Christmas Eve Candlelight Service December 24, 2017

Transcription

1 Christmas Eve Candlelight Service December 24, 2017 Saint James Evangelical Lutheran Church 460 West Annapolis Street - West Saint Paul, MN Church Office: (651) Fax: (651) stjlc@saintjameslutheran.com Visit our web site: Pastor Michael Albrecht malbrecht@saintjameslutheran.com Pastor Richard Stadler rstadler@saintjameslutheran.com Tom Rowland Organist & Choir Director trowland5726@comcast.net Pastor Dale Critchley dcritchley@saintjameslutheran.com Terese Thune Youth Director tthune@saintjameslutheran.com Shirley Hess Parish Nurse shrlhess@gmail.com

2 WELCOME TO WORSHIP! Christmas Eve The Nativity of Our Lord December 24, 2017 PREPARING FOR WORSHIP Read Psalm 96. What reasons has God given you to praise Him tonight? Take some time to praise and thank God for His good and mighty works. Those able, please stand in humble celebration THE TITLE FOR TODAY S SERMON IS: Home for Christmas Most people want to be home for Christmas, to spend time with loved ones. Even the classic song ends. if only in my dreams, because even when we re home, we often experience conflict or pain. So where can we go to find home? Where does Jesus call home? GUESTS AND VISITORS, we are delighted that you are worshiping with us today! Please take a moment to fill out a Welcome, Guest card which is available in the pew racks and place it in the offering. For every guest who completes this form, Saint James will donate $5 to the Neighbor s Food Shelf. Also, stop by the Visitor Welcome Center as you leave and pick up a small gift. Thank you for coming, and please come back and visit again soon. You are always welcome here at Saint James. THE NURSERY is not staffed but is available for parents who have young children who become noisy or restless during the service. We are thankful for families who teach their children to worship by bringing them to church. When your little ones become noisy, feel free to take them to the narthex or the nursery to settle them down. The service can be seen and heard on TV in both locations. THE ORDER OF SERVICE PRELUDE: Christmas Carols Paul Manz GATHERING HYMN: Christian Worship #34 Now Sing We, Now Rejoice PASTORAL GREETING: SERVICE OF LIGHT: Versicles (Common) Pastor Critchley 2

3 Phos Hilaron (Joyous Light) Thanksgiving for Light 3

4 Please be seated in contemplation Isaiah predicted the coming of the child who would also be God, bringing final and ultimate peace. When Jesus came, He brought peace between God and humanity and will bring an end to all strife when He returns on the last day. OLD TESTAMENT READING: Isaiah 9:2-7 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy. The people have rejoiced before you as they rejoice at harvest time and as they rejoice when dividing spoils. 4 For you have shattered their oppressive yoke and the rod on their shoulders, the staff of their oppressor, just as you did on the day of Midian. 5 For every trampling boot of battle and the bloodied garments of war will be burned as fuel for the fire. 6 For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 7 The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the LORD of Armies will accomplish this. Reading Response P: In many and various ways, God spoke to His people of old by the prophets. C: But now in these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son. SEQUENCE HYMN: LSB #359 Lo, How a Rose E er Blooming 4

5 Public domain EPISTLE READING: Titus 2: For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 14 He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works. Reading Response P: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God! SEQUENCE HYMN: Christian Worship #36 stanzas 1, 2, & 4 A Great and Mighty Wonder HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 2: In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. 2 This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, 5 to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 "Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 "This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger." 13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors! We seek to live godly lives in preparation for the day when true peace on earth will finally arrive, because God has claimed us as His own. Those able, please stand in honor of the fulfilment of the promise. In Jesus, we see God coming as one of us to bring peace between God and humanity by taking on our humble condition. Eventually, that same baby would take on our sin at the cross to suffer and die and rise to rescue us and give us eternal life with Him. Gospel Response P: This is the Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to You, O Christ! CREDAL HYMN: Christian Worship #67 What Child Is This SERMON: Text: Luke 2:1-7 Title: Home for Christmas Please be seated in contemplation 5

6 CANTICLE: LSB My Soul Rejoices Those able, please stand in celebration Please be seated in thankful contemplation Give online at give.4gvn.us 1991 Stephen P. Starke. Used by permission: OneLicense.net, no. A Public domain OFFERING: We express our gratitude to God for the gift of His Son. OFFERTORY: What Child is This? Paul Manz LITANY: The congregation's response may begin just as the leader's petition ends so that the word "Lord" is sung simultaneously by both leader and congregation. 6

7 P: For the peace from above and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord: P: For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord: P: For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord: P: For all pastors in Christ, for all servants of the Church, and for all the people, let us pray to the Lord: P: For President Trump, and Governor Dayton, for all public servants, for the government and those who protect us, that they may be upheld and strengthened in every good deed, let us pray to the Lord: P: For those who work to bring peace, justice, health, and protection in this and every place, let us pray to the Lord: P: For those who bring offerings, those who do good works in this congregation, those who toil, those who sing, and all the people here present who await from the Lord great and abundant mercy, let us pray to the Lord: P: For favorable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord: P: For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and need, let us pray to the Lord: SERVING IN WORSHIP Pastor Dale Critchley (preaching) Organist: Tom Rowland Flute: Ami Heesch Acolyte: Katrina Wicker Ushers: Bob & Monica Bahls, Loren Bahls Audio Video Team: Hannah Critchley, Sharon Ferrara, Glenn & Wendy Gatzke, Jerry Hinz, Becky Martinez, Len & Diane Munson, Jerry Peterson, Lorna Redding, Leif Thune Screen Slide Production: Ami Heesch Thank you Altar Guild & Volunteers for decorating the Sanctuary. Saint James family who donated the two Christmas trees for our chancel. Bob Bahls, Ken Christiansen, John Fahey, David Farley, Don Rosvold, and Ken Washick for installing the trees. Silence for individual prayer may follow. 7

8 COLLECT FOR PEACE P: O God, from whom come all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works, give to us, Your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey Your commandments and also that we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may live in peace and quietness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: (sing) Amen. LORD S PRAYER LIGHTING THE CHRISTMAS CANDLE: During the Advent season, we have lit the Prophecy Candle, the Bethlehem Candle, the Shepherds Candle and finally the Angels Candle. Today, as a member of this year s confirmation class lights the center white candle, the Christ Candle, we commemorate the birth of the Baby born in Bethlehem to be the Light of the world and the Savior of the world. After singing the first stanza in English, you are invited to sing the German stanza before we sing stanzas 2 and 3 in English. HYMN: Christian Worship #60 Silent Night! Holy Night Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht! Alles schläft, einsam wacht Nur das heilige Elternpaar, Das im Stalle zu Bethlehem war, Bei dem himmlischen Kind, Bei dem himmlischen Kind. Those able, please stand in thankful humility You are invited to return CHRISTMAS DAY FESTIVAL SERVICE 10:30 a.m. tomorrow with Holy Communion Pastor Albrecht preaching Now Are the Days Fulfilled BENEDICAMUS P: Let us bless the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. BENEDICTION P: The almighty and merciful Lord, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, bless and preserve you. C: Amen. SENDING HYMN: Christian Worship #62 Joy to the World ORGAN POSTLUDE: Silent, Night Charles Callahan 8