A Face in the Manger A Place in our Hearts

Transcription

1 A Face in the Manger A Place in our Hearts Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church Christmas Eve 11:00 pm Worship

2 Christmas Eve Worship December 24, :00 pm *Please silence your cell phones. Gathering Music Procession of Light O Come, O Come Emmanuel Solo O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel. Prophecy...Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. *Please stand as you are able. 2

3 *Carol Medley Oh, come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant! Oh, come ye, oh, come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold him, born the king of angels: Refrain: Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord! *Christmas Prayer Welcome O Come, All Ye Faithful Joy to the World 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 Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God in the highest: Refrain 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. 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. Scripture Reading Luke 2:1-7 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 3

4 Carol Response 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. O Little Town of Bethlehem For Christ is born of Mary, and, gathered all above while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wond'ring love. O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth, and praises sing to God the king, and peace to all the earth! Scripture Reading...Luke 2:8-20 (The Voice) Nearby, in the fields outside of Bethlehem, a group of shepherds were guarding their flocks from predators in the darkness of night. Suddenly a messenger of the Lord stood in front of them, and the darkness was replaced by a glorious light the shining light of God s glory. They were terrified! Messenger: Don t be afraid! Listen! I bring good news, news of great joy, news that will affect all people everywhere. Today, in the city of David, a Liberator has been born for you! He is the promised Anointed One, the Supreme Authority! You will know you have found Him when you see a baby, wrapped in a blanket, lying in a feeding trough. At that moment, the first heavenly messenger was joined by thousands of other messengers a vast heavenly choir. They praised God. Heavenly Choir: To the highest heights of the universe, glory to God! And on earth, peace among all people who bring pleasure to God! As soon as the heavenly messengers disappeared into heaven, the shepherds were buzzing with conversation. Shepherds: Let s rush down to Bethlehem right now! Let s see what s happening! Let s experience what the Lord has told us about! So they ran into town, and eventually they found Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in the feeding trough. After they saw the baby, they spread the story of what they had experienced and what had been said to them about this child. Everyone who heard their story couldn t stop thinking about its meaning. Mary, too, pondered all of these events, treasuring each memory in her heart. The shepherds returned to their flocks, praising God for all they had seen and heard, and they glorified God for the way the experience had unfolded just as the heavenly messenger had predicted. 4

5 Carol Response 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. Refrain: Gloria in excelsis Deo; Gloria in excelsis Deo Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be which inspire your heav nly song? Refrain Come to Bethlehem and see him whose birth the angels sing; Come, adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn king. Refrain Message Christmas is for Children Pastor Tom Grevlos *Message Carol What Child Is This 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! 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! *Prayers of the Community Christmas Offering Our special Christmas offering will be distributed to New Life Children's Center in Canyon Lake (a residential treatment center for girls age 11-17) and BeReal (an assistance program for young adults age who have aged out of foster care.) To give by text -> text $XX Christmas to (512) then follow instructions. Offering Special Music Christ Child Lullaby *Please stand as you are able. 5

6 *Carol Response What Child Is This *Words of Institution 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! *Lord s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. Communion Distribution As we celebrate this sacrament, all are invited to the Lord s Table. God is really present in bread and wine forgiving sins and promising new life. Today we celebrate with Intinction Communion. Please come forward, receive a bread wafer, dip it into the wine or grape juice and consume both at the same time. Children who are not yet receiving communion are invited to come forward with a parent for a blessing. Communion Music Harp Medley Prayer Blessing of the Light...Luke 2:29-32 / Process to Courtyard *Christmas Candle Lighting Receive the light by pushing candle up so that wick is above rim of cup. Then tip your candle into the upright, lit candle. Small children are encouraged to use glow sticks. Thank you. 6

7 *Candlelight (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. Silent Night, Holy Night (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! (Please lift your light) (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. *Prayer *Benediction (Extinguish candles) Postlude *Please stand as you are able. 7

8 A Christmas Greeting from Pastor Tom Grevlos Foster McCurley, a teacher and theologian, once said; What our world needs is a theology fit for children. Jesus welcomed the children into his presence and boldly proclaimed that unless we became like a child we cannot enter the Kingdom of God. In other words, the theology of joy, trust, playfulness, awe and wonder are the hallmarks of God s kingdom that he brings to us in Jesus Christ. Therefore, it is not an accident nor is it incidental that God chose to come to us as a baby. And a little child shall lead them says the prophet Isaiah. A theology fit for children is a theology that moves us in to the very heart of God. Our Christmas theme is a face in the manger, a place in our hearts. We cannot look at the face of this baby and not have our heart moved by pure love. It is this perfect love that we gaze upon which gives us hope, a light in the darkness. This year s special Christmas offering is for children! Through two powerful ministries of Upbring (formerly called Lutheran Social Services of the South), we are giving hundreds and thousands of children a chance. The ministry of the New Life Center at Canyon Lake is an amazing place of grace where you see Jesus in the teenagers who have been victims of terrible abuse get a second opportunity to learn, grow and heal the wounds of their past. The BeReal ministry provides a safe place and life skills for those who age out of foster care. You are invited to join Jeanne and me in generously supporting the two ministries through our special Christmas offering. May the gift of the Christ-child, the face in the manger, bless you and your family in this holy season. You are always welcome at Shepherd of the Hills! Peace, Pastor Tom Worship Participants Pastors Director of Worship/Arts Harp Soloist Piano Acolyte Bulletin Team Visual Artist Pastor Tom Grevlos, Pastor Felix Malpica Kevin McClure Shana Norton Pastor Felix Kevin McClure Walt Gomes Charlyn Bacon, Marie Fortune, Kathy Gerhardt, Dee Jackson, Carole Morgan, Sandy Nielsen, Lydia Perkunas, Tom and Sally Moore Nicholas Dertien Special thanks to Dana and Finley Dertien for the bulletin cover photo 8