CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP SERVICE
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Christmas Eve Worship Service December 24, 2017, 9 a.m. Prelude Noel on Old French Carol of the Birds Claude Louis D aquin; arr. Roberta Bitgood Merry Christmas! Welcome to worship this Holy Day! We are a congregation that Proclaims Jesus Christ, Lives in Christ and Serves. Empowered by God s love we help transform lives, communities and the world so that everyone may know Christ s healing power. We re glad you re here to join us in celebrating the birth of Jesus! Hymn Hark! The Herald Angels Sing mendelssohn Christmas Eve Morning 3
Welcome, this Christmas Eve, in the wondrous name of God the Father, Jesus his only Son, and the Holy Spirit our Comforter and Guide. Amen. Proclamation of Praise God s promise of a world made new came true in Bethlehem. This tiny baby was Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us. The angels sang, Glory to God! We, too, sing your praises for the birth of that special baby in the manger. Great is the Lord who has come as our Savior, the one whom the angels proclaim as Christ the Lord. O come, let us adore him! O come, let us receive him! O come, let us worship Jesus Christ our newborn King. Hymn Good Christian Friends, Rejoice in dulci jubilo 4 Christmas Eve Morning
Prayer of the Day Now in the silence, whisper of joy which comes into every life. Now in the comfort of carols, sing of hope which takes away the despair which envelops us. Now in familiar words heard anew, speak to us of grace which is born into barren lives, of peace which is birthed into our deepest fears. Now in the love which is ours forever, draw us closer to your heart. Amen Lesson Titus 3:4-7 When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Anthem Gesu Bambino Holy Gospel Luke 2:1-20 Glory to you, O Lord. Pietro Yon; arr. Mark Hayes Olivia Schurke, soloist 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. Continued on next page Christmas Eve Morning 5
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. Praise to you, O Christ. Apostles Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again 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 6 Christmas Eve Morning
Hymn Go, Tell It on the Mountain Refrain Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and ev rywhere; go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born! go tell it 1 While shepherds kept their watching o er silent flocks by night, behold, throughout the heavens there shone a holy light. Refrain 2 Down in a lonely manger the humble Christ was born; and God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn. Refrain Sermon Wrapped in Presence Offering O Holy Night Pastor Brian Norsman Adolphe Adam Olivia Schurke, soloist Offertory Your Little Ones, Dear Lord her kommer dine arme smaa Prayers of the Church Christmas Eve Morning 7
Words of Institution for the Sacrament of Holy Communion 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 We believe that Jesus Christ is truly present in the bread and wine and grants us the gift of God s grace and forgiveness. All are welcome to receive this gift. White grape juice is available upon request. Gluten-free wafers are available at all stations at the front of the Sanctuary. 8 Christmas Eve Morning
Hymn Once in Royal David s City irby Post-Communion Blessing The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. Amen Post-Communion Prayer Gracious God, by the power of your Holy Spirit, you have united us with Christ in this feast and you send us out as bearers of your good news. Give us courage to be your people to show your justice, grace, mercy, peace, and love and to be a part of your transformation of our world until the day when the baby whose birth we celebrate today comes again in peace, and we sing your praise and glory forever. Amen Christmas Eve Morning 9
Benediction Let us go to join the angels in singing of God s glory and grace. Let us go to share the good news, that Jesus, the brother of the vulnerable and forgotten, is still in our midst. Let us go to offer peace and goodwill to everyone, joining the Spirit in telling of all we have seen and heard. Amen Hymn Joy to the World 1 Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her 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. antioch 2 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, Wonders, and wonders of.his.love. Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God. Postlude Toccata-Prelude on VOM HIMMEL HOCH Garth Edmundson Today s Music Olivia Schurke, soloist; Cheryl Schurke, accompanist; Bill Chouinard, organist Next Sunday in the Sanctuary Sermon: Called to Follow Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-10; Psalm 85:7-10; Mark 1:14-20 Merry Christmas! Welcome to Christmas at St. Andrew s! We wish you a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year. Please join us again for worship. Our traditional services in the Sanctuary are on Sunday mornings at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Our contemporary services in the Great Hall are on Saturday nights at 5 p.m. and on Sunday mornings at 8:45 & 10:15 a.m. 10 Christmas Eve Morning
Mike Carlson Lead Pastor Sarah Breckenridge Executive Pastor John Straiton Discipleship Pastor Brian Norsman Pastor of Outreach and Mission Kyle Jackson Pastor of Congregational Care Erin Morris Deacon / Intern Pastor Gerry Rafftery Pastor of Generosity Carolyn Staats Intern Pastor Jenny Sung Intern Pastor St. Andrew s Worship Times Traditional Worship Sunday 9 & 10:30 a.m. Sanctuary Contemporary Worship Saturday 5 p.m. Great Hall Sunday 8:45 & 10:15 a.m. Great Hall First Wednesday Worship First Wednesdays 6:30 p.m. Sanctuary Nursery at all services. Worship at St. Andrew s Village Sunday 1 p.m. 900 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi MN 55115 www.saintandrews.org 651.426.3261 Christmas Eve Morning 11
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