+ NATIVITY OF OUR LORD + 1 CHRISTMAS EVE CHRIST THE CHILD was born for you! December 24, 2012 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. AS WE GATHER (Prepared by Jim Gann) But you, O Bethlehem, Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from old, from ancient days. Micah 5:2 (ESV) Have you ever wondered, Why Bethlehem of all places? He who was destined to be the Bread of Life was to be born in Bethlehem; which means house of bread in Hebrew. It was this Bread that was broken for the life of the world and for the nourishment of the soul. It is this Bread that gives us eternal life. Due to our sinful nature, we were and are weak and unworthy of His Grace. Yet, God s love for us was so great, He sent His only Son to die for us. He came to Bethlehem, so small, so obscure, and so humble, as he comes to us still. means to be seated means to stand, unless repeated standing is difficult PRE-SERVICE MUSIC CALL TO WORSHIP
GREETING 2 RINGING OF THE BELLS OPENING HYMN #379 O Come, All ye Faithful vs. 1-3 INVOCATION P: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. OPENING SENTENCES [See Music Index] P: Come, all who seek the truth. C: You will find a little Babe lying in a manger. P: Come, all who hunger for justice. C: You will find a little Babe lying in a manger. P: Come, all who yearn for abundant life. C: You will find a little Babe lying in a manger. P: Come, all who labor and are heavy laden. C: You will find a little Babe lying in a manger. CONFESSION and ABSOLUTION P: As we prepare to celebrate our Lord's birth, let us also remember the reason this holy Child was born: "He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself." Hebrews 9:26 C: We confess that we have sinned against God and against one another. We are powerless to undo the entangled mess of sin in our lives. We yearn for peace with God and reconciliation with one another, yet we cannot accomplish it ourselves. Forgive us, Lord, and restore our souls, that our lives reflect not our sin, but the joy of the birth of Your only Son into the world.
P: Jesus is Immanuel, God-with-us. What we are powerless to do, He has done for us. His name is Jesus. He has come to save us from our sins. Therefore, in the stead and by the command of our Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. INTROIT Psalm 24:1, 3-5 P: I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to Me, "You are My Son; today have I begotten You." C: The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein. P: Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in His holy place? C: He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully, P: He will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of His salvation. All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen. 3 HYMN #380 Hark the Herald Angels Sing vs. 1 & 3 PRAYER FOR CHRISTMAS EVE P: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. P: Let us pray. Almighty and gracious Father, You sent Your Son into this world of sin to forgive sin and to bring to light the life
You intend for us now and into eternity. By Your Holy Spirit, help us to welcome the gift of Your Son into our lives, so that we may make known far and wide the Good News of this Child, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. OLD TESTAMENT Isaiah 9:2-7 (God s presence foretold.) R: The Old Testament reading is from Isaiah, chapter nine. 2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. 3 You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. 4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. (After the reading ) R: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. 4
EPISTLE 1 John 4:7 16 (God s greatest gift) R: The Epistle reading is from 1 John, chapter four. 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. (After the reading ) P: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. Alleluia! HYMN #361 O Little town of Bethlehem vs. 1, 3 & 4 + The Account of Our Savior s Birth + P: The Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke, the second chapter. C: Glory to You, O Lord! 5
P: 1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. HYMN #364 Away in a Manger v. 1 & 3 P: 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, C: "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." P: 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, C: 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" P: 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and 6
see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." 7 HYMN #367 Angels from the Realms of Glory vs. 1, 2 & 5 (Please stand for the fifth verse) P: 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. P: This is the Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to you O Christ! APOSTLE'S CREED All: 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 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. 8 I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. HYMN #388 Go Tell it on the Mountain vs.1 & 3 SERMON All I Want for Christmas is OFFERING OFFERTORY #806 Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH P: Rejoicing in the birth of Immanuel, our Savior Jesus, let us pray for the Church, the world, and all in need. Let us pray for the Church that blessed with the gifts of God's Word, Baptism, and Holy Communion, we may grow in our love for one another and thereby bless the world. O come to us, abide with us, C: our Lord Immanuel. 9
P: Let us pray for the leaders of our nation, that their ways may be guided by the Prince of Peace. O come to us, abide with us, C: our Lord Immanuel. P: Let us pray for those who serve in our armed forces and are far away from home during this holy season; and for innocent civilians in war-torn nations, that they may be kept safe from harm. O come to us, abide with us, C: our Lord Immanuel. P: Let us pray for all travelers, that they may arrive safely at their destinations. O come to us, abide with us, C: our Lord Immanuel. P: Let us pray for the ministry of our congregation in caring for those who are poor or homeless. O come to us, abide with us, C: our Lord Immanuel. P: Let us pray for those who are sick, that they may experience healing and refreshment. O come to us, abide with us, C: our Lord Immanuel. P: Let us pray for those who are dying, that they may find peace and comfort in the Lord's compassion and mercy. O come to us, abide with us, C: our Lord Immanuel. P: Let us pray for all who mourn, that they may be comforted by the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. O come to us, abide with us, C: our Lord Immanuel. P: Let us pray for ourselves, that the love shown to us in the birth of our Savior may radiate from us to the whole world. O come to us, abide with us, C: our Lord Immanuel. P: In thanksgiving for those who have died, that we join with them and the angels, archangels and all the company of heaven in praise of our risen Savior, Jesus. O come to us, abide with us, 10
C: our Lord Immanuel. P: In the birth of our Savior, Jesus, Your love abides with us, O Lord. We entrust all for whom we pray to You, in the confidence of Your abiding love, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. C: Amen. 11 PREFACE + SERVICE OF THE SACREMENT + PROPER PREFACE P: It is truly good evermore praising you and saying: SANCTUS (spoken together) ALL: Holy, holy, holy Lord God of Sabaoth adored, Heaven and earth with full acclaim shout the glory of Your name. Sing hosanna in the highest, sing hosanna to the Lord; Truly blest is He who comes in the name of the Lord! L PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING P: Almighty and merciful Father, You love us. You abide with us. You draw us closer to You. When sin marred Your good creation, when Adam and Even ate of the forbidden fruit, You did not abandon Your beloved creatures. You promised a Savior, Whose heel would be struck, Yet who would crush the head of the tempter.
When Abraham and Sarah doubted Your promise, Your faithfulness endured. You gave them a son. When the Israelites rebelled against You in the wilderness, You gave them manna You gave them quail You gave them water from a rock You guided them to the promised land. When our forebears drifted away from You, You sent prophets, who relentlessly foretold the promised Savior. In the fullness of time, from Your Fatherly love, You sent Your Son, born of a virgin the Second Adam to eat the bitterness and to drink the dregs of that ancient fruit so that by His death, sin was overcome, Satan defeated, and the fruit of the Spirit was born anew in us. To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and worship with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. WORDS OF INSTITUTION PROCLAMATION OF CHRIST P: As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26 C: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20 P: Lord remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray: LORD S PRAYER All: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 12
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. THE PEACE OF THE LORD P: The peace of the + Lord be with you always. C: Amen. AGNUS DEI - LSB 550 vs. 1 13
DISTRIBUTION HYMNS (as needed) #370 What Child Is This #368 Angels We Have Heard on High #374 Gentle Mary Laid Her Child #392 God Love Me Dearly #358 From Heaven Above to Earth I Come 14 POST COMMUNION BLESSING POST COMMUNION CANTICLE LSB 386 st. 1 ACCLAMATION OF THANKSGIVING P: O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, C: for His steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 106:1 P: Let us pray. C: Gracious God and Father, thank You for this gift of Your Son and for the message of the angels that announced His arrival. Jesus, thank You for caring so much for us that
15 You come to be one of us. Spirit, thank You for carrying the song of the angels to our ears, that we might be lifted up in hope and joy. For all the blessings of this night and the life You give to us, O Lord, we praise and glorify You with out end. Amen. (Lighting of our Gospel Candles ) CANDLE LIGHTING [The pastor lights a solitary candle from the Christ Candle and hands it to an usher, who in turn lights the candles of each person at the end of a pew. Please tip only unlighted candles. Parents should determine if it is appropriate for their child to hold a lighted candle] CLOSING BY CANDLELIGHT P: As the room darkens and the light from these candles shines forth, it symbolizes the Light of the World, Jesus Christ, the Child in the manger at Bethlehem, the Savior suffering our death on the cross, but also a light that could not be extinguished. He rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven and will come again, to fix all that is wrong with our world. Until then, He is the eternal Light that enlightens heaven, and He remains our Light here on earth, our hope in dark times. Rejoice! The Light of the world has come! C: Alleluia! Our Savior, Jesus Christ is born! CLOSING HYMN #363 Silent Night (The church lights continue to dim throughout the hymn)
(Some lights are turned on. Congregation is dismissed) + Though we extinguish our Gospel Candles following the hymn, we carry the Good News of Jesus with us into our lives and into the world. + Join us tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m. as we again worship Jesus on Christmas Day. POSTLUDE 16 IN SERVICE OF THE LORD: Officiant Organist Assisting Ministers Lector Greeter, 7:00pm Greeter, 9:00pm Ushers Rev. Emil Gretarsson Cindy Golem Bob Shives, Fred Tichnell, Joel Fridgen TBD Cheryl Dawson Mr. & Mrs. Mike Jorgensen Ron Golem/Ed Asper and others COMMUNION INVITATION Baptized persons instructed regarding this Holy Meal, who sincerely repent of their sinful nature and sinful behavior, and wish to experience once again the forgiveness of God through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, and truly believe that Jesus Christ is present in, with, and under the elements of Holy Communion, and are prepared to submit their lives and will to Jesus Christ as Savior are invited to come forward to receive Holy Communion. Those who have not yet been instructed may come forward to receive a blessing.
A special thanks to all who purchased poinsettias: 17 Ron and Millie Bucher in memory of parents Dawson Family in memory of Mike Dawson Mike & Nancy Flicek in memory of Mavis Flicek and Vernon Flatau - in honor of Lorraine Flatau Roland & Marion Foster in memory of Daniel & Maria Koster and Roland & Orpha Foster William Gladhill in memory of Lorraine Gladhill Regina Haines in memory of Robert Haines Mike & Debby Jorgensen in memory of Carolyn Rogers and in honor of Susan Hennings Bob & Judy Keane in memory of Robert Keane III, Ethel & Bob Keane, Olga Imwold Janice & Ashley Lynch in memory of Daryl Hauman Dot McAllister in memory of Ned McAllister
Linda Reiser in memory of Sarah June Reiser 18 Rosella Rogers in memory of loved ones Bob & Carol Rosicky in honor of our children and grandchildren Bob & Sylvia Shives Kris Shumaker in memory of Donald Farringer Albert & Becky Walker in memory of Doris Wood and Raymond Walker