St. Paul Lutheran Church In Jesus name, Do justice, Love kindness, Walk humbly with God. St. Paul is an open, affirming, and inclusive church, welcoming all who seek God. 515 S Wheaton Avenue Wheaton, Illinois 630-668-5953 Christmas Eve December 24, 2018 Nativity of Our Lord
Welcome to St. Paul Visiting today? We are glad you are here! Stop by the Welcome Center and receive a sweet gift. Please write your name and other information on the yellow welcome card. There are multiple areas and resources designed for children to participate in worship according to their needs, including but not limited to: a Children's Message at the start of worship, Rainbow Bags with quiet toys, and an attended Nursery on the lower level of the building for 0 to 3-yearolds. Additional info about resources for parents and kids is on the "Children at St. Paul Wheaton" laminated page posted at the outside aisle-end of your pew. Assisted listening headphones are available for those having difficulty hearing. Members, please wear your name tag. Extras are located in the pew racks. About Worship We follow an ancient pattern through the liturgy (which literally means the work of the people ). Some parts of the service may change each week, but there is a consistent flow: praising God, hearing God s word, offering our prayers and gifts, celebrating communion, and being sent into the world for service. The format remains fairly constant, but the style will vary widely. Sometimes we sing with the pipe organ, and the ministers chant. Sometimes we worship accompanied by piano, guitars, drums, violins, flutes or whatever our folk play. We range from Bach to blues, because we know that different styles connect to different people. So we all worship together, and change the style every few weeks. It s one of the ways we minister to and with each other and build community. Thank you for being part of our worship and community today! *At the asterisk, stand as you are able. P: Presiding Minister A: Assisting Minister L: Lector C: Congregation ELW (Evangelical Lutheran Worship) page numbers are printed in the lower corners in the front portion of the hymnal. Hymn numbers are large numbers printed beside hymn titles in the rest of the book. Serving Today Presiding Minister Rev. Jared Olson Assisting Minister 5:30 Julie Braun 8:00 Michelle Pyskaty Director of Music Dr. Tony Payne Communion Deacon 8:00 Jean Siegel Lector 5:30 John Whitnell 8:00 Phil Adams Crucifer/Acolytes 8:00 Oliver, Julie, and Ben Michalak Bread Hosts Carl & Marilyn Sodergren Greeters 5:30 Nancy Arnesen 8:00 Beth Baumgardner Ushers 5:30 Becky, Paul, Vivian, and Mitchell Johnson, Paul Cook, Steve Larson 8:00 Bud Krick, Warren Ludvigsen, Al LaMar, Chuck Taylor Altar Care Beth Baumgardner
Preparing to Worship Prelude Welcome Children s Message Pastor Jared Pastor Jared *Entrance Hymn On Christmas Night ELW 274 *Confession and Forgiveness Gathering Together in Worship P: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, P: God of all mercy and consolation, come to the help of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we may confess our sin, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. P: Most merciful God, C: we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we
have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen. P: In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us; and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father; and of the Son; and of the Holy Spirit. The Lighting of the Advent Wreath (5:30) The King Family (8:00) The Adams Family *Prayer of the Day P: Almighty God, you made this holy night shine with the brightness of the true Light. Grant that here on earth we may walk in the light of Jesus presence and in the last day wake to the brightness of his glory; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Responding to the Word of God Lesson Isaiah 9:2-7 The Word of God as written in Isaiah. 2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined. 3 You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. 4 For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5 For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. 6 For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. *Gospel Acclamation Angels We Have Heard on High ELW 289 vs 1 *The Gospel Luke 2:1-14 L: The Holy Gospel according to Luke. C: Glory to you, O Lord. 1In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was
Sermon no place for them in the inn. 8In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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, Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors! L: The Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to you, O Christ. Pastor Jared *Hymn of the Day Hark! The Herald Angels Sing ELW 270
*Apostles Creed A: Let us confess our faith in the words of the Apostles Creed. C: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God s 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 to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. *Prayers of the People After each petition of the prayers, A: Hear us, O God, C: Your mercy is great. *Passing the Peace Offering P: The peace of the Lord be with you always. C: And also with you. P: Let us share the peace. Music During Offering Service Continues on the Following Page
*Offertory Response O Come, All Ye Faithful ELW 283 vs 1,3, & 4 *Offertory Prayer A: 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 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. *The Great Thanksgiving Sharing the Eucharistic Meal 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 our thanks and praise. P: It is indeed right... join their unending hymn. *Sanctus Angels, From the Realms of Glory ELW 275 v 1 *Words of Institution P: Lord, hear us as we pray... *The Lord s Prayer C: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen. The Distribution of Communion The body and blood of Christ are present in this sacrament, for the forgiveness of sin and the strengthening of faith. All people are welcome to share in this meal. Parents, if you have a young child who receives communion, please indicate that when the minister comes to you. Those who do not receive communion are welcome to come forward for a blessing; simply keep your hands folded. Come forward and receive the bread from the minister. Gluten-free wafers are available. The gold chalice contains wine; you may drink directly from the cup or dip your bread into the wine. The pottery chalice contains non-alcoholic grape juice, which you may receive by dipping your bread into the juice. Return to your seat by the side aisles. If you would like communion brought to you, simply let an usher know. The Service Continues on the Following Page
Hymns During Communion: Infant Holy, Infant Lowly ELW 276 It Came Upon a Midnight Clear ELW 282
*Post-Communion Prayer A: God for whom we wait, in this meal you give us a foretaste of that day when the hungry will be fed with good things. Send us forth to make known your deeds and to proclaim the greatness of your name, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. *Post Communion Canticle Silent Night, Holy Night ELW 281 (5:30) Abby Olson and Linnea Lindgren will sing verse 1, all join for verses 2&3 (8:00) congregation will sing all verses Going Out into the World Sent by God Announcements *Benediction A: Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever,
*Sending Hymn: Joy to the World ELW 267 *Dismissal A: Go in peace. Share the good news. Postlude C: Thanks be to God.