Leader: Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” – Matthew 1:23 People: God is with us!

Leader: God is with us in youth and age, in joy and sorrow, in fear and hope, in doubt and confidence- at Christmastime and any day of the year. People: God is with us!

Leader: God is with us in science and art, in history and mystery, in natural beauty of mountain or ocean, and in a child’s sand castle or a new hospital wing. People: God is with us!

Leader: God is with us in the face of a friend and the face of a stranger, in the face on television and the face in the mirror. People: God is with us!

Leader: God is with us through the gifts of pastors who tell the old story like it is the freshest news, through he gifts of musicians and educators, through the gifts of sextons and administrators. People: God is with us!

Leader: This morning we give back to these who have shared Christ’s good news in our churches and we discover that God is with us most when we live like people with God. People: God is with us in all seasons and in all ways!

Leader: People: Let us pray . . . Gracious God, we give thanks for those who have shared the story of One called Emmanuel – God-with-us, and Jesus, the One who saves. Their care for the church is faithful in all seasons. Bless these Christmas Fund gifts that they may express our gratitude to retired and active clergy and lay employees of our churches and our willingness to share the good tidings of God’s love as we have learned it from them. Amen.