WELCOME TO WORSHIP
In the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we welcome you to St. Paul’s. We especially welcome our guests who have joined us today. We pray that your soul will be strengthened by the good news of God’s forgiveness through Jesus.
PRAYER IN PREPARATION FOR TODAY’S WORSHIP
Lord God, when our human race was in need of salvation, you actually became one with us by taking on human flesh. Calm my fears today with the knowledge that you are still with me each day. Point me to Christ, the God-man who gave his life for me and yet lives forever, so I can always trust in your eternal care and grace. In Jesus I pray these things. Amen.
OPENING HYMN 328 The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came
INVOCATION
CONFESSION
ABSOLUTION
LORD, HAVE MERCY
The Word
SALUTATION
PRAYER OF THE DAY
FIRST READING Isaiah 7:10–14
SECOND READING Romans 1:1–7
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Matthew 1:23
GOSPEL Matthew 1:18–25
HYMN OF THE DAY 360 Behold, a Branch Is Growing
SERMON Isaiah 7:10–14 The Lord Chose Quite the Sign
NICENE CREED
OFFERTORY 609 We Praise You, O God, Our Redeemer sts. 1, 3
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
The Sacrament
PREFACE
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
LORD’S PRAYER
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
O LAMB OF GOD
DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION HYMN 315 Let the Earth Now Praise the Lord
DISTRIBUTION HYMN 320 As Angels Joyed with One Accord
DISTRIBUTION HYMN 330 Peace Came to Earth
THANKSGIVING
BLESSING
CLOSING HYMN 327 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE PRACTICE INVITATION
The congregation is invited once again this year to attend the final practice session for the Christmas Eve service if you are not able to join us on Wednesday night (or if you’d like to do both). The final practice will be Tuesday morning (the 23rd) beginning around 8:30-8:45 am. You are also welcome to join us for our school chapel service at about 8:15 am right there in the church sanctuary. The practice will begin right after chapel is done.
CHRISTMAS SERVICES
Christmas Eve (Wed.): 4:30 & 6:00 pm
Christmas Day (Thurs.): 9:00 am
BREAK FROM STUDIES
We will take a break from our midweek studies the last two weeks of December and will begin our next midweek study on January 6th and 7th. We will also take a break from our Sunday School and Sunday Bible Study on Dec. 28th and Jan. 4th and will pick things back up on Jan. 11th.
MIDWEEK STUDY SURVEY
If you would like to rank your choices for the next midweek study, you can do so at the Google Form linked in the QR code. You can also find copies of the survey in the church basement.
OFFERING ENVELOPES READY FOR 2026
You can find the new offering envelopes for 2026 in the church basement organized (mostly) alphabetically by last name.
SCHOOL CUSTODIAN
St. Paul’s school is looking for a custodian to work part-time. If you or someone you know are interested in the position, please contact Blake Horstman at 608-461-2786.
POINSETTIAS
The poinsettias have been delivered to the church! If you ordered a flower for your home, you’ll find it in the church basement. Each plant is labeled with your name. Please use caution in the cold weather—poinsettias are sensitive to low temperatures. Place your plant inside the bag provided and ensure it is kept in a warm vehicle during transport. The bags are in the church basement. Flowers that will remain in the church will be watered and cared for until after Christmas. After the holiday, please take yours home to enjoy.
BIBLE INFORMATION CLASS
Our next Bible Information Class will begin on Sunday, January 11th, after the second service at 11:30 am. We will have classes each Sunday at that time through Palm Sunday. If you or someone you know would like to attend, please contact Pastor Groth and he’ll make sure to have a binder ready for you.
BIBLE INFORMATION CLASS LUNCHES?
We hope to serve lunch to the attendees of our next Bible Information Class as they study the Word with interest in joining our fellowship. If you would be willing to organize and serve lunch for one or more of these Sundays, please contact Pastor Groth.
HELPING THE HOMELESS
Dear WELS brothers and Sisters, our area Care, Compassion and Help Committee is seeking donations to help the less fortunate and homeless this Christmas season. Some of what we are looking for would be gently used coats, waterproof gloves (men and women’s), new winter long underwear (size medium and large), and warm socks. Hygiene products such as soaps, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, and shaving cream are also a need. One of the organizations that we are donating to is developing “Baskets of Belonging” to be distributed to local homeless that are moving into their new apartments. We are collecting laundry baskets, small/medium laundry soap, and dryer sheets. If you would like to contribute this way, there will be a box in the lobby. We are also able to accept nonperishable food items. If you prefer us to do the shopping, checks should be made out to First Evangelical Lutheran Church, La Crosse. Make sure that the donation is clearly marked “Care and Compassion Fund.” All donations will be collected by January 15th. If you are interested in being a part of this newly formed committee, please join us for our next meeting on January 14th, 2026, 6:30 p.m., at First Lutheran School or contact Angie at First Lutheran for more information.
CAN YOU HELP?
Well, the snow is here! Our great and stalwart snow removal team would appreciate a couple more teammates. If you are able to help, you would be on the schedule every 5 or 6 days. Or if you can only help on weekdays or weekends, the schedule can accommodate that requirement. If it doesn’t snow on your day, you do nothing. If we get some additional team members, we could, depending on the weather and chances, reduce the number of days that you actually remove snow to 2 or 3 per year. If you are able to help, please call Dan Arndt at 608-343-4662.
LIVE NATIVITY TAKEDOWN
On January 1st from 9am-5pm down at Riverside we will be taking down the Live Nativity scene. Any amount of time you can lend to help with this is greatly appreciated. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
CAMM LETTER
You can find copies of the December newsletter for Central Africa Medical Mission in the narthex.
LUTHER HIGH’S HOME STRETCH
Luther High School’s building project, Home Stretch, represents a cherished dream for many families, teachers, and local congregations, and your support is essential in bringing this vision to life. By contributing, you can help reduce the remaining $2.5 million loan, ensuring financial stability and enhancing educational resources. Every dollar makes a difference. Ways to give: one-time gifts, monthly or weekly contributions, tribute or memorial gifts, matching gifts through employers, online giving at lutherhigh.org/advancement. Thank you for your support!
GOOD STEWARD FORMAL WEAR OPEN HOUSE
Do you know a girl looking for a Prom or Winter Formal dress (even for next year homecoming)? Are you looking for that special Mother dress for your child’s wedding? Or just a formal dress you didn’t know you needed? Good Steward has you covered! On Monday January 19th, 2026, head to Good Steward for their private (invitation only) 2nd Annual Formal Wear Event. It starts at 3pm and will be open until 6pm, refreshments provided. You can browse through over 200+ (NEW/ used once) dresses, all sizes and styles, that are between $10-$70. If you have questions please contact Kelly Valletta (Coordinating Event) 651-564-0701 or call the store 608-779-9763.
PRAYERS
This week we keep in our prayers: Brian Berg, Gary and Christa Lemke, Clarice Koltermann, Marcie Richmond, Herb Miller, Ron and Marilyn Meyer, Dan Chandler, Vivian Havens, Twyla Krueger, Chuck Melcher, and Kelly Langrehr.
CALENDAR
TODAY 8:00 am Worship with Communion
9:10 am Sunday School
9:15 am Bible Study
10:00 am Worship with Communion
MONDAY 7:00 pm Church Choir Practice
TUESDAY 8:30 am Christmas Eve Service Practice Open to Congreg.
WEDNESDAY 4:30 pm Children’s Christmas Eve Service
6:00 pm Children’s Christmas Eve Service
THURSDAY 9:00 am Christmas Day Song Festival
NEXT SUNDAY 8:00 am Worship
9:00 am Fellowship Hour
10:00 am Worship