December 24, 2020 Christmas Eve Drive-In Service
Welcome and Announcements
● PLEASE turn off your vehicles and roll down a window when you light your candle and while they are burning. ● Thank you to all who helped make this worship possible. ● Christmas Pageant - Online now! (It’s fun - be sure to watch) ● Christmas Day Worship with Bishop Lull - Link on our website. ● December 27th - Concordia College in Moorhead with special music by select students and faculty.
Hymn: 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 you nations, rise; join the triumph of the skies; With angelic hosts 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 mare may die, Born to raise each child of earth, born to give us second birth. Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn king!”
Prayer of the Day:
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 reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Gospel Reading: Luke 2:1-7
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world 2 should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while 3 Quirinius was governor of Syria. A ll went to their own towns to be 4 registered. J oseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended 5 from the house and family of David. H e went to be registered with Mary, to 6 whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. W hile they were 7 there, the time came for her to deliver her child. A nd she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Hymn: 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.
Gospel Reading: Luke 2:8-14
8 I n that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over 9 their flock by night. T hen an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the 10 glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. B ut the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good 11 news of great joy for all the people: t o you is born this day in the city of 12 David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. T his will be a sign for you: 13 you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” A nd suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, 14 praising God and saying, “ Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!
Hymn: Angels We Have Heard on High Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing over the plans, And the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strains. Gloria in excelsis Deo; Gloria in excelsis Deo.
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.
Gospel Reading: Luke 2:15-18
15 W hen the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has 16 taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” S o they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 W hen they saw this, they made known what had been told them about 18 this child; a nd all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.
Hymn: The First Noel
The first Noel the angel did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; In fields where they lay keeping their sheep, On a cold winter’s night that was so deep. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel.
Gospel Reading: Luke 2:19-20
19 20 B ut Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. T he shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Hymn: What Child is This
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.
Words of Institution
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
Pastor: Taste and see that the Lord is good! All are welcome to come and feast in joy this Christmas!
Distribution You may open your communion elements at this time and receive communion.
Blessing
Pastor: Now may the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen us and keep us in His grace. People: Amen
Prayer Pastor: Let us pray. Great and gracious God, we thank you that in this holy meal the true Light has come to dwell in us. As we return into the world you love, may we take to all people the good news of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. People: Amen
The Gospel of the Incarnation John 1:1-5
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 no 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.
The minister lights a large candle from an altar candle, which symbolizes Christ, the Light of the world of whom John’s gospel speaks.
After the pastor has lit her candle, you may light your candles. Please be sure to have at least one window down and turn off your vehicles.
Hymn: 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, heav’nly 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 your holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at your birth, Jesus, Lord, at your birth.
Blessing
Pastor: May you be filled with the wonder of Mary, the obedience of Joseph, the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the determination of the magi, and the peace of the Christ Child. Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit bless you now and forever. People: Amen The candles are extinguished
Sending Hymn: 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.
Joy to the earth the Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ, while fields and floods, rocks, hill, and plains repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
Sending: Pastor: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Congregation: Thanks be to God.
Thank you for joining worship.
May you have a blessed Christmas!
Thank you to : Vocals: ● Nancy Wiessner Congregational Carols ● Mike Whalen O Little Town of Bethlehem Piano ● Sandy McAllister Production: ● Sara Korpi Production Assistant ● Jennifer Gravelle Sound Technition