December 25, 2022 - 10:00 AM - Emmanuel Lutheran Church Souderton, PA
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December 25, 2022 – 10:00 AM
Emmanuel Lutheran Church
Souderton,
1
PA
Restrooms are located in the hall off the Gathering
Space immediately to the left. Please see a member
The Nativity of Our Lord of our host families for assistance.
Christmas Day Parents with children are welcome to use the
children’s activity bags, located by the entrance to
December 25, 2022 the Worship Space. If needed, our nursery room is
at the end of the hall off the Gathering Space.
Welcome to Emmanuel !
Please silence your phones, but feel free to post
“It is wonderful to worship with you today!” pictures, videos, tweets or texts to social media. We
love using technology to share the Word of God!
All are welcome here at Emmanuel regardless of
your faith affiliation. Emmanuel Worship is Online
All parts of today’s worship service are printed in This worship service will be broadcast and live
this bulletin, including words for the songs. If you streamed through our Facebook page, and on our
would like to sing with music, books are provided in website. Even if you are not able to watch live, the
the racks on the back of the seat in front of you. The services will be recorded. You can find us at:
song or page number is provided for easy look up.
https://www.facebook.com/EmmanuelSouderton/
UPDATED COVID-19 PROTOCOLS IN PLACE
and on our website at:
Masking remains optional, but highly recommended
for unvaccinated individuals and for those at an http://www.elcsouderton.org
elevated risk of infection. By attending this worship service, you agree to be
Masking is REQUIRED to sit in the balcony. photographed or included on video recording and
Please sit on the lower level if you are not wearing a Emmanuel Lutheran Church reserves the right to
mask. include your image or likeness in promotional
material, in print or online, related to its mission and
Please observe distancing, from anyone with whom ministry.
you do not share a residence, when choosing seating
or when standing in line for communion. Please check the Facebook Page or Website for
ongoing updates of all the great things happening at
If you are a visitor worshiping with us today, we are Emmanuel, including Pastor John’s daily GodCasts.
blessed by your presence. Please sign the guest book If you need to contact Pastor John, please call or text
in the Gathering Space, so we can keep in touch. his mobile phone at 914-275-3106 or email him
This is a service of Holy Communion. All God's at jheidgerd@gmail.com
people are invited to the table by our Lord Jesus ____________________________________
Christ. You will find instructions for Holy
Communion later in the bulletin. “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing
Please take a battery-operated candle as you enter. that has happened,
Following the service of Holy Communion, you are which the Lord has told us about.”
invited to stand, turn on the candle as the lights are
(Luke 2:15)
dimmed and we sing “Silent Night” by candelight.
____________________________________
2
THE SERVICE Jesus Christ, eternal God, Son of the eternal Father,
desiring to hallow the world by his coming in mercy,
being conceived by the Holy Spirit and nine months
PRELUDE of growth in the womb of his mother—
“Hark the Herald Angels Sing”
Mendelssohn/Page now in our own times is the nativity of our Lord
Jesus Christ,
Let us go now to Bethlehem
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS to hear the news the angels sing.
Please stand as you are able. GATHERING SONG
Once in Royal David's City (269)
CHRISTMAS PROCLAMATION 1 Once in royal David's city
stood a lowly cattle shed,
Please stand as you are able. where a mother laid her baby
in a manger for his bed:
Many ages from the time when God created the Mary was that mother mild,
heavens and the earth, and then formed man and Jesus Christ, her little child.
woman in God’s own image;
2 He came down to earth from heaven
long after the great flood, when God made the who is God and Lord of all,
rainbow shine forth as a sign of the covenant; and his shelter was a stable,
and his cradle was a stall;
twenty-one centuries from the time the promise was with the poor and meek and lowly,
given to Abraham and Sarah; lived on earth our Savior holy.
thirteen centuries after Moses led the people of Israel 3 And our eyes at last shall see him,
out of Egypt and Miriam danced in freedom; through his own redeeming love;
for that child so dear and gentle
eleven hundred years from the time of Ruth and the is our Lord in heav'n above;
judges; and he leads his children on
to the place where he is gone.
one thousand years from the anointing of David as
king; 4 Not in that poor lowly stable,
with the oxen standing by,
in fulfillment of the times and years and months and we shall see him; but in heaven,
days discerned by the prophets; set at God's right hand on high;
there his children gather round,
in the one hundred and ninety-fourth Olympiad; bright like stars, with glory crowned.
the seven hundred and fifty-second year from
the founding of the city of Rome;
GREETING
the forty-second year of the reign of Octavian
Augustus; The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you
while the whole world enjoyed a span of peace, all.
And also with you.
3
SONG OF PRAISE FIRST READING: Isaiah 62: 6-12
Good Christian Friends, Rejoice (288)
A reading from Isaiah.
1 Good Christian friends, rejoice
Upon your walls, O Jerusalem,
with heart and soul and voice;
I have posted sentinels;
give ye heed to what we say:
all day and all night
Jesus Christ is born today;
they shall never be silent.
ox and ass before him bow,
and he is in the manger now.
You who remind the LORD,
take no rest, and give him no rest
Christ is born today!
until he establishes Jerusalem
Christ is born today!
and makes it renowned throughout the earth.
2 Good Christian friends, rejoice
The LORD has sworn by his right hand
with heart and soul and voice;
and by his mighty arm:
now ye hear of endless bliss:
Jesus Christ was born for this!
I will not again give your grain
He has opened heaven's door,
to be food for your enemies,
and we are blest forevermore.
and foreigners shall not drink the wine
for which you have labored;
Christ was born for this!
but those who garner it shall eat it
Christ was born for this!
and praise the LORD,
and those who gather it shall drink it
3 Good Christian friends, rejoice
in my holy courts.
with heart and soul and voice;
now ye need not fear the grave;
Go through, go through the gates,
Jesus Christ was born to save!
prepare the way for the people;
Calls you one and calls you all
build up, build up the highway,
to gain the everlasting hall.
clear it of stones,
lift up an ensign over the peoples.
Christ was born to save!
Christ was born to save!
The LORD has proclaimed
to the end of the earth:
Say to daughter Zion,
PRAYER OF THE DAY "See, your salvation comes;
The Lord be with you. his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him."
And also with you.
They shall be called, "The Holy People,
Let us Pray: The Redeemed of the LORD";
and you shall be called, "Sought Out,
All-powerful and unseen God, the coming of your A City Not Forsaken."
light into our world has brightened weary hearts with
peace. Call us out of darkness, and empower us to
proclaim the birth of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Word of God, word of life.
Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and
the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Thanks be to God.
Amen.
Please be seated.
4
PSALM 97: Psalm 97 SECOND READING: Titus 3: 4-7
Read Responsively
A reading from Titus.
The LORD is king! Let the earth rejoice;
let the many coastlands be glad! But when the goodness and loving kindness of God
our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any
Clouds and thick darkness works of righteousness that we had done, but
are all around him; according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth
righteousness and justice and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
are the foundation of his throne.
Fire goes before him, This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus
and consumes his adversaries on every side. Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by
his grace, we might become heirs according to the
His lightnings light up the world; hope of eternal life.
the earth sees and trembles.
Word of God, word of life.
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the LORD of all the earth. Thanks be to God.
The heavens proclaim his righteousness;
and all the peoples behold his glory.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
All worshipers of images are put to shame, Angels We Have Heard on High (289)
those who make their boast in worthless idols; (Verses 1-2)
all gods bow down before him.
Zion hears and is glad, 1 Angels we have heard on high,
and the towns of Judah rejoice, sweetly singing o'er the plains,
because of your judgments, O God. and the mountains in reply,
echoing their joyous strains.
For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth; Gloria in excelsis Deo;
you are exalted far above all gods. gloria in excelsis Deo.
The LORD loves those who hate evil;
he guards the lives of his faithful;
he rescues them 2 Shepherds, why this jubilee?
from the hand of the wicked. Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
which inspire your heav'nly song?
Light dawns for the righteous,
and joy for the upright in heart. Gloria in excelsis Deo;
gloria in excelsis Deo.
Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous,
and give thanks to his holy name!
5
GOSPEL: John 1:1-14 SERMON (beginning with Children’s Message)
The holy gospel according to John. The Rev. John T. Heidgerd
Glory to you, O Lord.
At the conclusion of the sermon, please stand as you
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was are able for the Hymn of the Day
with God, and the Word was God. He was in the
beginning with God. All things came into being
through him, and without him not one thing came
into being. What has come into being in him was
life, and the life was the light of all people. The light HYMN OF THE DAY
shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not Angels, from the Realms of Glory (275)
overcome it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was
John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so
that all might believe through him. He himself was 1 Angels, from the realms of glory,
not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The wing your flight o'er all the earth;
true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming once you sang creation's story,
into the world. now proclaim Messiah's birth:
Come and worship, come and worship,
He was in the world, and the world came into being
worship Christ, the newborn king.
through him; yet the world did not know him. He
came to what was his own, and his own people did
not accept him. But to all who received him, who
believed in his name, he gave power to become
2 Shepherds, in the fields abiding,
children of God, who were born, not of blood or of
watching o'er your flocks by night,
the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
God with us is now residing,
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and yonder shines the infant light.
we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s Come and worship, come and worship,
only son, full of grace and truth. worship Christ, the newborn king.
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ. 3 Sages, leave your contemplations,
brighter visions beam afar;
GOSPEL RESPONSE seek the great desire of nations,
Angels We Have Heard on High (289) you have seen his natal star.
(Verse 3) Come and worship, come and worship,
worship Christ, the newborn king.
3 Come to Bethlehem and see
him whose birth the angels sing;
come, adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn king. 4 All creation, join in praising
God, the Father, Spirit, Son,
Gloria in excelsis Deo; evermore your voices raising
gloria in excelsis Deo. to the eternal Three in One.
Come and worship, come and worship,
worship Christ, the newborn king.
Please be seated
6
THE NICENE CREED PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Let us profess our faith in the words of the Nicene At the end of each petition, the minister will say
Creed “Hear us, O God.”
We believe in one God, The congregation responds:
the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven
and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. “Your mercy is great.”
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father, SHARING OF THE PEACE
God from God, Light from Light,
May the peace of the Lord be with you always.
true God from true God, begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father; And also, with you.
through him all things were made. Let us now share a sign of God’s peace with each
For us and for our salvation other.
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit
and the virgin Mary OFFERING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified
under Pontius Pilate; OFFERING SONG
he suffered death and was buried. In the Bleak Midwinter (294)
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the scriptures; 1 In the bleak midwinter,
he ascended into heaven frosty wind made moan,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father. earth stood hard as iron,
He will come again in glory to judge the water like a stone;
living and the dead, snow had fallen, snow on snow,
and his kingdom will have no end. snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter, long ago.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life, 2 Heaven cannot hold him,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son, nor earth sustain;
who with the Father and the Son is heav'n and earth shall flee away
worshiped and glorified, when he comes to reign;
who has spoken through the prophets. in the bleak midwinter
a stable place sufficed
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic the Lord God almighty, Jesus Christ.
church.
3 What can I give him,
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness poor as I am?
of sins. If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb;
We look for the resurrection of the dead, if I were a wise man
and the life of the world to come. I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him; give my heart.
Amen.
7
OFFERING PRAYER HOLY HOLY HOLY
O Come All Ye Faithful (283) – v 4.
Together, let us pray.
Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
God of abundance, born this happy morning;
receive and bless these gifts we have offered. Jesus, to thee be glory giv'n!
Join our hearts with the song of the angels, Word of the Father,
and gather us at your table of celebration. now in flesh appearing
Strengthen us to share with all the world
the abundance of your grace upon grace, O come, let us adore him,
poured out in Jesus Christ, the Word made O come, let us adore him,
flesh. O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord!
Amen.
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE
In the night in which he was betrayed,
GREAT THANKSGIVING our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;
broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
The Lord be with you.
Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
And also, with you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Lift up your hearts. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink, saying:
We lift them to the Lord.
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. shed for you and for all people for the
forgiveness of sin.
It is right to give our thanks and praise. Do this for the remembrance of me.
LORD’S PRAYER
PREFACE
Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, pray.
that we should at all times and in all places
give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful Our Father, who art in heaven,
God, through our Savior Jesus Christ. hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
In the wonder and mystery of the Word made flesh on earth as it is in heaven.
you have opened the eyes of faith Give us this day our daily bread;
to a new and radiant vision of your glory, and forgive us our trespasses,
that, beholding the God made visible, as we forgive those
we may be drawn to love the God whom we cannot who trespass against us;
see. and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
And so, with all the choirs of angels, For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, and the glory, forever and ever.
we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Amen.
8
INVITATION TO COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNION
Glory to God in the Highest. All God's people are invited by our Lord,
Come to the table of peace. Jesus Christ to receive Holy Communion
Thanks be to God.
We receive these gifts of Christ's body and blood in
faith, trusting that in this meal our Lord comes to us,
COMMUNION SONG forgives our sins, renews us in fait and leads us into
Love Has Come (292) new life.
Today, the Lord's Supper will be offered
1 Love has come--a light in the darkness!
with both bread and wine. Lutherans hold to the
Love shines forth in the Bethlehem skies.
understanding that Christ's Real Presence in body
See, all heaven has come to proclaim it;
and blood is there with the bread and wine and the
hear how their song of joy arises:
gathered community of saints.
Love! Love! Born unto you, a Savior!
Love! Love! Glory to God on high.
Please approach the chancel area, starting with the
first row and using the middle aisle.
2 Love is born! Come, share in the wonder.
Love is God now asleep in the hay.
See the glow in the eyes of his mother; All wine or grape juice is in individual cups. On
what is the name her heart is saying? your way to the chancel area, please pick up a cup of
Love! Love! Love is the name she whispers; wine or grape juice. Then proceed to the Pastor or
Love! Love! Jesus, Immanuel. Assisting Minister where you will receive a
communion wafer.
3 Love has come and never will leave us!
Love is life everlasting and free. The Pastor or Assisting Minister will place the wafer
Love is Jesus within and among us. in your cupped hand, after which you may consume
Love is the peace our hearts are seeking. the wafer, and the wine or juice in your individual
Love! Love! Love is the gift of Christmas; cup.
Love! Love! Praise to you, God on high!
Please be seated. As you return to your seat via the side aisles,
please deposit the used communion cup
in the designated container.
If you wish to receive gluten-free bread,
please signal to the Pastor or Asst. Minister.
Host Families – Heidgerd Family
If you do not wish to receive Holy Communion, you
Leading and Preaching – Pastor John
may receive a brief blessing.
Organist– Rev. Richard Miller As you approach, please place your hands across
Sound – Bob Cole your chest in the form of the St. Andrew's cross.(X)
(when all have been communed,
please rise as you are able)
9
SONG DURING COMMUNION POST-COMMUNION PRAYER
O Little Town of Bethlehem (279)
Together, let us pray.
1 O little town of Bethlehem, God our redeemer,
how still we see thee lie! you have fed us at this table
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep with gifts of grace, truth, and life.
the silent stars go by; As you have gathered us in joy,
yet in thy dark streets shineth end us forth as messengers of your peace.
the everlasting light. Make us shine with the good news of your glory,
The hopes and fears of all the years born to us in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
are met in thee tonight.
Amen.
2 For Christ is born of Mary,
and, gathered all above BLESSING
while mortals sleep, the angels keep God bless you and keep you,
their watch of wond'ring love. ☩ Jesus grant you grace and truth,
O morning stars, together and the Spirit send peace upon your hearts,
proclaim the holy birth, now and forever.
and praises sing to God the king,
and peace to all the earth! Amen.
3 How silently, how silently SENDING SONG
the wondrous gift is giv'n! Go Tell It on the Mountain (290)
So God imparts to human hearts Refrain
the blessings of his heav'n. Go tell it on the mountain,
No ear may hear his coming; over the hills and ev'rywhere;
but, in this world of sin, go tell it on the mountain
where meek souls will receive him, still that Jesus Christ is born!
the dear Christ enters in.
1 While shepherds kept their watching
4 O holy child of Bethlehem, o'er silent flocks by night,
descend to us, we pray; behold, throughout the heavens
cast out our sin, and enter in, there shone a holy light. Refrain
be born in us today. 2 The shepherds feared and trembled
We hear the Christmas angels when, lo, above the earth
the great glad tidings tell; rang out the angel chorus
oh, come to us, abide with us, that hailed our Savior's birth. Refrain
our Lord Emmanuel!
3 Down in a lonely manger
Please stand as you are able. the humble Christ was born;
and God sent us salvation
that blessed Christmas morn. Refrain
TABLE BLESSING
DISMISSAL
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ
strengthen you and keep you in his grace. Christ the Savior is born!
Go in peace. Proclaim this good news.
Amen. Thanks be to God.
From sundaysandseasons.com. POSTLUDE
Copyright © 2022 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
“Glory to God in the Highest” - Pergolesi
10Emmanuel Upcoming Joint
Worship Service
Worships
Upcoming Worship Services
At Emmanuel
Sunday, Dec. 25 –
10 AM
Come and Worship
the Newborn King Mark your Calendars for this
upcoming joint worship
(KIDS – come in opportunity.
your PJs)
An Epiphany Service
of Lessons and Carols
Sunday presented by:
January 1, New Year The Lutheran Churches
2023 – 10 AM 2023 of the Indian Valley Cluster
Sunday, January 8, 2023
Service of 3:00 PM
Lessons and At Grace
Carols Lutheran Church,
40 N Main St.
Hatfield PA
Sunday +++++++++++++++++
January 8, 2023 – Take part in the
10 AM joint cluster choir!
The Holy Baptism Rehearsal will be held on
Thursday, January 5th
of Vivian Stella at 7PM
Snyder Little Zion Lutheran Church
267 Morwood Road
Telford PA
1112
Emmanuel The real hero of A Christmas Carol is not Ebeneezer
Worships
Scrooge, not Jacob Marley or Bob Cratchit, and not
any of the Spirits of Christmas. Scrooge does not
change his ways because of any of these characters.
The Spirit The only one who makes an impression on Scrooge,
and therefore becomes the true hero of the story is
of the smallest of all – “Tiny Tim” Cratchit – the little,
Christmas lame boy who possesses the most earnest of
Christmas spirits. It is “Tiny Tim” who pierces the
heart of the old miser and catalyzes his Christmas
Ready or not – here it comes. Or better said – Ready
Eve repentance.
or not – here HE comes. Whether you have the
“Christmas Spirit” or not – Christmas is here. Some may cite Scrooge seeing his own tombstone as
Whether you have the “Christmas Spirit” or not – what marked the change in him. But, I think the real
Christ is here. turning point in the story is the compassion he felt
for Tim. A boy whose true Christmas Spirit is
We make a fair to do about having or not having the
summed up in his visit with his father to church,
Christmas spirit. The problem is that the world
when he said that “people might find it pleasant to be
seems to equate this idea of Christmas spirit to an
reminded of the one who came to make the lame
attitude of mirthful merriment, despite what the
walk and the blind to see”. It wasn’t the thought of
world lays at your feet. We have taken the
his own demise that brought about old Scrooge’s
Christmas spirit and reduced to a “fake it – till you
transformation, but an epiphany of true Christmas
make it” dictum without any real appreciation for
spirit – that the love of God descends upon us in the
what Christmas spirit is about. This rather shallow
smallest, most broken, most vulnerable, and poorest
understanding of Christmas spirit actually breeds
of beings.
resentment, since many don’t share the glee of others
who have a seemingly limitless supply. In “A Christmas Carol”, Tiny Tim is really a picture
of Jesus Christ in the story, an embodiment of God’s
I wonder if that is what ailed our old friend
grace in the most unlikely of people, so similar to the
Ebeneezer Scrooge in Dickens’ “A Christmas
story of how Christ was born into the world.
Carol”. Much is made of his miserly and greedy
persona – and his disdain of anything to do with the Of course, Martin Luther never read “A Christmas
season of “Humbug” – Christmas. When Scrooge is Carol” and never heard of Ebeneezer Scrooge, but he
greeted by his nephew Fred with a hearty “Merry too understood the Christmas spirit to be more than
Christmas”, Scrooge responds “What right have you just a superficial expression of joy. He wrote:
to be merry, you are poor enough” “It would do us well to meditate anew this
But I think the character of Scrooge is more Christmas on the One who left the infinite
complicated than that. His outward grumpiness was glories of heaven to be born into a world of
a mask for a soul that had endured pain – the loss of poverty, to a poor virgin, in a poor city,
his mother as a young boy, the abandonment of his wrapped in poor clothing, surrounded by
father, the rejection of his betrothed, the death, in poor shepherds so that He might be the
childbirth of his beloved sister, and finally the loss of Savior of poor sinners like us who live in
his only friend and business partner. As we travel spiritual hopelessness and helplessness by
with Scrooge through the visitation of spirits, we nature. This is the grace of the Lord Jesus,
begin to understand his sorrow, and why he can’t "that though he was rich, yet for your sake he
seem to relate to those whose “Christmas Spirit” became poor, so that you by his poverty
seems to flow so easily. might become rich."
Scrooge’s journey with the spirits is really his quest Does that sound familiar to you?
to understand the true Spirit of Christmas; not some Merry Christmas, one and all. And God bless us,
insipid cloak of happiness, worn to cover up inner every one!
sadness but something deeper, more substantial,
more enduring in the face of pain and suffering. + Pastor John +
13Emmanuel A Christmas Message from
Worships Pastor Miller
All my heart again rejoices
Dear friends at Emmanuel, as I hear, far and near,
My thoughts, this Christmas, sweetest angel voices:
go back some four centuries “Christ is born,” their choirs are singing,
to a German clergyman. His till the air everywhere
name was Paul Gerhard. with joy is ringing.
One can hardly find a person Jesus’ voice from lowly manger
whose life was marked by softly thus calls to us:
more disappointment and “You are safe from danger;
pain than that of Gerhard. come and see; from all that grieves you
For it was his lot to live and minister during that you are free; all you need
period of European history marked by the Thirty I will surely give you.”
Year’s War. It was the longest and most
destructive war that Europe ever knew. The It is the darkness which I perceive in the world
issues were a combination of religious, this Christmas which drives me to these words of
territorial, and commercial rivalry. It is that humble German pastor from long ago. For,
estimated that between 4.5 and 8 million soldiers terrible as the Thirty Year’s War were, it is even
and civilians died as a result of the battles, more terrible to contemplate such an alternative
famine and disease. It was during those terrible in our own day. Yet, there are still those who
years that Paul Gerhard lived and cared for his practice it and those who remain its innocent
flock of faithful souls. victims. Moreover, there are those many other
expressions of suppression and hatred which,
Nor was this German pastor spared his own while they may not topple buildings, just as
personal suffering. He was 44 years old before effectively would destroy whatever stands in
he received his first parish, marrying four years their way and maim human lives.
later. However, because of his determination to
remain true to his Lutheran roots he was later But now Christmas comes again to remind us
deposed from this influential pastorate in Berlin that the darkness which surrounds us will never
by the German ruler who was not in sympathy be able to quench the light of God’s love nor
with Gerhard’s stance. Even worse, it was overcome, ultimately, his divine purposes. If we
during those years without employment that his look around us, we will see many evidences of
wife died after a long illness. Also, four of his that light. I think of the welcome which is being
five children died at a young age. extended to homeless immigrants arriving in
Philadelphia. I think of the many people who
And yet, Paul Gerhard has emerged as one of the have been nourished through the food program
greatest of all German hymn writers, a man here at Emmanuel. I think of the increasing
whose faith could not be shaken despite the public support for minority rights – racial,
incredible succession of misery and misfortune cultural and those with gender differences. I
which marked his life. That is why I am thinking think of the unexpected smile I receive from a
of him this Christmas. Because, among all of his stranger. Seeing all these expressions of “light”
magnificent hymns, he has given us one of the around me, I am able -- despite the darkness that
loveliest (albeit, rarely heard) songs of the remains – truly to say to each of you, “Joyous
season. It is #273 in our hymnal and includes Christmas!”
these words:
Pastor Miller
14Emmanuel Children and Youth
Nurtures ! Ministries at Emmanuel
“A Different Kind of
Sunday School”
Next Event,
Friday, January 6:
6PM – 8PM
A First Friday
New Year’s Party
Ring in a New Year
Sunday’s KIDS are ready for Christmas.
Last Sunday was the fourth Sunday with a night
of Advent and we took a look inside of food and games
the stable so we know what to
expect on Christmas morning – the For middle and high school youth.
love of Jesus! Fun – Faith – Friends
Every First Friday of the month!
Just another example of the ways
SUNDAY’s KIDS are learning about Contact Amanda Higgins
how God blesses us as they grow into for details.
mighty people of faith Mark your calendars
for upcoming “First Friday” events:
Sundays at 10 AM
January 6, 2023 * February 3, 2023
You don’t want to miss March 3, 2023 * April 14, 2023
SUNDAY’s KIDS !
15Emmanuel For our Homebound Members
Nurtures !
Helen De Turk Louella Gehringer Dorothy Rodemer
Norma Detweiler Faye Landis Faye Wetzel
Betty Frese
Special
In Our Prayer
For Health and Healing
Members of Emmanuel
Prayers Concerns Anthony Campolei Marilyn Detwiler Neil Quinn
Elaine Cash Lester Hallman Floyd Yothers
Bill Darragh Martin Hichens Ruth Yothers
We pray for the family of Roy Becker who died in
Christ on December 12. For Friends of Emmanuel
Erin Bauer (friend of Alison Laird)
We pray for the family of Dominick De Salvo who John Becker Sr.
died in Christ on December 3. Information about a Dennis Beer (friend of the Kulps)
Memorial Service will be shared Craig Benner (Vanessa Benner’s father-in-law)
as it becomes available. Frank Birchill (E-Meal client)
Lee Bruder (friend of the Koinonia Group)
+For our Bishop, Rev. Patricia Davenport Josh Butler (friend of the Mc Elwees)
and her staff. For Bishop Elizabeth Eaton Luca Condo (friend of Ruth Miller)
and the ELCA Churchwide staff. . Alicia and Mike Daniels (friends of Julie Freed)
Lou Farrell (Director of Bread Drop Ministries)
+ For hurricane victims and victims of recent Helen Freed (Evan Freed’s Grandmother)
flooding in Honduras and other Central Sharon and John Garner (Jen Casta’s Parents)
Collins Gibson (Grandniece of Rev. Serena Sellers)
American countries.
Sabrina Haap (Ruth Miller’s Niece)
+ For those experiencing loss or loneliness this Kathy Heckler (Heckler’s Daughter in Law)
Christmas, that the spirit of love and peace may Eric Heckler (Grandson of Gloria & Gerry Heckler)
Mary Rose Himes (friend of Pastor John)
break in to their lives. Juliet Himes (Mary Rose’s daughter)
+ In thanksgiving for exceeding our goal in raising Deborah Holcombe (Pastor John’s Sister in Law)
Tammy Houston (sister of MCIU teacher, Miss Sharon)
$18,000 to build desks for student in Honduras Ed Ianarelli (friend of the Harubins)
and to help relieve suffering in other ways. Alan Keel (friend of Caren and Doug Landis)
+ For an end to the war in Ukraine and for a spirit of Tom Krupp (Friend of the Beckers)
Hildegard Lamparter (Mother of Priscilla Lamparter)
comfort and peace to surround Valerie Landis (daughter-in-law of Caren and Doug Landis)
the victims of violence and uprooting. Christopher Marley (Son of Juanita Marley)
Richard Moore (friend of Ruth Miller’s Daughter)
+ For a solution to homelessness in our community Ed Natali (David’s Brother)
and for the 600+ people who are now homeless Katie Parsons (Friend of the McElwees)
in Montgomery County. May shelter be found as Alayna Pagano (Friend of Jane Vogel)
the weather turns colder. Connie Petrie (Friend of the Harubins)
Patrick Family (Friends of Julie Freed)
+ In thanksgiving for God’s guiding spirit and Richard Plinke (friend of Gerry and Dave Blaich).
providence as we continue the work being Alicia Ranberg (Friend of the Crouthamels)
done through the E-Meal and Bread Drop Ari Richter (Friend of Caren and Doug Landis)
Stewart Schrauger (Julie Freed’s Brother)
Ministries – and for the volunteers, donors
Michael Smith (friend of Cheryl Starke)
and partners that give so much so that people
don’t go hungry. Please help us manage the prayer list by letting us know when
God has granted healing and wholeness so we can rejoice and
For Members Serving in the Military remove a name that no longer needs to be especially
recognized.
Philip Coll – if you want to send a message, letter, or
a care package to Phil, please contact Kathleen Coll
16Emmanuel
Nurtures !
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Next Meeting
Monday,
January 16, - 7PM
Book - TBD
When was the last time you participated in
Join the ladies of Emmanuel for fun conversation Emmanuel’s Adult Discussion Forum? If
and fellowship – and always a good read! you haven’t, you might want to give it a try.
For information, e-mail Mary Anne Morral This ministry involves a lively discussion
morral@verizon.net group that means on the first and third
Sundays of each month, starting at 9AM. It
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
began in October, after a long Covid-19
Knitters and Crocheters induced hiatus.
“Come and gather Participants in the forum have been
discussing the mystery of the Holy Spirit and
to make shawls
how the Spirit makes its presence known to
for those in need us in myriad ways. What a great subject for
of comfort.” God’s people to study and learn about
Next Meeting: together! The discussion of the Holy Spirit
will go on into the new year. Here are the
Sunday, January 8 – 1PM dates and topics on the current schedule
(note date change due to New Year’s Day)
January 8 – The Spirit Liberates
And every first Sunday of the month
(Romans 8: 1-27)
In Emmanuel’s Parlor January 15 – The Spirit Equips
Instruction available for all who are interested. (I Corinthians 12)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ February 5 – The Spirit Transforms
(Galatians 5:13-26)
February 19 – The Spirit Influences
On Facebook (Ephesians 5: 15-21)
Mon-Sat 8AM
“Stay
Debbie McElwee is the convener of the
Connected forum and would be happy to discuss more
to God’s Word” about it with you.
17Emmanuel
Nurtures
A Christmas Message from
Presiding Bishop,
Rev. Elizabeth Eaton
18Emmanuel were stuffed
by volunteers
Serves ! from the
Souderton
Area High
School Key
Club who also
returned this
week to help
fill the
Christmas
dinner boxes.
There are so many people to thank, I couldn’t
possibly name them all here. We had a
Emmanuel E-Meal Update fantastic team of volunteers that kept
315,000 Meals “Handed Up” everything moving on distribution day. A
photo of the team is on the next page, along
Thanks be to GOD! with a couple of other images of the day.
The lines began to form at 9:45 AM and just We will be closed on Monday, December 26
a few minutes later, the line of cars extended to give our volunteers a much needed
all the way down “the alley” to Wile Ave. It Christmas break. But we will start things up
was the beginning of one of our largest again on Tuesday, December 27 and by
distribution days ever – 2,792 meals “handed God’s grace will be there in the new year
up” on our Christmas Box distribution day
held on December 22, 2022. We gave out Thank you and Merry Christmas.
126 family boxes to our neighbors in need + Pastor John +
and each box included a ham or turkey
donated by Leidy’s Meats, the Quakertown
Food Pantry or Colorcon. E-Meal Volunteers Are Needed!
We know this is a hard Christmas for many Please take time today and sign up to
when it comes to feeding their families. volunteer. Dates are available through
Prices are increasing with no end in sight. June 30, 2023 Signing up is easy.
We still see families who come to us for the
Click the following link to sign up.
first time – many who tell us that they never
expected to be asking for help. Thanks be to https://rb.gy/47vkgh
God that our E-Meal ministry continues to be
blessed to serve our neighbors, and that we E-Meal Donations Are Needed!
are part of the effort to make sure nobody
goes without food in the Indian Valley. And, if you can support the E-Meal ministry
financially, please click here for a link to do
In addition to the large meal distribution, we so easily and securely:
also “handed up” over 120 beautiful
Christmas stockings donated by “Care and Online Giving to Emmanuel
Share” and filled by various donations of (bit.ly/3iRyXn2)
small toys, candies and treats. The stockings
19Emmanuel
Serves !
A Few Photos from E-Meal’s
Christmas Box Distribution Hi Cindy,
on December 22
I’m sorry it has taken so long for me to reach out to
you. I’ve been battling the flu all week!
Once again, Emmanuel Lutheran showed the love of
Christ to our children. What an amazing act of
generosity from your members to make the holiday
brighter for the children we serve. The Christmas
party was awesome and the families were truly
overwhelmed by the outpouring of love they
received. Some kids opened their gifts right there
and others had to put them away and wait until
Christmas (they were not happy). Whether they got
to see their gifts that day or will have to wait until
Christmas day, the joy was/is real. There is a link
below with pictures of some of the children. I hope
you enjoy seeing who you are blessing!
You are a wonderful servant at Emmanuel and I
enjoy working with you each year. You are an
"angel" and I pray that God showers you with grace,
peace and mercy.
Be blessed!!!
Atiya
J. Atiya Waters
Orphan Care Ministry Coordinator
Salvation Army Foster Cares & Adoption
20Emmanuel Can you think of a better Christmas Gift
than the Gift of Life!
Reaches Out ! Please donate blood on Dec. 27
Just a Few Slots Left!
Help Us Fill Our DECEMBER Blood Drive
Emmanuel can get a
$250 gift card for E-MEAL
if we make our goal
Please Sign Up Today.
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Emmanuel Evangelical The Bulletins this week are sponsored
Lutheran Church in Thanksgiving to God by Bette and
Merril Christman
Current Sunday Schedule
Adult Discussion Forum – 9:00 AM
*First and Third Sundays*
Online and In-Person Worship – 10:00 AM
Sunday’s KIDS – 10:00 AM
Coffee Hour – 11:00 AM
Contact Us:
69 W. Broad Street • Souderton, PA 18964
Church Telephone: 215-723-7514
Email: Emmanuel@emmanuellutheranchurch.net
E-Meal Volunteers
Please sign up online
Website: www.elcsouderton.org https://rb.gy/47vkgh
Facebook.com/EmmanuelSouderton ++++++++++++++++++++++++
What’s Happening @ Emmanuel
Church Staff
12/25/22 – 1/1/23
Reverend John T. Heidgerd, Pastor Sun Christmas Day
Mobile Phone: 914-275-3106 12/25
10:00 AM Worship Service
Email Address: jheidgerd@gmail.com 11:00 AM Coffee Hour
Ann Marie Heidgerd – E-Meal Coordinator Mon
12/26
8:00 AM
CLOSED
Morning GodCast
E-Meal Distribution
Rev. Richard G. Miller, Jr., Pastor Emeritus 5:30 PM Bushi Karate
8:00 PM AA Group
Marlene H. Natali, Parish Deacon
Tue 8:00 AM Morning GodCast
Michael Shoemaker, Facilities Manager 12/27 10:30 AM – 1PM E-Meal Distribution
Patricia Shoemaker, Parish Administrator 2:00 PM – 7PM Red Cross Blood Drive
5:30 PM Bushi Karate
Wed 8:00 AM Morning GodCast
12/28 10:30 AM – 1PM E-Meal Distribution
5:30 PM Bushi Karate
Thu 8:00 AM Morning GodCast
12/29 10:30 AM – 1PM E-Meal Distribution
5:30 PM Bushi Karate
Fri 8:00 AM Morning GodCast
12/30 10:30 AM – 1PM E-Meal Distribution
Sat 8:00 AM Morning GodCast
12/31 10:30 AM – 1PM E-Meal Distribution
Sun New Years Day
1/1/23 The Name of Jesus
10:00 AM Service of Lessons and Carols
11:00 AM Coffee Hour
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