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December 25, 2022
The Opening Words – Isaiah 52:7-10
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news,
Who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation,
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.
Who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices;
Together they shout for joy.
When the LORD returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes. You ruins of Jerusalem,
Burst into songs of joy together,
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
which inspire your heav’nly song?
Gloria in excelsis Deo;
gloria in excelsis Deo.
For the LORD has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem.
The LORD will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations,
And all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.
Come to Bethlehem and see
him whose birth the angels sing;
come, adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
Gloria in excelsis Deo;
gloria in excelsis Deo.
The Blessing and Call to Worship
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.
And also with you.
We gather in the name of our Triune God,
The name that is above all other names!
In the Name of the Father, who sent his Son to save us.
Amen.
In the Name of the Son, who took on human flesh and blood.
Amen.
In the Name of the Holy Spirit who brought forth life in the womb of a virgin.
Amen.
We worship and give praise to our Triune God.
Now Sing We, Now Rejoice – CW 363
Confession of Sins
Almighty Triune God, you have called us to glorify your name through our love for you and for one another. We confess that because of our selfish love for self we have erred and strayed from your will.
We have too eagerly followed the desires of our own sinful hearts.
We have offended you by disobeying your will and word.
We have not done what we ought. We have done what we ought not.
For all this we deserve to be eternally separated from your love and goodness and punished forever.
Lord, have mercy on us.
But in the Christ-Child we hope, we trust, we flee for mercy.
We trust and believe that the Christ-Child’s name is Jesus because he will save the people from their sins.
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” On the basis of the angel’s words to the shepherds, I proclaim God’s love for you through this infant Savior. And in his place and on his authority, I forgive you all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
We believe in Jesus who was born to save us from our sins.
In the peace of forgiveness let us praise the newborn King.
Adult Choir – Festival Noel
Sing we now of Christmas, Noel, sing we here!
Hear our grateful praises to the Babe so dear.
Sing we Noel, the King is born, Noel!
Sing we now of Christmas, sing we now Noel!
Angels called to shepherds, “Leave your flocks at rest;
“Come and journey forth to Bethl’hem, find the Lambkin blest.”
Sing we Noel, the King is born, Noel!
Sing we now of Christmas, sing we now Noel!
Sing Noel, sing Noel, Noel, Noel.
Sing Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel.
Sing we all Noel!
Sing we all Noel!
Sing we all Noel!
Sing we all Noel!
Sing Noel, sing Noel, Noel, Noel.
Sing Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel.
In the stall they found Him; Joseph and Mary mild
seated ’round the manger, watching the holy Child.
Sing we Noel, the King is born, Noel, Noel!
Sing we now of Christmas, sing we now Noel!
Sing Noel, sing Noel, Noel, Noel.
Sing Noel, sing Noel, Noel, Noel,
Sing Noel, sing Noel, sing we all Noel!
Prayer
Almighty God, grant that the birth of your only Son in the flesh may set us free from our old bondage under the yoke of sin; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Christmas Is…
A Time of Sharing – 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14
Reading – 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14
But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
From Heaven Above to Earth I Come – CW 331
A Time for Peace – Romans 5:1
Reading – Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Peace Came to Earth – CW 330
A Time for Family – 1 John 3:1
Reading – 1 John 3:1
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
To Shepherds as They Watched by Night – CW 335
5 Not one he will or can forsake;
his promise he will never break.
Let ev’ry scheme the tempter try,
you may his utmost pow’rs defy.
6 You shall and must at last prevail;
God’s own you are, you cannot fail.
To God forever sing your praise
with joy and patience all your days.
The Second Article
I believe in Jesus Christ, his 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 is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
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.
He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, 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.
All this he did that I should be his own, and live under him in his kingdom, and serve him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as he has risen from death and lives and rules eternally.
This is most certainly true.
Prayer
Eternal and gracious Lord, on this holy day, we rejoice with hearts and voices because you sent your one and only Son from his majestic glory to save us from the slavery of sin and the agonies of death. He took on our human flesh that he might reveal your divine glory. He became our brother that we might become your children forever.
Give us quiet time during these busy days to reflect on your love and ponder the miracle of our Savior’s incarnation. Help us look beyond our gift-giving and gift-receiving, and discover the greatest gift: the forgiveness of sins and life with you. Put the joys of Christmas into the perspective of our eternal celebration, and let music and art lift our hearts to Christ who is truly the center of the season.
Keep in your loving care all whose Christmas joys are diminished by sickness and sadness, by unhappy recollections and uncertain hopes. Comfort those who sense this Christmas may be their last, and raise their eyes to the brilliant lights of heaven. Soothe consciences that are troubled by guilt and regret, and show them the forgiving love of Christ.
We commend to your care all who proclaim the message of Christ during these holy days; all who care for people in hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons; and all who put themselves out to bring joy to others, especially children. Let the light of your grace shine through all ministries of mercy.
Send us your Holy Spirit, gracious Lord, that the proclamation of the Christmas gospel may lighten the load of guilt and fear and lift our hearts to confident faith and holy living. By the power of your Word, bring your light to hearts struggling to understand you and searching to find you that they may know the joys of this season as we do. Empower us to lead them to your love in our words and deeds.
All this we ask in the name of the newborn King, born in Bethlehem and now living and reigning forever in heaven. Amen.
Offering
Lord’s Supper
Preface
The 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.
Praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In love he has blessed us with every spiritual blessing. When the time had fully come, he sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ. To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and thanks and honor and glory for ever and ever.
All My Heart Again Rejoices – CW 329
Words of Institution
Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Distribution of the Lord’s Supper
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly – CW 339
Joy Has Dawned – CW 352
Reading – John 1:1-5, 14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Lord’s Prayer – (sung to traditional tune for Away in a Manger)
Our Father in heaven,
all praise to your name!
Your kingdom among us,
your will done the same
By mortals and angels.
Come, Lord reign alone;
Oh, hear us and bless us
from heaven’s high throne.
The bread that we yearn for
provide us each day;
As we forgive others,
our sins take away;
In times of temptation,
to lead us be near;
From evil deliver
your children most dear.
For yours is the kingdom;
o’er all things you reign.
And yours is the power;
all things you maintain.
To you be the glory,
resounding again
From all of creation,
forever! Amen.
Blessing
May he who by his incarnation gathered into one, things earthly and heavenly, fill us with such joy that comes with the knowledge of the forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal life. And the blessing of God Almighty: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always.
Amen.
Closing Song – (sung to the melody, God Rest You Merry Gentlemen)
Oh, thank the Lord and sing his praise,
what he has done proclaim!
Let all who seek the Lord rejoice
and proudly bear his name!
Who leads his thankful people forth
his promises to claim.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.
Lord, let your servant go in peace,
your Word has been fulfilled.
My eyes have seen the saving work
which for the world you willed.
The glory of your chosen race
as light for all revealed,
O tidings of comfort and joy,
comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.