Christmas Eve Service Order of Worship December 24, :00 pm

Transcription

1 Christmas Eve Service Order of Worship December 24, :00 pm Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) 3014 McKinley St NE, Minneapolis, MN

2 Christmas Eve Service Welcome to God s house for the celebration! A warm Gloria Dei welcome to those who are worshiping with us this evening, especially to our guests and visitors! We are thankful that you are here! The greatest event to ever take place in human history is being celebrated the birth of the Son of God in Bethlehem! Please take a moment to pray that God would bless your time in His house and that your worship this evening would be in Spirit and in Truth! May our worship help you experience the peace which comes from knowing that you have been reconciled with your heavenly Father through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. THE MINISTRY OF WORD AND SACRAMENT We are celebrating Holy Communion this evening and joyfully share our conviction that this is The Lord's Table. If you are communing with us tonight, we ask that you read and confess the following statements of our belief before communing: We receive the true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, together with the bread and wine in a manner our human reason cannot understand. (Real Presence) By communing together with our Lord and one another, we express a common belief that: Jesus is in truth the Son of God and Son of Man, Jesus is our Savior and the only way for salvation; Christ's death assures us of complete forgiveness of our sins; God is strengthening us in this Sacrament to live a more godly life and to amend with the help of the Holy Spirit those areas where our thoughts, words, and deeds are not in conformity with God s will. We declare these statements because it is our concern for people to not be hypocritical between their faith and practice. Those who share these convictions are welcome to come and celebrate the blessings of God's Table at the Altar. Persons unable to approach the Altar may be communed in the pew, please notify the Pastor or Elder if you wish this service. The white wine in the center of the tray is denatured (alcohol removed) wine. 2

3 Christmas Eve Service AS WE GATHER "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord...Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." (Luke 2:11, 15b) Like the shepherds who received a divine invitation to worship the newborn Savior of the world, we come together tonight by divine invitation to worship Him, glorify Him and praise Him for all we have heard and seen. WE ENTER TO WORSHIP AND BE BLESSED PRESERVICE MUSIC WELCOME CALL TO WORSHIP O Come All Ye Faithful LSB 379 v1&2 OUR ADVENT WREATH PREPARATION (Isaiah 9:2; John 1:5,14) O Come All Ye Faithful LSB 379 v3 PRAYER THE LORD COMES TO US IN HIS WORD OLD TESTAMENT READING Isaiah 9:2-7 ESV HYMN It Came Upon A Midnight Clear LSB 366 v. 1,4 SECOND LESSON Titus 2:11-14 ESV HYMN Let Us All With Gladsome Voice LSB 390 THE CHRISTMAS GOSPEL Luke 2:1-4 ESV HYMN O Little Town Of Bethlehem LSB 361 THE CHRISTMAS GOSPEL Luke 2:6-7 ESV HYMN "The Way in a Manger" LSB 365 THE CHRISTMAS GOSPEL Luke 2:8-14 ESV HYMN Hark The Herald Angels Sing LSB 380 v.1,2 THE CHRISTMAS GOSPEL Luke 2:15-18 ESV HYMN What Child Is This? LSB 370 THE CHRISTMAS GOSPEL Luke 2:19-20 ESV HYMN Gentle Mary Laid Her Child LSB 374 SERMON I Know That My Redeemer Lives OUR RESPONSE TO THE WORD OUR CHRISTMAS OFFERING OFFERTORY SOLO Joseph s Song Soloist: K. Christopherson THE CHRISTMAS PRAYER 3

4 THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION LORD'S PRAYER WORDS OF INSTITUTION SONG of PREPARATION Tune: O Come O Come Emmanuel LSB 357 DISTRIBUTION - DISTRIBUTION HYMNS Angels from the Realms of Glory LSB 367 How Deep the Fathers Love For Us S. Townend POST COMMUNION PRAYER The Candle Lighting Ceremony CANDLE LIGHT HYMN "Silent Night, Holy Night" LSB 363 BENEDICTION CLOSING HYMN Joy To The World LSB Silent Prayer + ANNOUNCEMENTS POSTLUDE WE DEPART TO SERVE A Blessed Christmas to each of you Please join us tomorrow morning at 10:00 am for our continuing celebration of the Christ Child's birth. A BIG THANK YOU from all the Shut Ins who received the beautiful gift baskets. A big thank you goes out to all who shopped, assembled and delivered the 17 baskets. The efforts were sincerely appreciated! 4

5 OUR WEEKLY CALENDAR 12/24 Mon 5:00 pm Christmas Eve Service w/hc 5:30 pm AlAnon 1 8:00 pm AA/AlAnon 2 12/25 Tues 10:00 am Christmas Day Service w/hc 12/26 Wed 10:00 am Bible Study 6:30 pm TLWCC Bible Class 12/28 Fri 5:00 pm TLWCC Music Practice 8:00 pm AA/AlAnon 12/29 Sat 10:00 am TLWCC Worship 6:00 pm TLWCC Worship & Fellowship 12/30 Sun First Sunday after Christmas 8:45 am Education Hour 10:00 am Worship 6:00 pm NA SERVING TODAY Elder: Karmon Christopherson Ushers: Tom and Patty Lyrenmann Counters: Dale Raschke and Wade Billmeyer Altar Care: Tom and Patty Lyrenmann Please note, Attendance and Offerings will be reported on Sunday, December 30 PRE CALL AND TRANSITION COMMITTEE Last Sunday, 12/09, we had our first Pre-Call meeting with our District President Rev. Dr. Lucas Woodford and Dr. Phillip Johnson, Assistant to the President for Mission Formation. Our next step is to form a Pre-Call and Transition Team who will begin the process of evaluating GDLC with the use of what is called a SWOT Analysis. This is NOT the same as a CALL Committee, that comes later. A SWOT Analysis is a useful technique for understanding our Strengths and Weaknesses, and for identifying both the Opportunities open to us and the Threats we face. This Congregational Self-Study provides a snapshot of our present values and ministries as well as begin to formulate the expectations of a new pastor in whatever form this may lead GDLC in praying about how we can use GDLC as a mission station in His Church. If you are interested in being on this team a signup sheet is on the front Entry bulletin board. 5

6 TODAY S LUTHERAN HOUR December 23 "The King's Strength" (Luke 1:26-56) Speaker: Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler A true king's strength is seen, not in vaults and arsenals, but in the loyalty of his people. We celebrate the birth of the King who won the victory, not by taxing His subjects and killing His enemies, but by serving, loving and dying for them. By His resurrection, He destroyed the power of sin and grants us strength to become His loyal subjects. NEXT WEEK ON THE LUTHERAN HOUR December 30 A Long Good-Bye" (Luke 2:27-32) Guest Speaker: Dr. Dean Nadasdy As the year come to a close, we likely have regrets and guilt. We can beat ourselves up over work left undone, but Jesus Christ has assured us that He is your hope. His grace is more than sufficient to take us into another year and give us peace. On Sunday mornings, listen on 830 AM WCCO AM at 6:05 am, or 1110 AM, Omaha, at 6:30 am, or XM 170 Satellite Radio on Sundays at noon or listen anytime at STEWARDSHIP: Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. We give gifts at Christmastime because God gave The Gift at Christmas. That s how it always works: God acts, and we imitate. That s what it means to grow in faith to grow more into the image of God in what we think, say, and do. LUTHERANS FOR LIFE: December 23 Christmas celebrates more than just Jesus birthday. This historical event testifies to unchangeable truth about humankind and our Almighty Maker. It bestows upon us the honor of a special connection to the Lord God that makes us more precious than any other creature. It forms the foundation for all peace and love and joy and hope by revealing His salvation and testifying to how we participate in His everlasting life. Christmas profoundly proves the Gospel to be our history, identity, and destiny, and it proclaims a distinctly lifeaffirming reality. Rev. Michael W. Salemink, executive director of Lutherans For Life A Life Quote from Lutherans For Life 6

7 BIRTHDAYS: 24 th Danielle Ohnstad, 25 th Lori Sharbono, 27 th Rudy Holzinger ANNIVERSARIES: None ETERNAL CANDLE: Shirley & Rudy Holzinger Rudy s Birthday (December 27) FLOWERS: Christmas Poinsettias PRAYER CONCERNS KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS Jean Brede, Granice Cloutier, Millie Demcho, Millie Eckhardt, Deb Forsberg, Angela Huizel, Robert & Delores Kluwe, Lorriane Niemela, Nanc Rixe, Ada Samson, Bev Svac, Bill Woll IN OUR EXTENDED PRAYERS Lewis & Vera Gade (Pastor s parents) COPD/dementia Lily Gilbert (Daughter of John/Sandra Gilbert) - Emotional Issues Dick Gillund (Patty & Meridel s brother) medical issues John Gillund (P & M s brother) waiting for kidney transplant Elaine Gillund (P & M s sister n-law) hip surgery recovery Roxie Johnson (Morelli s niece) heart issues Steve Kaiser (friend of Patty Lyrenmann s brother) COPD Mary Phillips and Dan Crocker Chronic Illness Doris Rixe (Nanc s mother) heart valve issues Jimmy Royal & Dave (friends of Dick Gillund) NOTE: Those listed under Keep in your prayers are removed from the list after 8 weeks. If there is someone you would like to keep on the list for another 8 weeks, please contact the church office. THOSE BATTLING CANCER Lynn & Edith Engel (friends of Sandy & Bob Bauer) Radiation Amy Price (Morelli s niece) treatments for stage 4 cancer Marvin & Norma Thor poor health/stomach cancer Nancy Tousant (Krystal Kruse s co-worker) Cancer THOSE SERVING OUR COUNTRY IN DANGEROUS AREAS Brian Morelli now serving in Kuwait IN OUR PRAYERS AND REQUESTED PRAYERS If you have family members or friends who require our prayers, please use the prayer request cards found in the pews or at the Ushers counter and give to the office. They will be added to the Prayer list. Any updates to the current list? 7

8 Give the Gift of Blood -- Dec 3:30 pm - 7:00 pm Memorial Blood Center will be at Community Grounds, th Ave. NE, Columbia Heights, from 3:30-7 pm Thursday, Dec sign-up sheets for Altar Care, Flowers, Fellowship and Candles are on the entryway bulletin board. Sign up early to get the dates that work best for your schedule. Flowers can be ordered through the church ($22 per bouquet plus $10 delivery fee) or you can bring your own. Candles are $6. THANK YOU to everyone who put together and delivered the shut-in baskets. Thank you goes out to Shirley Holzinger, Gwen Johnson, Patty Lyrenmann, Pam Morelli, Verlayne Sather and her sister, Mary Schneider, Pat Scott, Bev Svac, Meridel Christopherson and Sandy Westling. You put smiles on many faces! Griefshare at St. Matthew St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 4101 Washington St. NE, will have Griefshare, a grief support group for anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one, Thursdays, Jan. 24-April 11, 12:30-2:30 pm. Each night during the 12-week sessions includes a selfcontained topic, and a brief video seminar, followed by supportive group discussion. There is no cost to attend. Registration is required by Jan. 11 by contacting Ruth or Kathy at , or ing kathy.rosenberg@stmatthew-ch.org. FINAL 2018 OFFERINGS The IRS is VERY clear, for a contribution to be credited to the 2018 tax year, it must have been received on our premises, or postmarked, no later than midnight on December 31, Dropping it into the offering plate on Sunday, January 6, 2019 with a December 31 date on the check DOES NOT qualify. The IRS is very firm about this rule. Remember, the IRS are THE GOOD GUYS; they give churches a tax exemption. All they ask in return is that we follow their rules. 8

9 Catechesis Note for the Week Why I Celebrate Christmas? I am not going to go into the historic origin of the word Christmas. Even most non-believers acknowledge that it is a holiday that was originally created to celebrate the birth of Christ. However, one thing is certain. The Bible does give us a pretty good account of the events leading up to an including the birth of Christ. From the prophecies in the Old Testament to the actual birth, it is no secret that many people anticipate and looked forward to the day that the Messiah would be born (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 11:1-12; Micah 5:2; Matthew 1:18-23). It is ironic to think then that because of how the celebration of Jesus birth has been perverted to what it has become today that rejecting the very notion of having anything to do with it is worshipping the devil. So, the question is not if celebrating Christmas is wrong. The question is Does our celebration glorify God in a way that is right? Sadly, it is because of a hyper legalistic attitude that some hold against any celebration of Christmas that many non-believers develop hardened hearts when it comes to anything to do with Christ. This is because like those who criticized Christ for eating with sinners and publicans, many who refuse to even fellowship with others during this time communicate to them that they are also rejecting others as individuals that need a Savior. What is even sadder is that neglecting to even fellowship with others during this time ignores the opportunity to go out into the world to share the gospel with people they do not even know (Matthew 1:19-20). How can we celebrate Christmas in a way that is right? Each of us have the freedom to celebrate Christmas in our own way. We should make an effort to bring to mind what the Scriptures say about the birth, life, and most importantly, the death of Jesus and His future return. Jesus, who because of His sinlessness did not have to pay the wages of sin which is death (Romans 6:23) yet doing His Father s will He left heaven to born a human. Because of what He did, we can celebrate the fact that He was born to provide a way for us to celebrate being in His presence for an eternity (1 John 4:10-19). If we keep in mind the reason for Christmas, it will provide the guidance we need to make it a real blessing to others and honor God. Why do I celebrate Christmas? Because God has blessed me with the opportunity to share the light of God to a world in darkness. 9

10 Today s Scripture Readings Isaiah 9:2-7 Here the prophet renews the messianic promise that God will rule Judah through a righteous offspring of David. This text does not speak of the "days to come," but seems to look forward to the birth now of a new king who will do great things-- perhaps originally Hezekiah (one of the very few rulers who "did what was right in the sight of the LORD just as his ancestor David had done" Just as the prophet gave his own sons names that told of what God would do through them or in their time (Isaiah 7:3; 8:3), so also this new king will be given throne names that describe the nature of God's intended rule. Titus 2:11-14 Get close. Look in the manger. What do you see there? A baby? Of course. A savior? Yes. What else? An epiphany. That's what the Letter to Titus sees--on that night in Bethlehem and all throughout Jesus' life. Paul is fond of speaking about epiphanies. Forms of the word appear twice in this brief passage: in verse 11 (epiphaino, translated as "appeared") and in verse 13 (epiphaneia, translated as "manifestation"). Luke 2:1-20 On the surface of this story, it appears that Emperor Augustus is in absolute control, ordering the movements of people in far-flung corners of his empire. Yet there are clues that another hand is at work in and through these events. Centuries earlier, Samuel had journeyed to Bethlehem and anointed the shepherd boy David to be king of Israel, even while Saul remained in power. Now in this city of David, a child is born to inherit "the throne of his ancestor David" (Luke 1:32), even while Herod, Quirinius, and Augustus ostensibly remain in power. Next Week s Readings First Sunday of Christmas Exodus 13:1-3a, 11-15; Psalm 111; Col. 3:12-17; Luke 2: