The Nativity of Our Lord
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The Nativity of our Lord Christmas Eve Family Worship December 24, 2019 | 5 pm St. John’s Lutheran Church | Salisbury, NC Welcome to St. John’s! Please note that today’s service is printed entirely in this worship booklet. Occasionally you will be invited to turn to a hymn in the red book, Evangelical Lutheran Worship. Congregation responses are in bold. A SPECIAL WELCOME TO OUR GUESTS! We hope that you will feel a warm sense of welcome today. If you are without a church home, we invite you to become a part of the ministry of St. John’s. Please complete the Friendship Pad found on the pew so that we might get to know one another better. For more information, visit our website at stjohns-salisbury.org. HOLY COMMUNION. All baptized and communing Christians are welcome to receive God’s gift of grace through the sacrament of Holy Communion. We will commune by intinction (dipping the bread into the wine). All stations will be on the chancel floor. Please follow the directions of the ushers. For those with special needs, please note that grape juice as well as non-gluten wafers will be available at the front of the center aisle. Those with walking difficulties may receive the bread and wine by sitting in the reserved front pew. WE GATHER TOGETHER in this sacred space to set aside a time to worship the Lord. Please feel welcome and invited to greet your neighbors and enjoy this time together, but as the prelude begins let us be silent and prepare ourselves for worship. Because this is a time of worship, we ask that you turn off all electronic devises and limit picture-taking to before or after the service. Please join us! Worship on Sunday mornings at 8:30, 9:27, and 11:00 Our 11:00 service is broadcast live. Visit stjohns-salisbury.org, click “watch live”, Youtube.com (search “SJLC”), or Facebook live. 2 onight we join with nearly three billion Christians from around the world in celebrating T the birth of Jesus. We’re glad God has brought you to worship tonight, and pray that you will be filled with the love, hope, and promise that the Christ Child brings to all creation. Many people are searching for a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. If that happens to be you, we invite you to contact one of our pastors at your convenience. God’s blessings to you this night! Gathering The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God. Preludes A Christmas Carol Tapestry arr. R. Durocher Do You Hear What I Hear arr. Stephen De Cesare Madison Hines and Steven Schmoll, trumpets Silent Night traditional Luke and Landon Mesimer, baritone O Holy Night arr. Stephen De Ceasare Madison Hine and Steven Schmoll, trumpets Do You Hear What I Hear Noel Regney Rebecca and Mark Lewis, duet Silent Night arr. Rosemary C. Kinard Flute Ensemble Joy to the World arr. Joel Raney Rosemary C. Kinard, piano and Rob Durocher, organ One Small Child by David Meece Ondria Durocher Witt, soloist Proclamation of the Birth of Christ. During this age-old proclamation, the light of Christ is placed in the center of our worshipping congregation. Our readers are Emma Ryerson and Noah Hines. Entrance Carol 283 O Come, All Ye Faithful ADESTE FIDELES The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you. Let us pray. 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. 3 Welcome Children’s Procession The Story of Jesus’ birth includes the procession of shepherds, angels, kings, and more. Tonight, during the announcements, children are invited to gather in the narthex (the entrance lobby) to participate in a grand procession to the manger. They will remain at the front of the church to hear the Christmas story. Hymn 270 (please remain seated): Hark! The Herald Angels Sing! Hearing the Story The angel said, “I am bringing you good news of great joy.” Luke 2:10 Our readers this evening are Donna Groce, Matt Woolly, and Lauren Stephenson. Luke 2: 1-20 1 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. 8 There were shepherds camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. 9 Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. 10 The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: 11 A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. 12 This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.” 13 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: 14 Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him. 4 15 As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the shepherds talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” 16 They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. 17 Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished. 19 Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. 20 The shepherds returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told! This is the Gospel of the Lord. Thanks be to God. “Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale” by Martin Waddell Congregational Carol Away in a Manger Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head; The stars in the sky looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. During the second and third verses, children are invited to return to their seats. The cattle are lowing; the baby awakes, but little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes. I love you, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky and stay by my cradle till morning is nigh. Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask you to stay close by me forever and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in your tender care and fit us for heaven, to live with you there. Responding to God’s Gift They offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11 Prayers of Intercession: Offering the prayers this evening is Claire Allen. Collection of our Tithes and Offerings Offertory Solo Mary, Did You Know? Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene Luke Brown, soloist 5 Presentation of Gifts As the following carol is sung, gifts of money, bread and wine are presented at the manger — a manger that becomes an altar as we ponder God’s great gift, his Son Jesus Christ. The congregation stands and sings: Let us pray. Good and loving God, We rejoice in the birth of Jesus, who came among the poor to bring the riches of your grace. As you have blessed us with your gifts, let them be a blessing for others. With the trees of the field, with all earth and heaven, we shout for joy at the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 6 Sharing in God’s Meal Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and said, ‘Take; this is my body.’ Mark 14:22 The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. Eucharistic Prayer, followed by 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 gifts of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.