CHRIS†mas Eve Worship 2020 Pandemic

The poinsettias that adorn

our altar are placed

In Loving Memory of –

Fred & LaVerne Bosau and Helen Rohr by Scott & Gloria Johnson;

Ches & Alice Schnarre by Karen Carlton; Vance & Linda Hollrah by their family;

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Hollrah by Robin Hollrah; Charles Meers by his wife, Jolene, and family;

Carl & Helen Miller and Vernon & Mary Bradley by Tony & Kathy Bradley and family;

Don Holtgrieve by the Holtgrieve & Wehde families; Loved Ones by Tom & Ruth Wiley;

Walter & Evelyn Toedebusch and Truman, Karen & Carole White by Diann White and family;

Billie Jean Replogle by Paul & Erin Jansen; Arlie & Shirley Wolter by their nieces and nephews;

Leland & Dorothy Gillette by their children and grandchildren; Tom & Georgia Stenger by their children and grandchildren;

Willis & Evelyn Renken, Henry & Alma Renken and Marvin Renken by Gary & Bonnie English & family and Rick & Sheila Schaefer & family;

Lewis & Ruth Ebeling by their children, grandchildren & great-grandchildren;

Fred & LaVerne Bosau by Jared & Jennifer Segelle; Mr. & Mrs. David Drescher and Mr. & Mrs. Wilbur Bent

by Roger & Pam Drescher; Albert & Eloise Mahnken and George & Vera Johnson

by the Mahnken family; Colby Patton by Nick, Sarah, Theodore and Henry Pallardy

To the Glory of God

By Michelle Anderson & Kevin Wade and Jim & Marge Viehland

Immanuel Lutheran Church Parking Lot * St. Charles, MO

www.ImmanuelStCharles.org

The Nativity of Our Lord

IMMANUEL—God with Us! Pandemic 2020 Christmas Eve Drive-In Worship

December 24, 2020 @ 2:00, 3:30 & 5:00 pm

Please Note: To listen to this Drive-In Service, tune your radio to FM 92.9 • You are welcome to leave your car running some or most of the time

to keep the battery charged. We ask all to remain in vehicles. If needed, Rest Rooms in the Gym Lobby, Fellowship Hall and

Pre-School Hallway (children) are available. Offerings will be received in big containers as you exit to 6th St., the

alley or to 7th St. PLEASE NOTE: Drive-In Worship will continue on Saturdays @ 4:00 pm & Sundays @ 9:30 am & 10:45 am

As We Gather

The angel answered the carol’s question, “What child is this?” with the an-nouncement, “a Savior, Christ the Lord.” And today that proclamation ech-oes through the Scripture we read, the creed we profess, the songs we sing, and even the prayers we offer to praise Him. In our worship we admit that we do need our Savior, who forgives our sins. Christmas is the time to cele-brate the beginning of the fulfillment of all that God had promised, and it’s all wrapped up in the Babe, the Son of Mary, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Ringing of the Bells

Welcome

God Prepares Us for Worship

Leader: We are gathered in our cars this Christmas Eve, during this strange but memorable year, to worship the Christ Child.

All: Jesus, the Babe of Bethlehem, is the great I AM!

Leader: Jesus says: “I am the Light of the world.” All: Jesus is Immanuel: God with us.

Leader: In the name of the Father and of the † Son and of the Holy Spirit. All: Amen.

Reading Isaiah 7:10-14 ESV

10Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, 11“Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” 12But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” 13And he said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God al-so? 14Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

Opening Medley

“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” - #380 v. 1

1 Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With the_angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

Text: Public domain

“Away in a Manger” - #364 v. 1

1 Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head. The stars in the sky looked down where He lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

Text: Public domain

“O Little Town of Bethlehem” - #361 v. 1

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.

Text: Public domain

“O Come, All Ye Faithful” - #379 v. 1 & 4

1 O 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!

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

Text: Public domain

Opening Sentences

Leader: What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping? People: Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior.

Leader: What child? People: He is Christ the Lord!

Confession and Absolution

Leader: This child is both the Lord of all creation from eternity and our Savior, born within time to set us free from all sin. Let us there-fore confess our sins to our gracious Lord.

Silence for reflection on God’s Word and our sinful condition.

Leader: Holy Child born in Bethlehem, People: we are sinful from birth, incapable of pleasing You or even

ourselves without Your aid. We have not loved You above all or our neighbors as ourselves. We confess our loveless thoughts, misspoken words, and self-centered actions.

Leader: Lord Jesus, one with the Father and Holy Spirit, who made all things in heaven and earth,

People: forgive us and create in us new hearts that we may seek to do Your will in our thoughts, words, and actions.

Leader: Savior from sin, death, and the power of the devil, People: strengthen our faith, increase our hope, and multiply our

joy as we celebrate Your coming among us.

Leader: The Babe of Bethlehem is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. As a called and or-dained servant of His, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.

People: Amen! Glory to God in the highest!

Hymn of Praise “What Child Is This” - #370 v. 1 & 3

1 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!

3 So 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!

Text: Public Domain

The Christmas Good News Matthew 1:18-21

18Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19And her husband Joseph, be-ing a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Salutation & Prayer of the Day

Leader: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you.

Leader: Let us pray. O God, You make us glad with the yearly remem-brance of the birth of Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

People: Grant that as we joyfully receive Him as our Savior, we may with sure confidence behold Him when He comes to be our Judge;

Leader: who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

All: Amen.

Children’s Message

The Epistle Reading Titus 2:11-14 ESV

11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawless-ness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Anthem “O Holy Night” - Traditional

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining, It is the night of the dear Savior's birth;

Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Till he appeared, and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees! Oh hear the angel voices! O night divine! O night when Christ was born,

O night divine, O night divine.

The Gospel Reading Luke 2:1-16

1In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4And 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, 5to be registered with Mary, his be-trothed, who was with child. 6And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7And 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. 8And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths 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, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

15When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.

The Creed Meaning of the Apostles’ Creed, Second Article

Leader: What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping? People: This, this is Christ the King, the Father’s only Son, our Lord— who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin

Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead —the Babe, the Son of Mary!

Leader: What do you believe about this child? People: I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father

from eternity, and also true man, born of the virgin Mary, is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned per-son, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil, not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death, that I may be His own and live under Him in His king-dom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.

Hymn “Angels We Have Heard on High” - #368

1 Angels we have heard on high, Sweetly singing o’er the plains, And the mountains in reply, Echoing their joyous strains. Refrain

Refrain: Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo.

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

Text: Public domain

Prayer of the Church

Leader: Having confessed our faith and sung about the joy in our hearts, let us go to our gracious God in prayer.

O holy Child once laid on Mary’s lap, our Wonderful Counselor,

People: strengthen the faith the Holy Spirit has worked in our hearts. Grant that we may be certain of the for-giveness of sins You won for us by Your life of obedi-ence in our place. Use us to bring the good news of great joy to our friends and neighbors, and through missionaries everywhere. Move all who hear to bring to You all their troubling sins, and those unknown to them, leaving to “tell of [Your] salvation from day to day.” Psalm 96:2

Leader: O holy Child once laid on Mary’s lap, our Mighty God, People: guide, protect, and strengthen people whom You have

allowed to lead the nations, defend the oppressed, keep the peace, and protect the vulnerable. May everyone “declare [Your] glory among the nations.” Psalm 96:3

Leader: O holy Child once laid on Mary’s lap, our Everlasting Father, People: hear the prayers of Your sons and daughters as they call

out to You in their various needs. We remember before You those known to us, whom we name in our hearts. (Pause.) Visit, relieve, restore, and console them; use us as part of the answers You know are best for them. May we all “ascribe to the LORD the glory due [Your] name.”

Psalm 96:8a

Leader: O holy Child once laid on Mary’s lap, our Prince of Peace, People: keep firm in our thoughts Your bitter sufferings and

death, Your glorious resurrection and ascension, so that the peace the angels proclaimed will permeate our thoughts, words, and actions each day until we come to the eternal peace and joy You have prepared for those who love You. “Come into His courts! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.” Psalm 96:8b–9a

Leader: These and any other things You would have us ask of You, heavenly Father, grant to us for the sake of Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

People: Amen.

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.

Hymn “Silent Night, Holy Night” - #363

1 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.

2 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!

3 Silent night, holy night! Son of God, love’s pure light Radiant beams from Thy holy face With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

Text: Public domain

Sermon

“Immanuel—God IS With Us!” - John 1:1 & 14

John 1: 1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 14And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Song “Immanuel”

words & music by Pastor Scott Schmieding

Refrain: God is with us, Jesus loves us. God is with me, Jesus loves me. Immanuel: Our God is with us! Immanuel, our Savior loves us! Immanuel, our Savior lives and He loves us. Fear NOT! Do not fear, God is here--Immanuel.

1 Immanuel, from Heaven to earth our Savior came through virgin birth; We sing, give thanks and do rejoice with all our heart and soul and voice! Refrain

2 Our Savior came to Bethlehem, the Babe Who is the great I AM! Immanuel lived, He died, He rose, His love in us now overflows! Refrain

The Benediction

Leader: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and † give you peace.

People: Amen.

Leader: Go in Christmas peace as you celebrate. People: Joy, joy, for Christ is born, the Babe, the Son of Mary!

Amen.

Closing Hymn “Go Tell It On the Mountain” - #388

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: Public domain

Go In Peace!

Participants

Preacher ........................................................... Rev. Scott Schmieding Liturgists .............................. Rev. Allen Schade & Rev. Ryan Taylor Vicar Kurt Hellwig Children’s Message....... Rev. Ryan Taylor & DCD Jolene Siebarth Accompanists ................ Mr. Andrew Schempf & Dr. Rachel Hahn Soloists ............................................................... Andrew Schempf (2:00)

Dick Deitte (3:30) Karen Thaemert (5:00)

When exiting the parking lot after worship, please follow these guidelines:

* Small lots (along 6th St. & the Fellowship Hall Lower Lot), should exit onto 6th St.

* Main lot closest to 6th St. (Sanctuary side) - exit out the alleyway onto 1st Capitol

* Main lot closer to the school & the Basketball court ar-ea should exit past the Preschool entrance and con-tinue on Madison or turn onto 7th St.

Welcome to Weekly Worship in 2021 Immanuel is now offering SEVEN (7) weekly worship options! Our goal is

to provide everyone with various options and opportunities to remain

connected and fed with Christ’s Word and Sacraments. Welcome to wor-

ship each week! IMPORTANT: Based on ever changing conditions we will

continue to evaluate and update our worship options on a frequent basis

and any changes will be communicated through our website—

ImmanuelStCharles.org

and Immanuel’s Facebook page—

Immanuel Lutheran Church-St. Charles, Missouri

Saturdays @ 4:00 pm—Drive-In Parking Lot Worship

@ 5:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Sundays @ 8:00 am, Sanctuary

@ 9:30 am—Drive-In Parking Lot Worship

@10:45 am—Drive-In Parking Lot Worship

Mondays

@ 6:30 pm, Sanctuary

We will also continue to Live-stream and archive

the 8:00 am worship service

(link found at : ImmanuelStCharles.org )

Christmas Worship

Christmas Day Festival Worship December 25th * 9:30 a.m.

in the Sanctuary with Holy Communion (overflow in the Fellowship Hall and/or Parking Lot)

December 26-28 Weekend Worship Saturday, December 26th - NO Worship Services

Sunday, December 27th—8:00 am in the Sanctuary and 9:30 am Drive-In Parking Lot Worship

Monday, December 28th—NO Worship Service

No Sunday School or Bible Class on December 27th

New Year’s Eve Worship Thursday, December 31st—5:00 pm in the Sanctuary

Christmas Eve Worship

Christmas Eve Lessons & Carols December 24th * 7:00 p.m.

in the Sanctuary (overflow in the Fellowship Hall)