St. John s Lutheran Church The Nativity of Our Lord Christmas Eve 2015
Welcome Visitors! Out of a broken and divided world, all people are welcomed into the whole body of Jesus Christ at St. John s. As children of one God, together we join in worship to experience the transforming love of our Savior. All who seek the Lord are invited to share in Holy Communion. We believe that Christ is present in the bread and wine with his own body and blood. You may take the wine from an individual glass or the common cup. If needed, gluten free bread is available from the pastor and grape juice is available from the individual glasses. Those who do not commune may come forward for a blessing, indicating this by crossing the hands at the heart. A nursery is available for children during both services. Personal Listening Devices are available by request from an usher. www.stjohnsbeaufort.org 2
Christmas Eve 2015-7:00 & 9:00 pm PRELUDE What Child Is This Roed It Came Upon the Midnight Clear Roed I Heard the Voice of Jesus Eithun Go Tell It on the Mountain Carter Annette Godsey, Piano O Holy Night Adam CHIMING OF THE HOUR THE PROCLAMATION OF THE BIRTH OF CHRIST Many ages after God created the heavens and the earth, when man and woman were formed in God's own image; twenty-one centuries from the time of Abraham and Sarah; thirteen centuries after Moses led God's people to freedom; eleven centuries from the time of Ruth and the judges; a thousand years from the anointing of David as king; in the sixty-fifth week as Daniel's prophecy takes note; in the one hundred and ninety-fourth Olympiad; the seven hundred and fifty-second year from the founding of the city of Rome; the forty-second year of the reign of Octavian Augustus; in the sixth age of the world, all earth being at peace, Jesus Christ, eternal God, Son of the eternal Father, willing to hallow the world by his coming in mercy, was born of the virgin Mary in Bethlehem of Judea. This night is the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, God made flesh! 3
PROCESSIONAL O Come, All Ye Faithful Verses 1 & 2: All Verse 3: choir Verse 4: All Refrain: All Choir only: 4
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS GREETING In the Word who has come to dwell with us, God has given us grace upon grace: forgiveness that is stronger than our sins, love that can heal every broken heart. The grace and peace of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, be with you all. And also with you. 5
HYMN OF PRAISE Angels We have Heard on High The congregation is invited to sing harmony on the refrain. 6
PRAYER OF THE DAY Let us pray. God of promise, you sent your son, a fragile baby, into a cold, harsh world, so that all might know you through him. Open our eyes so that we may see you fully, for the glory of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. FIRST READING Isaiah 9:2-7 A reading from Isaiah: 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned. 3 You have made the nation great; you have increased its joy. They rejoiced before you as with joy at the harvest, as those who divide plunder rejoice. 4 As on the day of Midian, you ve shattered the yoke that burdened them, the staff on their shoulders, and the rod of their oppressor. 5 Because every boot of the thundering warriors, and every garment rolled in blood will be burned, fuel for the fire. 6 A child is born to us, a son is given to us, and authority will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 7 There will be vast authority and endless peace for David s throne and for his kingdom, establishing and sustaining it with justice and righteousness now and forever. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. 7
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Hark! The Herald Angels Sing We sing verses 1 & 2. 8
GOSPEL John 1:1-5, 9-14 The good news of Christ s Birth, according to St. John: Glory to you, O Lord. 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father s only son, full of grace and truth. The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Hark! The Herald Angels Sing We sing verse 3. SERMON Pastor P. Shannon Mullen 9
HYMN OF THE DAY Infant Holy, Infant Lowly PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Rejoicing with all the faithful, let us pray for the church, the world, and all who are in need. Each petition ends: Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. Pondering the mystery of your love, we offer our prayers in the name of Christ, the Word made flesh. Amen. PEACE The peace of our Lord Jesus - the Word made flesh, the Light of the world, God with us, Emmanuel - be with you always. And also with you. OFFERING 10
OFFERTORY ANTHEM The Cold Night is Quiet Horman OFFERTORY What Child is This? 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! OFFERING PRAYER Let us pray. Good and loving God, we rejoice in the birth of Jesus, who came among the poor to bring the riches of your grace. As you have blessed us with your gifts, let them be a blessing for others. With the trees of the field, with all earth and heaven, we shout for joy at the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. LITURGY OF HOLY COMMUNION PROPER PREFACE It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God... And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth, and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn: 11
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE Holy One, the beginning and the end, the giver of life: Blessed are you for your promise to your people. Blessed are you in the prophets' hopes and dreams. Blessed are you for your Son Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us. In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. Let us proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. With this bread and cup we remember your Word, full of grace and truth. We remember our new birth in his death and resurrection. We look with hope for his coming. Come, Lord Jesus. 12
Holy God, we long for your Spirit. Come among us. May your Word take flesh in us. Awaken your people. Fill us with your light. Come, Holy Spirit. All praise and glory are yours, Holy One of Israel, Word of God incarnate, Power of the Most High, one God, 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, 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 COMMUNION - An invitation to communion & instructions are inside the front cover COMMUNION MUSIC 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 all, from heav'n'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 you, 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; oh, rest beside the weary road and hear the angels sing! 4 For lo! The days are hast'ning 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 all the world give back the song which now the angels sing. 13
O Little Town of Bethlehem 14
Lo, How a Rose Is Growing 15
BLESSING AFTER COMMUNION The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. Amen. CANDLELIGHTING We light candles as a sign of the light of Christ shining in the darkness. The ushers will light a candle at the end of each row. When lighting candles, please tip the unlighted candle. Silent Night, Holy Night! 16
Away in a Manger 17
Joy to the World 18
BLESSING May the Word that Mary brought to birth carry you into new and abundant life. Amen. May the Word that Joseph cradled in his arms enfold you with love and strength. Amen. May the Word that angels proclaimed in song bring harmony to our world. Amen. Almighty God, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. Amen. DISMISSAL Go in peace, serve the Lord. Thanks be to God! Please extinguish your candle before leaving your seat, and return candles to an usher. The Liturgy is from Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2008 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #26619. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 19
You are invited for worship on the Third Day of Christmas, Sunday, December 27, 2015 8:15am and 10:30am No Sunday School December 27 We resume a regular schedule on January 3 + + + Pastor Director of Music Pianist Flute Violin St. John s ensembles: P. Shannon Mullen Jordan Plair Gloria Bockelman Rudy Bishop Theresa Bishop Chancel Choir Bell Choir Brass Ensemble www.stjohnsbeaufort.0rg 20