Welcome To Our Savior Lutheran Church CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE DECEMBER 24, 2017 5:00 PM
Our Savior Lutheran Church 3001 South Sixth St. Marshalltown, IA 50158 Office Hours: Mon. Thurs. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Telephone: 641-753-4108 Web Site: www.oursaviorluth-marshalltown.org Mission Statement Marked with the cross of Christ forever, we are called, gathered, enlightened, sanctified and sent for the sake of the world. Ministry Leaders Pastor Mike Herschberger 753-4108 (wk) 515-338-0287 (cell) oslpastor@outlook.com Secretary: Carol Fuller 753-4108 (wk) oslmtown@outlook.com President: Dean Stucky Education: Sarah Auld Youth: Landon Auld Custodian: Karen Weltzin Financial Secretary: Karen Adams 2 752-4974 (cell) 753-4049 (work) dstuckys@yahoo.com 620-805-2883 (cell) sreuss2@gmail.com 515-229-0530 (cell) auldland@gmail.com 752-7112 (hm) kweltzin2@mchsi.com 641-351-4870 (hm) adamkx@cox.net
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE PROCLAMATION OF THE BIRTH OF CHRIST Many ages from the time when God created the heavens and the earth and then formed man and woman in his own image; long after the great flood, when God made the rainbow shine forth as a sign of the covenant; twenty-one centuries from the time the promise was given to Abraham and Sarah; thirteen centuries after Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt and Miriam danced in freedom; eleven hundred years from the time of Ruth and the judges; one thousand years from the anointing of David as king, in fulfillment of the times and years and months and days discerned by the prophets; in the one hundred and ninety-fourth Olympiad; the seven hundred and fifty-second year from the foundation of the city of Rome; the forty-second year of the reign of Octavian Augustus; while the whole world enjoyed a span of peace, Jesus Christ, eternal God and Son of the eternal Father, desiring to sanctify the world by his most merciful coming, being conceived by the Holy Spirit and nine months of growth in the womb of his mother now in our own times is the nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, God made flesh. ENTRANCE HYMN: O Come, All Ye Faithful ELW 283 (verses 1-3) CHRISTMAS DIALOG AND GREETING P: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. C: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. P: Those who dwelt in the land of deep darkness, on them light has shined. C: We have beheld Christ s glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. P: For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given. C: In him was life, and the life was the light of all people. P: May the grace and truth of Christ be with you. C: And also with you. 3
PRAYER OF THE DAY P: Let us pray... 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 only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. DUET The Angel s Song THE LESSON 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 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. THE LESSON Titus 2:11-14 The appearance of God s grace in Jesus Christ brings salvation for all humanity. Consequently, in the present we live wisely and justly while also anticipating the hope of our Savior s final appearance. 11 The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, 12 training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and 4
Savior, Jesus Christ. 14 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. HYMN O Little Town of Bethlehem ELW 279 THE CHRISTMAS GOSPEL Luke 2:1-20 SERMON Really.. A Child? HYMN Angels We Have Hear on High ELW 289 THE PRAYERS A: This night the eternal Word of God is born in us. We pray for Christ s light of life to take flesh in the church, the creation, and all people of God. A brief silence. A: We bring to the manger our longing for the visible unity of the church of Jesus Christ, that undivided it proclaim the one whose birth brings good news of glad tidings to all people. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. A: We bring to the manger hope for the well-being of creation, that every valley be exalted and every rough place be made plain so that every living thing may flourish. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. A: We bring to the manger a vision of the reign of the Prince of Peace, that the nations, tribes, and peoples of this world will see and cherish in each other the very image of Christ, whose scepter is mercy and whose judgment is love. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. 5
A: We bring to the manger concern for those who have no place to lay their heads this night and for those who dwell in the shadow of loneliness, despair, illness, or death. We come begging that the child for whom there was no room will open the doors of our hearts to the needs of our neighbors and ourselves. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. A: We bring to the manger all people who, like the holy family, gather with children in the splendor of this most holy night, that the gift of faith be lavished on another generation. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. A: We bring to the manger the hopes and dreams of all the years, that with Mary and Joseph, angles and archangels, saints and martyrs, loved ones of every time and every place, our prayers and praises join in a common song uniting heaven and earth in a single peace. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. A: Into your outstretched arms, O God, we commend ourselves and all for whom we pray, trusting in Jesus Christ, the light and life of the world. C: Amen SHARING PEACE OFFERING OFFERTORY What Child Is This ELW 296 (verses 1 & 3) OFFERING PRAYER God with us: You came as a baby to a manger. You slept on straw and greeted shepherds. You come again in bread and wine. Remind us how good you are at blessing ordinary things. And then, through these gifts, help us to bless the lives of others in the strength of your holy name. Amen. 6
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING 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. PROPER PREFACE P: It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ. In the wonder and mystery of the Word made flesh you have opened the eyes of faith to a new and radiant vision of your glory, that, beholding the God made visible, we may be drawn to love the God whom we cannot see. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn: HOLY, HOLY, HOLY Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heav n and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest. LORD S PRAYER: Remember us... INVITATION TO COMMUNE: Joy to the world! The Lord is come. Let every heart receive your Savior. HOLY COMMUNION 7
COMMUNION HYMNS I Am So Glad Each Christmas Eve ELW 271 Infant Holy, Infant Lowly ELW 276 The First Noel ELW 300 POST COMMUNION BLESSING P: The body and blood of our Lord and risen Savior Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. C: Amen. POST COMMUNION PRAYER P: On this day, O God, you gave us Christ the Son to save us. As you sent the one foretold, send us now with good news for all people. Let the gladness of this feast have no end as we share with others the joy that fills us; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. C: Amen. THE GOSPEL OF THE INCARNATION John 1:1 14 (Light hand-held candles during this read) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. 8
HYMN OF LIGHT Silent Night, Holy Night ELW 281 (Turn off hand-held candles) BENEDICTION (words on back) P: May Christ, who by his incarnation has filled us with grace and truth, give you peace this Christmas and always. Almighty God, Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. C: Amen. DEPARTURE HYMN Joy to the World ELW 267 DISMISSAL Glory to God in the highest! Peace to God s people on earth! Go in peace. Share the gift of Jesus. Thanks be to God. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #20467 and CCLI license 1571587 THANK YOU TO OUR WORSHIP SERVANTS Ministers Preacher Organ/Keyboard Vocalists Altar Guild Bread Baker Greeters The Proclamation Lector Communion Assist Prayer Leader Narrators Gospel of Incarnation Ushers All the people of Our Savior Pastor Mike Herschberger Lois Eige Randy & Sandy Bishop Hatti Groth & Donna Patton Ann Erickson Pastor Mike & Rhonda Herschberger Connor McKibben Dean Stucky Rhonda Herschberger Ron Duimstra Danny Nelson and Lauren McKibben Mike Massa 9
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIA GIVEN BY Charlene Barth Maurice & Shirley Ruddick Danny & Tina Nelson Ethington children Lana Wilson Pastor Mike & Rhonda Doreen Hasenwinkel Joe & Shirley Gregor Karen Adams Larry & Marlene Kester Jamie, Mindy Hutcheson and Gene Seim Carol Fuller IN MEMORY OF Charles & Annie Ethington Parents Matt Seim Judy Clark and loved ones 10
Christmas Dinner Prayer by Martin Luther Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child, Make thee a bed, soft, undefiled, Within my heart, that it may be A quiet chamber kept for Thee. My heart for very joy doth leap, My lips no more can silence keep, I too must sing, with joyful tongue, That sweetest ancient song, Glory to God in highest heaven, Who unto man His Son hath given While angels sing with pious mirth. A glad new year to all the earth! Amen. (This prayer can be used as you dinner prayer or at any time during your family s Christmas celebration. This prayer may be used daily during the Christmas season as your family s call to faithful living. Blessings upon you, your family and your friends.) 11
Silent Night, Holy 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, heav'nly hosts sing, alleluia! Christ, the Savior, is born! Christ, the Savior, is born! 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. Text: Joseph Mohr 12