*INDICATES PLEASE STAND IF ABLE. Congregational responses are printed in BOLD type

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2 Christmas Eve 2016 In the dark of night we gather to celebrate the great light of our salvation. More than the celebration of a birth, Christmas marks the mystery of the incarnation God sharing our humanity. In this liturgy Christ is present among us as the word of hope and peace proclaimed to us, and as the word made flesh in Holy Communion. With the heavenly host we sing, Glory to God in the highest heaven, and like the shepherds we return to our homes, workplaces, and communities to tell of the wonders we have seen and heard. WE LIFT OUR HEARTS IN PRAISE AND WORSHIP Prayer Before Worship: Dear Lord, help us make room for you this night of all nights; room in our minds and hearts; room also in our life together. Let your word be born in us anew so that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, your splendor shines in us and through us. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. (In preparation for our worship together, you are invited to pause now and offer your own prayers of worship and praise.) Prelude: Piano and Organ Duet *INDICATES PLEASE STAND IF ABLE. Congregational responses are printed in BOLD type Jamie Asmus and Rhonda Boettcher Trumpet: Brock Nikont O Holy Night Jamie Asmus and Jennifer Asmus-Castro (5 pm) Jamie Asmus and Kinsey Kleensang (7 pm) *The Christmas Greeting and Prayer In the beginning, O God, was your Word: Your Word came to life in Jesus, Your grace has come to us with salvation, A child has been born among us, Your love comes to life within us, 2

3 May your love chase away all evil, May your mercy come fill and transform us, May we live with your love in this world, Processional Hymn Oh Come, All Ye Faithful ELW #283 (Instrumental interlude between 3 rd and 4 th verse) Let us pray. 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. THE GOOD NEWS FOR ALL PEOPLE Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 9:2 7 Pew Bible p.638 Psalmody Verses sung by Cantor Refrain sung by Cantor & Congregation: Today is born our Savior Jesus Christ our Lord. Today is born our Savior Jesus Christ our Lord. Epistle Reading: Titus 2:11 14 Pew Bible p. 214 Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Cantor: Good news and rejoice to all the world. Today is born our Savior Jesus Christ our Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. The Gospel: The Good News A Child is Born Luke 2:1-7 Pew Bible p. 58 Hymn O Little Town of Bethlehem ELW #279 vv. 1-2 The Gospel: The Good News is Proclaimed The Angels Sing Luke 2:

4 Hymn The First Noel ELW #300 vv. 1-2 The Gospel: The Good News is Received The Shepherds Came Luke 2:15-20 Hymn What Child is This? ELW #296 vv. 1-2 The Christmas Message Pastor Sheryl Hymn Angels, from the Realms of Glory ELW #275 vv. 1-2, 4 *Profession of Faith: the Nicene Creed We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. 4

5 The Prayers of the People Each portion of the prayers ends with: God of grace, Hear our prayer. The prayers conclude with: Hear our prayer, gracious God, and bathe us always in the light of your Word made flesh, Jesus Christ, our savior and Lord. Amen. The Peace The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you. Offering Special Music: (5 p.m.) Hallelujah Christmas Jennifer Asmus-Castro (7 p.m.) Do You Hear What I Hear Kinsey Kleensang *Offertory Prayer Gracious and loving God, You are have given your only Son, born of Mary, to save and redeem us. Bless us with all good things that the works of our hands through all the years of our lives may proclaim the news of your redeeming love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. WE CELEBRATE IMMANUEL-GOD WITH US Here our Lord Jesus gives to us His own Body and Blood for the forgiveness of all our sins. Confession of Sins and Assurance of Forgiveness Blessed be the holy Trinity, Father, + Son and Holy Spirit who forgives all our sin, whose mercy endures forever. Amen. Amid the darkness of this world, let us confess our sin and welcome the light of God's forgiveness. Silence is kept for reflection. 5

6 God of grace and truth, In Christ Jesus you come among us as light shining in the darkness. We confess that we have not welcomed the light, and have not trusted the good news of great joy. Forgive us and renew our hope, so that we may live in the fullness of your love, trusting in the grace of Christ our Lord. Amen. The angel said, you shall call his name Jesus for he will save his people from their sins. With great joy, I announce to you the entire forgiveness of your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. *The Great Thanksgiving The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. It is indeed right and salutary... and join their unending hymn: *Gloria Angels We Have Heard on High ELW #289 v.1 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. *Words of Institution In the night in which our Lord Jesus Christ We look with hope for his coming. Come, Lord Jesus. Holy God, we long for your Spirit Bring the gift of peace on earth. Come, Holy Spirit. All praise and glory are yours now and forever. Amen. *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, 6

7 as we forgive those who trespass against us: and 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. Invitation to Communion DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNION: Christ is truly present in the Lord s Supper with gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation. WHITE GRAPE JUICE and GLUTEN FREE wafers are available. Just ask the server. Children and others who are not yet communicants are invited to come forward for a blessing. All are invited to participate in the Lord s meal. Distribution Music Special Music: Mary Did You Know Jennifer Asmus-Castro (5 p.m.) Kinsey Kleensang (7 p.m.) Hymn Joy to the World! ELW #267 vv. 1-2, 4 Hymn It Came Upon the Midnight Clear ELW #282 vv. 1-3 *Post-Communion Blessing and Prayer Christmas CandleLighting Ceremony The minister lights a large candle from an altar candle, which symbolizes Christ, the Light of the world of whom John's gospel speaks. The ushers light their candles from the minister's candle, then light the candle of each worshiper nearest the aisle. The lighted candle is never tilted, but is always held upright when giving light to another. The Gospel of the Incarnation (read as the candles are lit) John 1:1 14 After all candles have been lit we sing: Hymn Silent Night, Holy Night! ELW # 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. 7

8 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! (Candles are raised) 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 O Little Town of Bethlehem ELW #279 v.4 (Spoken softly) 4. O holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; oh, come to us, abide with us, our Lord Immanuel! The candles are extinguished. *The Blessing and Dismissal The Son of God has come to us. Jesus our Savior is born. Praise the Lord with heart-filled joy; We praise Him! We bless Him, Christ our new born King! And He blesses you with his presence, then, now and always. Go forth in joy to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God! Its Christmas time again, the season of renewal. Love, faith, charity and all that is beautiful chimes greatly in to every heart beating in celebrations of Spirit togetherness, and affirmation. MERRY CHRISTMAS! 8

9 WORSHIP ONLINE Worship Bulletins, God s Home inserts, daily devotions on the preaching text and podcasts of Sunday s sermons are all available on our website. Just go to: click on the Worship tab. HAPPY BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK! Wes Sell 12/25 Troy Gregory 12/26 Vicki Schmidt 12/26 Abel Sibal 12/27 Tracy Steele 12/28 Jack Schmidt 12/31 TODAYS PRAYERS (from our Prayer Request Cards and Prayer-Chain Requests) Continued prayer for healing and a return to good health: Donna Rhames (Marj Nikont s niece), Marsha Bueide (recovering at home), Ida Aaberg (recovering from shoulder surgery), Candace Annett (Noni s daughter), Kent Zweifel, Lillian Blehm. Condolences: Prayers for peace and comfort for Marj Nikont and her family on the passing of her sister, Marie Humphrey and for Marsha Bueide and family on the loss of her brother, Gaylord Pederson. Our military: pray for those serving in areas of terror and violence and for those waiting for them at home. Christmas Day Worship Sunday, December 25 10:00 a.m. 9

10 WORSHIP LEADERS Pastors Chris and Sheryl Kester Beyer WORSHIP ASSISTANTS Christmas Eve Service 5:00 p.m. GREETERS/USHERS: Larry and Janet Miller, Dennis and Barb Gorr LAY READER: Jackson Hinze COMMUNION ASSISTANTS: Marti Wegelin, Donna Judd, LaDonna Schmidt, Angie Hinze, Pat Smith Christmas Eve Service 7:00 p.m. GREETERS/USHERS: Ken Shriver, Steve Kaufman LAY READER: LaDonna Schmidt COMMUNION ASSISTANTS: LaVerne Knoedler, Jack Martin, Vicki Howell This Sunday December 25 GREETERS/USHERS: Jack and Becky Martin LAY READER: Al Williams COMMUNION ASSISTANTS: Dennis Gorr, Larry & Linda Spomer ALTAR GUILD: Nicole Barcus, Barb Gorr, Barb Jensen, Nannie Walsh Next Sunday January 1 GREETERS/USHERS: LuVerne Knoedler and Vicki Howell LAY READER: Larry Spomer COMMUNION ASSISTANTS: Dennis Gorr, Joan Smith, Pat Smith 10

11 THIS WEEK AT CALVARY Sunday, December 25 Christmas Day 10:00 a.m. Worship Service Tuesday, December 27 NO Tuesday Activities Wednesday, December 28 No Wednesday Activities NO Choir practice Thursday, December 29 NO Bible Study Saturday, December p.m. Worship Service Sunday, January 1 New Year s Day 10:00 a.m. Worship Service Lessons for Next Week Isaiah 61:10-62:3 Psalm 148 Galatians 4:4-7 Luke 2:

12 Christmas Eve/Christmas Day December 24-25, 2016 The Birth of Jesus: Hope is Born At Christmas the people of God gather to celebrate the birth of the Word made flesh, Jesus, Christ our Lord. Luke recounts the familiar story of shepherds and angels; John s gospel tells of the Word that dwells among us, full of grace and truth. The meaning of Christmas is made clear: the light shines in the darkness. It is in the liturgy that we encounter the Word made flesh in the people God gathered together as the body of Christ, and in the meal around the holy table. We go forth to be bearers of lights as we proclaim this good news to all the ends of the earth. Daily Home Sunday Read Luke 2:1-20: Jesus, the savior of the world, is born not in a royal palace but in a simple cattle stall, a reminder that God meets us in the most unlikely of places. Give thanks today that God is not a God far off, but a God who comes and dwells among us. Monday Read John 1:1-4: The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it. Remember a time when Christ s light shined into a dark time in your life. How might God be calling you to shine Christ s light for someone going through a dark time? Tuesday Read Psalm 23: The Lord is our Shepherd. How does Jesus birth (and subsequent death and resurrection) make these promises in Psalm 23 all the more true? Wednesday Read Jeremiah 23:1-4: God warns of false shepherds who will scatter the flocks. But God also promises that he will seek out the lost and raise up new shepherds to tend the sheep. Offer a prayer of thanks for those who have helped to shepherd you in the faith. Thursday Read Matthew 2:1-12: The Wise Men come and bow down to worship the new born King offering them their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. What gifts do you have that you could offer to Jesus? Friday Read Matthew 2:13-15: Mary and Joseph are warned by an angel to flee from Herod who is intent on getting rid of this child who is a potential threat to his throne. Consider giving a gift to a ministry or agency that serves children in need. Saturday Read John 10:11-18: Jesus is the good shepherd who willing lays down his life for the sheep. Jesus is the embodiment of God s love for us. Give thanks today that Jesus loves us so much that he not only came as a baby to live among us, but to die so that we might never be separated from God. 12