CHRISTMAS EVE THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD:

Transcription

1 THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD: CHRISTMAS EVE December 24, :30 p.m. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 1218 West Addison Street, Chicago office@htchicago.org [1]

2 Prelude I Wonder As I Wander GATHERING Appalachian Folksong Adapt. John Jacob Niles ( ) I wonder as I wander out under the sky how Jesus, the Savior, did come for to die For poor ornery people like you and like I--I wonder as I wander out under the sky. When Mary birthed Jesus, twas in a cow s stall, with wisemen and farmers and shepherds and all. But high from God s heaven a star s light did fall, and the promise of ages it then did recall. If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing: a star in the sky, or a bird on the wing; Or all of God s angels in heaven to sing, he surely could have had it, cause he was the King! Please stand as you are able Help Us Create SACRED SPACE by powering down Please do not use cell phones and other electronic devices. Gathering Hymn #283 O Come, All Ye Faithful Turn to face the cross as it enters; you may bow as the cross passes, honoring the mystery of our salvation. 1 O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant! O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; come and behold him, born the king of angels: Refrain O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord! 2 The highest, most holy, light of light eternal, born of a virgin, a mortal he comes; Son of the Father now in flesh appearing! Refrain 4 Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning; Jesus, to thee be glory giv'n! Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing: Refrain 3 Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God in the highest Refrain [2]

3 Greeting The presiding minister bows toward the assembly which is the body of Christ and the primary symbol of God s presence in the liturgy. Alleluia! Christ is born for us. Oh, come, let us adore him. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. The Word become flesh and lived among us. and we have beheld Christ s glory. To us a child is born, to us a Son is given. In the Word was life, and the life was the light of all people. Prayer of the Day Almighty God, you made this holy night shine with the brightness of the true Light. Grant that here on earth we may walk in the light of Jesus presence and in the last day wake to the brightness of his glory; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen Be seated WORD Reading Isaiah 9:2-7 Word of God, word of Life Thanks be to God. [3]

4 Psalm Hymn #267 Joy ToThe World 1 Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her king; let ev'ry heart prepare him room and heav'n and nature sing, and heav'n and nature sing, and heav'n, and heav'n and nature sing. 3 No more let sin and sorrow grow nor thorns infest the ground; he comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found, far as, far as the curse is found. Text: Isaac Watts, Sermon 2 Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ, while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy. 4 He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love, and wonders, wonders of his love. Following the sermon there is a time of silence for reflection and quiet meditation. Our liturgy is not only made up of words, gestures and music, but also moments of silence. Carol #296 What Child Is This (Stanza 2: Cantor alone) 1 What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary's lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet while shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the king, whom shepherds guard and angels sing; haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary! 3 So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh; come, peasant, king, to own him. The King of kings salvation brings; let loving hearts enthrone him. Raise, raise the song on high, the virgin sings her lullaby; joy, joy, for Christ is born, the babe, the son of Mary! Text: William C. Dix, Why lies he in such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christian, fear; for sinners here the silent Word is pleading. Nails, spear shall pierce him through, the cross be borne for me, for you; hail, hail the Word made flesh, the babe, the son of Mary! [4]

5 The Christmas Story During the telling of the Christmas story, the following carols will be sung: Carol O Little Town of Bethlehem O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by; yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light. The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. Text: Phillips Brooks, Carol Angels We Have Heard on High Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o'er the plains, and the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strains. Gloria in excelsis Deo; gloria in excelsis Deo. Text: French carol; tr. H.F. Henry, The Crown of Jesus Music, 1864 Carol Away In A Manger Away in a manger, no crib for his bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head; the stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay, the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. Text: North American, 19th cent. Carol Go Tell It On The Mountain Refrain Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and ev'rywhere; go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born! 1 While shepherds kept their watching o'er silent flocks by night, behold, throughout the heavens there shone a holy light. Refrain Text: African American spiritual, refrain; John W. Work Jr., , stanzas, alt. [5]

6 Welcome and Announcements Gathering of Gifts Newcomers are invited to fill out the welcome slip in the pew and place it in the offering plate. Offertory Anthem O Holy Night Adolphe Adam ( ) Please Stand Blessing of the Creche Prayers of Intercession Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. O holy night, the stars are brightly shining, It is the night of the dear Savior s birth; Long lay the world in sin and error pining, 'Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn; Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices! O night divine! O night when Christ was born. O night, O holy night, O night divine. Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is Love and His gospel is Peace; Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother, And in his name all oppression shall cease, Sweet hymns of joy in grateful Chorus raise we; Let all within us praise his Holy name! Christ is the Lord, then ever praise we! His pow'r and glory, evermore proclaim! [6]

7 The Lord s Prayer As a sign of openness to the divine presence, you may join the presider in praying the Our Father with the ancient gesture of extended hands. Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen. Blessing Sending Hymn #281 Silent Night 1. Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright Round yon virgin mother and child. Holy Infant, so tender and mild. Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace. Sending 3. Silent night, holy night! Son of God, love s pure light Radiant beams from your holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at your birth, Jesus, Lord, at your birth. Go in peace. Let your light shine. Thanks be to God. 2. Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight; Glories stream from heaven afar, Heav nly hosts sing, Alleluia! Christ, the Savior, is born! Christ, the Savior, is born! Postlude In dulci jubilo J. S. Bach ( ) [7]

8 SERVING IN THIS LITURGY PRESIDING MINISTER Pr. Craig M. Mueller PREACHING MINISTER Pr. Michelle Sevig MINISTER OF MUSIC David R. Brackley CANTOR Lauren Haines CRUFICER/READER Peder Sevig WORSHIP LEADERS Parker & Demi Spalla; Colin &Jonas Licklider; Austin & Jake Johnson; Annika Sevig TORCHBEARERS Austin & Jake Johnson Upcoming Worship Schedule Christmas Day + Monday, December am - Christmas Day Eucharist at HTLakeview + 10am - Christmas Day Eucharist at HTLoop Saturday, December 30 +HTLoop (637 S. Dearborn) Eucharist at 5pm PARISH NOTES Sunday, December 31 + ONE LITURGY at 10am, No Sunday School + First Sunday of Christmas Saturday, January 6 +HTLoop (637 S. Dearborn) Festive Epiphany Eucharist at 5pm with International Potluck to Follow Sunday, January 7 + ONE LITURGY at 10am, No Sunday School + Epiphany Festival Eucharist Worship Acknowledgements Text and music for the liturgy is reprinted from Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2007 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License # Unless otherwise noted, all other music and text reprinted under permission of OneLicense.net #A COVER ART: God Is With Us by Hanna Varghese [8]

9 Our worship is ancient and new WHAT WE VALUE We celebrate a liturgy based on ancient patterns and rituals that go back to the early centuries of Christianity. We gather for worship to hear the scriptures and wrestle with their meaning for our lives today. We share the sacred meal of bread and wine and depart to serve a world in need. Though ancient, worship is always fresh and new as the gospel of Christ comes alive for our contemporary context. Time unplugged from electronic devices allows reflection and centering. Open to the Mystery we connect, strengthen and serve with joy. Things we re for Radical inclusivity regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, socio-economic status, sexual orientation or religious/spiritual background. Embodied gathering in real time and sacred space. Multisensory liturgy that helps us delight in God s beauty. Intentional engagement with contemporary social, theological and spiritual issues. User-friendly liturgies. Preaching that is honest about the struggles of life and the grace of God. Robust congregational singing. Reverence and joy in worship that spills over into everyday life. Cultivating empowering relationships, not only at church but everywhere. Openness to questions and faith struggles. Treasuring mystery above certainty. Things we re against Power and privilege that lead to prejudice and oppression. Racism, sexism, heterosexism and ableism. A religion that claims to have all the answers. Senseless violence. Negative and hateful partisanship. Superficial responses to life s painful and difficult realities. Boring sermons. Church services that don t connect with everyday life. Equating Christianity with the Religious Right. Indifference to injustice and suffering. Misuse of the earth and its resources. [9]

10 POINSETTIAS & GREENS SPONSORS The Ashby family, in Memory of Delores Ische Mark & Amy Avery, in loving memory of Andrew John Avery Molly Beran, in memory of Wayne Thell. Richard Bough and David Easterbrook, in memory of Anthony J. Resiman Richard Boyum, in honor of Joyce and Orville Hegseth Thomas Braham, in memory of Liz Kulkarni & Phil Scheuermann Rich Campbell, with thanks for God s many blessings Sandra Cline, in honor of Carol & Ryan LaHurd, Kevin Strickland, and Robby Saner Kerry Fleming, in memory of Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Fleming Philip Francis, in memory of Maebeth Francis Michael Fustin and Paul Hickey, in memory of Sylda Hickey & Jo Ann C. Fustin Andy Halvorson, in thanksgiving for the blessings of 2017 Lynn Horn, in thanksgiving for his Holy Trinity family Tony and Geraldine Kruse, in memory of Mike Kruse Ryan and Carol LaHurd, in thanksgiving for their children and grandchildren, especially Anaya Yasmeen born December 5 Camille and James Licklider, in Memory of Jerry Licklider, Laurice Daum, and in thanksgiving for the Sunday School teachers Dan McAdams and Rebecca Pallmeyer, in memory of Millie McAdams Mike and Patrice Macken, in celebration of their family James Perez and Ken Duckmann, in memory of Alvaro and Marta Miranda (grandparents), Ken and Lillian Duckmann (grandparents), Charly Jakobsen (grandmother), and Ken Duckmann, Jr. (father) Tim and Janelle Peterson, in memory of Carol and Len Peterson Dawn Roscoe, in memory of Wilma Roscoe Andrea Schaller, in memory of Theresia Schaller Becky Sims, in thanksgiving for Hope and Blake s birthdays Julie and Michelle Sevig in thanksgiving for their children Peder, Oliver and Annika Laura and Tom Spalla, in celebration of the birthday of Jesus Deborah Stevens, in memory of John C. Else, Jr.; John C. Else, III; and Matilda Stevens Kent and Lora Swanson, in honor of their mothers, Valerie Swanson and Blanche Brauns Ernest Vasseur and Craig Mueller, in thanksgiving for the talented staff of Holy Trinity Dinah Wayne, in memory of Mary-Ann Wayne Karol Weigelt, in memory of Claire Evans Karol Weigelt and David Stahl, in thanksgiving for all their family, past and present, and future, and God s many blessings Peter Wong, in thanksgiving for God s blessing [10]

11 NEWCOMER OR FIRST TIME? WELCOME! + Whoever you are, wherever you're from, whatever the color of your skin, whomever you love or marry, or whatever your feelings about religion or spirituality, you are welcome here. + Please fill out a yellow slip in the pew rack and place it in the offering plate. + More information on Holy Trinity, Lutheranism, worship practices, marriage and baptisms at the welcome table. Upcoming baptism dates: January 7, March 31, April 8 + To families with small children: We are glad you are here! If your child needs a break from the service, feel free to walk to the narthex/back of the church. + Offerings: We rely on the generosity of members and friends to support the programs, staff, building, and ministries of Holy Trinity and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. A large number of the congregation gives their offerings online. You can also donate online at giving.htchicago.org. We still pass the offering plate as well! We appreciate your contributions of time, talent, and financial support! Generosity And The New Tax Law Your generosity enables Holy Trinity to begin 2018 in a strong financial position and we thank you for your continued support, and especially for special year-end donations (give online at giving.htchicago.org). The new tax law will impact the ability of many people to utilize charitable contributions toward itemized deductions. Adjustments to marginal tax rates and a nearly doubled standard deduction may reduce tax benefits of making charitable contributions. Since many of these proposed changes would likely take effect on January 1, 2018, you may want to consider utilizing maximum benefits under current law by December 31, You may also want to take advantage of the tax benefits this year to charitable giving if you have experienced gains from the historic run in the financial markets. Holy Trinity has opened a brokerage account and Paul Strome, our administrator for finance (pstrome@htchicago.org) can assist you with this process. [11]

12 Holy Trinity: Lakeview 1218 W. Addison Street Holy Trinity: Loop 637 S. Dearborn Street holytrinitychicago.org Purpose Statement Open to the Mystery Connect, Strengthen, and Serve with Joy! Guiding Principles Act with courage Be radically inclusive Cultivate empowering relationships Delight in God s beauty STAFF Lead Pastor Craig Mueller cmueller@htchicago.org Associate Pastor Michelle Sevig msevig@htchicago.org Assistant Pastor (HTLoop) Ben Adams badams@htchicago.org Minister of Music David Brackley dbrackley@htchicago.org Administrator (Communications, Worship, and Community Life) Beau Surratt office@htchicago.org Music Assistant Ayriole Frost music@htchicago.org Administrator (Finance and Building) Paul Strome pstrome@htchicago.org Assistant Organist John Weit Nursery Attendant Audrey Frost Seminarians Paisley Le Roy Ian Frei Engage With Intention [12]