Christmas Eve Family Service December 24, 2018 +++++++++++++++ We welcome you, one and all, to worship on this most holy night. We celebrate the Immanuel born to us and for us. Tonight, the Sunday School children assist the ministers in leading the service while including the traditions of the former Children s Service. Tonight s service includes a celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Communion. As a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Hope Lutheran Church celebrates Communion with an open table. All who are welcomed to Communion in their home congregations are welcome to join us here. In the spirit of a family service, we are communing tonight by tables. Please follow the direction of the usher. +++++++++++++++ PRELUDE AND CANDLELIGHTING Chorale Prelude on In dulci jubilo Jim Murcko, Organ PROCLAMATION OF THE BIRTH OF THE MESSIAH GATHERING SONG LBW (Green) Hymnal #45 O Come, All Ye Faithful 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. HYMN OF PRAISE LBW (Green) Hymnal #60 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing PRAYER OF THE DAY Let us pray. A brief silence is kept. 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.
FIRST READING: Isaiah 9:2-7 (Carmen Campos, Natalie Cavanaugh, Gus Meyer) A reading from Isaiah, the ninth chapter. 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. 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. 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. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. 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. 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. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
PSALMODY: Psalm 96 (led by Gavin Schwiebert; the congregation joins him) Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, bless the name of the LORD; proclaim God's salvation from day to day. Declare God's glory a- mong the nations and God's wonders a- mong all peoples. For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised, more to be feared than all gods. As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols; but you, O LORD, have made the heavens. Majesty and magnificence are in your presence; power and splendor are in your sanctuary. Ascribe to the LORD, you families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD hon- or and power. Ascribe to the LORD the honor due the holy name; bring offerings and enter the courts of the LORD. Worship the LORD in the beau- ty of holiness; tremble before the LORD, all the earth. Tell it out among the nations: "The LORD is king! The one who made the world so firm that it cannot be moved will judge the peo- ples with equity." Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea thunder and all that is in it; let the field be joyful and all that is therein. Then shall all the trees of the wood shout for joy at your com- ing, O LORD, for you come to judge the earth. You will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with your truth.
SECOND READING: Titus 2:11-14 (Carson Prigge) A reading from Titus, the second chapter. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION LBW (Green) Hymnal #71 Angels We Have Heard on High (verses 1 & 2) GOSPEL: Luke 2:1-20 (Ella Badenhop, Izack Badenhop, Madison Prigge, Mason Schwiebert, Alex Updike, Parker Witte) A call and response between the presiding minister and the assembly is placed throughout the gospel reading. Each time the presiding minister announces To us is born a Savior, the assembly responds: The Holy Gospel according to Luke. In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. 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. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 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: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and 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 heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors! When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us. So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION LBW (Green) Hymnal #71 Angels We Have Heard on High (verse 3)
SERMON FOR ALL The Christmas Nail Pastor Keith A. Hunsinger & Jonathan R. Norden HYMN OF THE DAY LBW (Green) Hymnal #67 Away in a Manger Verse 1 is sung by the youngest members of the Sunday School. Verse 2 is sung by the Sunday School students. Verse 3 is sung by the assembly. PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION (Damien Campos, Zac Bergstedt, Megan Cavanaugh, Phillip Cavanaugh, Tara Cavanaugh, Bo Luderman, CeCe Meyer, Evie Meyer, Hayden Rohrs, Rylan Shadbelt, Ava West) On this most holy night, we pray for the church, those in need, and all of God s creation. For the church, here and everywhere; For the full and for the hungry; For those who do not know you; For our teachers and our pastor; For our church s leaders; For our public leaders; For peace and justice; For the young and the old; For those away from us; For the sick and the hurting; For those in heaven;
Into your hands, gracious God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy, through Jesus Christ, our infant Immanuel. PEACE The presiding minister and the assembly greet each other in the peace of the infant Christ. The peace of the Lord be with you all. And also with you. The people may greet one another with a sign of Christ s peace and may say Peace be with you. or similar words. OFFERING An offering is gathered for the mission of the church, including the care of those in need. During this time, the table is set. Song accompanies the offering: On Christmas Day in the Morn Jim Murcko, Organ After the table is set, the assisting minister leads the following prayer. Let us pray. Holy God, your beauty shines forth from the manger and your love flows from the cross. As you gather us around these signs of your love come among us, warm us to extend your care among the hungry and all in need. In Jesus s name we pray.
GREAT THANKSGIVING It is indeed right, our duty, and our joy here the minister continues with the preface, concluding we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
The presiding minister continues: Holy God, Creator of all and Source of life, at the birth of time your word brought light into the world. In the fullness of time, you sent your Word, born of Mary, to shine in our darkness and to make us your daughters and sons. 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. Remembering, therefore, his birth and life among us, his death and resurrection, we await his coming again when all things will be restored in him. By your Spirit bless us and this bread and cup, that, held and nourished by you, we may live as your children, shining with the light of your Son. Through him all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your Holy church, both now and forever. Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray: 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. COMMUNION The presiding minister addresses the assembly. Come to the table where Christ meets you. Eat, rejoice, and be glad! Communion tonight is served by table. Children are invited to come forward with their families. Distribution will begin on the west side of the church, then the east, and then the balcony. Please follow the direction of the usher. As is the custom at Hope, those who cannot come forward are communed first. Those not yet receiving Communion may come forward for a blessing.
When giving the bread and cup, the communion ministers say The body of Christ, given for you. The blood of Christ, shed for you. and each person may respond Communion hymns are as follows: What Child Is This LBW (Green) Hymnal #40 Infant Holy, Infant Lowly LBW (Green) Hymnal #44 Angels, from the Realms of Glory LBW (Green) Hymnal #50 After all have returned to their places, the presiding minister says a table blessing. The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. The assisting minister leads a prayer after communion. Let us pray. God of wonder, in Jesus we behold the light of the world come near. As you have come among us now, send us out in joy, hastening to share the good news of your love. We ask this in the name of Jesus, through the Spirit dwelling among us now and forever. BLESSING The presiding minister proclaims God's blessing. God the Creator who delights in you, Jesus the Savior who is born for you, and the lifegiving Spirit who shines on you, + bless you and keep you in hope and peace. SENDING SONG LBW (Green) Hymnal #65 Silent Night, Holy Night! Verse 1 is sung by the Junior High class. Verse 2 is sung by the Sunday School. Verse 3 is sung by the assembly.
DISMISSAL The assisting minister sends the assembly into the world this holy night. Go in peace. Share the joy of Christ. Thanks be to God. POSTLUDE Jim Murcko, Organ +++++++++++++++ I Saw Three Ships All are welcome to return for the Christ Mass tomorrow morning at 9 AM. +++++++++++++++ HOPE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 10016 State Route 18, Hamler, Ohio, 43524 Church: (419) 274-5765 hopelutheran@metalink.net Pastor: (419) 607-0040 pastorkah@hotmail.com www.hopelutheranchurchonline.com On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopelutheranchurchhamler Presiding Minister Assisting Minister Organist Sunday School Staff: The Rev. Keith A. Hunsinger Jonathan R. Norden Jim Murcko Alison Luderman Karley Niemeyer Jon Norden Emilie Rohrs Maggie Rohrs Makayla Updike Amy West From Evangelical Lutheran Worship copyright 2006. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission of Augsburg Fortress under license # 15474-ELW. Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the 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.