Bishop Lanette Plambeck and the Dakotas Conference Cabinet present this gift of worship to you, Heaven and Nature Sing: A Very Dakotas Christmas 2023."We celebrate the birth of the Christ-child with clergy, families, and scenes from United Methodists across the Dakotas Conference. 

In the scripture passages John 1:1-5, Luke 2:1-20, John 1:6-14, we hear the joy and wonder of the new born king. God, we see your light shining in the darkness. We hear the Christmas Angels. We behold your promises fulfilled in the birth of this wondrous child. May this magical story become real in our lives as all heaven and nature sing.

A Very Dakotas Christmas 2023  is a production of the Dakotas Conference of The United Methodist Church, Doreen Gosmire, communications director and David Stucke, communications associate. Permission is granted to churches, organizations, and individuals affiliated with The United Methodist Church to use this service in its entirety, or in component parts under CCLI license number: 508082 and CCLI streaming license: CSPL018565.

Resources:
Access the video portfolio | Downloand the video of the entire worship service | Download a copy of the Order of Worship | Access graphic | Download a specific section of worship: 01-Prelude, 02-Welcome, 03-Lighting of the Advent and Christ Candles, 04-Call to Worship , 05-Hymn: Joy to the World, 06-Children's Story, 07-Prayer, 08-Scripture Reading, 09-Response, 10-Song:This is Jesus, 11-Sermon: Singing God's Song,  12-Song: Sounding Joy, 13-Closing Prayer, 14-Hymn: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee, 15-Blessing, 16-Postlude and Credits. 

Heaven and Nature Sing: A Very Dakotas Christmas 2023
Order of Worship
Prelude—What Child is This, performed by Rev. Teresa Person, Huron Riverview UMC

Welcome—Bishop Lanette Plambeck, Resident Bishop, Dakotas-Minnesota Area of The United Methodist Church

Isaiah 9:6-7, NIV: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.

Lighting of the Advent and Christ Candles

We light the candle of joy. All heaven and nature sing!
We light the candle of love. All heaven and nature sing!
We light the candle of peace. All heaven and nature sing!
We light the candle of hope. All heaven and nature sing!
We light the candle of Jesus, God with us. All heaven and nature sing!

Call to worship—Rev. Kris Mutzenberger, Northeast District Superintendent, and  Rev. Joel Winckler, Northwest District Superintendent

Join me in the call to worship:
People have proclaimed God’s praises throughout the ages.
Now it is our turn to worship the Lord and announce God’s presence and love to the inhabitants of this world.
With voice and musical instruments, with lovely melodies and joyful sounds,
Let us proclaim the glory of God.
Let us fill our homes and sanctuaries, our halls of learning, our factories, and marketplaces, even the streets of our towns with sounds of celebration.
Gods is here; God is now!

Hymn—Joy to the World, Pierre First United Methodist Church Choir, Pierre, S.D.

Children’s Story — “Sounding Joy” by Ellie Holcomb; narrated by Rev. Joel Winckler, Northwest District Superintendent; accompaniment by Rev. Teresa Person, Riverview UMC, Huron, S.D.

Prayer—Rev. Rebecca Trefz, Southeast District Superintendent and Director of Ministries

O wondrous God of the stars, we come with breathless wonder
to see the babe who will change our lives. We hear the names “Wonderful Counselor,”
“Mighty God,” “Prince of Peace,” and we are in awe.
You have touched the earth with your unconditional love.
Connect with us—touch our hearts and minds and souls.
May we never tire of this story. May we never take it for granted. Inspire us again, so that all heaven and nature sing. Amen.

Scripture—John 1:1-5, Luke 2:1-20, and John 1:6-14, CEB

Response to the Word— Rev. Kris Mutzenberger, Northeast District Superintendent

God, we see your light shining in the darkness.
We hear the Christmas Angels.
We behold your promises fulfilled.
in the birth of this wondrous child.
May this magical story become real in our lives as all heaven and nature sing.

Song—This is Jesus, Praise Team, First UMC, Brookings, S.D.

Sermon—Singing God’s Song, Rev. Rebecca Trefz, Director of Ministries and Southeast District Superintendent

Song—Sounding Joy, Praise Team, First UMC, Fargo, N.D.

Closing Prayer—Rev. Dan Bader, Southwest District Superintendent

Holy God of Christmas and every day, keep the joy of your coming in our hearts as we move beyond the stable and into the world. May the joy of giving that has filled our hearts
this week move us to share our time, talent and treasure with love and devotion to you. Remind us that we can't stay by the manger but must move back into a world where
children are still in danger and families still flee as refugees from persecution and injustice. May our lives be the gifts we give be used in every way to bring your compassion and
grace to those who suffer and who live on the margins that all heaven and nature would sing.  Alleluia! Amen. 

Hymn—Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee, UMH #89, Choir, First UMC, Jamestown, N.D

Blessing – Bishop Lanette Plambeck, Resident Bishop, Dakotas-Minnesota Area of The United Methodist Church

May the joy of the angels,
the eagerness of the shepherds,
the perseverance of the wise men,
the obedience of Joseph and Mary,
and the peace of the Christ-child
be yours this Christmas; All Heaven and Nature Sing

Postlude—Angels We Have Heard on High, Rev. Teresa Person, Huron Riverview UMC, S.D.