December 24, 2020 – Christmas Eve

Fourth Advent Candle

You can follow the order of the service here or Download a PDF copy that you can print ahead of time. This bulletin will also be available in paper form at our parking lot services.

Electric candles will also be distributed for use during the singing of Silent Night. Most candles turn on by turning the base clockwise; a few have a switch on the bottom to turn on and off. One candle will be available per vehicle. Those who wish not to have contact outside their car can use a small flashlight or smartphone instead.

Feel free to also check out the following:

Welcome

Opening Hymn

O Come, All Ye Faithful (v. 1–3)

ELW #283
1O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
come and behold him, born the king of angels:
Refrain
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!
2The highest, most holy, light of light eternal,
born of a virgin, a mortal he comes;
Son of the Father now in flesh appearing!
Refrain
3Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God in the highest:
Refrain

Christmas Dialog

P: Tonight we celebrate the meeting of heaven and earth.
C: Tonight a child is born.

P: In the remote town of Bethlehem in a simple stable.
C: Tonight a child is born.

P: As we gather tonight not many are high, not many are holy, not all are familiar, and yet we have come.
C: For tonight a child is born.

Hymn

It Came upon the Midnight Clear (v. 1 & 2)

ELW #282
1It came upon the 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 heaven's all-gracious King."
The world in solemn stillness lay
to hear the angels sing.
2Still 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.

Greeting and Prayer

P: May the grace and truth of Christ be with you all.
C: And also with you.
P: Let us pray. (A brief silence for reflection)

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. Amen.

Special Music

O Holy Night – Zach Krampien

First Lesson: A Reading from the Book of Isaiah

Isaiah 9:2–7

2The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined.
3You 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.
4For 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.
5For all the boots of the tramping warriors
and all the garments rolled in blood
shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
6For 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.
7His 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.

What Child Is This

ELW #296
1What 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!
2Why 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!
3So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh;
come, peasant king, to own him.
The King of kings salvation brings;
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!

Second Lesson: A Reading from St. Paul's Epistle to Titus

Titus 2:11–14

11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, 12training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, 13while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 14He 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.

The First Noel (v. 1 & 2)

ELW #300
1The 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.
Refrain
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel!
Born is the King of Israel.
2They looked up and saw a star
shining in the east beyond them far;
and to the earth it gave great light,
and so it continued both day and night.
Refrain
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel!
Born is the King of Israel.

Gospel: A Reading from the Gospel of St. Luke

Luke 2:1–7

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.

Away in a Manger (v. 1 & 3)

ELW #277
1Away 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.
3Be 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.

Luke 2:8–20

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,

14Glory 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.

Angels We Have Heard on High (v. 1 & 2)

ELW #289
1Angels we have heard on high,
sweetly singing o'er the plains,
and the mountains in reply,
echoing their joyous strains.
Refrain
Gloria in excelsis Deo;
gloria in excelsis Deo.
2Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
which inspire your heavenly song?
Refrain
Gloria in excelsis Deo;
gloria in excelsis Deo.

Sermon

Hymn

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (v. 1 & 3)

ELW #270
1Hark! 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!"
Refrain
Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born king!"
3Hail 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.
Refrain
Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born king!"

The Gospel of Light

A Paraphrase of John 1:1–14

P: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
C: In the beginning was Jesus, the Word of God.

P: Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
C: In the beginning was Jesus, the Creator.

P: In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
C: In the beginning was Jesus, the light.

P: He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
C: In the beginning was Jesus, the Salvation of all who believe.

P: In the beginning was Jesus, the Word, the Creator, the Light, the Salvation of all who believe.
C: In the beginning was Jesus.

Hymn

Silent Night, Holy Night!

ELW #281
1Silent 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.
2Silent 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!
3Silent 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.

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.

Blessing

A Paraphrase of John 1:1–14

May the Word that Mary brought to birth carry you into new and abundant life.
Amen.

May the Word that Joseph cradled in his arms enfold you with love and strength.
Amen.

May the Word that angels proclaimed in song bring harmony to our world.
Amen.

And the blessing of almighty God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always.
Amen.

The candles are extinguished.

Hymn

Joy to the World (v. 1, 2, & 4)

ELW #267
1Joy 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.
2Joy 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.
4He 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.

Poinsettias

Poinsettias were donated by the following families and individuals for delivery to members of the congregation this past week:

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