The Nativity of Our Lord--Christmas Eve 2014

8/10/2019 The Nativity of Our Lord--Christmas Eve 2014

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“Adoration of the Shepherds” (1622) by Gerard van HonthorstWallraf-Richartz Museum, Cologne, Germany

The Nativity of Our LordChristmas Eve

Wednesday, December 24, 2014



2 THE N ATIVITY OF OUR LORD—CHRISTMAS E VE

Christmas Blessings and Welcome to Worship at St. Paul’s!!

The community of believers at St. Paul Lutheran Church takes delight in having guests inits worship, especially on this Holy Night. Our congregation strives to present a witness to Christ

that is faithful to the Word of Holy Scripture and to the confessional heritage of the Lutherantradition.

GUESTS: We encourage you to sign a “visitor” card located in the pews and our Guest Booklocated in the hall outside the worship space.

HOLY COMMUNION IS OFFERED by invitation of the Lord himself. Access to the Lord’s Table

is by invitation of the Lord himself. All baptized believers who trust that Christ is presented in thecelebration of the Holy Eucharist are invited to come forward and receive Christ in the BlessedSacrament. Communion is distributed by coming up the center aisle at the direction of the usherand returning along the side aisle. Those who do not wish to receive the Sacrament may comeforward with their arms crossed and receive a blessing. Those who, for any reason, cannot receivethe wine may receive the Sacrament under the form of bread alone. In doing so, a communicantstill receives the whole Christ.

TO THE PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN—Relax! God put the wiggle in children; don’t feel you have to suppress it in God’s house. All are welcome!

Sit toward the front where it is easier for your little ones to see and hear what’s going on in worship. They tire of seeing the backs of others’ heads.

Quietly and kindly explain the parts of the Liturgy and actions of the worship leaders. Share the worship folder with them at eye level.

Sing the hymns, pray and voice the responses. Children learn liturgical behavior by copying you.

If you have to leave worship with your child, feel free to do so, but please come back. Jesus said“Let the children come to me.”

Remember that the way we welcome children in church directly affects the way they respond to theChurch, to God, and to one another. Let them know that they are at home in this house of worship.

Please let your child use this worship folder to draw and doodle.

The presence of children is a gift to the Church. Please welcome children and give a smile of

encouragement to their families.



THE N ATIVITY OF OUR LORD—CHRISTMAS E VE 3

HOLY COMMUNION THE N ATIVITY OF OUR LORD

Christmas Eve Wednesday, December 24, 2014 + 7:00 p.m.

ON GOD’S THRONE WE SEE THE PRINCE OF PEACE On a long winter evening we gather to proclaim the coming of the light. Isaiah announces that the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Paul reminds us that the grace of God hasappeared, bringing salvation to all. In the familiar account of Christ's birth, the evening sky is brightwith the heavenly host singing, "Glory to God in the highest." Amid our broken world we proclaim that

the prince of peace is born among us. God comes to us in human flesh—in Christ's body and blood—so that we may be bearers of divine light to all the world. Merry Christmas.

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The Liturgy (which means “the work of the people”) involves participation. The texts marked in plaintext are spoken by the worship leaders while the assembly responds with bold text.

ENTRANCE R ITE The GATHERING MUSIC

The First Noel Bell ChoirSilent Night Bell Choir

We Three Kings Bell Choir

Lo How A Rose/The Rose Chancel ChoirO Sing to God Emanuel Chancel ChoirOh Come All Ye Faithful Flute Solo Jennifer Kidder

What Child is This Flute Solo Jennifer KidderHe Shall Feed His Flock Soloist Lindsay Patrick

Jesus Jesus Rest Your Head Soloist Lindsay PatrickSweet Little Jesus Boy Soloist Lindsay Patrick




The PROCLAMATION OF THE BIRTH OF CHRISTThe liturgy begins with the proclamation of the birth of Christ, taken from the ancient martyrology.The proclamation should be understood as the announcement of the incarnation within humanhistory rather than a literal counting of years. The proclamation is made standing at the entrance to

the church. Following the proclamation, the gathering hymn is begun.

Many ages after God created the heavens and the earth, when man and woman were formedin God's own image;

long after the great flood, when God set

the rainbowin the clouds as a sign of thecovenant;twenty-one centuries from the time of

Abraham and Sarah;thirteen centuries after Moses led God'speople to freedom;

eleven centuries from the time of Ruthand the judges;a thousand years from the anointing ofDavid as king;in the sixty-fifth week as Daniel'sprophecy takes note;in the one hundred and ninety-fourthOlympiad;the seven hundred and fifty-second year

from the founding of the city ofRome;the forty-second year of the reign ofOctavian Augustus;

in the sixth age of the world,all earth being at peace,

Jesus Christ, eternal God, Son of theeternal Father,

willing to hallow the world by his coming in mercy, was born of the virgin Mary in Bethlehem of Judea.

Today is the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ,

God made flesh.




The assembly faces the Cross as it enters the Nave.The GATHERING HYMN O Come, All Ye Faithful

The GREETINGThe presiding minister and the assembly greet each other .

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of theHoly Spirit be with you all.

And also with you.




The HYMN OF PRAISE Angels We Have Heard on High

The PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray…the prayer concludes…one God, now and forever. Amen.

The assembly is seated.

LITURGY OF THE W ORD The FIRST READING Isaiah 9:2-7This poem promises deliverance from Assyrian oppression, a hope based on the birth of a royal childwith a name full of promise. While Judah's king will practice justice and righteousness, the real basis

for faith lies in God's passion for the people: The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this! 2The people who walked in darknesshave seen a great light;




those who lived in a land of deep darkness —on them light has shined.

3 You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy;

they rejoice before youas 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.

5

For all the boots of the tramping warriorsand all the garments rolled in bloodshall 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 peacefor the throne of David and his kingdom.He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousnessfrom this time onward and forevermore.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

The reading concludes:The Word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.

The SECOND READING Titus 2:11-14The appearance of God's grace in Jesus Christ brings salvation for all humanity. Consequently, in the

present we live wisely and justly while also anticipating the hope of our Savior's final appearance. 11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, 12training us torenounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that areself-controlled, upright, and godly, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope and themanifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 14He it is whogave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himselfa people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.




The reading concludes:

The Word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.

The assembly stands to welcome the Gospel as it is proclaimed in the midst of the assembly and the following is sung.

The GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The CHRIST-MASS GOSPEL (New King James Version) Luke 2:1-20

The Lord be with you. And also with you. The Holy +1 Gospel according to Luke.Glory to you, O Lord.

1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone tohis own city.4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, tothe city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house andlineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife,[a] who was

1 Using the thumb, the people may make three small signs of the cross, one on the forehead, one on the lips, and one on the breast whilesilently using the traditional prayer, “May the Good News of Jesus Christ be in my mind, and on my lips, and in my heart. Amen”

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A1-20&version=NKJV#fen-NKJV-24975a







with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed forher to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrappedHim in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was noroom for them in the inn.

8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields,keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold,[b] an angel of the Lordstood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they

were greatly afraid.10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, forbehold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 Forthere is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ theLord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped inswaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hostpraising God and saying:

14 “ Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that theshepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thingthat has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And theycame with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in amanger. 17Now when they had seen Him, they made widely [d]known the saying

which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it

marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19

But Marykept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherdsreturned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard andseen, as it was told them.

The reading concludes:

The Gospel of the Lord.Praise to you, O Christ.

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The assembly follows the Cross as the following is sung.

The assembly is seated.

The CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

The SERMONSilence for reflection.




The assembly stands to proclaim the Word of God in song.

The HYMN OF THE DAY Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!

The NICENE CREED With the whole people of God, let us confess our faith.

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;by the power of the Holy Spirit

he became incarnate2 from the virgin Mary, and was

made man.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. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.He 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 assembly remains standing in prayer during the Twelve Days of Christ-Mass.

The PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLEBrothers and sisters, on this most holy night of our Lord’s birth, that we may find

peace, joy, and contentment in this holy season, let us pray for ourselves and allthose in need of our prayers this night.

After each petition

We pray to the Lord,Lord, hear our prayer.

2 Martin Luther, in his Commentary on the Gospel of John encouraged the continuation of the ancient tradition of bowing during this

portion of the Creed until “For our sake…” because “the Divine Majesty abased Himself and became like us poor bags of worms, and

to thank God for the ineffable mercy and compassion reflected in the incarnation.” (Luther’s Works, Vol. 22, pp. 102, 105)




The prayers concludeMighty God, mercifully hear the prayers of the people you have chosen as

your own. Give us zeal in our ministries and joy in our work, through JesusChrist our Lord.

Amen.

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARISTIC MEAL The PEACE

The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you.

The worship leaders and the assembly greet each other in the peace of the risen Christ.The assembly is seated.

The OFFERING Chancel Choir Rejoice, Rejoice Ye Nations

The assembly stands as the gifts are brought forward .The OFFERTORY What Child is This?




The GREAT THANKGIVINGThe Lord be with you.

And also with you.Lift up your hearts.

We lift them up to the Lord.Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.It is right to give him thanks and praise.

Preface for Christ-MassIt is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offerthanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, through Christ our Lord. In the wonder and mystery of the Word made flesh you have opened the eyes of faith to anew and radiant vision of your glory, that, beholding the God made visible, we maybe drawn to love the God whom we cannot see. And so, with the Church on earthand the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

The EUCHARISTIC PRAYER (Christmas)Holy God,Creator of all and Source of life,

at the birth of time your word brought light into the world.…the prayer continues…

…Through him all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit,

in your holy Church, both now and forever Amen.




The LORD”S PRAYER (1789)Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us: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.

The BREAKING OF THE BREADThis is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Happy are we whoare called to his supper.Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall behealed.

The assembly is seated

The DISTRIBUTION OF THE HOLY SACRAMENT

The MUSIC DURING DISTRIBUTION










After all have returned to their places, the assembly stands.

The POST-COMMUNION BLESSINGThe Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in hisgrace.

Amen.

The POST-COMMUNION PRAYER Let us pray… God our Father, we rejoice in the birth of our Savior. May we sharehis life completely by living as he has taught. We ask this in the name of Jesus the

Lord. Amen.

LIGHT The LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES As the lit candles pass, those on the end of the aisle light their candles from the ushers, and hold theircandles upright so that others may light theirs. Exercise care in holding the candle to avoid dripping

wax. Please assist small children with their candles.






LITURGY OF SENDING The SOLEMN BLESSING FOR CHRIST-MASS

When he came to us as man,

the Son of God scattered the darkness of this world,and filled this holy night with his glory.May the God of infinite goodnessscatter the darkness of sinand brighten your hearts with holiness.

Amen

God sent his angels to shepherdsto herald the great joy of our Savior’s birth.May he fill you with joyand make you heralds of his Gospel.

Amen.

When the Word became flesh, earth was joined to heaven.

May he give you his peace and good willand fellowship with all the heavenly host. Amen.

Almighty God, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. Amen.

The candles may be extinguished as the lights are brought to full.The SENDING HYMN Joy to the World




The DISMISSALGo in peace. Proclaim the Good News.Thanks be to God.

The SENDING MUSIC

Acknowledgements Unless indicated all hymns and liturgical music from Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright © 2014 by Augsburg Fortress. All rights

reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #42251. Scripture texts from the New Revised

Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in

the USA . Used by permission. All rights reserved. Christmas Gospel reprint from the New King James Version. Copyright ©1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

WORSHIP LEADERS

Assisting Minister Dick SwallenLector Kent KullCommunion Assistants Monica Kinsey & Brad Hooser

Crucifer Avery HooserBookbarer Carys HooserBanner Mason McLaughlin Acolytes Harlie Murphy, Lindsey Murphy, Kacey Ray & Mason McLaughlinUshers John Cox, Roger Brotherton, Terry Monter, Logan Monter & C.F. Crum Altar Guild Jeanne Hunston, Monica Kinsey, Vickie Ramsier & Lisa Ray



2014 CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE BISHOP

The people who lived in darkness have seen a great light;those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has

shined. (Isaiah 9:2)

Christmas falls around a time that we in the northernhemisphere experience long periods of darkness. The longestnight comes just four days before we celebrate the birth of ourSavior. So it is wonderful to connect this wonderful event with

the lengthening of the days.

We are also living in a time of spiritual darkness. You neednot do more than turn on the evening news to see howpolarized we are as a nation and as a world.

But at Christmas we declare that God in Jesus, the light of the

world, has come among us. Jesus comes at Christmas not justto shine a light into our hearts but to transform the living conditions of the world. Andthe world cannot remain the same.

It’s always good to see the number of people who do good deeds at this time of the yearsuch as giving out food baskets and toys to children, serving hot meals to the homeless

and needy. There are actions that declare the Good News of Christmas.

Christmas is a time for confronting the reality of the Bad News, and declaring thatpeace, justice and righteousness have come into the world in Jesus Christ and will not bedenied, because this is the birth of the King of the Universe!

May God’s light shine on you this Christmas, and may God’s Spirit inspire you to become

that light for others. May peace reign in your hearts this Christmas and always!

The Rev. Abraham D. AllendeBishop, Northeastern Ohio Synod

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America




2014 CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDING BISHOP




Come and see. Follow me.

The gift of God, J esus Christ, has set us free

ST. P AUL LUTHERAN CHURCH 515 E. Line Street • Minerva, Ohio 44657

Office – (330) 868-4918 www.facebook.com/stpaulminerva

Pastor: The Rev. Steven Woyen, STS • Office Secretary: Becky DavisCustodian: Damin Clapper • Director of Music: Paula Patterson

Missionaries to the Republic of South Africa: The Rev. Tessa Moon Leiseth & Jon Leiseth

http://www.facebook.com/stpaulminerva



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The Nativity of Our Lord--Christmas Eve 2014