Christmas Eve A Service of Darkness and Light
11 pm
St. John’s Lutheran Church 120 West Water Street, Sidney, Ohio 45365 Thank you for joining us on this wondrous occasion of the birth of our Lord. To keep you Covid-19 safe, please social distance, and masks are encouraged. Kindly take your bulletin with you upon leaving. Merry Christmas!
Christmas Eve Service December 24, 2020
Pre-service Music Announcements
The Christmas Proclamation The Angels proclaimed: Glory to God in the highest! Peace to God's people on earth! Glory to God in the highest! Peace to God's people on earth! Glory to God in the highest! Peace to God's people on earth!
Opening Hymn – It Came Upon a Midnight Clear It Came Upon a Midnight Clear 1 It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old, from angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold: "Peace on the earth, good will to all, from heav'n's all-gracious king." The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.
2 Still through the cloven skies they come with peaceful wings unfurled, and still their heav'nly music floats o'er all the weary world. Above its sad and lowly plains they bend on hov'ring wing, and ever o'er its babel sounds the blessed angels sing.
3 And you, beneath life's crushing load, whose forms are bending low, who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow: look now, for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing; oh, rest beside the weary road and hear the angels sing!
4 For lo! The days are hast'ning on, by prophets seen of old, when with the ever-circling years shall come the time foretold, when peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendors fling, and all the world give back the song which now the angels sing. Text: Edmund H. Sears, 1810-1876 Opening Dialog The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined. A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, And a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and might, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. His delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; Authority rests upon his shoulders; And he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. From this time onward and forevermore.
Hymn of Praise
Gracia Grindal Prayer of the Day All-powerful and unseen God, the coming of your light into our world has brightened weary hearts with peace. Call us out of darkness, and empower us to proclaim the birth of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The Word of God for Christmas First Reading Titus 2:11-14 Gospel Reading Luke 2:1-20 Sermon Hymn of the Day – What Child is This 1 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!
2 Why lies he in such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christian, fear; for sinners here the silent Word is pleading. Nails, spear shall pierce him through, the cross be borne for me, for you; hail, hail the Word made flesh, the babe, the son of Mary!
3 So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh; come, peasant, king, to own him. The King of kings salvation brings; let loving hearts enthrone him. Raise, raise the song on high, the virgin sings her lullaby; joy, joy, for Christ is born, the babe, the son of Mary! Text: William C. Dix, 1837-1898
Christmas Prayers of the People Lord’s Prayer
Special Music “Jesus Joy of Man’s Desiring” Bach Emily McCroskey, Violin Solo
The Christmas Creed + I believe in Jesus Christ and in the beauty of the gospel begun in Bethlehem. + I believe in the one whose spirit glorified a little town; and whose spirit still brings music to people all over the world, in towns both large and small. + I believe in the one for whom the crowded inn could find no room, and I confess that my heart still sometimes wants to exclude Christ from my life today. + I believe in the one who the rulers of the earth ignored and the proud could never understand; whose life was among common people, whose welcome came from people of hungry hearts. + I believe in the one who proclaimed the love of God to be invincible: + I believe in the one whose cradle was a mother's arms, whose modest home in Nazareth had love for its only wealth, who looked at people as real and made them see what God's love saw in them, who by love brought sinners back to purity, and lifted human weakness up to meet the strength of God. + I confess my ever-lasting need of God: The need of forgiveness for our selfishness and greed, the need of new life for empty souls, the need of love for hearts grown cold. + I believe in Jesus, the Son of the living God, born in Bethlehem this night, for me and for the world. + I believe in God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit who gives us the best of himself. Amen.
O Little Town of Bethlehem 1 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.
2 For Christ is born of Mary, and, gathered all above while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wond'ring love. O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth, and praises sing to God the king, and peace to all the earth!
3 How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is giv'n! So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heav'n. No ear may hear his coming; but, in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in.
4 O holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; oh, come to us, abide with us, our Lord Immanuel! Text: Phillips Brooks, 1835-1893
Closing Prayer Gracious God, in the incarnation of your Son you have united earth and heaven. May we, and all who celebrate this gift of love, share your goodness and your presence with all the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Benediction The Lord bless you and keep you and make His face shine on you and give you peace. As you remember the Child born in Bethlehem may you also remember to honor the child in your own heart. May you follow the light of the stars in your dreams and know that God is with you wherever you go. Let the hope that was born in a stable be a sign that God can change the world through one small child. May the spirit of Christmas warm our hearts all year long. Grace and peace be with you in the name of the Father and the + Son and the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will ever be, world without end. Amen.
Closing Dialog: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And God said, "Let there be light!" Jesus Christ is the light of the world, the light no darkness can overcome. A star shall come of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel. Jesus Christ is the light of the world, the light no darkness can overcome. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land o deep darkness -- on them the light has shined. Jesus Christ is the light of the world, the light no darkness can overcome. This will be a sign unto you, you will find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God's people on earth.
Closing Hymn – Silent Night (When lights are dimmed. Please turn on cellphone flashlights as we sing this hymn.) 1 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.
2 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!
3 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. Text: Joseph Mohr, 1792-1849; tr. John F. Young, 1820-1885
The Dismissal Go into the world with hope . . . To make God’s vision our mission!
Postlude “Gloria” Arr. Albrecht Presiding: Pastor Steven Edmiston Organist: Becky Mann
Christmas blessings to you and your family.