The Glory of the Lord Shone Round About Them
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
the glory of the Lord shone round about them Western Koshkonong Ev. Lutheran Church 2633 Church Street, Cottage Grove, Wisconsin (Town of Pleasant Springs) Thomas A. Heyn, Pastor (608) 873-6744 www.westernkoshkonong.org Christmas Day Worship December 25, 2017 The Glory of the Lord Please stand [SING] (Hymn 116 alternating with hymn 114) 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. M: Almighty God, before whom angels veil their faces, and in whose presence they delight, with reverence and joy we acknowledge your glory and worship you: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Angels from the realms of glory Wing your flight o’er all the earth; Once you sang creation’s story; Now proclaim Messiah’s birth: Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ the newborn King. M: Confessing our sins and unworthiness, we beg for your mercy and forgiveness, for the sake of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh to dwell among us, full of grace and truth. Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be Which inspire you heav’nly song? Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo. M: When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we receive the full rights of sons. Shepherds in the fields abiding, Watching o’er your flocks by night, God with us is now residing—Yonder shines the infant light Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King. M: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who live in a land of deep darkness—on them the light has shined. For unto a Child is born, unto us a Son is given. And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 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! Please be seated 1 First Lesson: Isaiah 40:9-11 You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!” See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Hymn Response Oh, come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant! Oh, come ye, oh, come ye to Bethlehem; Come, and behold him born the king of angels. Oh, come, let us adore him, oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord! Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above: “Glory to God in the highest!” Oh, come, let us adore him, oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord! Second Lesson: Ephesians 3:14-21 For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. [SING] [Tune: CW 365] Hark! What mean those holy voices sweetly sounding through the skies? Lo, the angel host rejoices, heav’nly alleluias rise. Listen to the wondrous story which they chant in hymns of joy: “Glory in the highest, glory! Glory be to God on high! Please stand for the reading of the Gospel 2 The Christmas Gospel: Luke 2:1-20 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 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:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 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. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 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. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. Hymn: “Away in a Manger” ELH 119 [SING] [Tune: CW 365] Let us learn the wondrous story of our great Redeemer’s birth; Spread the brightness of his glory till it cover all the earth. Hasten, mortals, to adore him, learn his name and taste his joy, ‘Till in heav’n ye sing before him, “Glory be to God on high. Please be seated 3 Hymn: “A Great and Mighty Wonder” CW 36:1, 2, 4 A great and mighty wonder, A glorious mystery: A virgin bears and infant Who veils his deity. Repeat the hymn again: “To God on high be glory And peace on earth to men.” The Word becomes incarnate And yet remains on high, And cherubim sing anthems To shepherds from the sky. Repeat the hymn again: “To God on high be glory And peace on earth to men.” Since all he comes to ransom, By all be he adored, The infant born in Bethl’em, The Savior and the Lord. Repeat the hymn again: “To God on high be glory And peace on earth to men.” The Christmas Message Hymn: “Now Sing We, Now Rejoice” ELH 135 The Offering We give our offerings, as an act of worship, to express our love and gratitude to God for His amazing and abundant grace and mercy to us. Please stand Prayer of the Church M: Let us pray to God our Father and worship Christ our Savior, everlasting God and Mary's Son. C: O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord! M: Heavenly Father, to whom glory is sung in the highest and peace is proclaimed to people on earth, give to your holy Church the peace of sins forgiven and your continued favor and merciful good will. Oh, come let us adore Him, C: Christ the Lord! M: On Christmas night You sent the angels to preach the good news of Jesus' birth. We thank you for the pastors and teachers you have sent to us to lead us boldly to the Christ Child. Fill us with joy that we may each make known abroad the glad tidings concerning this Child, that more may be given faith to confess Him as Lord. Oh, come, let us adore Him, C: Christ the Lord! 4 M: Bless our country, its citizens, and all who are in authority over us. Cause Your glory to dwell among us, and let mercy, truth, and justice prevail everywhere, that throughout our land people may come to know the Prince of Peace.