Christmas Eve
AS WE GATHER
In the middle of a dark night, a song busts forth, “Glory to God in the highest!” God’s holy angels announce to the shepherds the greatest news of all, “Christ, the Savior, is born!”
SPECIAL MUSIC - Let Us Adore Him Eli Schroeder PROCESSIONAL HYMN - O Come All Ye Faithful
LSB 379
Text and tune: Public domain
INVOCATION
Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
OPENING SENTENCES
Pastor: The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,”
People: He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. Luke 1:30-31 Pastor: The angel said to Joseph, “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name
Jesus, “
People: For he will save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:22-23 Pastor: And the angel said to the shepherds, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good
news of great joy!”
People: Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord!
Luke 2:10-11 Pastor: Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising
God, and saying,
People: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Luke 2:13-14
HYMN OF PRAISE - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing! LSB 380
Tune and text: Public domain
+ SERVICE OF THE WORD + SALUTATION AND COLLECT OF THE DAY
Pastor: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Pastor: Let us pray. O God, because You once caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light, grant that we who have known the mystery of that Light here on earth may come to the full measure of its joys in heaven;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
People: Amen.
THE OLD TESTAMENT READING
Isaiah 9:2-7
"But The people who walked in darknesshave seen a great light; those who dwelt in
a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. 3 You have multiplied the nation;
you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as
they are glad when they divide the spoil. 4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be uponhis shoulder, and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with
righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Lector: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
SPECIAL MUSIC Of the Father’s Love St. Matthew Choir (7:00 Service) THE EPISTLE
Titus 2:11-14
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Lector: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
HYMN - Joy to the World
LSB 387
Text and tune: Public domain
THE HOLY GOSPEL
Luke 2:1-20
Pastor: The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the 2nd chapter.
People: Glory to You, O Lord.
And 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. 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 - Away in a Manger
LSB 364
Tune and text: Public domain
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 - It Came Upon a Midnight Clear LSB 366
Text and tune: Public domain
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.
Pastor: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You, O Christ.
SERMON HYMN - O Little Town of Bethlehem
LSB 361
Text and tune: Public domain
THE SERMON
THE OFFERING (Offering plates are located in the back of the church.) SPECIAL MUSIC - O Holy Night
Danielle Mueller, Linda Tobin and Evonne Kragness (4:00)
Ally Braun, Lisa Martens and Josh Teggatz (7:00)
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Pastor: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs. Father in heaven, on this holy night we recall how great is Your love for us, sending Your Son into our world as a tiny child to forgive our sin, Lord, in Your mercy;
People: Hear our prayer.
Pastor: Lord Jesus, on this night we recall how great is Your love for us, You gave up heaven to live on earth as one of us, one with us, to forgive our sin. Lord, in Your mercy;
People: Hear our prayer.
Pastor: Holy Spirit, on this night we recall how great is Your love for us, gathering us together through Word and Sacrament, to worship our newborn King, Lord, in Your mercy;
People: Hear our prayer.
Pastor: That the sick and suffering may find healing and relief and that the dying and the grieving may know His comfort and peace [especially…]. Lord, in Your mercy;
People: Hear our prayer.
Pastor: Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy for the sake of Your Son, Our Savior and King, Jesus Christ, who also taught us to pray...
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.
+ THE LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES+
Pastor: The people walking in darkness
People: Have seen a great Light. Isaiah 9:2
Pastor: The darkness is passing away
People: The True Light is already shining. 1 John 2:8 Pastor: Jesus said, “I am the Light of the World,” whoever follows me will
not walk in darkness,“
People: But will have the Light of life. John 8:12 Pastor: In Him was life
People: And that life was the Light of men. John 1:4 Pastor: The Light shines in the darkness
People: And the darkness will not overcome it. John 1:5 Pastor: The True Light, that gives light to everyone
People: Was coming into the world. John 1:9
Pastor: The Word became flesh
People: And made His dwelling among us. John 1:14 Pastor: We have seen His glory,
People: The glory of the One and Only Son. John 1:14 Pastor: For the Law was given through Moses,
People: Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:17 Pastor: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,.
The love of God,
The fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all, 2nd Cor. 13:14 People: Amen.
CLOSING HYMN - Silent Night
LSB 363
Tune and text: Public domain
Acknowledgments
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2021 Concordia Publishing House.
Cantors: 4:00 Linda Tobin 7:00 Linda Tobin
Organist: Gail Tutt
Special Services During December
Sat. Dec. 25 10:00 AM Christmas Day Service Fri. Dec. 31 5:30 PM New Year’s Eve Service
(Note: There will be no 5:30 PM service on Saturday, Dec. 25 or Saturday, Jan. 1)