Celebration Lutheran Christmas Eve Family Service of Carols & Holy Communion Tonight s liturgy is an adaptation of Luther s Chorale Mass. A Chorale Mass substitutes hymns (chorales) for portions of our liturgy like the Kyrie, hymn of praise, offertory and so forth. This evening our music ministers have worked hard to choose Christmas carols that reflect the various portions of our liturgy. While tonight s liturgy is geared toward families, we still want to capture the mystery of the coming of God in the infant Jesus. [If our children s eyes sparkle with the wonder of the appearance of gifts under the tree from Santa, so too, should they sparkle with the wonder of the angels appearing in the heavens.] To help with that sense of wonder, we light candles this evening young and old alike. We light candles and dim the lights and sing Silent Night because the sparkle of candles instills a sense of wonderment in children and adults too. A word of caution: if you have little ones, please light their candles for them and also help them to keep their candles upright when they are lit. 12
PRELUDE ~ WE GATHER FOR WORSHIP ~ CHRISTMAS PROCLAMATION GATHERING HYMN O Come all Ye Faithful ELW #283 O, come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant! Oh, come ye, oh, come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold him Born the king of angels: Refrain Refrain: Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord! The highest, most holy, Light of light eternal, Born of a virgin, a mortal he comes; Son of the Father Now in flesh appearing! Refrain Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to the God.. In... the highest; Refrain Welcome to Celebration Lutheran Church Welcome to our visitors and friends this evening! Please take the time to sign the visitor's book located near the front doors (include your email address if you have one!) 5:30pm Acolyte: Arin Jenson Communion Assistants: Austin and Jaden Linn Greeter: Marilyn Decker Lay Assistant: Dorothy Stinchcomb Reader: Connie Minerovic Worship Leaders 8pm Acolyte: Julianna Singer Communion Assistants: Jen and Libby Franck Lay Assistant: Julianna Singer Reader: Monica Saggio Ushers: Beth and Darrell Singer Trumpet: Darla Spector Flute: Beth Singer Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning; Jesus, to thee be all glory giv'n! Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing: Refrain GREETING The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you. WELCOME HYMN OF PRAISE Angels, We Have Heard on High ELW #289 Angels we have heard on high, Sweetly singing o er the plains, And the mountains in reply, Echoing their joyous strains. Glo- - - - ria in excelsis Deo; Glo- - - - ria in excelsis Deo. Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be, Which inspire your heav nly song? Glo- - - - ria in excelsis Deo; Glo- - - - ria in excelsis Deo. Come to Bethlehem and see, Him whose birth the angels sing; Come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn king. Glo- - - - ria in excelsis Deo; 2 Join us for Christmas morning worship at 11am to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Celebration Lutheran Church Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 10621 Auburn Rd., PO Box 249, Chardon OH 44024 Phone: (440)285-5402 Email: office@celebration-lutheran.org Website: www.celebration-lutheran.org 11
Glo- - - - ria in excelsis Deo. The Barbins Family To the glory of God Dan and Stephanie Braford In memory of Mary Braford, Margaret Soplata, and Emily & Roland Marien Ken Coryell & Mary Modroo In memory of Jerome Modroo and Mamie Hardy The Connolly Family In memory of Lewis and Kevin Connolly Marilyn Decker In memory of parents Paul & LaVerne Decker and sister Paula Jean Sharon, Bill & Katy, Beth & Clay In memory of Bill Dunton Kevin & Lori Eilerman In memory of David Thomas (Lori s father) and Norma Eilerman (Kevin s mother) The Franck Family In memory of Gordon & Cheryl Pedersen and in honor of Brian & Nancy Franck Neal & Gail Goldworth The Karaffa Family In memory of Vince & Marie Dippold and Steve & Irene Karaffa Mike & Andrea Michael and family In memory of Violet Michael and Mary & Andrew Falfas Lynne & Larry Naylor In memory of family members POINSETTIAS ARE GIVEN BY: 10 Marcy Owen In memory of James Owen, Sr. James Owen, Jr. and Gladys Owen The Saggio Family In honor of our church family Deb & Olivia Shelton In memory of Ruth & Dick Scharlotte Don & Joan Solar In honor of our grandchildren The Stinchcomb Family The Choir In honor of Glenn Kulma s dedication as our Choir Director PRAYER OF THE DAY The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray... Amen ~ WE LISTEN TO GOD S WORD ~ Sit FIRST READING: Isaiah 9:2-7 The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. It Came upon a Midnight Clear ELW #282 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 earth, good will to all, from heav n all gracious king. The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing. 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. 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! 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. SECOND READING: Titus 3:4-7 The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. PROCESSIONAL GOSPEL Joy to the World Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive its King; Let ev ry heart prepare him room And heav n and nature sing, And heav n and nature sing, And heav n, and heav n and nature sing. Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ, While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains 3 ELW#267
Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat the sounding joy. GOSPEL READING: Luke 2:1-20 The Holy Gospel according to Luke, the second chapter. Glory to you, O Lord. After the reading. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. Joy to the World (cont.) No more let sin and sorrow grow nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found, Far as the curse is found, far as, far as the curse is found. He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove, The glories of his righteousness and wonders of his love, And wonders of his love, and wonders, wonders of his love. Sit HOMILY ~ WE RESPOND TO GOD S WORD ~ WORD SONG Hark, the Herald Angels Sing ELW #270 Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the new-born king; Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled. Joyful, all you nations, rise; Join the triumph of the skies; With angelic hosts proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem! Refrain: Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn king! Christ, by highest heav n adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord, Late in time behold him come, Offspring of a virgin s womb. Veiled in flesh the God-head see! Hail, incarnate deity! Pleased as man with us to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel! Refrain Hail the heav n-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, ris n with healing in his wings. Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die, Born to raise each child of earth, born to give us second birth. Refrain CANDLELIGHTING ~ WE ARE SENT TO SERVE ~ DIALOG OF LIGHT The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Those who dwelt in the land of deep darkness, on them light has shined. We have beheld Christ s glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. To us a child is born, to us a Son is given. In him was life, and the life was the light of all people. SENDING SONG Silent Night ELW #281 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. 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! 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. BENEDICTION DISMISSAL Go in peace. Christ has come! Thanks be to God. POSTLUDE THE PRAYERS Each petition ends with: Great God of mercy, Please respond with: Hear our prayer. ~ WE GATHER FOR THE MEAL ~ PEACE The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you. Sit 4 9
And by the light of that same star three Wise Men came from country far; to seek for a king was their intent, and to follow the star wherever it went. Refrain This star drew near to the northwest, o'er Bethlehem it took its rest; and there it did both stop and stay, right over the place where Jesus lay. Refrain Then entered in those Wise Men three, full reverently upon their knee, and offered there, in his presence, their gold and myrrh and frankincense. Refrain OFFERING OFFERTORY What Child Is This ELW #296 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! OFFERTORY PRAYER GREAT THANKSGIVING (Congregation sings the underlined text) Lo. How a Rose E er Blooming ELW #272 Lo, how a rose e er blooming from tender stem hath sprung! Of Jesse s lineage coming, as men of old have sung. It came, a floweret bright, amid the cold of winter, When half spent was the night. Isaiah twas foretold it, the rose I have in mind; With Mary we behold it, the virgin mother kind. To show God s love aright, she bore to men a Savior, When half spent was the night. The shepherds heard the story proclaimed by angels bright, How Christ, the Lord of glory was born on earth this night. To Bethlehem they sped and in the manger found Him, As angel heralds said. This flower, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air, Dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere; True man, yet very God, from sin and death He saves us, And lightens every load. O Savior, child of Mary, who felt our human woe, O Savior, King of glory, who dost our weakness know; Bring us at length we pray, to the bright courts of Heaven, And to the endless day! POST-COMMUNION BLESSING & PRAYER 8 5
THE 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 INVITATION TO THE TABLE Sit DISTRIBUTION OF HOLY COMMUNION All who are baptized and confess Jesus as Lord are welcome to commune. Communion will be distributed by stations this evening; please follow the ushers cues. We receive Holy Communion by intinction: when you receive the bread, proceed to the cup and dip it in the wine, then eat. Children and adults who do not receive Holy Communion in their home congregations are invited to come forward for a blessing. We have gluten free wafers upon request. COMMUNION HYMNS (Sung during distribution) Away in a Manger ELW #277 Away in a manger, no crib for his bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay, the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. The cattle are lowing; the poor baby wakes, but little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes. I love thee, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky, and stay by my side until morning is nigh. 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 fit us for heaven to live with thee there. 6 7 The First Noel ELW #300 The first Noel the angel did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay, In fields where they lay keeping their sheep On a cold winter's night that was so deep. Refrain: Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel! Born is the King of Israel They looked up and saw a star shining in the east, beyond them far; and to the earth it gave great light, and so it continued both day and night. Refrain