THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD CHRISTMAS DAY December 25, 2015, 10:30 a.m. GATHERING PRELUDE Gesu Bambino Pietro Yon MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES HYMN Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful The assembly stands. 1. Oh, come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant! Oh, come ye, oh, come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold him Born the king of angels: Refrain Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord! 2. The highest, most holy, Light of light eternal, Born of a virgin, a mortal he comes; Son of the Father Now in flesh appearing: Refrain 3. Sing, choirs of angels Sing in exultation, Sing all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God In the highest: Refrain 4. Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning; Jesus, to thee be glory giv'n! Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing: Refrain GREETING 1
HYMN OF PRAISE Hark! The Herald Angels Sing 1. Hark! The herald angels sing, 2. Christ, by highest heav n adored, Glory to the newborn King; Christ, the everlasting Lord, Peace on earth, and mercy mild, Late in time behold Him come, God and sinners reconciled! Offspring of a virgin s womb. Joyful, all you nations, rise; Veiled in flesh the Godhead see! Join the triumph of the skies, Hail, incarnate Deity! With angelic hosts proclaim, Pleased as man with us to dwell, Christ is born in Bethlehem! Jesus, our Emmanuel! Hark! The herald angels sing Hark! the herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King! Glory to the newborn King! 3. 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. Hark! The herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King! THE PRAYER OF THE DAY All-powerful and unseen God, the coming of your light into our world has brightened weary hearts with peace. Call us out of darkness, and empower us to proclaim the birth of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. The assembly is seated. WORD THE LESSON Titus 3:4-7 Holy Bible p. 232 (NT) THE GOSPEL John 1:1-14 Holy Bible p. 94 (NT) THE SERMON 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! 1. While shepherds kept their watching o'er silent flocks by night, behold, throughout the heavens there shone a holy light. Refrain 2 The assembly is seated. 2. The shepherds feared and trembled when, lo, above the earth rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Savior's birth. Refrain 3. Down in a lonely manger the humble Christ was born; and God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn. Refrain
THE NICENE CREED We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH In joy and wonder, we pray for the church, those in need and all of God s creation. Sustain the church by your Word made flesh among us. Feed us with your gracious gifts of the written word, the proclaimed word, and the visible word of the body and blood of Christ. Shine your new dawn on all creation. Restore health to polluted rivers and seas, to hills and plains destroyed by natural disaster. Reveal your glory in all that you have made. Enter into the places of darkness in this world, where pride and abuse of power threaten right relationships among peoples. Overcome the darkness with your light. Pour out your mercy and righteousness on all your people, and by your Spirit bring renewal to those who long for wholeness and health. Give them the hope of abundant life. 3
Now that we have seen your salvation, keep us diligent in seeking your presence among us, and make us eager to proclaim good news to those in need. Rejoicing for the gift of the saints, whose lives announced your salvation, we pray that you would mold our lives to always bear witness to the goodness you show your people. Almighty God, we entrust to you all for whom we pray, confident that you fulfill your promises through Christ our Savior and Lord. Amen. THE PEACE MEAL OFFERING In dulci jubilo (In Sweet Joy) J.S. Bach THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION 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 DISTRIBUTION OF THE SACRAMENT The assembly is seated. COMMUNION INVITATION Bethany welcomes all baptized Christians who have celebrated their first communion to join in receiving the body and blood of Christ. Communion will be by station. You will receive the wafer in your hand and dip it in the wine cup. Gluten free wafers (blue communion set) and alcohol free wine (orange communion set) are located at the center aisle. You will receive the Sacrament from a server at the head of your section. You may return by the opposite aisle of your section. Those who do not commune may ask the server for a blessing by crossing your arms in front of you. 4
COMMUNION HYMN O Little Town of Bethlehem 1. 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. 2. For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wond ring love. O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth, and praises sing to God the King, and peace to all the earth! 3. 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. 4. 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! COMMUNION MUSIC POST COMMUNION BLESSING THE BENEDICTION SENDING SENDING HYMN Angels We Have Heard on High 1 Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o'er the plains, Refrain and the mountains in reply, Gloria in excelsis Deo; echoing their joyous strains. gloria in excelsis Deo. DISMISSAL 2 Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be which inspire your heav'nly song? Refrain 3 Come to Bethlehem and see him whose birth the angels sing; come, adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn king. Refrain POSTLUDE God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen William Lloyd Webber Liturgical text: From Sundays and Seasons.com. (c) 2015 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #26681. 5
WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS Preacher Pastor Carl Hansen Presider Pastor Brigette Weier Guest Organist Jeb Barrett Lector Sarah Hulslander Communion Assistants Gail Hipke, Karen Tennien Ushers Sylvia Boedeker, Maria Johnson, Brian Tennien Sacristan Gail Hipke Altar Guild Gail Hipke Sound Technicians Mike Weier 6
Welcome to worship at Bethany Lutheran Church. We are a Christian community rooted in the Gospel and focused on sharing God s grace and love in Jesus Christ with all people. You can learn more about our many opportunities for ministry and service at our website: www.bethany-denver.org. We invite you to join us as we practice living a trusting relationship with God and making a positive difference in the world! You are invited December 27, the First Sunday after Christmas 7:45 a.m. Prayer Service 8:30 & 10:00 a.m. Worship with Holy Communion 10:00 a.m. Worship is the Service of Remembrance Join us for a reflective worship service where we remember those who have died this past year. A reception in Fellowship Hall follows the 10:00 service. January 3, 2016 Second Sunday of Christmas/Epiphany of Our Lord 7:45 a.m. Prayer Service 8:30 & 10:00 a.m. Worship with Holy Communion Join us as we celebrate the Magi s journey to see the Christ Child. January 10, 2016 Baptism of Our Lord 7:45 a.m. Prayer Service 8:30 & 10:00 a.m. Worship 10:00 a.m. Worship is Anniversary of Baptism/Celebration of Godparents At this service we will celebrate and remember that living our baptism is a lifelong journey. We will acknowledge the newly baptized and their godparents. Sunday, January 10, 2016, 11:15 a.m. 12:15 p.m. Membership Interest Session Thinking about joining Bethany but just not sure where to start? Come find out what Bethany is all about on January 10 in Room 210. Please contact Sarah at sarah@bethany-denver.org or 303-758-2820 is you have any questions. Worship on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. (resumes January 6, 2016) For more information, call 303-758-2820 or go to www.bethany-denver.org. Bethany Lutheran Church 4500 East Hampden Avenue Cherry Hills Village, Colorado 80113 303-758-2820 www.bethany-denver.org 7