We are called to embrace diversity and to connect all generations to God’s family.

PRAISEGROUNDThe carpeted space in the transept on the baptismal font side of the Sanctuary is for infants, toddlers, and young school-age children. All children need to be supervised while in this space.

ACTIVITY BAGSChildren’s activity bags are available to use during worship. Please pick up and return in the lobby.

SIGHT IMPAIREDMagnifiers are available at the Welcome Desk in the Lobby.

1000 W. Main Street, Lansdale, PA 19446 trinitylansdale.com 215.368.1710

In winter’s deepest night, we welcome the light of the Christ child. Isaiah declares that the light of the long-promised king will illumine the world and bring endless peace and justice. Paul reminds us that the grace of God through Jesus Christ brings salvation to all people. The angels declare that Jesus’ birth is good and joyful news for everyone, including lowly shepherds. Filled with the light that shines in our lives, we go forth to share the light of Christ with the whole world.

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☩ GATHERING ☩The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.

PRELUDE

6:00 Christmas Selections “Hark! The Angels Sing!” - arr. Taylor Davis LifeSong Singers “He Made a Way in a Manger” - Merkel/Kirkland Daybreak “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” arr. Joel Raney Piano Duet

9:00 “Once in Royal David’s City” arr. Lani Smith Organ “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” – McDonald, Nelson/Schmidt Cello “Before the Marvel of this Night” - arr. Carl Shalk Trinity Choir/Brass “Ding Dong Merrily on High” - arr. Greg Danner Brass “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” - arr. Peters Trinity Choir/Brass “I Wonder As I Wander” - Niles/Lanier Flute “Rejoice and Be Merry” - John Rutter Trinity Choir/Brass “Joy to the World” - arr. Ken Barker Brass/Percussion/Piano

WELCOME

Please stand.

CALL TO WORSHIPThe 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 the 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.

CAROL O Come All Ye Faithful

Refrain: O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

Piano Duet:Jonathan HattonAndrea Baxter

Organist:Emily Brands

Cellist:Kristen Saul

Flutist:Alexander Mason

Instrumentalists (9:00):Peter Neu, Evan Rondinelli, Kathryn Marks, Chris Johnson, Bryan Clayton, Alyssa Ascher

There is a sense of urgency to this hymn. Imagine a child, tugging at your hand, saying insistently, “Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!” In the same way, imagine someone pulling at your sleeve or grasping you by the hand, half dragging you as they run through the crowd, saying over and over again, “Come!” We are told that patience is a virtue, but in this case, impatience is a beautiful thing. For who could stand by and wait when all we want to do is worship our Lord and Savior? Albert Bailey writes, “The poet takes us by the hand and leads us with triumphant

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

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

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GREETINGThe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.

PRAYER OF THE DAYAlmighty 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.

☩ WORD ☩

God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.

FIRST READING: Isaiah 9:2-7Response after the conclusion of each reading: Thanks be to God.

CAROL Good Christian Friends Rejoice

SECOND READING Titus 2:11-14

CAROL Angels We Have Heard on High

GOSPEL Luke 2:1-20Response after the announcement: Glory to you, O Lord.Response after the conclusion: Praise to you, O Christ.

CHILDREN’S CHAT

SERMON “The Power of Christmas” Pastor Bruce Todd

Please stand.

song to the cave of the Nativity in Bethlehem, shows us the Babe, and bids us adore” (The Gospel in Hymns, 279). This hymn invites us to sing with the angels, sing with our families, sing with our fellow believers, and with every fiber of our being, worship Christ the Lord.

The first reading, a 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!

The 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.

God’s greatest gift comes as a baby in a manger. Angels announce the “good news of great joy” and proclaim God’s blessing of peace.

1 Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; give ye heed to what we say: Jesus Christ is born today; ox and ass before him bow, and he is in the manger now. Christ is born today! Christ is born today!

3 Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; now ye need not fear the grave; Jesus Christ was born to save! Calls you one and calls you all to gain the everlasting hall. Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save!

1 Angels 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.

2 Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be which inspire your heav’nly song? Refrain.

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The Nicene Creed, dates back to the 4th Century and is a statement of the orthodox faith of the early Christian church in opposition to certain heresies. These heresies concerned the doctrine of the trinity and of the person of Christ. Both the Greek (Eastern) and the Latin (Western) church held this creed in honor, though with one important difference: the Western church insisted on the inclusion of the phrase “and the Son” in the article on the procession of the Holy Spirit; this phrase still is repudiated by the Eastern Orthodox church.Taken in part from www.crcna.org/welcome/beliefs/creeds/nicene-creed

HYMN OF THE DAY Jesus our Savior Was Born to Us This Day

Text: R. Bruce Todd, Music: Frosty the Snowman

Jesus our Savior, was born to us this day.In a manger low, he came to show God’s love in a new way.With angels singing, and a bright star in the sky;the shepherds fell as they heard them tell Christ’s birth was drawing nigh.He came to earth in humble birth to tell us of God’s love.In Bethlehem behind an Inn, God’s word came from above.Jesus our Savior, was born to us this day.In a manger low, he came to show God’s love in a new way.

Shepherds, they hurried to visit Christ the Lord.With a special light in the midst of night, he was worshiped and adored.Giving their praises for the hope that he would bring;As Isaiah told, he’d fulfill the role of becoming their new king.The gift of God, his precious Son, came down to end all strife.Thanks to his sacrificial death, we gain Eternal Life.Jesus our Savior, was born to us this day.In a manger low, he came to show God’s love in a new way.

Dwelling among us, he could show us how to live.Helping those in need, we can clothe and feed, and learn how to forgive.Sharing our blessings; this was our Lord’s intent.Letting it be known how our faith has grown, telling what his message meant.He asks us that we lead our lives according to his will.Although we fail we need not fear, for he will love us still.Jesus our Savior, was born to us this day.In a manger low, he came to show God’s love in a new way.

NICENE CREED

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,was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Maryand became truly human.For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;he suffered death and was buried.

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On the third day he rose againin accordance with the Scriptures;he ascended into heavenand 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,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 THE PEOPLEResponse after each petition: Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

PEACEThe peace of Christ be with you always.And also with you.Please greet one another with a sign of Christ’s peace, saying, “Peace be with you.”

Please be seated.

☩ MEAL ☩

God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ.

GATHERING OF GIFTSAn offering is gathered for the mission of the church, including the care of those in need.

MUSICAL OFFERING

6:00 “Amen! Tell It On the Mountain”- Mary McDonald Daybreak/LifeSong Singers

9:00 “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”- Dan Forrest Trinity Choir/Instrumentalists

Please stand.

CAROL The First Noel

Then entered in those wise men three,full rev’rently upon their knee,and offered there in his presencetheir gold, and myrrh, and frankincense. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel! Born is the King of Israel.

When Lutherans share the peace, it is not simply a time to offer a friendly hello to a neighbor in the pew. Rather, sharing God’s peace is an act of reconciliation that helps us transition from the Word to the Meal portion of worship.

This carol tells a story loosely based on the Gospel accounts in Luke 2 and Matthew 2 of the events surrounding Jesus’ birth, with the shepherds, the star, and the wise men. The first two lines of the final stanza calls us to action – as the wise men reverently worshiped the Christ, so we should “with one accord sing praises to our heavenly Lord.”

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OFFERING PRAYERGod of wonder, we offer you these humble gifts,signs of your goodness and mercy. Receive them with our gratitude, that through us all people may knowthe riches of your love in the Word-made-flesh. Amen.

GREAT THANKSGIVINGThe 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.

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy,...we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

LORD’S PRAYERAll join in praying the Lord’s Prayer using either these words, or those that are most familiar to you. Children raised in the Christian

faith often learn the Lord’s Prayer as their first prayer. New Christians quickly come to know the prayer as generations have, by saying it with the congregation in services or with those standing with them at the close of a meeting. Luther’s explanation of the Lord’s Prayer is printed on page 1163 in the back of the Worship book. Today is a good day to read it again or for the first time.

Our 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 thosewho sin against us.

Save us from the time of trialand deliver us from evil.

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

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 thosewho 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.

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GATHERING OF GIFTSAn offering is gathered for the mission of the church, including the care of those in need.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION + COMMUNION

Please be seated.

LAMB OF GOD

MUSIC DURING COMMUNION6:00 “All Is Well “ - Smith, Kirkpatrick/Huff Daybreak9:00 “Still, Still, Still” - Norman Luboff Trinity Choir

CAROL In the Bleak Midwinter

1 In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, in the bleak midwinter, long ago.

2 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 sufficed the Lord God almighty, Jesus 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 I give him— give my heart.

Music associated with Christmas is thought to have its origins in 4th century Rome. By the 13th century, under the influence of Francis of Assisi, the tradition of popular Christmas songs in regional native languages developed. Christmas carols in English first appeared in a 1426 work of John Awdlay, an English chaplain, who lists twenty five “caroles of Cristemas,” probably sung by groups of ‘wassailers’ who would travel from house to house. In the 16th century, various Christmas carols still sung to this day, including God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and O Christmas Tree, first emerged.Taken from en.wikipedia.org

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CAROL 278 Away in a Manger

1 Away 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.

2 The cattle are lowing; the baby awakes, but little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes. I love you, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky and stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.

3 Be 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.

CAROL 276 Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

1 Infant holy, infant lowly, for his bed a cattle stall; oxen lowing, little knowing Christ the child is Lord of all. Swiftly winging, angels singing, bells are ringing, tidings bringing: Christ the child is Lord of all! Christ the child is Lord of all!

2 Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping vigil till the morning new saw the glory, heard the story, tidings of a gospel true. Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing, greet the morrow: Christ the child was born for you! Christ the child was born for you!

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CAROL 267 Joy to the World

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 No more let sin and sorrow grow nor thorns infest the ground; he comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found, far as, far as the curse is found.

4 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.

Please stand.

TABLE BLESSINGThe body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. Amen.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Response after the prayer: Amen.

In Psalm 98, all of creation is called upon to make a joyful noise before God, for the Lord has come to “judge the earth,” and restore His Creation. We should not fail to see our own hand at work in the destruction of creation, in our sins of waste and decadence. This “judgment of the earth” is, in some part, a judgment of us as caretakers. But God is merciful and full of grace, and rather than leave everything in our hands, He gives us the Life-giver. In this beautiful hymn, Isaac Watts makes the connection between the coming of Christ into this world and the beginning of that restoration. Christ brings “joy to the world,” a light where there is darkness, growth where there is decay. And we, along with all Creation, respond with a song of praise.

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CANDLELIGHTING

MUSIC DURING THE LIGHTING OF CANDLES

6:00/9:00 “Night of Silence” LifeSong Singers, Daybreakand Trinity Choir

Once all candles are lighted, all join in singing:

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.

THE GOSPEL OF THE INCARNATION John 1:1–14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might be-lieve through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

All join in singing:

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!

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not ac-cept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

All raise their candles and join in singing:

Silent night, holy night! Son of God, love’s pure lightradiant beams from your holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace,Jesus, Lord, at your birth, Jesus, Lord, at your birth.

The Pastor lights a large candle from an altar candle, which symbolizes Christ, the Light of the World of whom John’s gospel speaks. The ushers light their candles from the Pastor’s candle, then light the candle of each worshiper nearest the aisle. The lighted candle is never tilted, but is always held upright when giving light to another.

On Christmas Eve of 1818 , the young priest of St. Nicholas parish church in Obendorf faced disaster. The organ had been incapacitated by mice. The chance of fixing the instrument before the evening service was slim.

Father Joseph Mohr was not a man to just give up however. He pulled out a poem he had written several years before called “Stille Nacht,” or “Silent Night.” Mohr took his poem to the schoolmaster and organist of a nearby town, Franz Xaver Gruber. He asked that Gruber write a melody to accompany the poem on guitar. In several hours, Gruber had the music done and the carol was played for the first time that night at the Christmas Eve service.

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☩ SENDING ☩

God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.

BLESSINGMay the Word that Mary brought to birthcarry you into new and abundant life. Amen.

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

May the Word that angels proclaimed in songbring 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.

Please extinguish your candle. Continue to hold the candle upright until the wax has cooled. Place the candles in the baskets as you depart after the hymn and dismissal.

SENDING HYMN 290 Go Tell It on the Mountain

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

DISMISSAL Christ is born! Go tell it on the mountain and everywhere.Thanks be to God!

POSTLUDE Organ Flourish on “Joy to the World” arr. Michael G. Dell

In the Bible, the mountain often represents the holy presence of God. Moses has to go up the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments and to see the Promised Land. In the Gospel, Jesus is transfigured on a mountain, an event signifying the full embodiment of the divine nature and holiness of Christ. In the Old Testament especially, the mountain is also a place that is set apart – not just everyone can go up the mountain to be in God’s presence. Psalm 24:3 asks, “Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place?” When Christ was born however, God’s presence came down to His people in a new form, in the helplessness of a baby. And the story doesn’t end there - Christmas points us to Easter, when Christ ripped the curtain in the temple and became the bridge between us and the Father, God’s holy presence in and among us. The mountain is no longer a barrier between us and God, but a place to shout the good news of God’s presence among his people in the incarnation of Christ Jesus, to “Go Tell It On the Mountain.”

Copyright © 2019 Augsburg Fortress.All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS000549. One License#A-701217. CCLI License #11221020

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le o

f pea

ce a

nd h

ope,

life

and

salv

ation

. “Gl

ory

to G

od in

th

e hi

ghes

t hea

ven,

and

on

eart

h pe

ace

amon

g th

ose

who

m h

e fa

vors

!” (v

.14)

. Pr

ay:

Lord

God

, for

the

birt

h of

our

Lord

Jesu

s Chr

ist th

at ch

ange

s eve

ryth

ing

for u

s and

for

the

wor

ld, w

e gi

ve y

ou th

anks

for y

our p

rom

ise o

f life

and

pea

ce a

nd sa

lvati

on. A

men

.

SERV

ICE

At th

is tim

e, w

e oft

en re

ceiv

e Ch

ristm

as ca

rds f

rom

frie

nds a

nd fa

mily

. Bef

ore

the

end

of th

e ye

ar, t

ake

time

to si

t and

read

you

r car

ds. R

each

out

with

the

eter

nal l

ight

of J

esus

Chr

ist w

ith

an a

ct o

f kin

dnes

s to

thos

e w

ho se

nt y

ou a

card

. In

wha

t way

s can

you

be

in p

raye

r for

them

?

RITU

ALS A

ND T

RADI

TION

S Th

e ca

ndle

in th

e ce

nter

of t

he A

dven

t wre

ath

is w

hite

. It r

epre

sent

s Chr

ist. L

ight

the

cand

les o

f Ho

pe, P

eace

, Joy

, and

Love

. The

n lig

ht th

e ce

nter

Chr

ist ca

ndle

.

Say:

Thi

s can

dle

is a

sym

bol o

f Jes

us C

hrist

, our

Sav

ior a

nd Lo

rd.

Read

: Joh

n 1:

5 st

ates

, “Th

e Lig

ht sh

ines

in th

e da

rkne

ss, a

nd th

e da

rkne

ss d

id n

ot o

verc

ome

it.”

Jesu

s is t

he tr

ue li

ght w

ho g

ives

ligh

t to

ever

y pe

rson

. We

cele

brat

e th

e bi

rth

of Je

sus,

the

true

lig

ht o

f the

wor

ld. L

et u

s wal

k in

the

light

of C

hrist

that

giv

es h

ope,

pea

ce, j

oy, a

nd lo

ve.

Pray

: Tha

nk y

ou, L

ord

Jesu

s Chr

ist, f

or b

eing

bor

n in

to o

ur w

orld

. Brin

g yo

ur e

tern

al li

ght t

o ou

r hea

rts,

our h

omes

, and

our

wor

ld, f

or y

ou a

re o

ur Sa

vior

and

Lord

. Am

en.

CHRI

STM

AS M

ILEST

ONES

Ta

ke a

mom

ent t

o te

ll or

thin

k ab

out a

rece

nt m

ount

ain

high

and

/or v

alle

y lo

w in

you

r life

.