Christmas Day December 25, 2017 1
Emmanuel Lutheran Church Ninth & Beaver - York, Nebraska Nativity of Our Lord December 25, 2017 Welcome to Worship This is the day that children of all ages anticipate for months. With great joy we celebrate the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Incarnation comes from a Latin word meaning God wrapped Himself in the flesh and blood of His own human creation and humbled Himself to be born of the Virgin Mary. Whether our mental images of this event are shaped by the warm glow of softly-lit manger scenes and quiet Christmas carols, or whether we think of the rough, simple and humble starkness of our Lord s birth attended by angels and working shepherds, the message is the same: Christ the Savior is born! Let us rejoice and celebrate! May God, our heavenly Father, bless your worship and fill you with the joy and peace which comes from the Child born in Bethlehem. WELCOME * If you do not have a church home, we welcome your consideration. Call the church office at 362-3655. *The Radio and Internet Broadcast of today s service is in loving memory of Marlene Schlender. AVAILABLE FOR YOUR USE Restrooms located down the east hallway and to the left Emergency Restroom located in the entry A nursery located in the north basement 2
WORSHIP SERVICE +PREPARATION+ OPENING SONG.. Welcome to Our World.. (page 7-8) OPENING P: Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord! C: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. P: The Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Emmanuel. C: God with us! God for us! Today and forever! Amen. P: When the time had fully come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. C: And because we are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying Abba! Father! So through God we are no longer slaves but sons, and if sons then heirs. HYMN.. "Once in Royal David s City"..#376 INVOCATION P: On this Christmas Day we enter into the presence of the one true God: The Holy Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. P: We praise You, God the Father. C: You loved the world so much that You sent Your only-begotten Son to live in our midst, and clothed Him in human flesh and blood. P: We praise You, Jesus, God the Son C: You came into this world to give Your life for us, that we might have the gift of life. P: We praise You, God the Holy Spirit. C: Your presence among us and dwelling in us brings us life and light. P: To God be the glory, honor and praise, both now and forever. P: On this Christmas Day as we celebrate the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, let us approach His manger-throne in humility, confessing our need for this Savior that we may receive Him and the forgiveness He came to deliver for the life of the world. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised. C: He is to be feared above all gods. P: He will judge the world in righteousness, C: and the people in His faithfulness. All: Most merciful God, before the glory of the gift of Your only-begotten Son, we bow in confession of our unworthiness to receive such a gift. But it is the gift we need; for we are by nature sinful and unclean and justly deserve nothing but Your punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, 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 this divine, sacred infant is the hope of the world, for He was born to die for you. For the sake of His death, Almighty God forgives you all your sins. Therefore, as a called and ordained servant of the Word-made-flesh, crucified and risen again, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. RESPONSE Infant Holy, Infant Lowly.#393 3
+WE PRAISE GOD+ PRAYER OF THE DAY P: O God, You make us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of Your only-begotten Son, Jesus the Christ. Grant that, as we once again hear the story of His nativity, we are filled with a sense of awe and wonder that He would humble Himself to be born in such a way. May our ears and hearts be open to the message of Your Word on this Christmas morning. +WE HEAR GOD S WORD+ OLD TESTAMENT READING Isaiah 52:7-10 HYMN Where Shepherds Lately Knelt.#369 EPISTLE.Hebrews 1:1-12 HOLY GOSPEL..John 1:1-14 HYMN.. Jesus Has Come and Brings Pleasure #533 CHRISTMAS MESSAGE HYMN.. Gentle Mary Laid Her Child.. #374 OFFERINGS FOR THE LORD (Please sign and pass the Friendship Register during the offering.) OFFERTORY.. What Child is This?...370, v. 1,3 OFFERING PRAYER P: Lord God, C: Giver of all gifts, receive these offerings as tokens of our thanks for the gift of life we receive from You and celebrate this day. Move us to be generous in our giving, and bless these gifts for Your glory and the building of Your kingdom. Hear our prayer for Jesus sake. Amen. PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING P: Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of all creation, for You have had mercy on us and given Your only-begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. In the beginning You created all things by Your Word; and in the fullness of time Your Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. Let Your Word made flesh dwell richly among us that faithfully eating His body and drinking His blood we may receive the fullness of Your grace and truth in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Hear us as we pray in His name and as He has taught us: 4
LORD S PRAYER WORDS OF INSTITUTION DISTRIBUTION HYMNS O Little Town of Bethlehem #361 Now Sing We Now Rejoice..#386 Come, Your Hearts and Voices Raising.#375 Of the Father s Love Begotten..#384 DISMISSAL P: Christ was born for you! The body and blood of our Lord Jesus strengthen and preserve you in the true faith to life everlasting. Depart in His peace. POST COMMUNION PRAYER BENEDICTION P: When He came to us as an infant, the Son of God scattered the darkness of this world and filled this holy day with His glory. May God scatter the darkness of sin and brighten your hearts with holiness. P: God sent His angels to the shepherds to herald the great joy of our Savior s birth. May He fill you with joy and make you heralds of His Gospel. P: When the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, earth was joined to heaven. May He give you His peace and fellowship with all the heavenly host. P: The Lord bless and keep you, the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you, the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and grant you peace. CLOSING HYMN.. Joy to the World...#387 POSTLUDE +DEPART IN PEACE AND JOY+ Merry Christmas! 5