Faith Lutheran Church – Valders Sunday, December 24, 2017 3:00, 5:30 and 10:00 p.m.

Christmas Eve Worship

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 has appeared, bringing salvation to all. In the familiar account of Christ’s birth, the evening sky is bright with 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.

Gathering

PreludeWelcome and AnnouncementsConfession and Forgiveness Blessed be the Holy One of Israel, the Word made flesh, the Power of the

Most High, ☩ one God, now and forever.Amen.

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Gathered in the name of Jesus, let us confess our sin against God and our neighbor. We pray… Gracious God,

in Christ Jesus you come among us as light shining in darkness. We confess our failure to welcome this light. Forgive us and renew our hope, so that we may live in the light of your grace, and welcome the truth of Christ the Lord. Amen.

I bring you good news of great joy for all the people: To you is born a Savior, Christ the Lord. Your sins are forgiven in ☩ Jesus’ name.

Amen.

Hymn “O Come, All Ye Faithful” #2831 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:

RefrainO come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

2 The highest, most holy, light of light eternal, born of a virgin, a mortal he comes; Son of the Father now in flesh appearing! Refrain

3 Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God in the highest: Refrain

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

Prayer of the DayThe true light that enlightens everyone has come into the world! The

Lord be with you. And also with you.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

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reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Word – Lessons and Carols

FIRST READING: Isaiah 9:2–4, 6-7This poem promises deliverance from Assyrian oppression, a hope based on the birth of a royal child with 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 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.

6For a child has been born for us,a son given to us;authority rests upon his shoulders;

and he is namedWonderful Counselor, Mighty God,Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

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7His authority shall grow continually,and there shall be endless peacefor the throne of David and his kingdom.

He will establish and uphold itwith justice and with righteousnessfrom this time onward and forevermore.The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Hymn “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” (verses 1 & 4) #2821 It came upon the midnight clear,

that glorious song of old,from angels bending near the earthto touch their harps of gold:"Peace on the earth, good will to all,from heav'n's all-gracious king."The world in solemn stillness layto hear the angels sing.

4 For lo! The days are hast'ning on,by prophets seen of old,when with the ever-circling yearsshall come the time foretold,when peace shall over all the earthits ancient splendors fling,and all the world give back the songwhich now the angels sing.

Gospel Reading – Luke 2:1-20 (Part 1) (King James Version)1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

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Hymn “O Little Town of Bethlehem” (Verses 1 & 3) #2791 O little town of Bethlehem,how still we see thee lie!Above thy deep and dreamless sleepthe silent stars go by;yet in thy dark streets shineththe everlasting light.The hopes and fears of all the yearsare met in thee tonight.

3 How silently, how silentlythe wondrous gift is giv'n!So God imparts to human heartsthe blessings of his heav'n.No ear may hear his coming;but, in this world of sin,where meek souls will receive him, stillthe dear Christ enters in.

Gospel Reading – Luke 2:1-20 (Part 2)6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Hymn “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” (Verses 1 & 2) #2951 Of the Father's love begotten

ere the worlds began to be,he is Alpha and Omega,he the source, the ending he,of the things that are, that have been,and that future years shall see,evermore and evermore.

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2 Oh, that birth forever bless-ed,when the virgin, full of grace,by the Holy Ghost conceiving,bore the Savior of our race,and the babe, the world's redeemer,first revealed his sacred face,evermore and evermore.

Gospel Reading – Luke 2:1-20 (Part 3)8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is

born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And 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, good will toward men.

Hymn “Angels We Have Heard” (Vs.1 & 2) #2891 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.

2 Shepherds, why this jubilee?

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Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings bewhich inspire your heav'nly song?Gloria in excelsis Deo; gloria in excelsis Deo.

Gospel Reading – Luke 2:1-20 (Part 4)15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

LitanyThis is the gospel, the good news that God enters our lives… that in

Jesus and his humanity we experience with clarity God’s word for us. Amen.Pray with me the words of the last verse in O Little Town of Bethlehem…O holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;Cast out our sin, and enter, be born in us today.We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;Oh, come to us, abide in us, our Lord Immanuel.

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SermonHymn “What Child is This?” #2961 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!

2 Why 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!

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!

Nicene CreedWe 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, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became truly human. 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

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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, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who 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.

Prayers of IntercessionLord, in your mercy… Hear our prayer.

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

(We share with one another greetings of peace.)

Meal

OfferingOffertory “In the Bleak Midwinter” (Verses 2 & 3) #2942 Heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain;

heav'n and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign;in the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficedthe | Lord God almighty, Je – sus Christ.

3 What can I give him, poor as I am?If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb;if I were a wise man I would do my part;yet | what I can give him—give my heart.

Offering PrayerLet us pray together… God with us:You came as a baby to a manger. You slept on straw and

greeted shepherds. You come again in bread and wine. Remind us how good you are at blessing ordinary things.

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And then, through these gifts, help us to bless the lives of others in the strength of your holy name. Amen.

Words of Institution, Lord’s PrayerOur Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom

come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we

forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

InvitationJoy to the world! The Lord is come. Let every heart receive your Savior.

Distribution of Bread and WineALL of “God’s Children” – made so in baptism – are invited to receive the bread and wine of Holy Communion. (All ages are welcome!)

Blessing, PrayerLet us pray together… On this day, O God, you gave us Christ the Son to save us. As

you sent the one foretold, send us now with good news for all people. Let the gladness of this feast have no end as we share with others the joy that fills us; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Candle Lighting and Sending

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Please be very careful to hold burning candles straight and vertical to avoid spilling hot wax.  Tip only the unlit candles as we share the flame with one another. Keep candles vertical after extinguishing until wax congeals (softly blowing air across the wax will speed congealing.)

Hymn “Silent Night” #2811. 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, Heaven’ly 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 your holy face,With the dawn of redeeming grace,Jesus, Lord, at your birth, Jesus, Lord at your birth.

BlessingMay 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. Page 11

Amen.

Extinguish Candles Carefully and Safely(For safety, please keep candles vertical until wax congeals.)

Hymn “Joy to the World” (Verses 1 & 2) #2671 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 plainsrepeat the sounding joy,repeat the sounding joy,repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

DismissalGlory to God in the highest!Peace to God’s people on earth!Go in peace. Share the gift of Jesus.Thanks be to God.

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