adam and Eve fell for it, if you’ll excuse the pun. They took fruit from the tree and ate. And that perfect world they inhabited along with the livestock and birds, and plants and fish, and sun, moon and stars, and me, Polaris, crashed.

There was no sound especially remarkable when the crash came. Things looked pretty much the same. But nothing was. Adam and Eve began hiding from God, putting on clothes, lying to their Creator. It didn’t work. He knew all about what they had done and where they were hiding. The pitiful garments they had made from leaves to cover up their shame He replaced with skins. Mercifully, God drove them from the garden that they might not eat from another tree, the tree of life, and thus spend eternity in the slough of sin.

Death entered their once perfect world, not right away but eventually. Their son, Cain, killed his brother Abel. In time, Adam and Eve, though they lived far longer than you, died, just as God said they would. The plants that had been so beautiful in the garden now became their enemy. They grew where they were not wanted. Tilling the soil became a battle against weeds. The love of a man and woman, leading so naturally and beautifully to the procreation of children, be-came the bloody agony and sometimes death of childbirth.

Animals, once living in harmony, now struggled against one another, weak against strong, tooth against claw. Some species survived; others vanished in nature’s violence against itself. Gentle spring rains became deadly floods. The breeze that gently carried the seed and pollen of plants became screaming hurricanes and tornadoes, sucking life’s breath out of countless creatures including man.

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had given them all they needed for eternal life in Paradise. He made only one CREATIVE

had given them all they needed for eternal life in Paradise. He made only one requirement of them—don’t eat from one particular tree, the tree of the knowl-CREATIVE

requirement of them—don’t eat from one particular tree, the tree of the knowl-edge of good and evil, in the center of the garden. If you do, you will die. What an

CREATIVE

edge of good and evil, in the center of the garden. If you do, you will die. What an unreasonable demand, Lucifer suggested, resorting to truths and half-truths and

CREATIVE

unreasonable demand, Lucifer suggested, resorting to truths and half-truths and lies. You won’t die, he claimed. Rather, you’ll become like God Himself, knowing

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lies. You won’t die, he claimed. Rather, you’ll become like God Himself, knowing

and Eve fell for it, if you’ll excuse the pun. They took fruit from the tree

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and Eve fell for it, if you’ll excuse the pun. They took fruit from the tree and ate. And that perfect world they inhabited along with the livestock and birds,

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and ate. And that perfect world they inhabited along with the livestock and birds, and plants and fish, and sun, moon and stars, and me, Polaris, crashed.

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and plants and fish, and sun, moon and stars, and me, Polaris, crashed.

was no sound especially remarkable when the crash came. Things looked

CREATIVE was no sound especially remarkable when the crash came. Things looked

pretty much the same. But nothing was. Adam and Eve began hiding from God,

CREATIVE pretty much the same. But nothing was. Adam and Eve began hiding from God, putting on clothes, lying to their Creator. It didn’t work. He knew all about what

CREATIVE putting on clothes, lying to their Creator. It didn’t work. He knew all about what

CREATIVE they had done and where they were hiding. The pitiful garments they had made

CREATIVE they had done and where they were hiding. The pitiful garments they had made from leaves to cover up their shame He replaced with skins. Mercifully, God

CREATIVE from leaves to cover up their shame He replaced with skins. Mercifully, God drove them from the garden that they might not eat from another tree, the tree of

CREATIVE drove them from the garden that they might not eat from another tree, the tree of

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future—it was all theirs. They alone of all the characters in history and literature COMMUNICATIONS

future—it was all theirs. They alone of all the characters in history and literature had the potential for living “happily ever after.” But Lucifer set them to question-COMMUNICATIONS

had the potential for living “happily ever after.” But Lucifer set them to question-ing God’s perfect plan for them.COMMUNICATIONS

ing God’s perfect plan for them.

God

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God had given them all they needed for eternal life in Paradise. He made only one

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had given them all they needed for eternal life in Paradise. He made only one requirement of them—don’t eat from one particular tree, the tree of the knowl-

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edge of good and evil, in the center of the garden. If you do, you will die. What an unreasonable demand, Lucifer suggested, resorting to truths and half-truths and

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lies. You won’t die, he claimed. Rather, you’ll become like God Himself, knowing good and evil.

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good and evil.


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was no sound especially remarkable when the crash came. Things looked pretty much the same. But nothing was. Adam and Eve began hiding from God,

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pretty much the same. But nothing was. Adam and Eve began hiding from God, putting on clothes, lying to their Creator. It didn’t work. He knew all about what

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putting on clothes, lying to their Creator. It didn’t work. He knew all about what

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they had done and where they were hiding. The pitiful garments they had made

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they had done and where they were hiding. The pitiful garments they had made from leaves to cover up their shame He replaced with skins. Mercifully, God

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from leaves to cover up their shame He replaced with skins. Mercifully, God drove them from the garden that they might not eat from another tree, the tree of

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drove them from the garden that they might not eat from another tree, the tree of life, and thus spend eternity in the slough of sin.

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life, and thus spend eternity in the slough of sin.

entered their once perfect world, not right away but eventually. Their

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entered their once perfect world, not right away but eventually. Their son, Cain, killed his brother Abel. In time, Adam and Eve, though they lived far

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son, Cain, killed his brother Abel. In time, Adam and Eve, though they lived far longer than you, died, just as God said they would. The plants that had been so

COMMUNICATIONS longer than you, died, just as God said they would. The plants that had been so beautiful in the garden now became their enemy. They grew where they were not

COMMUNICATIONS beautiful in the garden now became their enemy. They grew where they were not

COMMUNICATIONS wanted. Tilling the soil became a battle against weeds. The love of a man and

COMMUNICATIONS wanted. Tilling the soil became a battle against weeds. The love of a man and woman, leading so naturally and beautifully to the procreation of children, be-

COMMUNICATIONS woman, leading so naturally and beautifully to the procreation of children, be-

once living in harmony, now struggled against one another, weak against

COMMUNICATIONS once living in harmony, now struggled against one another, weak against

SAMPLES

and Eve fell for it, if you’ll excuse the pun. They took fruit from the tree SAMPLES

and Eve fell for it, if you’ll excuse the pun. They took fruit from the tree and ate. And that perfect world they inhabited along with the livestock and birds, SAMPLES

and ate. And that perfect world they inhabited along with the livestock and birds, and plants and fish, and sun, moon and stars, and me, Polaris, crashed.SAMPLES



SAMPLES

was no sound especially remarkable when the crash came. Things looked pretty much the same. But nothing was. Adam and Eve began hiding from God,

SAMPLES

pretty much the same. But nothing was. Adam and Eve began hiding from God, putting on clothes, lying to their Creator. It didn’t work. He knew all about what

SAMPLES

putting on clothes, lying to their Creator. It didn’t work. He knew all about what

SAMPLES

they had done and where they were hiding. The pitiful garments they had made

SAMPLES

they had done and where they were hiding. The pitiful garments they had made from leaves to cover up their shame He replaced with skins. Mercifully, God

SAMPLESfrom leaves to cover up their shame He replaced with skins. Mercifully, God drove them from the garden that they might not eat from another tree, the tree of

SAMPLESdrove them from the garden that they might not eat from another tree, the tree of life, and thus spend eternity in the slough of sin.

SAMPLESlife, and thus spend eternity in the slough of sin.

entered their once perfect world, not right away but eventually. Their

SAMPLESentered their once perfect world, not right away but eventually. Their son, Cain, killed his brother Abel. In time, Adam and Eve, though they lived far

SAMPLESson, Cain, killed his brother Abel. In time, Adam and Eve, though they lived far longer than you, died, just as God said they would. The plants that had been so

SAMPLESlonger than you, died, just as God said they would. The plants that had been so beautiful in the garden now became their enemy. They grew where they were not

SAMPLESbeautiful in the garden now became their enemy. They grew where they were not wanted. Tilling the soil became a battle against weeds. The love of a man and

SAMPLESwanted. Tilling the soil became a battle against weeds. The love of a man and


And there were catastrophes even in the heavens. Stars exploded. Others col-lapsed. Whole galaxies collided like great unsynchronized gears, shearing off gases and energy that would become new but doomed objects in the sky. Even I, Polaris, the mariner’s friend, have but a brief moment to shine before I too am snuffed out.

And it would all continue like this. Endlessly, the perfection that was God’s cre-ation would deteriorate and decay, order would become disorder, and the beauty of life would become the corruption of death. Endlessly, I say, if it were not for that event in Bethlehem, the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God whom Scrip-ture calls the Bright Morning Star.

Maybe you find it odd that I, Polaris, a star, would speak to you about creation and sin, death and destruction. But if it were not for me and the rest of nature, what would proclaim the truth of God to those who don’t have the written word? You are privileged to have Holy Scripture. You can read in it yourself of God’s power and holiness, his perfection and kindness. But what of the rest of his fallen children? What will they read?

They have nothing but me and my companions in the natural world – the stars and planets, the sun and moon, light and darkness, wet seasons and dry, summer and winter. From these much can be learned by those who would seek God and read them. Would you learn of the glory of God? Look to me and my compan-ions! Would you learn that there is a marvelous Creator? Look to me, the work of His own hands! Would you learn that God is the Maker and not the thing that is made? Look to me! Would you learn that the Almighty is invisible? Look to me! I can tell you all this and more.

Even the human heart, corrupt and fallen in sin though it is, speaks volumes. It knows it was made by a holy God—His image is stamped on it, though the reflection is dulled like a discarded mirror. Conscience, put there by the Maker, tells you the difference between right and wrong, truth and falsehood. It tells you that God is not an idol, that it is wrong to dishonor your parents, murder your fellow human beings, break the covenant with your spouse, steal, lie and covet. Whether you have ever seen the written code or not, your heart tells you these things. And it tells you that you are guilty; that you have done what God in your heart has told you not to do, that you have not done what God in your heart says you should.

I, Polaris, and indeed all of nature, have taught you much. But should you learn every truth that we proclaim without words, you would hear only half the story.

CREATIVE

that event in Bethlehem, the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God whom Scrip-CREATIVE

that event in Bethlehem, the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God whom Scrip-ture calls the Bright Morning Star.CREATIVE

ture calls the Bright Morning Star.

you find it odd that I, Polaris, a star, would speak to you about creation

CREATIVE

you find it odd that I, Polaris, a star, would speak to you about creation and sin, death and destruction. But if it were not for me and the rest of nature,

CREATIVE

and sin, death and destruction. But if it were not for me and the rest of nature, what would proclaim the truth of God to those who don’t have the written word?

CREATIVE

what would proclaim the truth of God to those who don’t have the written word? You are privileged to have Holy Scripture. You can read in it yourself of God’s

CREATIVE

You are privileged to have Holy Scripture. You can read in it yourself of God’s power and holiness, his perfection and kindness. But what of the rest of his fallen

CREATIVE

power and holiness, his perfection and kindness. But what of the rest of his fallen

have nothing but me and my companions in the natural world – the stars

CREATIVE

have nothing but me and my companions in the natural world – the stars and planets, the sun and moon, light and darkness, wet seasons and dry, summer

CREATIVE and planets, the sun and moon, light and darkness, wet seasons and dry, summer and winter. From these much can be learned by those who would seek God and

CREATIVE and winter. From these much can be learned by those who would seek God and read them. Would you learn of the glory of God? Look to me and my compan-

CREATIVE read them. Would you learn of the glory of God? Look to me and my compan-

CREATIVE ions! Would you learn that there is a marvelous Creator? Look to me, the work

CREATIVE ions! Would you learn that there is a marvelous Creator? Look to me, the work of His own hands! Would you learn that God is the Maker and not the thing that

CREATIVE of His own hands! Would you learn that God is the Maker and not the thing that is made? Look to me! Would you learn that the Almighty is invisible? Look to

CREATIVE is made? Look to me! Would you learn that the Almighty is invisible? Look to

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And COMMUNICATIONS

And ation would deteriorate and decay, order would become disorder, and the beauty COMMUNICATIONS

ation would deteriorate and decay, order would become disorder, and the beauty of life would become the corruption of death. Endlessly, I say, if it were not for

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of life would become the corruption of death. Endlessly, I say, if it were not for that event in Bethlehem, the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God whom Scrip-

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that event in Bethlehem, the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God whom Scrip-ture calls the Bright Morning Star.

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ture calls the Bright Morning Star.


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power and holiness, his perfection and kindness. But what of the rest of his fallen children? What will they read?

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children? What will they read?


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and planets, the sun and moon, light and darkness, wet seasons and dry, summer and winter. From these much can be learned by those who would seek God and

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and winter. From these much can be learned by those who would seek God and read them. Would you learn of the glory of God? Look to me and my compan-

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read them. Would you learn of the glory of God? Look to me and my compan-

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ions! Would you learn that there is a marvelous Creator? Look to me, the work

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ions! Would you learn that there is a marvelous Creator? Look to me, the work of His own hands! Would you learn that God is the Maker and not the thing that

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of His own hands! Would you learn that God is the Maker and not the thing that is made? Look to me! Would you learn that the Almighty is invisible? Look to

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is made? Look to me! Would you learn that the Almighty is invisible? Look to

the human heart, corrupt and fallen in sin though it is, speaks volumes.

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the human heart, corrupt and fallen in sin though it is, speaks volumes. It knows it was made by a holy God—His image is stamped on it, though the

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It knows it was made by a holy God—His image is stamped on it, though the reflection is dulled like a discarded mirror. Conscience, put there by the Maker,

COMMUNICATIONS reflection is dulled like a discarded mirror. Conscience, put there by the Maker, tells you the difference between right and wrong, truth and falsehood. It tells you

COMMUNICATIONS tells you the difference between right and wrong, truth and falsehood. It tells you

COMMUNICATIONS that God is not an idol, that it is wrong to dishonor your parents, murder your

COMMUNICATIONS that God is not an idol, that it is wrong to dishonor your parents, murder your fellow human beings, break the covenant with your spouse, steal, lie and covet.

COMMUNICATIONS fellow human beings, break the covenant with your spouse, steal, lie and covet. Whether you have ever seen the written code or not, your heart tells you these

COMMUNICATIONS Whether you have ever seen the written code or not, your heart tells you these things. And it tells you that you are guilty; that you have done what God in your

COMMUNICATIONS things. And it tells you that you are guilty; that you have done what God in your heart has told you not to do, that you have not done what God in your heart says

COMMUNICATIONS heart has told you not to do, that you have not done what God in your heart says

SAMPLES

power and holiness, his perfection and kindness. But what of the rest of his fallen SAMPLES

power and holiness, his perfection and kindness. But what of the rest of his fallen children? What will they read?SAMPLES

children? What will they read?


SAMPLES


SAMPLES

and planets, the sun and moon, light and darkness, wet seasons and dry, summer and winter. From these much can be learned by those who would seek God and

SAMPLES

and winter. From these much can be learned by those who would seek God and read them. Would you learn of the glory of God? Look to me and my compan-

SAMPLES

read them. Would you learn of the glory of God? Look to me and my compan-

SAMPLES

ions! Would you learn that there is a marvelous Creator? Look to me, the work

SAMPLES

ions! Would you learn that there is a marvelous Creator? Look to me, the work of His own hands! Would you learn that God is the Maker and not the thing that

SAMPLESof His own hands! Would you learn that God is the Maker and not the thing that is made? Look to me! Would you learn that the Almighty is invisible? Look to

SAMPLESis made? Look to me! Would you learn that the Almighty is invisible? Look to me! I can tell you all this and more.

SAMPLESme! I can tell you all this and more.

the human heart, corrupt and fallen in sin though it is, speaks volumes.

SAMPLESthe human heart, corrupt and fallen in sin though it is, speaks volumes. It knows it was made by a holy God—His image is stamped on it, though the

SAMPLESIt knows it was made by a holy God—His image is stamped on it, though the reflection is dulled like a discarded mirror. Conscience, put there by the Maker,

SAMPLESreflection is dulled like a discarded mirror. Conscience, put there by the Maker, tells you the difference between right and wrong, truth and falsehood. It tells you

SAMPLEStells you the difference between right and wrong, truth and falsehood. It tells you that God is not an idol, that it is wrong to dishonor your parents, murder your

SAMPLESthat God is not an idol, that it is wrong to dishonor your parents, murder your


Yes, I have a story to tell, but mine isn’t the whole story. I can tell you of the great-ness of God the Creator. I can tell you of the fall and the calamity it has brought on a once perfect creation. I can tell you of the death and destruction wrought by sin—even I will not always be the North Star. My time is limited, like yours.

Though you learn all this, and fall on your knees in repentance, grieving that you have offended God, crying out for mercy, begging that you might not feel the wrath of God your sins deserve, you would still be lost. You would be lost forever except for the rest of the story that is found only in Scripture. There the most wonderful good news is revealed. There in the pages of the Holy Bible, you learn that the God who made you and me, the God whom you have turned your back on, loves you!

His eternal Son Jesus Christ, through whom you and I were made, has been sent to save you. He came in the quiet obscurity of birth to a human mother in Beth-lehem. Though all flesh was made through Him, He joined Himself to a human body like yours in the womb of a Virgin, that He might be born as you are born, feel all you feel, live where you live, suffer as you suffer, and die as you die.

But His life, suffering and death do something that only He can do. They take your place. His holy life becomes your holy life. His cross becomes your cross. His resurrection to life becomes your resurrection to life. In Jesus Christ, all that God requires of you is done. By faith in Him God says all your sin is forgiven. There is peace at last between you and your Maker.

Well, it’s getting dark and I, Polaris, must be about what I was placed in the sky to do, guiding the traveler home. But truthfully, I can only take you part way. Oh, sure, I can get you anywhere in the northern hemisphere. I can even tell you about God, my Maker and yours. I can tell you what you’re missing by being separated from Him. But I can’t bring you to Him. That’s the job of another, Jesus Christ, the Bright Morning Star. Look to Him, and He’ll get you to your heavenly home.

Prayer: Creator God, in the beauty of Your creation You proclaim Your power, Your glory, Your invisible nature, and Your handiwork. In Your law written on human hearts You reveal Your holiness and our sin. But only in Jesus Christ whom we see in Scripture do You reveal Your saving love. Work faith in our hearts that our sins might be forgiven and our fallen nature restored. And thus may we know with confidence that we have an eternal home with You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

CREATIVE

most wonderful good news is revealed. There in the pages of the Holy Bible, you CREATIVE

most wonderful good news is revealed. There in the pages of the Holy Bible, you learn that the God who made you and me, the God whom you have turned your CREATIVE

learn that the God who made you and me, the God whom you have turned your

eternal Son Jesus Christ, through whom you and I were made, has been sent

CREATIVE

eternal Son Jesus Christ, through whom you and I were made, has been sent to save you. He came in the quiet obscurity of birth to a human mother in Beth-

CREATIVE

to save you. He came in the quiet obscurity of birth to a human mother in Beth-lehem. Though all flesh was made through Him, He joined Himself to a human

CREATIVE

lehem. Though all flesh was made through Him, He joined Himself to a human body like yours in the womb of a Virgin, that He might be born as you are born,

CREATIVE

body like yours in the womb of a Virgin, that He might be born as you are born, feel all you feel, live where you live, suffer as you suffer, and die as you die.

CREATIVE

feel all you feel, live where you live, suffer as you suffer, and die as you die.

His life, suffering and death do something that only He can do. They take

CREATIVE

His life, suffering and death do something that only He can do. They take your place. His holy life becomes your holy life. His cross becomes your cross.

CREATIVE your place. His holy life becomes your holy life. His cross becomes your cross. His resurrection to life becomes your resurrection to life. In Jesus Christ, all that

CREATIVE His resurrection to life becomes your resurrection to life. In Jesus Christ, all that God requires of you is done. By faith in Him God says all your sin is forgiven.

CREATIVE God requires of you is done. By faith in Him God says all your sin is forgiven.

CREATIVE ell, it’s getting dark and I, Polaris, must be about what I was placed in the sky

CREATIVE ell, it’s getting dark and I, Polaris, must be about what I was placed in the sky to do, guiding the traveler home. But truthfully, I can only take you part way.

CREATIVE to do, guiding the traveler home. But truthfully, I can only take you part way.

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Though COMMUNICATIONS

Though you have offended God, crying out for mercy, begging that you might not feel COMMUNICATIONS

you have offended God, crying out for mercy, begging that you might not feel the wrath of God your sins deserve, you would still be lost. You would be lost COMMUNICATIONS

the wrath of God your sins deserve, you would still be lost. You would be lost forever except for the rest of the story that is found only in Scripture. There the

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forever except for the rest of the story that is found only in Scripture. There the most wonderful good news is revealed. There in the pages of the Holy Bible, you

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most wonderful good news is revealed. There in the pages of the Holy Bible, you learn that the God who made you and me, the God whom you have turned your

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learn that the God who made you and me, the God whom you have turned your back on, loves you!

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back on, loves you!


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your place. His holy life becomes your holy life. His cross becomes your cross. His resurrection to life becomes your resurrection to life. In Jesus Christ, all that

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His resurrection to life becomes your resurrection to life. In Jesus Christ, all that God requires of you is done. By faith in Him God says all your sin is forgiven.

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God requires of you is done. By faith in Him God says all your sin is forgiven.

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There is peace at last between you and your Maker.

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ell, it’s getting dark and I, Polaris, must be about what I was placed in the sky

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ell, it’s getting dark and I, Polaris, must be about what I was placed in the sky to do, guiding the traveler home. But truthfully, I can only take you part way.

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to do, guiding the traveler home. But truthfully, I can only take you part way. Oh, sure, I can get you anywhere in the northern hemisphere. I can even tell you

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Oh, sure, I can get you anywhere in the northern hemisphere. I can even tell you about God, my Maker and yours. I can tell you what you’re missing by being

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about God, my Maker and yours. I can tell you what you’re missing by being separated from Him. But I can’t bring you to Him. That’s the job of another,

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separated from Him. But I can’t bring you to Him. That’s the job of another, Jesus Christ, the Bright Morning Star. Look to Him, and He’ll get you to your

COMMUNICATIONS Jesus Christ, the Bright Morning Star. Look to Him, and He’ll get you to your

Creator God, in the beauty of Your creation You proclaim Your power,

COMMUNICATIONS Creator God, in the beauty of Your creation You proclaim Your power,

COMMUNICATIONS Your glory, Your invisible nature, and Your handiwork. In Your law written on

COMMUNICATIONS Your glory, Your invisible nature, and Your handiwork. In Your law written on human hearts You reveal Your holiness and our sin. But only in Jesus Christ

COMMUNICATIONS human hearts You reveal Your holiness and our sin. But only in Jesus Christ whom we see in Scripture do You reveal Your saving love. Work faith in our

COMMUNICATIONS whom we see in Scripture do You reveal Your saving love. Work faith in our

SAMPLES

body like yours in the womb of a Virgin, that He might be born as you are born, SAMPLES

body like yours in the womb of a Virgin, that He might be born as you are born, feel all you feel, live where you live, suffer as you suffer, and die as you die.SAMPLES



SAMPLES


SAMPLES

your place. His holy life becomes your holy life. His cross becomes your cross. His resurrection to life becomes your resurrection to life. In Jesus Christ, all that

SAMPLES

His resurrection to life becomes your resurrection to life. In Jesus Christ, all that God requires of you is done. By faith in Him God says all your sin is forgiven.

SAMPLES

God requires of you is done. By faith in Him God says all your sin is forgiven.

SAMPLES


SAMPLES


ell, it’s getting dark and I, Polaris, must be about what I was placed in the sky

SAMPLESell, it’s getting dark and I, Polaris, must be about what I was placed in the sky

to do, guiding the traveler home. But truthfully, I can only take you part way.

SAMPLESto do, guiding the traveler home. But truthfully, I can only take you part way. Oh, sure, I can get you anywhere in the northern hemisphere. I can even tell you

SAMPLESOh, sure, I can get you anywhere in the northern hemisphere. I can even tell you about God, my Maker and yours. I can tell you what you’re missing by being

SAMPLESabout God, my Maker and yours. I can tell you what you’re missing by being separated from Him. But I can’t bring you to Him. That’s the job of another,

SAMPLESseparated from Him. But I can’t bring you to Him. That’s the job of another, Jesus Christ, the Bright Morning Star. Look to Him, and He’ll get you to your

SAMPLESJesus Christ, the Bright Morning Star. Look to Him, and He’ll get you to your


• The Creed is offered according to local custom.

• The Offering is gathered, during which a hymn or other special music may be of-fered.

• The Pastoral Prayers are offered by the pastor and the congregation:

P Almighty God, who flung the stars into deepest space, for all your works we praise and bless you. Lord of all creation,

C:Hear our prayer.P Enlighten, we pray, the hearts and minds of your people, the Church, that love

may unite us, that hope may fill us, that faith may drive us on our mission to spread your light to all the world. Lord of all creation,

C:Hear our prayer.P Bless the nations of the world, O light-creating Lord, with enlightened leaders.

Only then can injustice and tyranny give way to peace and freedom. Drive away the darkness of warfare. Send your promised Prince of Peace. Lord of all cre-ation,

C:Hear our prayer.P Lighten, we pray, the burdens of all who suffer any sort of need, O Lord. Cure

the sick. Comfort the mourning. Befriend the lonely. Feed the hungry. Make clean water flow throughout the villages of this world. Send us a light into the darkest places where need so often thrives. Lord of all creation,

C:Hear our prayer.P Bless the people in this place as we worship and work to bring your kingdom into

our homes and our community. Enlighten the leaders of this congregation. Give us eager hearts and busy hands to live and do your will. Lord of all creation,

C:Hear our prayer.P As the joyous, busy time of Christmas approaches, comfort all who mourn with

your peace, which passes all human understanding. Bring joy to the hearts of those who are suffering loss. Encourage them with the strong promise of the res-urrection. Lord of all creation,

C:Hear our prayer.P These things we pray through Christ our Lord.C:Amen.

• The Lord’s Prayer is offered.

• If Holy Communion is celebrated, it may take place here according to local cus-tom.

CREATIVE

Enlighten, we pray, the hearts and minds of your people, the Church, that love CREATIVE

Enlighten, we pray, the hearts and minds of your people, the Church, that love may unite us, that hope may fill us, that faith may drive us on our mission to

CREATIVE


CREATIVE

spread your light to all the world. Lord of all creation,

Bless the nations of the world, O light-creating Lord, with enlightened leaders.

CREATIVE

Bless the nations of the world, O light-creating Lord, with enlightened leaders. Only then can injustice and tyranny give way to peace and freedom. Drive away

CREATIVE

Only then can injustice and tyranny give way to peace and freedom. Drive away the darkness of warfare. Send your promised Prince of Peace. Lord of all cre-

CREATIVE

the darkness of warfare. Send your promised Prince of Peace. Lord of all cre-

Lighten, we pray, the burdens of all who suffer any sort of need, O Lord. Cure

CREATIVE

Lighten, we pray, the burdens of all who suffer any sort of need, O Lord. Cure the sick. Comfort the mourning. Befriend the lonely. Feed the hungry. Make clean

CREATIVE the sick. Comfort the mourning. Befriend the lonely. Feed the hungry. Make clean water flow throughout the villages of this world. Send us a light into the darkest

CREATIVE water flow throughout the villages of this world. Send us a light into the darkest

CREATIVE places where need so often thrives. Lord of all creation,

CREATIVE places where need so often thrives. Lord of all creation,

Bless the people in this place as we worship and work to bring your kingdom into

CREATIVE Bless the people in this place as we worship and work to bring your kingdom into our homes and our community. Enlighten the leaders of this congregation. Give

CREATIVE our homes and our community. Enlighten the leaders of this congregation. Give us eager hearts and busy hands to live and do your will. Lord of all creation,

CREATIVE us eager hearts and busy hands to live and do your will. Lord of all creation,

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PCOMMUNICATIONS

P Almighty God, who flung the stars into deepest space, for all your works we COMMUNICATIONS

Almighty God, who flung the stars into deepest space, for all your works we praise and bless you. Lord of all creation,

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praise and bless you. Lord of all creation,C:

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C:Hear our prayer.

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Hear our prayer.Enlighten, we pray, the hearts and minds of your people, the Church, that love

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spread your light to all the world. Lord of all creation,Hear our prayer.

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Hear our prayer.Bless the nations of the world, O light-creating Lord, with enlightened leaders.

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the sick. Comfort the mourning. Befriend the lonely. Feed the hungry. Make clean water flow throughout the villages of this world. Send us a light into the darkest

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water flow throughout the villages of this world. Send us a light into the darkest

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places where need so often thrives. Lord of all creation,

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Bless the people in this place as we worship and work to bring your kingdom into our homes and our community. Enlighten the leaders of this congregation. Give

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us eager hearts and busy hands to live and do your will. Lord of all creation,

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As the joyous, busy time of Christmas approaches, comfort all who mourn with

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As the joyous, busy time of Christmas approaches, comfort all who mourn with your peace, which passes all human understanding. Bring joy to the hearts of

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your peace, which passes all human understanding. Bring joy to the hearts of

COMMUNICATIONS those who are suffering loss. Encourage them with the strong promise of the res-


SAMPLES

the darkness of warfare. Send your promised Prince of Peace. Lord of all cre-SAMPLES


Hear our prayer.SAMPLES

Hear our prayer.Lighten, we pray, the burdens of all who suffer any sort of need, O Lord. Cure

SAMPLES


SAMPLES


SAMPLES


SAMPLES


SAMPLES



SAMPLESBless the people in this place as we worship and work to bring your kingdom into our homes and our community. Enlighten the leaders of this congregation. Give

SAMPLESour homes and our community. Enlighten the leaders of this congregation. Give us eager hearts and busy hands to live and do your will. Lord of all creation,

SAMPLESus eager hearts and busy hands to live and do your will. Lord of all creation,

SAMPLESAs the joyous, busy time of Christmas approaches, comfort all who mourn with

SAMPLESAs the joyous, busy time of Christmas approaches, comfort all who mourn with your peace, which passes all human understanding. Bring joy to the hearts of

SAMPLESyour peace, which passes all human understanding. Bring joy to the hearts of

SAMPLESthose who are suffering loss. Encourage them with the strong promise of the res-

SAMPLESthose who are suffering loss. Encourage them with the strong promise of the res-


• The Sending includes a verse sung by the congregation to the tune Schonster Herr Jesu 557 558:

P Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. (Daniel 12:3)

Fair is the sunshine,Fair is the moonlight,



P Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. (2 Peter 3:18)

C:Amen

• The Closing Hymn is sung by the congregation to the tune Dix 77 77 77:







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Jesus shines brighter,CREATIVE

Jesus shines brighter,Jesus shines purer CREATIVE

Jesus shines purer Than all the angels in the sky.CREATIVE



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CREATIVE For the love which from our birth over and around us lies:




CREATIVE For the wonder of each hour of the day and of the night,

Hill and vale and tree and flow’r, sun and moon and stars of light:

CREATIVE Hill and vale and tree and flow’r, sun and moon and stars of light:Christ, our Lord, to you we raise this our sacrifice of praise.


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Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever.

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now and forever. (2 Peter 3:18)

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(2 Peter 3:18)


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Hill and vale and tree and flow’r, sun and moon and stars of light:Christ, our Lord, to you we raise this our sacrifice of praise.

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Closing HymnSAMPLES

Closing Hymn


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SAMPLESHill and vale and tree and flow’r, sun and moon and stars of light:




SAMPLESFor yourself, best gift divine to the world so freely giv’n;








Scripture Lessons

• The Old Testament Lesson, Genesis 1:14-19, is read:

P And God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.


• The Epistle Lesson, Acts 17:22-31, is read:

P Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, “Athenians, I see how ex-tremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. From one ancestor he made all na-tions to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from each one of us. For ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we too are his offspring.’ Since we are God’s

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Scripture LessonsCREATIVE

Scripture Lessons

Old Testament LessonCREATIVE

Old Testament Lesson, Genesis 1:14-19, is read:CREATIVE

, Genesis 1:14-19, is read:

And God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day

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And God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years,

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from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth.” And

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and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and

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it was so. God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. God set them in the dome of the

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the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to

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CREATIVE


CREATIVE was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.

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The

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The Old Testament Lesson

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Old Testament Lesson

And God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day

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And God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years,

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from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth.” And

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and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and

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it was so. God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. God set them in the dome of the

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the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to

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tremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked

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COMMUNICATIONS inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is

COMMUNICATIONS I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is

COMMUNICATIONS Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives

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he made all na-

COMMUNICATIONS he made all na-tions to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and

COMMUNICATIONS tions to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, so that they would search for

COMMUNICATIONS the boundaries of the places where they would live, so that they would search for

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it was so. God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and SAMPLES

it was so. God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. God set them in the dome of the SAMPLES

the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to SAMPLES


SAMPLES


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SAMPLES, Acts 17:22-31, is read:


SAMPLESThen Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, “Athenians, I see how ex-

SAMPLEStremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked

SAMPLEStremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the

SAMPLEScarefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this

SAMPLESinscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is

SAMPLESI proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is

SAMPLESLord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is


offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to re-pent, because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righ-teousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”


• The Holy Gospel, Matthew 6:25-34, is read:

P Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heav-enly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

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, Matthew 6:25-34, is read:CREATIVE

, Matthew 6:25-34, is read:

Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat

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Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more

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or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they

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than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds

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neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying

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them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying And why do you worry about clothing?

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And why do you worry about clothing?

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Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell

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CREATIVE


CREATIVE so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore do

CREATIVE the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we

CREATIVE not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heav-

CREATIVE wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heav-enly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom

CREATIVE enly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

CREATIVE righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own.

CREATIVE So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own.

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to all by raising him from the dead.” COMMUNICATIONS

to all by raising him from the dead.”

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P The creator God is made known through his word.COMMUNICATIONS

The creator God is made known through his word.C:

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C:Thanks be to God for making us his offspring.COMMUNICATIONS

Thanks be to God for making us his offspring.

The

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The Holy Gospel

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Holy Gospel

Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat

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Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink,

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or what you will drink,than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they

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than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds

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neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying

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them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?

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add a single hour to your span of life?

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Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell

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enly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

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righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

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SAMPLES

them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying SAMPLES

them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?SAMPLES

add a single hour to your span of life?SAMPLES

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell SAMPLES


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SAMPLESenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom

righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

SAMPLESrighteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

SAMPLESSo do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own.

SAMPLESSo do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

SAMPLESToday’s trouble is enough for today.”




Children’s Sermon

• This Children’s Sermon is offered. Items needed—green star ornaments.

P “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” Psalm 19:1

Hello, children! I’m glad you’re here for these Advent services. Who can tell me what Advent is? (Let children answer.) Yes, it’s the time of the year we prepare for the coming of Jesus. Did you know that the stars have much to tell us about God? I brought a green star for each of you. It’s green to remind us that God made everything in heaven and on earth. You can put this on your Christmas tree at home. (Pass out stars.) I’ll be giving you a different star at each service to help you remember how “The Stars Tell the Story.”

When God made the stars, everything was perfect. There was no wrong or evil anywhere. But one of God’s creatures, Lucifer, an angel, turned against God. He came to earth and began causing trouble. He tempted Adam and Eve to sin. They fell away from God like Lucifer and so did all their children and grandchildren.

Who might those grandchildren be? (Let children answer.) Yes, you and I are the grandchildren of Adam and Eve and we are fallen sinners too. But God is always calling us back to Himself. Did you know that He uses the stars to do that? He does! The stars say God is good and holy. They say He is the maker of everything. They say to you and me, “Come home to God and worship Him.” That’s what your green creation star reminds you of.

But the stars don’t tell us how to come home to God! That’s why we need the Bible and the story of Jesus. In the Bible we learn that God loves sinners. He wants us to come back and He shows us the way. Jesus is the way. The little Baby born in Bethlehem is our Savior. He’s our way back to God. Someday Baby Jesus would grow up and become a Man. He would love us so much He would die for our sins on the cross.

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Children’s Sermon


Children’s Sermon is offered. Items needed—green star ornaments.CREATIVE



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God? I brought a green star for each of you. It’s green to remind us that God made everything in heaven and on earth. You can put this on your Christmas tree

CREATIVE made everything in heaven and on earth. You can put this on your Christmas tree at home. (Pass out stars.) I’ll be giving you a different star at each service to help

CREATIVE at home. (Pass out stars.) I’ll be giving you a different star at each service to help


CREATIVE God made the stars, everything was perfect. There was no wrong or evil anywhere. But one of God’s creatures, Lucifer, an angel, turned against God. He

CREATIVE anywhere. But one of God’s creatures, Lucifer, an angel, turned against God. He came to earth and began causing trouble. He tempted Adam and Eve to sin. They

CREATIVE came to earth and began causing trouble. He tempted Adam and Eve to sin. They

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This

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This Children’s Sermon

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Children’s Sermon


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made everything in heaven and on earth. You can put this on your Christmas tree at home. (Pass out stars.) I’ll be giving you a different star at each service to help

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at home. (Pass out stars.) I’ll be giving you a different star at each service to help you remember how “The Stars Tell the Story.”

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you remember how “The Stars Tell the Story.”


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God made the stars, everything was perfect. There was no wrong or evil anywhere. But one of God’s creatures, Lucifer, an angel, turned against God. He

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anywhere. But one of God’s creatures, Lucifer, an angel, turned against God. He came to earth and began causing trouble. He tempted Adam and Eve to sin. They

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came to earth and began causing trouble. He tempted Adam and Eve to sin. They fell away from God like Lucifer and so did all their children and grandchildren.

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fell away from God like Lucifer and so did all their children and grandchildren.

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might those grandchildren be? (Let children answer.) Yes, you and I are the

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might those grandchildren be? (Let children answer.) Yes, you and I are the grandchildren of Adam and Eve and we are fallen sinners too. But God is always

COMMUNICATIONS grandchildren of Adam and Eve and we are fallen sinners too. But God is always calling us back to Himself. Did you know that He uses the stars to do that? He

COMMUNICATIONS calling us back to Himself. Did you know that He uses the stars to do that? He does! The stars say God is good and holy. They say He is the maker of everything.

COMMUNICATIONS does! The stars say God is good and holy. They say He is the maker of everything.

COMMUNICATIONS They say to you and me, “Come home to God and worship Him.” That’s what

COMMUNICATIONS They say to you and me, “Come home to God and worship Him.” That’s what

the stars don’t tell us how to come home to God! That’s why we need the

COMMUNICATIONS the stars don’t tell us how to come home to God! That’s why we need the

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children! I’m glad you’re here for these Advent services. Who can tell me SAMPLES

children! I’m glad you’re here for these Advent services. Who can tell me what Advent is? (Let children answer.) Yes, it’s the time of the year we prepare SAMPLES

what Advent is? (Let children answer.) Yes, it’s the time of the year we prepare for the coming of Jesus. Did you know that the stars have much to tell us about SAMPLES


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made everything in heaven and on earth. You can put this on your Christmas tree at home. (Pass out stars.) I’ll be giving you a different star at each service to help

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at home. (Pass out stars.) I’ll be giving you a different star at each service to help you remember how “The Stars Tell the Story.”

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you remember how “The Stars Tell the Story.”


SAMPLESGod made the stars, everything was perfect. There was no wrong or evil

anywhere. But one of God’s creatures, Lucifer, an angel, turned against God. He

SAMPLESanywhere. But one of God’s creatures, Lucifer, an angel, turned against God. He came to earth and began causing trouble. He tempted Adam and Eve to sin. They

SAMPLEScame to earth and began causing trouble. He tempted Adam and Eve to sin. They fell away from God like Lucifer and so did all their children and grandchildren.

SAMPLESfell away from God like Lucifer and so did all their children and grandchildren.

SAMPLESmight those grandchildren be? (Let children answer.) Yes, you and I are the

SAMPLESmight those grandchildren be? (Let children answer.) Yes, you and I are the grandchildren of Adam and Eve and we are fallen sinners too. But God is always

SAMPLESgrandchildren of Adam and Eve and we are fallen sinners too. But God is always calling us back to Himself. Did you know that He uses the stars to do that? He

SAMPLEScalling us back to Himself. Did you know that He uses the stars to do that? He does! The stars say God is good and holy. They say He is the maker of everything.

SAMPLESdoes! The stars say God is good and holy. They say He is the maker of everything.


Let’s thank God for loving us even though we’ve turned away from Him. Espe-cially let’s thank Him for sending Jesus to be our Savior.

Prayer: Thank You, God, that You made me and love me. Thank You for creating the stars that shine brightly, calling me back to You. Thank You for sending Jesus to die for me and to bring me home. In His name I pray. Amen.

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to die for me and to bring me home. In His name I pray. Amen. COMMUNICATIONS


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Sermon

• This Sermon, entitled The Perfect Star • Creation, is delivered by the pastor:

P “… He also made the stars. God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth.” Genesis 1:16b-17

What in Heaven’s name do the stars have to do with Christmas? Plenty! Surely you recall the star that guided the Wise Men to the birthplace of the Savior. Far to the east they looked up one night and saw it brightly beckoning them to Beth-lehem. But that’s just one star. Stars are scattered throughout the pages of Holy Writ. In fact, you find stars at the very beginning. You find me, Polaris, on the fourth day of creation.

I was one of that vast array of celestial diamonds set in place by the Creator to separate night from day and give light to the good earth. And it was good. Night and day, sea and land, sun, moon and stars, birds, fish, creeping and crawling things, livestock, and most important, man made in God’s image – all this was good. On the sixth day after finishing His work, God looked upon all He had made and said it was “very good.”

And that includes me, Polaris, the North Star. Travelers have relied on me for centuries. Many a sailor has suffered through a stormy night adrift on waves boil-ing from the wind, awaiting a break in the clouds that he might catch a glimpse of me shining his way home.

Doubtless, you’ve seen me many times. I’m not hard to find. As you look to the northern sky, you’ll see the constellation Ursa Major, the Great Bear. Perhaps you know it as the Big Dipper. The two bright stars on the dipper’s cup point to me, the one bright star that never seems to move while all through the night the other stars revolve around me. There you’ll find me, less than one degree off true north.So I was part of what God made, part of what He called “very good.” If you

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The Perfect Star • CreationCREATIVE

The Perfect Star • Creation

“… He also made the stars. God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light

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“… He also made the stars. God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth.” Genesis 1:16b-17

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on the earth.” Genesis 1:16b-17

in Heaven’s name do the stars have to do with Christmas? Plenty! Surely

CREATIVE

in Heaven’s name do the stars have to do with Christmas? Plenty! Surely you recall the star that guided the Wise Men to the birthplace of the Savior. Far

CREATIVE

you recall the star that guided the Wise Men to the birthplace of the Savior. Far to the east they looked up one night and saw it brightly beckoning them to Beth-

CREATIVE


CREATIVE


CREATIVE Writ. In fact, you find stars at the very beginning. You find me, Polaris, on the


CREATIVE was one of that vast array of celestial diamonds set in place by the Creator to

separate night from day and give light to the good earth. And it was good. Night

CREATIVE separate night from day and give light to the good earth. And it was good. Night and day, sea and land, sun, moon and stars, birds, fish, creeping and crawling

CREATIVE and day, sea and land, sun, moon and stars, birds, fish, creeping and crawling things, livestock, and most important, man made in God’s image – all this was

CREATIVE things, livestock, and most important, man made in God’s image – all this was

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This

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This Sermon

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Sermon, entitled

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, entitled

“… He also made the stars. God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light

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“… He also made the stars. God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth.” Genesis 1:16b-17

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on the earth.” Genesis 1:16b-17

in Heaven’s name do the stars have to do with Christmas? Plenty! Surely

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in Heaven’s name do the stars have to do with Christmas? Plenty! Surely you recall the star that guided the Wise Men to the birthplace of the Savior. Far

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you recall the star that guided the Wise Men to the birthplace of the Savior. Far to the east they looked up one night and saw it brightly beckoning them to Beth-

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Writ. In fact, you find stars at the very beginning. You find me, Polaris, on the


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things, livestock, and most important, man made in God’s image – all this was

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COMMUNICATIONS that includes me, Polaris, the North Star. Travelers have relied on me for

centuries. Many a sailor has suffered through a stormy night adrift on waves boil-

COMMUNICATIONS centuries. Many a sailor has suffered through a stormy night adrift on waves boil-

COMMUNICATIONS ing from the wind, awaiting a break in the clouds that he might catch a glimpse

COMMUNICATIONS ing from the wind, awaiting a break in the clouds that he might catch a glimpse


COMMUNICATIONS you’ve seen me many times. I’m not hard to find. As you look to the northern sky, you’ll see the constellation Ursa Major, the Great Bear. Perhaps you

COMMUNICATIONS northern sky, you’ll see the constellation Ursa Major, the Great Bear. Perhaps you

SAMPLES

in Heaven’s name do the stars have to do with Christmas? Plenty! Surely SAMPLES

in Heaven’s name do the stars have to do with Christmas? Plenty! Surely you recall the star that guided the Wise Men to the birthplace of the Savior. Far SAMPLES

you recall the star that guided the Wise Men to the birthplace of the Savior. Far to the east they looked up one night and saw it brightly beckoning them to Beth-SAMPLES


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Writ. In fact, you find stars at the very beginning. You find me, Polaris, on the fourth day of creation.

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fourth day of creation.


SAMPLES


SAMPLESseparate night from day and give light to the good earth. And it was good. Night and day, sea and land, sun, moon and stars, birds, fish, creeping and crawling

SAMPLESand day, sea and land, sun, moon and stars, birds, fish, creeping and crawling things, livestock, and most important, man made in God’s image – all this was

SAMPLESthings, livestock, and most important, man made in God’s image – all this was

SAMPLESgood. On the sixth day after finishing His work, God looked upon all He had

SAMPLESgood. On the sixth day after finishing His work, God looked upon all He had made and said it was “very good.”

SAMPLESmade and said it was “very good.”


SAMPLESthat includes me, Polaris, the North Star. Travelers have relied on me for centuries. Many a sailor has suffered through a stormy night adrift on waves boil-

SAMPLEScenturies. Many a sailor has suffered through a stormy night adrift on waves boil-ing from the wind, awaiting a break in the clouds that he might catch a glimpse

SAMPLESing from the wind, awaiting a break in the clouds that he might catch a glimpse


think about it, how could it be any other way? God Himself is the greatest good, perfect in all His attributes, utterly holy. Everything He made and sustained bore the stamp of His perfection. You might say that a definition of sin is thinking that God’s work and His way is not perfect, that someone else knows better. Lucifer, another star whom you’ll soon meet, a star once perfect but now corrupt and twisted, thought he knew better.

It was his sin that made the Christmas story necessary. You see, sin never happens in isolation. It always involves someone else. In Lucifer’s case, it involved legions of angels who joined him in rebellion against God. But it was futile. There is no power greater than that of the omnipotent and holy Creator. Losing the battle, Lucifer and his cohorts were banished from heaven and took the battle elsewhere. They invaded earth where Lucifer enlisted Adam and Eve in the rebellion.

Poor, pathetic Adam and Eve—they had everything to lose and nothing to gain. A perfect home, a perfect marriage, a perfect relationship with God, a perfect future—it was all theirs. They alone of all the characters in history and literature had the potential for living “happily ever after.” But Lucifer set them to question-ing God’s perfect plan for them.

God had given them all they needed for eternal life in Paradise. He made only one requirement of them—don’t eat from one particular tree, the tree of the knowl-edge of good and evil, in the center of the garden. If you do, you will die. What an unreasonable demand, Lucifer suggested, resorting to truths and half-truths and lies. You won’t die, he claimed. Rather, you’ll become like God Himself, knowing good and evil.

Adam and Eve fell for it, if you’ll excuse the pun. They took fruit from the tree and ate. And that perfect world they inhabited along with the livestock and birds, and plants and fish, and sun, moon and stars, and me, Polaris, crashed.

There was no sound especially remarkable when the crash came. Things looked pretty much the same. But nothing was. Adam and Eve began hiding from God, putting on clothes, lying to their Creator. It didn’t work. He knew all about what they had done and where they were hiding. The pitiful garments they had made from leaves to cover up their shame He replaced with skins. Mercifully, God drove them from the garden that they might not eat from another tree, the tree of life, and thus spend eternity in the slough of sin.

CREATIVE

of angels who joined him in rebellion against God. But it was futile. There is no CREATIVE

of angels who joined him in rebellion against God. But it was futile. There is no power greater than that of the omnipotent and holy Creator. Losing the battle, CREATIVE

power greater than that of the omnipotent and holy Creator. Losing the battle, Lucifer and his cohorts were banished from heaven and took the battle elsewhere.

CREATIVE


CREATIVE

They invaded earth where Lucifer enlisted Adam and Eve in the rebellion.

, pathetic Adam and Eve—they had everything to lose and nothing to gain.

CREATIVE

, pathetic Adam and Eve—they had everything to lose and nothing to gain. A perfect home, a perfect marriage, a perfect relationship with God, a perfect

CREATIVE

A perfect home, a perfect marriage, a perfect relationship with God, a perfect future—it was all theirs. They alone of all the characters in history and literature

CREATIVE

future—it was all theirs. They alone of all the characters in history and literature had the potential for living “happily ever after.” But Lucifer set them to question-

CREATIVE

had the potential for living “happily ever after.” But Lucifer set them to question-

had given them all they needed for eternal life in Paradise. He made only one

CREATIVE had given them all they needed for eternal life in Paradise. He made only one

requirement of them—don’t eat from one particular tree, the tree of the knowl-

CREATIVE requirement of them—don’t eat from one particular tree, the tree of the knowl-edge of good and evil, in the center of the garden. If you do, you will die. What an

CREATIVE edge of good and evil, in the center of the garden. If you do, you will die. What an

CREATIVE unreasonable demand, Lucifer suggested, resorting to truths and half-truths and

CREATIVE unreasonable demand, Lucifer suggested, resorting to truths and half-truths and lies. You won’t die, he claimed. Rather, you’ll become like God Himself, knowing

CREATIVE lies. You won’t die, he claimed. Rather, you’ll become like God Himself, knowing

COMMUNICATIONS

twisted, thought he knew better.COMMUNICATIONS

twisted, thought he knew better.

It COMMUNICATIONS

It was his sin that made the Christmas story necessary. You see, sin never happens COMMUNICATIONS

was his sin that made the Christmas story necessary. You see, sin never happens in isolation. It always involves someone else. In Lucifer’s case, it involved legions

COMMUNICATIONS

in isolation. It always involves someone else. In Lucifer’s case, it involved legions of angels who joined him in rebellion against God. But it was futile. There is no

COMMUNICATIONS

of angels who joined him in rebellion against God. But it was futile. There is no power greater than that of the omnipotent and holy Creator. Losing the battle,

COMMUNICATIONS

power greater than that of the omnipotent and holy Creator. Losing the battle, Lucifer and his cohorts were banished from heaven and took the battle elsewhere.

COMMUNICATIONS


COMMUNICATIONS

They invaded earth where Lucifer enlisted Adam and Eve in the rebellion.

, pathetic Adam and Eve—they had everything to lose and nothing to gain.

COMMUNICATIONS

, pathetic Adam and Eve—they had everything to lose and nothing to gain. A perfect home, a perfect marriage, a perfect relationship with God, a perfect

COMMUNICATIONS

A perfect home, a perfect marriage, a perfect relationship with God, a perfect future—it was all theirs. They alone of all the characters in history and literature

COMMUNICATIONS

future—it was all theirs. They alone of all the characters in history and literature had the potential for living “happily ever after.” But Lucifer set them to question-

COMMUNICATIONS

had the potential for living “happily ever after.” But Lucifer set them to question-ing God’s perfect plan for them.

COMMUNICATIONS



COMMUNICATIONS


COMMUNICATIONS


COMMUNICATIONS

edge of good and evil, in the center of the garden. If you do, you will die. What an

COMMUNICATIONS

unreasonable demand, Lucifer suggested, resorting to truths and half-truths and

COMMUNICATIONS


COMMUNICATIONS

lies. You won’t die, he claimed. Rather, you’ll become like God Himself, knowing


COMMUNICATIONS


COMMUNICATIONS


COMMUNICATIONS



COMMUNICATIONS was no sound especially remarkable when the crash came. Things looked


COMMUNICATIONS pretty much the same. But nothing was. Adam and Eve began hiding from God, putting on clothes, lying to their Creator. It didn’t work. He knew all about what

COMMUNICATIONS putting on clothes, lying to their Creator. It didn’t work. He knew all about what

COMMUNICATIONS they had done and where they were hiding. The pitiful garments they had made

COMMUNICATIONS they had done and where they were hiding. The pitiful garments they had made from leaves to cover up their shame He replaced with skins. Mercifully, God

COMMUNICATIONS from leaves to cover up their shame He replaced with skins. Mercifully, God drove them from the garden that they might not eat from another tree, the tree of

COMMUNICATIONS drove them from the garden that they might not eat from another tree, the tree of

SAMPLES

future—it was all theirs. They alone of all the characters in history and literature SAMPLES

future—it was all theirs. They alone of all the characters in history and literature had the potential for living “happily ever after.” But Lucifer set them to question-SAMPLES

had the potential for living “happily ever after.” But Lucifer set them to question-ing God’s perfect plan for them.SAMPLES



SAMPLES


SAMPLES


SAMPLES

edge of good and evil, in the center of the garden. If you do, you will die. What an

SAMPLES

unreasonable demand, Lucifer suggested, resorting to truths and half-truths and

SAMPLES


SAMPLESlies. You won’t die, he claimed. Rather, you’ll become like God Himself, knowing


SAMPLESand Eve fell for it, if you’ll excuse the pun. They took fruit from the tree

and ate. And that perfect world they inhabited along with the livestock and birds,

SAMPLESand ate. And that perfect world they inhabited along with the livestock and birds, and plants and fish, and sun, moon and stars, and me, Polaris, crashed.

SAMPLESand plants and fish, and sun, moon and stars, and me, Polaris, crashed.


SAMPLESwas no sound especially remarkable when the crash came. Things looked


SAMPLESpretty much the same. But nothing was. Adam and Eve began hiding from God,


Death entered their once perfect world, not right away but eventually. Their son, Cain, killed his brother Abel. In time, Adam and Eve, though they lived far longer than you, died, just as God said they would. The plants that had been so beautiful in the garden now became their enemy. They grew where they were not wanted. Tilling the soil became a battle against weeds. The love of a man and woman, leading so naturally and beautifully to the procreation of children, be-came the bloody agony and sometimes death of childbirth.

Animals, once living in harmony, now struggled against one another, weak against strong, tooth against claw. Some species survived; others vanished in nature’s violence against itself. Gentle spring rains became deadly floods. The breeze that gently carried the seed and pollen of plants became screaming hurricanes and tornadoes, sucking life’s breath out of countless creatures including man.

And there were catastrophes even in the heavens. Stars exploded. Others col-lapsed. Whole galaxies collided like great unsynchronized gears, shearing off gases and energy that would become new but doomed objects in the sky. Even I, Polaris, the mariner’s friend, have but a brief moment to shine before I too am snuffed out.

And it would all continue like this. Endlessly, the perfection that was God’s cre-ation would deteriorate and decay, order would become disorder, and the beauty of life would become the corruption of death. Endlessly, I say, if it were not for that event in Bethlehem, the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God whom Scrip-ture calls the Bright Morning Star.

Maybe you find it odd that I, Polaris, a star, would speak to you about creation and sin, death and destruction. But if it were not for me and the rest of nature, what would proclaim the truth of God to those who don’t have the written word? You are privileged to have Holy Scripture. You can read in it yourself of God’s power and holiness, his perfection and kindness. But what of the rest of his fallen children? What will they read?

They have nothing but me and my companions in the natural world – the stars and planets, the sun and moon, light and darkness, wet seasons and dry, summer and winter. From these much can be learned by those who would seek God and read them. Would you learn of the glory of God? Look to me and my compan-ions! Would you learn that there is a marvelous Creator? Look to me, the work of His own hands! Would you learn that God is the Maker and not the thing that is made? Look to me! Would you learn that the Almighty is invisible? Look to me! I can tell you all this and more.

CREATIVE

strong, tooth against claw. Some species survived; others vanished in nature’s CREATIVE

strong, tooth against claw. Some species survived; others vanished in nature’s violence against itself. Gentle spring rains became deadly floods. The breeze that CREATIVE

violence against itself. Gentle spring rains became deadly floods. The breeze that gently carried the seed and pollen of plants became screaming hurricanes and

CREATIVE

gently carried the seed and pollen of plants became screaming hurricanes and tornadoes, sucking life’s breath out of countless creatures including man.

CREATIVE

tornadoes, sucking life’s breath out of countless creatures including man.

there were catastrophes even in the heavens. Stars exploded. Others col-

CREATIVE

there were catastrophes even in the heavens. Stars exploded. Others col-lapsed. Whole galaxies collided like great unsynchronized gears, shearing off

CREATIVE

lapsed. Whole galaxies collided like great unsynchronized gears, shearing off gases and energy that would become new but doomed objects in the sky. Even I,

CREATIVE

gases and energy that would become new but doomed objects in the sky. Even I, Polaris, the mariner’s friend, have but a brief moment to shine before I too am

CREATIVE

Polaris, the mariner’s friend, have but a brief moment to shine before I too am

it would all continue like this. Endlessly, the perfection that was God’s cre-

CREATIVE it would all continue like this. Endlessly, the perfection that was God’s cre-

ation would deteriorate and decay, order would become disorder, and the beauty

CREATIVE ation would deteriorate and decay, order would become disorder, and the beauty of life would become the corruption of death. Endlessly, I say, if it were not for

CREATIVE of life would become the corruption of death. Endlessly, I say, if it were not for

CREATIVE that event in Bethlehem, the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God whom Scrip-

CREATIVE that event in Bethlehem, the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God whom Scrip-


CREATIVE you find it odd that I, Polaris, a star, would speak to you about creation

COMMUNICATIONS

woman, leading so naturally and beautifully to the procreation of children, be-COMMUNICATIONS

woman, leading so naturally and beautifully to the procreation of children, be-came the bloody agony and sometimes death of childbirth.COMMUNICATIONS

came the bloody agony and sometimes death of childbirth.

Animals, COMMUNICATIONS

Animals, strong, tooth against claw. Some species survived; others vanished in nature’s

COMMUNICATIONS

strong, tooth against claw. Some species survived; others vanished in nature’s violence against itself. Gentle spring rains became deadly floods. The breeze that

COMMUNICATIONS

violence against itself. Gentle spring rains became deadly floods. The breeze that gently carried the seed and pollen of plants became screaming hurricanes and

COMMUNICATIONS

gently carried the seed and pollen of plants became screaming hurricanes and tornadoes, sucking life’s breath out of countless creatures including man.

COMMUNICATIONS

tornadoes, sucking life’s breath out of countless creatures including man.

there were catastrophes even in the heavens. Stars exploded. Others col-

COMMUNICATIONS

there were catastrophes even in the heavens. Stars exploded. Others col-lapsed. Whole galaxies collided like great unsynchronized gears, shearing off

COMMUNICATIONS

lapsed. Whole galaxies collided like great unsynchronized gears, shearing off gases and energy that would become new but doomed objects in the sky. Even I,

COMMUNICATIONS

gases and energy that would become new but doomed objects in the sky. Even I, Polaris, the mariner’s friend, have but a brief moment to shine before I too am

COMMUNICATIONS

Polaris, the mariner’s friend, have but a brief moment to shine before I too am


COMMUNICATIONS

it would all continue like this. Endlessly, the perfection that was God’s cre-ation would deteriorate and decay, order would become disorder, and the beauty

COMMUNICATIONS


COMMUNICATIONS

of life would become the corruption of death. Endlessly, I say, if it were not for

COMMUNICATIONS

that event in Bethlehem, the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God whom Scrip-

COMMUNICATIONS



COMMUNICATIONS


COMMUNICATIONS


COMMUNICATIONS


COMMUNICATIONS


COMMUNICATIONS power and holiness, his perfection and kindness. But what of the rest of his fallen


COMMUNICATIONS have nothing but me and my companions in the natural world – the stars

COMMUNICATIONS and planets, the sun and moon, light and darkness, wet seasons and dry, summer

COMMUNICATIONS and planets, the sun and moon, light and darkness, wet seasons and dry, summer and winter. From these much can be learned by those who would seek God and

COMMUNICATIONS and winter. From these much can be learned by those who would seek God and read them. Would you learn of the glory of God? Look to me and my compan-

COMMUNICATIONS read them. Would you learn of the glory of God? Look to me and my compan-

SAMPLES

gases and energy that would become new but doomed objects in the sky. Even I, SAMPLES

gases and energy that would become new but doomed objects in the sky. Even I, Polaris, the mariner’s friend, have but a brief moment to shine before I too am SAMPLES

Polaris, the mariner’s friend, have but a brief moment to shine before I too am snuffed out.SAMPLES

snuffed out.


SAMPLES

it would all continue like this. Endlessly, the perfection that was God’s cre-ation would deteriorate and decay, order would become disorder, and the beauty

SAMPLES


SAMPLES

of life would become the corruption of death. Endlessly, I say, if it were not for

SAMPLES


SAMPLES

that event in Bethlehem, the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God whom Scrip-ture calls the Bright Morning Star.

SAMPLESture calls the Bright Morning Star.


SAMPLESyou find it odd that I, Polaris, a star, would speak to you about creation

and sin, death and destruction. But if it were not for me and the rest of nature,

SAMPLESand sin, death and destruction. But if it were not for me and the rest of nature, what would proclaim the truth of God to those who don’t have the written word?

SAMPLESwhat would proclaim the truth of God to those who don’t have the written word? You are privileged to have Holy Scripture. You can read in it yourself of God’s

SAMPLESYou are privileged to have Holy Scripture. You can read in it yourself of God’s power and holiness, his perfection and kindness. But what of the rest of his fallen

SAMPLESpower and holiness, his perfection and kindness. But what of the rest of his fallen


Even the human heart, corrupt and fallen in sin though it is, speaks volumes. It knows it was made by a holy God—His image is stamped on it, though the reflection is dulled like a discarded mirror. Conscience, put there by the Maker, tells you the difference between right and wrong, truth and falsehood. It tells you that God is not an idol, that it is wrong to dishonor your parents, murder your fellow human beings, break the covenant with your spouse, steal, lie and covet. Whether you have ever seen the written code or not, your heart tells you these things. And it tells you that you are guilty; that you have done what God in your heart has told you not to do, that you have not done what God in your heart says you should.

I, Polaris, and indeed all of nature, have taught you much. But should you learn every truth that we proclaim without words, you would hear only half the story. Yes, I have a story to tell, but mine isn’t the whole story. I can tell you of the great-ness of God the Creator. I can tell you of the fall and the calamity it has brought on a once perfect creation. I can tell you of the death and destruction wrought by sin—even I will not always be the North Star. My time is limited, like yours.

Though you learn all this, and fall on your knees in repentance, grieving that you have offended God, crying out for mercy, begging that you might not feel the wrath of God your sins deserve, you would still be lost. You would be lost forever except for the rest of the story that is found only in Scripture. There the most wonderful good news is revealed. There in the pages of the Holy Bible, you learn that the God who made you and me, the God whom you have turned your back on, loves you!

His eternal Son Jesus Christ, through whom you and I were made, has been sent to save you. He came in the quiet obscurity of birth to a human mother in Beth-lehem. Though all flesh was made through Him, He joined Himself to a human body like yours in the womb of a Virgin, that He might be born as you are born, feel all you feel, live where you live, suffer as you suffer, and die as you die.

But His life, suffering and death do something that only He can do. They take your place. His holy life becomes your holy life. His cross becomes your cross. His resurrection to life becomes your resurrection to life. In Jesus Christ, all that God requires of you is done. By faith in Him God says all your sin is forgiven. There is peace at last between you and your Maker.

CREATIVE

Polaris, and indeed all of nature, have taught you much. But should you learn CREATIVE

Polaris, and indeed all of nature, have taught you much. But should you learn every truth that we proclaim without words, you would hear only half the story.

CREATIVE

every truth that we proclaim without words, you would hear only half the story. Yes, I have a story to tell, but mine isn’t the whole story. I can tell you of the great-

CREATIVE

Yes, I have a story to tell, but mine isn’t the whole story. I can tell you of the great-ness of God the Creator. I can tell you of the fall and the calamity it has brought

CREATIVE

ness of God the Creator. I can tell you of the fall and the calamity it has brought on a once perfect creation. I can tell you of the death and destruction wrought by

CREATIVE

on a once perfect creation. I can tell you of the death and destruction wrought by sin—even I will not always be the North Star. My time is limited, like yours.

CREATIVE

sin—even I will not always be the North Star. My time is limited, like yours.

you learn all this, and fall on your knees in repentance, grieving that

CREATIVE

you learn all this, and fall on your knees in repentance, grieving that you have offended God, crying out for mercy, begging that you might not feel

CREATIVE

you have offended God, crying out for mercy, begging that you might not feel the wrath of God your sins deserve, you would still be lost. You would be lost

CREATIVE the wrath of God your sins deserve, you would still be lost. You would be lost forever except for the rest of the story that is found only in Scripture. There the

CREATIVE forever except for the rest of the story that is found only in Scripture. There the

CREATIVE most wonderful good news is revealed. There in the pages of the Holy Bible, you

CREATIVE most wonderful good news is revealed. There in the pages of the Holy Bible, you learn that the God who made you and me, the God whom you have turned your

CREATIVE learn that the God who made you and me, the God whom you have turned your


CREATIVE eternal Son Jesus Christ, through whom you and I were made, has been sent

COMMUNICATIONS

fellow human beings, break the covenant with your spouse, steal, lie and covet. COMMUNICATIONS

fellow human beings, break the covenant with your spouse, steal, lie and covet. Whether you have ever seen the written code or not, your heart tells you these COMMUNICATIONS

Whether you have ever seen the written code or not, your heart tells you these things. And it tells you that you are guilty; that you have done what God in your COMMUNICATIONS

things. And it tells you that you are guilty; that you have done what God in your heart has told you not to do, that you have not done what God in your heart says

COMMUNICATIONS

heart has told you not to do, that you have not done what God in your heart says you should.

COMMUNICATIONS

you should.

Polaris, and indeed all of nature, have taught you much. But should you learn

COMMUNICATIONS

Polaris, and indeed all of nature, have taught you much. But should you learn every truth that we proclaim without words, you would hear only half the story.

COMMUNICATIONS

every truth that we proclaim without words, you would hear only half the story. Yes, I have a story to tell, but mine isn’t the whole story. I can tell you of the great-

COMMUNICATIONS

Yes, I have a story to tell, but mine isn’t the whole story. I can tell you of the great-ness of God the Creator. I can tell you of the fall and the calamity it has brought

COMMUNICATIONS

ness of God the Creator. I can tell you of the fall and the calamity it has brought on a once perfect creation. I can tell you of the death and destruction wrought by

COMMUNICATIONS

on a once perfect creation. I can tell you of the death and destruction wrought by sin—even I will not always be the North Star. My time is limited, like yours.

COMMUNICATIONS


you learn all this, and fall on your knees in repentance, grieving that

COMMUNICATIONS


COMMUNICATIONS


COMMUNICATIONS


COMMUNICATIONS

forever except for the rest of the story that is found only in Scripture. There the

COMMUNICATIONS

most wonderful good news is revealed. There in the pages of the Holy Bible, you

COMMUNICATIONS


COMMUNICATIONS



COMMUNICATIONS


COMMUNICATIONS


COMMUNICATIONS


COMMUNICATIONS


COMMUNICATIONS feel all you feel, live where you live, suffer as you suffer, and die as you die.


COMMUNICATIONS His life, suffering and death do something that only He can do. They take

COMMUNICATIONS your place. His holy life becomes your holy life. His cross becomes your cross.

COMMUNICATIONS your place. His holy life becomes your holy life. His cross becomes your cross. His resurrection to life becomes your resurrection to life. In Jesus Christ, all that

COMMUNICATIONS His resurrection to life becomes your resurrection to life. In Jesus Christ, all that

COMMUNICATIONS God requires of you is done. By faith in Him God says all your sin is forgiven.

COMMUNICATIONS God requires of you is done. By faith in Him God says all your sin is forgiven.

SAMPLES

sin—even I will not always be the North Star. My time is limited, like yours.SAMPLES


Though SAMPLES

Though you learn all this, and fall on your knees in repentance, grieving that SAMPLES


SAMPLES


SAMPLES


SAMPLES

forever except for the rest of the story that is found only in Scripture. There the

SAMPLES

most wonderful good news is revealed. There in the pages of the Holy Bible, you

SAMPLES


SAMPLES



SAMPLESeternal Son Jesus Christ, through whom you and I were made, has been sent

to save you. He came in the quiet obscurity of birth to a human mother in Beth-

SAMPLESto save you. He came in the quiet obscurity of birth to a human mother in Beth-lehem. Though all flesh was made through Him, He joined Himself to a human

SAMPLESlehem. Though all flesh was made through Him, He joined Himself to a human body like yours in the womb of a Virgin, that He might be born as you are born,

SAMPLESbody like yours in the womb of a Virgin, that He might be born as you are born, feel all you feel, live where you live, suffer as you suffer, and die as you die.

SAMPLESfeel all you feel, live where you live, suffer as you suffer, and die as you die.


SAMPLESHis life, suffering and death do something that only He can do. They take


Well, it’s getting dark and I, Polaris, must be about what I was placed in the sky to do, guiding the traveler home. But truthfully, I can only take you part way. Oh, sure, I can get you anywhere in the northern hemisphere. I can even tell you about God, my Maker and yours. I can tell you what you’re missing by being separated from Him. But I can’t bring you to Him. That’s the job of another, Jesus Christ, the Bright Morning Star. Look to Him, and He’ll get you to your heavenly home.

Prayer: Creator God, in the beauty of Your creation You proclaim Your power, Your glory, Your invisible nature, and Your handiwork. In Your law written on human hearts You reveal Your holiness and our sin. But only in Jesus Christ whom we see in Scripture do You reveal Your saving love. Work faith in our hearts that our sins might be forgiven and our fallen nature restored. And thus may we know with confidence that we have an eternal home with You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

CREATIVE

Your glory, Your invisible nature, and Your handiwork. In Your law written on CREATIVE

Your glory, Your invisible nature, and Your handiwork. In Your law written on human hearts You reveal Your holiness and our sin. But only in Jesus Christ CREATIVE

human hearts You reveal Your holiness and our sin. But only in Jesus Christ whom we see in Scripture do You reveal Your saving love. Work faith in our

CREATIVE

whom we see in Scripture do You reveal Your saving love. Work faith in our hearts that our sins might be forgiven and our fallen nature restored. And thus

CREATIVE

hearts that our sins might be forgiven and our fallen nature restored. And thus

CREATIVE

may we know with confidence that we have an eternal home with You. In Jesus’

CREATIVE


COMMUNICATIONS

Jesus Christ, the Bright Morning Star. Look to Him, and He’ll get you to your COMMUNICATIONS

Jesus Christ, the Bright Morning Star. Look to Him, and He’ll get you to your heavenly home.COMMUNICATIONS

heavenly home.

Prayer: COMMUNICATIONS

Prayer: Creator God, in the beauty of Your creation You proclaim Your power, COMMUNICATIONS

Creator God, in the beauty of Your creation You proclaim Your power, Your glory, Your invisible nature, and Your handiwork. In Your law written on

COMMUNICATIONS

Your glory, Your invisible nature, and Your handiwork. In Your law written on human hearts You reveal Your holiness and our sin. But only in Jesus Christ

COMMUNICATIONS

human hearts You reveal Your holiness and our sin. But only in Jesus Christ whom we see in Scripture do You reveal Your saving love. Work faith in our

COMMUNICATIONS

whom we see in Scripture do You reveal Your saving love. Work faith in our hearts that our sins might be forgiven and our fallen nature restored. And thus

COMMUNICATIONS

hearts that our sins might be forgiven and our fallen nature restored. And thus

COMMUNICATIONS


COMMUNICATIONS

may we know with confidence that we have an eternal home with You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

COMMUNICATIONS

name. Amen.

SAMPLES




Prayers

• The Pastoral Prayers are offered by the pastor and the congregation:

P Almighty God, who flung the stars into deepest space, for all your works we praise and bless you. Lord of all creation,

C:Hear our prayer.P Enlighten, we pray, the hearts and minds of your people, the Church, that love


C:Hear our prayer.P Bless the nations of the world, O light-creating Lord, with enlightened leaders.

Only then can injustice and tyranny give way to peace and freedom. Drive away the darkness of warfare. Send your promised Prince of Peace. Lord of all cre-ation,

C:Hear our prayer.P Lighten, we pray, the burdens of all who suffer any sort of need, O Lord. Cure

the sick. Comfort the mourning. Befriend the lonely. Feed the hungry. Make clean water flow throughout the villages of this world. Send us a light into the darkest places where need so often thrives. Lord of all creation,

C:Hear our prayer.P Bless the people in this place as we worship and work to bring your kingdom into


C:Hear our prayer.P As the joyous, busy time of Christmas approaches, comfort all who mourn with

your peace, which passes all human understanding. Bring joy to the hearts of those who are suffering loss. Encourage them with the strong promise of the res-urrection. Lord of all creation,

C:Hear our prayer.P These things we pray through Christ our Lord.C:Amen.

CREATIVE

are offered by the pastor and the congregation:CREATIVE

are offered by the pastor and the congregation:

Almighty God, who flung the stars into deepest space, for all your works we

CREATIVE


CREATIVE

praise and bless you. Lord of all creation,

Enlighten, we pray, the hearts and minds of your people, the Church, that love

CREATIVE


CREATIVE


CREATIVE



CREATIVE Bless the nations of the world, O light-creating Lord, with enlightened leaders. Only then can injustice and tyranny give way to peace and freedom. Drive away

CREATIVE Only then can injustice and tyranny give way to peace and freedom. Drive away the darkness of warfare. Send your promised Prince of Peace. Lord of all cre-

CREATIVE the darkness of warfare. Send your promised Prince of Peace. Lord of all cre-


CREATIVE Lighten, we pray, the burdens of all who suffer any sort of need, O Lord. Cure the sick. Comfort the mourning. Befriend the lonely. Feed the hungry. Make clean

CREATIVE the sick. Comfort the mourning. Befriend the lonely. Feed the hungry. Make clean

COMMUNICATIONS

The

COMMUNICATIONS

The Pastoral Prayers

COMMUNICATIONS

Pastoral Prayers

Almighty God, who flung the stars into deepest space, for all your works we

COMMUNICATIONS


COMMUNICATIONS

praise and bless you. Lord of all creation,Hear our prayer.

COMMUNICATIONS

Hear our prayer.Enlighten, we pray, the hearts and minds of your people, the Church, that love

COMMUNICATIONS


COMMUNICATIONS


COMMUNICATIONS



COMMUNICATIONS


COMMUNICATIONS


COMMUNICATIONS



COMMUNICATIONS


COMMUNICATIONS


COMMUNICATIONS


COMMUNICATIONS


COMMUNICATIONS



COMMUNICATIONS Bless the people in this place as we worship and work to bring your kingdom into our homes and our community. Enlighten the leaders of this congregation. Give

COMMUNICATIONS our homes and our community. Enlighten the leaders of this congregation. Give us eager hearts and busy hands to live and do your will. Lord of all creation,

COMMUNICATIONS us eager hearts and busy hands to live and do your will. Lord of all creation,

COMMUNICATIONS As the joyous, busy time of Christmas approaches, comfort all who mourn with

COMMUNICATIONS As the joyous, busy time of Christmas approaches, comfort all who mourn with your peace, which passes all human understanding. Bring joy to the hearts of

COMMUNICATIONS your peace, which passes all human understanding. Bring joy to the hearts of those who are suffering loss. Encourage them with the strong promise of the res-


SAMPLES

Enlighten, we pray, the hearts and minds of your people, the Church, that love SAMPLES

Enlighten, we pray, the hearts and minds of your people, the Church, that love may unite us, that hope may fill us, that faith may drive us on our mission to SAMPLES

may unite us, that hope may fill us, that faith may drive us on our mission to spread your light to all the world. Lord of all creation,SAMPLES

spread your light to all the world. Lord of all creation,Hear our prayer.

SAMPLES

Hear our prayer.Bless the nations of the world, O light-creating Lord, with enlightened leaders.

SAMPLES


SAMPLES


SAMPLES



SAMPLESLighten, we pray, the burdens of all who suffer any sort of need, O Lord. Cure the sick. Comfort the mourning. Befriend the lonely. Feed the hungry. Make clean

SAMPLESthe sick. Comfort the mourning. Befriend the lonely. Feed the hungry. Make clean water flow throughout the villages of this world. Send us a light into the darkest

SAMPLESwater flow throughout the villages of this world. Send us a light into the darkest

SAMPLESplaces where need so often thrives. Lord of all creation,

SAMPLESplaces where need so often thrives. Lord of all creation,


SAMPLESBless the people in this place as we worship and work to bring your kingdom into our homes and our community. Enlighten the leaders of this congregation. Give

SAMPLESour homes and our community. Enlighten the leaders of this congregation. Give us eager hearts and busy hands to live and do your will. Lord of all creation,

SAMPLESus eager hearts and busy hands to live and do your will. Lord of all creation,

Documents

A Series Of Special Services For Advent€¦ · A matching devotional booklet will help your congregation follow the theme throughout Advent: Order Code AD-6 A five-session Bible