Christmas Eve 10:00 pm. December 24 th, 2013 Resurrection Lutheran Church exists to proclaim Jesus Christ as Saviour, in an open accepting fellowship, a loving caring community that reaches out to all people to serve Christ through worshipping, teaching, learning, sharing and giving of ourselves to meet the needs of this congregation, the community and the world, as the Holy Spirit moves us. Resurrection Lutheran Church Tel: (306) 242-4042 Fax: (306) 651-6042 310 Lenore Drive, Saskatoon, SK. S7K 6Y1 E-mail resurrectionchurch@sasktel.net Website: www.resurrectionlutheranchurch.ca. Pastor: Ali Tote H: (306) 249-1428 Cell: (306) 371-7742 Should You Need Them: Our nursery/play areas are located in the room off the sanctuary, and in the basement where our Sunday School classes are held. Our washrooms are located down the hallway with the offices, and downstairs to the left.
CELEBRATION OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD, WITH HOLY COMMUNION & CANDLELIGHT GATHERING We begin with dimmed lights in our Sanctuary All our hymns are printed with permission CCLI #1471168 Processional Hymn (Please rise) Angels We Have Heard on High Angels we have heard on high sweetly singing o er the plains, and the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains. : Gloria in excelsis Deo; Gloria in excelsis Deo. Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be which inspire your heav nly song? Come to Bethlehem and see him whose birth the angels sing; come, adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the new-born king. Words of Welcome from Pastor Ali Tote 2
Hymn It Came Upon a Midnight Clear It came upon a midnight clear, that glorious song of old, from angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold; Peace on the earth, good will to all, from heav n s 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. 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. 3
Call To Worship Based on Isaiah 9 v 1,6b; and Psalm 96 11-13. 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 lived in a land of deep darkness - on them light has shined. We have beheld Christ s glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. Unto us a child is born, to us a son is given And he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace. Let the heavens be glad and let the earth rejoice; Let the sea roar, and all that fills it. Let the paddocks and fields exult, and everything in them. Let all the trees in the bush sing for joy before the Lord; For he is coming, he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth. Unto us a child is born, to us a son is given His name, Emmanuel; God with us Opening Prayer Incarnate God, creator of all life, you made us in your image, and sent your Son to share our flesh. Tonight as we celebrate the glad time of his birth, we pray that your love may be born anew in us. Help us to respond to the greatness of your love by sharing it with others. Amen. Lighting of the Christ Candle in the Advent Wreath (Sanctuary lights fully on after the lighting of the Christ Candle) 4
Hymn O Little Town of Bethlehem O little town of Bethlehem; How still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by; yet in thy dark streets shineth; the everlasting light. The hopes and fears of all the years, are met in thee tonight. How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is giv n! So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heav n. No ear may hear his coming; but, in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in. O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; oh, come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Immanuel! Salutation The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray together Prayer of the Day We celebrate the coming of the Light of the world; we have prayed for that light to enter our lives and our world. Yet we confess that there have been times when we have obscured the light for others through insensitivity and prejudice, through the use of careless and hurtful words or selfish and destructive actions. Come Lord Jesus, be light for our darkness and empower us with your Spirit to be 5
faithful bearers of your light into all the shadowy and clouded areas of people's lives. Amen. Hymn Away in a Manger (Please sing this hymn very quietly as the following meditation is spoken) 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 baby awakes, but little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes. I love you, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky and stay by my cradle till morning is nigh. Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask you to stay close by me forever and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in your tender care and fit us for heaven, to live with you there. MEDITATION It seems so long ago and so far away, in Bethlehem in Judea, on a cold winter night, with shepherds startled by stars and angels. A night sky not so different from ours. On this cold winter night in the prairies here in Saskatchewan, unlike the shepherds, Mary and Joseph, gathered out in a field, or huddled among animals in a barn shivering with cold and with anxiety over the appearance of angels, we are gathered together in this warm sanctuary to celebrate because we know the story from beginning to end. We are gathered for worship in a comfortable place, the air fired with candles and heavy with anticipation. We choose to be here. 6
Mary did not choose to give birth in that cold stable the only warmth for her the steamy breath of animals. Yet in that place, Mary, who had carried this baby close to her heart for nine months -- gave birth to a Saviour. We are here in the expectation that this Saviour will be born anew in our hearts and our lives on this holy night, in this sacred space. Hymn Angels, from the Realms of Glory Angels from the realms of glory, wing your flight o er all the earth; once you sang creation s story, now proclaim Messiah s birth: : Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn king. Shepherds, in the field abiding, watching o er your flocks by night, God with us is now residing, Yonder shines the infant light. All creation, join in praising God, the Father, Spirit, Son, evermore your voices raising to the eternal Three in One. 7
WORD (Our Scripture Summary for our lessons today are taken from Sundays & Seasons Year C Augsburg Fortress) First Reading Isaiah 9:2 7 This poem promises deliverance from Assyrian oppression, a hope based on the birth of a royal child with a name full of promise. While Judah s king will practice justice and righteousness, the real basis for faith lies in God s passion for the people: The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this! 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 Counsellor, 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 onwards and for evermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. 8
Hymn Once In Royal David s City Once in royal David s city stood a lowly cattle shed, where a mother laid her baby in a manger for his bed. Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ, her little child. He came down to earth from heaven who is God and Lord of all, and his shelter was a stable, and his cradle was a stall; with the poor and meek and lowly, lived on earth our Savior holy. Not in that poor lowly stable, with the oxen standing by, we shall see him; but in heaven, set at God s right hand on high; there his children gather round, bright like stars, with glory crowned. The Christmas story Luke 2:1-20 God s greatest gift comes as a baby in a manger. Angels announce the good news of great joy and proclaim God s blessing of peace. 1 In 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 a 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 no place for them in the inn. 8 In 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 9
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 Saviour, 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 favours! 15 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. 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you O Christ. Hymn The First Noel 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. : Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel! Born is the King of Israel. They looked up and saw a star shining in the east beyond them far; 10
and to the earth it gave great light, and so it continued both day and night. Then entered in those wise men three, full rev rently upon their knee, and offered there in his presence their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense. Please be seated. Christmas Message with a Special Children s Time Hymn (Please rise) Hark, the Herald Angels Sing 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! : 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, off-spring of a virgin s womb. Veiled in flesh the God-head see! Hail, incarnate deity! 11
Offering (Please be seated) Offertory prayer (Please rise) Pleased as man with us to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel! 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. Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God s people on earth. Blessed are you, Prince of Peace. You rule the earth with truth and justice. Send your gift of peace to all nations of the world. Blessed are you, Son of Mary. You share our humanity. Have mercy on the sick, the dying, and all who suffer this night. Blessed are you, Son of God. You dwell among us as the Word made flesh. Reveal yourself to us in word and sacrament, that we may bear your light to all the world. Amen. Great Thanksgiving ( In the Red Worship books, please turn to page 144 12
Great Thanksgiving page 144 Holy, Holy, Holy page 144 The Lord s Prayer page 145 Communion Hymns Holy Communion Distribution (Please be seated the ushers will direct you) Go, Tell it on the Mountain : Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and ev rywhere; go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born! While shepherds kept their watching o er silent flocks by night, behold, throughout the heavens there shone a holy light. The shepherds feared and trembled when, lo, above the earth rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Savior s birth. Down in a lonely manger the humble Christ was born; and God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn. In the Bleak Midwinter In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, in the bleak midwinter, long ago. 13
Heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain; heav n and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign; in the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed the Lord God almighty, Jesus Christ. What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb; if I were a wiseman I would do my part; yet what I can I give him give my heart. What Child is This? What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary s lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet while shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the king, whom shepherds guard and angels sing; haste, haste to bring him laud, The babe, the son of Mary! Why lies he in such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christian, fear; for sinners here the silent Word is pleading. Nails, spear shall pierce him through, the cross be borne for me, for you; hail, hail the Word made flesh, the babe, the son of Mary! So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh; come, peasant, king, to own him. The King of kings salvation brings; 14
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! (The Lights will be turned off in the Sanctuary) Prayer after Holy Communion Almighty God, you have filled us with the new light of the Word who became flesh and lived among us. Let the light of our faith shine in all we do; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Lighting of the Candles (Please remember to hold the candles upright and to be mindful of hair, children, clothing and paper). Hymn Silent Night 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. heavenly hosts sing Alleluia! Christ, the Savior is born! Christ, the Savior, is born! 15
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. Hymn O Come, All Ye Faithful (The Sanctuary lights will be turned on as the second verse begins) As the sanctuary lights are turned back on, you may extinguish your candles. They may be placed in the box at the back of the church, following the service tonight, with thanks. O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; come and behold him; born the king of angels; : O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O 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! Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God, In the highest; 16
Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning; Jesus, to thee be glory given! Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing; Benediction May you be filled with the wonder of Mary, the obedience of Joseph, the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the determination of the magi, and the peace of the Christ Child. And may +Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit bless you now and forever. Amen. Sending Hymn Joy to the World 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. Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ, while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy. 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, 17
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. Dismissal Christ is born. He is born today. Praise be to God! Christmas Day Services 10:00 am Lessons & Carols 11:15 am French Worship Service 18