Monday, December 24, Christmas Eve. A Great Light

Transcription

1 Monday, December 24, 2018 Christmas Eve A Great Light

2 Opening Hymn It Came Upon the Midnight Clear 1. It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold: Peace on the earth, good will to men, from heaven s all-gracious King. The world in solemn stillness lay, to hear the angels sing. 2. Still through the cloven skies they come with peaceful wings unfurled, And still their heav nly music floats o er all the weary world; Above its sad and lowly plains, they bend on hov ring wing, And ever o er its babel sounds the blessed angels sing. 3. And ye, beneath life s crushing load, whose forms are bending low, Who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow: Look now! For glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing. O rest beside the weary road, and hear the angels sing! 4. For lo, the days are hastening on, by prophets seen of old, When with the ever-circling years shall come the time foretold When peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendors fling, And the whole world send back the song which now the angels sing. Invocation P: We begin our worship in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. Lighting the Advent Wreath P: For each of the last four Sundays, we ve lit candles on the Advent wreath. Each light was a step from the darkness towards the coming of the promised ~ 2 ~

3 Christ Immanuel, who has promised to come to us at this holy time of the year. We again light the candle of hope, real hope based on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus we look to the future resting in the hope of life ours through the Savior. (An acolyte lights the first blue candle.) The second candle we light for peace: We find our peace in the power and presence of the Spirit, promised by Jesus and sent to bring us to faith and keep us in the faith. (An acolyte lights the second blue candle.) We light the third candle in the name of joy: We find our joy in the Good News of the coming Christ Child as we sing for joy with the shepherds and the angels this Christmas Eve. (An acolyte lights the pink candle.) The last candle reminds us that the gift of the Christ Child and his gifts for us are all moved by the love of God a love that sent the Son to be our redeemer. (An acolyte lights the fourth candle, which is blue.) Now we light the central candle: the light that shines in the darkness. This is the great light that is Jesus, promised of old and given at Bethlehem. (An acolyte lights the white Christ Candle in the center of the Advent wreath.) God of Love and Life, the darkness that covered the earth has given way to the bright dawn of your Word made flesh. Make us a people of this light. Make us faithful to your Word that we may bring your life to the waiting world. Fill us with the love brought by Jesus and give us the Spirit s power in sharing that gift. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen. ~ 3 ~

4 Confession and Absolution C: Loving God, who sent Jesus as Savior of the world, we confess that our busy doing and decorating have shrouded our Christmas and caused us to lose our focus on the Christ Child. Forgive us for shaping the celebration to fit our desires. Seize us by your Spirit, focus our eyes and hearts on the coming Christ. Inspire us with that coming so that we shout from the housetops the Good News proclaimed by the angels and shared joyfully by the shepherds. Make us into your joy-filled Christmas messengers, sharing your powerful message of salvation for all. P: Jesus has promised that the sins we forgive on earth will also be forgiven in heaven. Trusting that precious promise, as a called and ordained minister of the Gospel, I confidently declare to you that, in Jesus Christ, all of your sins are forgiven and you are privileged to share that same forgiveness with all the others in your life. We are filled with Jesus light of life so that we can shine among the people of this world like stars in the sky. Call to Worship P: A voice cries out, In the wilderness clear a way for the Lord; C: make a way in the desert, a road for our God. P: Every valley must be lifted up, and every mountain and hill leveled. C: The rough places will become a level plain, the rugged land a wide valley. P: The glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all ~ 4 ~

5 people will see it at the same time. C: For the Lord has decreed it. P: Go up on a high mountain, O herald Zion! C: Shout out loudly, O herald Jerusalem! Shout, don t be afraid! P: Say to the towns of Judah, Here is your God! C: Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son. P: And they shall call his name Immanuel (which means God with us). C: The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. Hymn of Praise O Little Town of Bethlehem 1. 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. 2. 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 men on earth! 3. How silently, how silently, the wondrous Gift is giv n; So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heav n. No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in. 4. O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us ~ 5 ~

6 today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel! Prayer of the Day P: Most Loving Father, thank you for this night and for all it brings. Thank you for the hope you bestow, the peace you confirm, the love you pour out, and the joy you give. We praise you most of all for Jesus, your Word made flesh. May he light our way as the holy star lit the way for the wise men. Amen. Children s Message & Celebrate Song C: Celebrate this child today, who will do God s work always. Children, listen to His call. Share God s love with one and all. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! We celebrate this child. 11:30 AM & 11 PM Special Music On a Quiet Night ; Dr. Lou Rossman on Euphonium and Bonnie Rossman on Organ. Old Testament Reading Isaiah 9:1-7 L: But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of ~ 6 ~

7 his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. L: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. Epistle Reading 1 John 1:5-9 L: This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. L: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. L: Please stand as you are able for the reading of the Holy Gospel. ~ 7 ~

8 Gospel Reading Luke 2:1-20 P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke the second chapter. C: Glory to You, O Lord. P: And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward ~ 8 ~

9 men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. P: This is the Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to You, O Christ. Sermon Apostles Creed C: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. ~ 9 ~

10 Hymn of Response 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. 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. 3. Silent night, holy night! Son of God, love s pure light Radiant beams from thy holy face with dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth. Offering & Attendance/Involvement Cards Prayers of the Church P: Good and gracious God, on this holy night you gave us your Son, the Lord of the universe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, the Savior of all, lying in a manger. On this holy night join our voices with the heavenly host, that we may sing your glory on high. Give us a place among the shepherds, that we may find the one for whom we have waited, Jesus Christ, your Word made flesh. Lord, in your mercy, P: On this holy night in which God joins heaven and earth, let us offer our prayers for the church, the world and all those in need. Lord, in your mercy, P: Let us pray for the Church around the world as it celebrates the birth of Christ. Bless all those who are entrusted with Christian ministry that your ~ 10 ~

11 Word might be proclaimed with truth and courage across our world. Lord, in your mercy, P: Grant reconciliation to those overcome with conflict and violence, that they may live in the peace of this holy night. Lord, in your mercy, P: Let us pray for all who are cold, hungry or alone this night. Embrace with your tender care all who wander alone or have no place to lay their head, they may experience the hope of this holy night. Lord, in your mercy, P: Let us pray for all who are anxious, depressed or ill. Draw near to those who find this season a source of pain or grief, and to all who are suffering or sick, especially those we remember in our own hearts... that they may feel the comfort of this holy night. Lord, in your mercy, P: Let us pray for parents, families and newborn infants. Strengthen families in the bonds of love and commitment, that they may delight in the joy of this holy night. Lord, in your mercy, P: Let us pray for ourselves and for the blessings of Christmas. Open our hearts to your indwelling presence, that we may be transformed by the new birth of this holy night. Lord, in your mercy, P: All these things and whatever else you see that we need, grant us, O God, for the sake of him who died and rose again, and now lives and ~ 11 ~

12 reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Lord s Prayer C: 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; 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. Benediction P: Now may the light of Christ shine in us, may he continue to shape us and fill us with the treasure of his presence and may almighty God, Father, Son and Spirit bless and keep us now and always. Amen. Closing Hymn Away in a Manger 1. Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars in the sky looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. 2. The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes. I love thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky And stay by my cradle til morning is nigh. 3. Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay Close by me forever, and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, And take us to heaven to live with thee there. ~ 12 ~