The Celebration of the Gospel
Christmas Eve
December 24, 2019
4:00 pm
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And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.
— John 1: 14
PRELUDE
GREETING
PRAYER
SCRIPTURE READING [The prophet speaks of the Messiah to come] Isaiah 11:1-9
* SONG O Come, O Come Emmanuel
(*= opportunity to stand)
O come, O come Emmanuel
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel
O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer
our spirits by thy justice here.
The captives from their prison free,
and conquer death’s deep misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel
SCRIPTURE READING [The Annunciation to Mary] Luke 1: 26-38
SONG – O Little Town of Bethlehem
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie;
above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light;
the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given;
so God imparts to human hearts the blessings sweet of heaven.
No ear may hear Christ’s coming, but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will be open still, the dear Christ enters in.
SCRIPTURE READING [Jesus’ coming announced to Joseph.] Matthew 1: 18-23
SONG – O Come, All Ye Faithful
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.
O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore, him, Christ the Lord.
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,;
O sing all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest.
O come let us adore him, O come let us daore him,
O come let us adore, him, Christ the Lord.
SCRIPTURE READING [The birth of Jesus] Luke 2:1-7
* SONG – Joy to the World
Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King;
let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.
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.
SCRIPTURE READING [The visit of the shepherds] Luke 2. 8-20
SONG – Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn king;
peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies;
with th’ angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn king!”
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn king!”
MEDITATION
SONG – Angels We Have Heard on High
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!
See him in a manger laid, whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, while our hearts in love we raise.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
PRAYER
Blessed God, we praise you on this holy night for the mystery of your Incarnation. We bless you for the birth of Jesus, and for the gift of your salvation. We thank you that you dwell with us in love.
In the name of the infant Jesus we pray for all children, and their families. We pray for peace. We pray for those for whom Christ came: those who suffer, those who are lost or lonely, the sick, the powerless and the rejected, those who struggle in life; and those who do not know you. Blessed are the poor, and those who mourn. Blessed are the peacemakers. Blessed are those who are persecuted: for among them is Emmanuel.
Holy Spirit, make of our hearts an open manger, that Christ may be born in us anew and live in us always. By your grace help us to receive the gifts of this holy season, to share them with all the world, and to live always in the light of Jesus’ presence. Amen.
SILENT PRAYER SONG – Emmanuel – Steve G-H
OFFERING OUR GIFTS – Christmas Meditation – arr Jason Krug (Bells of St. Matthew’s)
COMMUNION SONG (Tune: He Is Born)
Come, my friends, and join the feast:
Christ has called us to the table,
one and all, both great and least,
come and share the gift divine!
Christ is come, a lowly child,
drawing us in awe together,
healed and blest and reconciled,
fed with grace to bear God’s love
Come, my friends, and join the feast:
everyone is called and welcome,
old and young, from west and east,
come and share the gift divine!.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
SHARING THE HOLY MEAL
PRAYER OF BLESSING
God of light and healing, we thank you for this mystery in which you have given yourself to us. You have come to dwell with us, and within us. Blessed, transformed, and sustained by these gifts, we go into the world in your name to bring good news to the poor, to set the captives free, and to proclaim your grace. Send us in the power of your Spirit, with the blessing and the company of your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, who is present among us, now and to eternal life. Amen.
SILENT PRAYER
SCRIPTURE READING – John 1:1-14
CAROL Silent Night
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.
Silent night, holy night, shepherds quake at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing alleluia!
Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born!
Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love’s pure light;
Radiant beams from thy holy face with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
Silent night, holy night, wondrous star, lend thy light;
With the angels let us sing, Alleluia to our King;
Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born.
THE BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH