94+ NATIVITY OF OUR LORD + CHRISTMAS EVE Christ is born! God is with us!

Transcription

1 94+ NATIVITY OF OUR LORD + CHRISTMAS EVE Christ is born! God is with us! December 24, :00 and 8:00 p.m. 1 AS WE GATHER On this Holy Night, over two thousand years ago, in a faraway land, in an obscure little village, a little child was born. On this Holy Night, angel choirs sang with exceeding joy. On this Holy Night, the world changed. For this little child was no ordinary child His name was Immanuel, which means God with us. Through this little child, God s glory blazed out in the gloom of the night and continues to shine into the darkness of the world to the end of time. God became a child of Mary that we may become children of God. This is our faith. This is our salvation. means to be seated means to stand, unless repeated standing is difficult [P: Pastor] [C: Congregation] CALL TO WORSHIP PASSING OF THE PEACE RINGING OF THE BELLS OPENING HYMN #379 O Come, All ye Faithful vs. 1-3 INVOCATION P: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen.

2 OPENING SENTENCES P: Come, all who seek the truth. C: You will find a little Babe lying in a manger. P: Come, all who hunger for justice. C: You will find a little Babe lying in a manger. P: Come, all who yearn for abundant life. C: You will find a little Babe lying in a manger. P: Come, all who labor and are heavy laden. C: You will find a little Babe lying in a manger. 2 CONFESSION and ABSOLUTION P: As we prepare to celebrate our Lord's birth, let us also remember the reason this holy Child was born: "He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself." Hebrews 9:26 C: We confess that we have sinned against God and against one another. We are powerless to undo the entangled mess of sin in our lives. We yearn for peace with God and reconciliation with one another, yet we cannot accomplish it ourselves. Forgive us, Lord, and restore our souls, that our lives reflect not our sin, but the joy of the birth of Your only Son into the world. (Silence for reflection) P: Jesus is Immanuel, God-with-us. What we are powerless to do, He has done for us. Jesus has come to save us from our sins. Therefore, in the stead and by the command of our Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen.

3 GLORIA IN EXCELSIS LSB 368 Angels We Have Heard on High 3 PRAYER FOR CHRISTMAS EVE P: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. P: Let us pray. C: Almighty and gracious Father, You sent Your Son into this world of sin to forgive sin and to bring to light the life You intend for us now and into eternity. By Your Holy Spirit, help us to welcome the gift of Your Son into our lives, so that we may make known far and wide the Good News of this Child, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

4 OLD TESTAMENT Isaiah 9:2-7 R: The Old Testament reading is from Isaiah, chapter seven. 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. 3 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. 4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. 6 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. 7 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. 4

5 (After the reading ) R: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. 5 EPISTLE 1 John 4:7 11 (God s greatest gift) R: The Epistle reading is from 1 John, chapter four. 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (After the reading ) P: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. HYMN #361 O Little town of Bethlehem vs. 1 & 4 + The Account of Our Savior s Birth + P: The Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke, the 2 nd chapter. C: Glory to You, O Lord! P: 1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David,

6 which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. HYMN #364 Away in a Manger v. 1 P: 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, C: "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." P: 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, C: 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" P: 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." HYMN #367 Angels from the Realms of Glory vs. 1 & 5 (Please stand for verse 5) 6

7 P: 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. P: This is the Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to you O Christ! APOSTLE'S CREED All: 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 C Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life + everlasting. Amen. (6:00 p.m.) We invite the children forward as we sing: LSB 364, v. 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. 7

8 (6:00 p.m.) CHILDREN S SERMON 8 HYMN #388 Go Tell it on the Mountain vs. 1 & 3 SERMON It s a Dirty Job Being the Newborn King OFFERING PRAYER OF THE CHURCH P: Let us pray. O almighty God, we praise You and give You thanks for Your work of creation and, even more, for Your work of reclaiming and redeeming the world. You have dealt with us not as we deserve but have saved us by the pure and perfect gift of Your love alone. May the whole world and all creation acknowledge Your greatness and look to You for every good and perfect gift. Lord, in Your mercy, C: hear our prayer. P: Bless the preaching of all pastors and the witness of all Christians that many may be drawn to the Savior, hear Him, receive Him, believe in Him, and love Him as the source of their life. Lord, in Your mercy, C: hear our prayer. P: Beautiful Savior, Lord of the nations, grant the calmness of Your peace to those in the authority of government in our nation and throughout the world. Make wars to end and justice to reign in defense of all people, especially those unable to defend themselves. Grant Your blessing to all who serve You by serving us, those in the military and those who guard and protect us from danger. Lord, in Your mercy, C: hear our prayer.

9 9 P: Come and abide also with all who are in need of Your present help, those who are sick, the injured, the lonely, the homeless, the unemployed, those in prison, and those we name now as well as those we name now in our hearts. Comfort and heal them. Give them that inner peace and joy of faith that believes in the power of Your goodness and grace. Lord, in Your mercy, C: hear our prayer. P: Bless our memory of all our loved ones who have gone before us with the sign of faith and are with You. Bring us with them to the eternal joy of the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Lord, in Your mercy, C: hear our prayer. P: Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. C: Amen. + SERVICE OF THE SACREMENT + - PREFACE P: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. P: Lift up your hearts. C: We lift them to the Lord. P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C: It is right to give Him thanks and praise. PROPER PREFACE P: It is truly good evermore praising you and saying:

10 10 SANCTUS L WORDS OF INSTITUTION PROCLAMATION OF CHRIST P: As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26 C: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20 P: Lord remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray: LORD S PRAYER All: 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.

11 THE PEACE OF THE LORD P: The peace of the + Lord be with you always. C: Amen. 11 AGNUS DEI - LSB 550 vs. 1 COMMUNION INVITATION The Lord's Supper is celebrated at this congregation in the confession and glad confidence that, as He says, our Lord gives into our mouths not only bread and wine but His very body and blood to eat and to drink for the forgiveness of sins and to strengthen our union with Him and with one another. Our Lord invites to His table those who trust His words, repent of all sin, and set aside any refusal to forgive and love as He forgives and loves us, that they may show forth His death until He comes. Because those who eat and drink our Lord's body and blood unworthily do so to their great harm and because Holy Communion is a confession of the faith which is confessed at this altar, any who are not yet instructed, are unclear on

12 12 what all this means, or who hold a confession differing from that of this congregation and The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, and yet desire to receive the Sacrament, are encouraged to seek guidance from the pastor. DISTRIBUTION HYMNS (as needed) #387 Joy to the World #380 Hark the Herald Angels Sing #392 God Loves Me Dearly #358 From Heaven Above to Earth I Come POST COMMUNION BLESSING POST COMMUNION CANTICLE LSB 386 st. 1 ACCLAMATION OF THANKSGIVING P: O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, C: for His steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 106:1

13 P: Let us pray. P: Gracious God and Father, thank You for this gift of Your Son and for the message of the angels that announced His arrival. Jesus, thank You for caring so much for us that You come to be one of us. Spirit, thank You for carrying the song of the angels to our ears, that we might be lifted up in hope and joy. For all the blessings of this night and the life You give to us, O Lord, we praise and glorify You with out end. Amen. (Lighting of our Gospel Candles ) CANDLE DISTRIBUTION CLOSING BY CANDLELIGHT P: As the room darkens and the light from these candles shines forth, it symbolizes the Light of the World, Jesus Christ, the Child in the manger at Bethlehem, the Savior suffering our death on the cross, but also a light that could not be extinguished. He rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven and will come again, to fix all that is wrong with our world. Until then, He is the eternal Light that enlightens heaven, and He remains our Light here on earth, our hope in dark times. Rejoice! The Light of the world has come! C: Alleluia! Our Savior, Jesus Christ is born! HYMNS BY CANDLELIGHT 13 (8:00 p.m. only) LSB 366, vs. 1, 3 It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (6:00p.m. and 8:00 p.m.) LSB 370, vs. 1&2 What Child is This

14 CLOSING HYMN #363 Silent Night P: Go in peace, led by our Lord. C: Thanks be to God. (Some lights are turned on. Congregation is dismissed) + Though we extinguish our Gospel Candles following the hymn, we carry the Good News of Jesus with us into our lives and into the world. + Join us tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m. as we again worship Jesus on Christmas Day. POSTLUDE 14 IN SERVICE OF THE LORD: Officiant Organist Assisting Ministers Lector Greeter, 6:00pm Greeter, 8:00pm Ushers Rev. Emil Gretarsson Cindy Golem Mr. Vince Fertitta, Mr. Larry Hector, Mr. Adam Flanick, Mr. Bob Shives Mr. Jim Gann, Mr. Fred Tichnell, Mr. Guy Meiron TBD Cheryl Dawson Mr. & Mr. Vince Fertitta Ed Asper and others

15 A special thanks to all who purchased poinsettias: 15 Ron & Millie Bucher in memory of parents Sharon Cook in memory of Leo & Viola Wyand Mike & Nancy Flicek Roland & Marian Foster in memory of parents & siblings. Mike & Debbie Jorgensen in memory of Carolyn Rogers, In honor of Sue Hennings Bob & Judy Keane in memory of Olga Imwold, Judy Keane s mother in memory of Ethel & Bob Keane, Bob Keane s parents in memory of Robert Keane III, son of Bob & Judy Keane Dottie McAllister Karen & Ray Meinelschmidt in memory of Erik & Kirk Meinelschmidt Rosella Rogers in memory of loved ones Don & Kathy Schleef in memory of loved ones Bob & Sylvia Shives in memory of loved ones