Virtual Worship for December 24, 2021
Christmas Eve
Worship/Holy Communion at 3:00, 5:00 and 7:00 PM
The congregation reads the boldface responses.
Once the prelude has begun, please cease all conversation
as we prepare our hearts and minds for worship.
PRELUDE
3 p.m. Christmas Medley arr. Robert Prester
5 p.m. Rejoice Greatly O Daughter of Zion-Handel Adriana Prester
7 p.m. Christmas Medley arr. Robert Prester
GATHERING
Please stand as you are able.
GATHERING HYMN
O Come All Ye Faithful (LBW 45)
(All) 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!
(Men:) The highest, most holy, Light of light eternal,
Born of a virgin, a mortal he comes;
Son of the Father, Now in flesh appearing!
(All) Refrain
(Women) Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation
O sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest;
Refrain:
(All) Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning,
Jesus, to thee be all glory giv’n.
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing.
Refrain:
Text © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress.
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God,
who sends the word with angels,
who is made flesh among all peoples,
and who breathes peace on all the earth.
Amen.
In Christ, we are bold to name our sin and cry out for peace.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Holy God,
we confess our sin before you.
We replace compassion with competition.
We seek what is mighty while ignoring the meek.
We are quick to anger but slow to forgive.
We have not put on love in harmony with you.
Wrap us in the grace of your powerful Word.
Swaddle our hearts with your peace,
that all we do, in word or deed,
may reflect your love born among us.
Amen.
I bring you good news of great joy for all people:
God has come among us
in the child born of Mary, Christ the Lord.
+ In Christ your sins are forgiven
and you are clothed in peace.
Amen.
GREETING
May the grace and truth of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
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 Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Please be seated.
SPECIAL MUSIC
3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Breath of Heaven Amy Grant
Chris and Christopher Simcox
7 p.m. O Holy Night Adolphe Adam
Pastor Harkness
WORD
God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.
The congregation stands as they are able and
turns toward the center to welcome the gospel.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
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.
GOSPEL
The Nativity of Our Lord: Luke 2:1-20
1In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph 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. 5He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And 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.
8In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13And 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 favors!”
15When 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.” 16So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
The Nativity of Our Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Come to Bethlehem and see
him whose birth the angels sing;
come, adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn king.
Gloria in excelsis Deo;
gloria in excelsis Deo.
Please be seated.
SERMON
The Shepherd’s Voice!
Pastor Harkness
The congregation stands as they are able to proclaim the word of God in song.
HYMN OF THE DAY
Go Tell It On the Mountain (LBW 70)
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 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
Text: African American spiritual, refrain; John W. Work Jr., 1872-1925, stanzas, alt.
Please stand as you are able.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Joining our voices with the heavenly host and Christians throughout time and space, let us pray for the church, the world, and all in need.
A brief silence.
The response to “Lord, in your mercy,” is “hear our prayer.”
The prayers conclude:
Rejoicing in your Word made flesh among us, we commend these prayers to you, confident of your grace and love made known to us in Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Amen.
Please be seated.
MEAL
OFFERING
SPECIAL MUSIC
3:00 PM Away in a Manger - William J. Kirkpatrick
Karen McKenney, Bell Tree Arrangement
5:00 PM Welcome to Our World
Words & Music-Chris Rice, Choral Setting-Jack Schrader
Adult Choir
7:00 PM Angel’s Canon arranged by Michael Larsen
Karen McKenney and Ruthann Germann - Handbell Duet
Please stand as you are able.
OFFERTORY
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!
OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray. Gracious God: Your Word-made-flesh brings harmony to the earth.
As we offer ourselves and these your gifts,
prepare us to receive the grace and truth
you offer at this table
and renew in us the song of your salvation,
in Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
DIALOGUE
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
PREFACE
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.
You comforted your people with the promise of the Redeemer,
through whom you will also make all things new
in the day when he comes to judge the world in righteousness.
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:
Hark, the Herald Angels Sing!
Hark, the Herald Angels Sing!
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!"
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE
Holy One, the beginning and the end, the giver of life:
Blessed are you for the birth of creation.
Blessed are you in the darkness and in the light.
Blessed are you for your promise to your people.
Blessed are you in the prophets’ hopes and dreams.
Blessed are you for Mary’s openness to your will.
Blessed are you for your Son Jesus,
the Word made flesh.
In the night in which he was betrayed,
our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;
broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
With this bread and cup
we remember your Word dwelling among us,
full of grace and truth.
We remember our new birth in his death and resurrection.
We look with hope for his coming.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Holy God, we long for your Spirit.
Come among us.
Bless this meal.
May your Word take flesh in us.
Awaken your people.
Fill us with your light.
Bring the gift of peace on earth.
Come, Holy Spirit.
All praise and glory are yours,
Holy One of Israel,
Word of God incarnate,
Power of the Most High,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
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.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
In Christ’s manger, at Christ table,
Come see what God makes known for you.
COMMUNION
Holy Communion will be consumed together
by the congregation at your seats.
When giving the bread and cup, the pastors will say:
The body of Christ given for you. The blood of Christ shed for you.
Everyone may respond by saying: Amen.
POST-COMMUNION BLESSING
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. Amen.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray.
We thank you, wondrous God, for Jesus,
God with us, in these gifts of bread and wine.
As we have shared this feast of love,
strengthen us to share your love with all the world.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.
CANDLELIGHTING
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 dwelt 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.
For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given.
In him was life, and the life was the light of all people.
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.
SENDING
God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.
BLESSING SND DISMISSAL
God the Creator who delights in you,
Jesus the Savior who is born for you,
and the lifegiving Spirit who shines on you,
+ bless you and keep you in hope and peace.
Amen.
Glory to God in the highest!
Peace to God’s people on earth!
Go in peace. Share the joy of Christ.
Thanks be to God.
SENDING HYMN
Joy to the World (LBW 39)
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748
POSTLUDE
Ding Dong Merrily on High, Thoinot Arbeau and Charles Wood
From sundaysandseasons.com. Copyright © 2021 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SB125183.
Permission to reprint, podcast, and / or stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE with license #A-738200. All rights reserved.
Permission to reprint, podcast, and / or stream the music in this service obtained from CCLI with licenses #2332347and #20946066 . All rights reserved.”