Author: sarah

Christmas Eve Lessons and Carols December 24, 2020
On Christmas Night All Christians Sing LSB 377
1 On Christmas night all Christians sing To hear the news the angels bring, On Christmas night all Christians sing To hear the news the angels bring, News of great joy, news of great mirth, News of our merciful King’s birth.
2 Then why should men on earth be so sad, Since our Redeemer made us glad, Then why should men on earth be so sad, Since our Redeemer made us glad, When from our sin He set us free, All for to gain our liberty?
3 When sin departs before His grace, Then life and health come in its place, When sin departs before His grace, Then life and health come in its place; Angels and men with joy may sing, All for to see the newborn King.
All out of darkness we have light, Which made the angels sing this night, All out of darkness we have light, Which made the angels sing this night:

“Glory to God and peace to men Now and forevermore. Amen.”
P: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, T and of the Holy Spirit
C: Amen
A bidding prayer:
Beloved in Christ, at this Christmas Eve our care and delight is to prepare ourselves to hear again the message of the angels: in heart and mind to go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass, and with the shepherds and the angels adore the Child lying in his Mother’s arms.
Let us read, mark and inwardly digest in Holy Scripture’s tale of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience unto the glorious Redemption brought us by this Holy Child.
But first let us pray for the needs of the whole world; for peace and goodwill among all His people; for unity and brotherhood within the Holy Christian Church which He came to build, and especially the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.
And let us at this time remember in His name the poor and the helpless, the cold, the hungry and the oppressed; the sick
in body and in mind and those that mourn; the lonely and the unloved; the aged and the little children; and all who do
not know the loving kindness of the Lord.
Let us also remember before God all those who rejoice with us, but upon another shore and in a greater light, that multitude which none can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh: and let us pray that we may be counted among that communion of saints, receiving grace to offer unto God reasonable service, living in unity and fellowship with all his people and giving reverence to all that he has made.
These prayers and praises we humbly offer up to the throne of heaven, in the words which Christ himself has taught us: 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.
And let us confess the faith which comforts our souls
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and

was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life T everlasting. Amen.
First Lesson: Genesis 3:1‑15 The seed of woman shall bruise the serpent's head.
P: This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
O Come, All Ye Faithful LSB 379
1 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: Refrain
ref O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!
2 Highest, most holy, Light of Light eternal, Born of a virgin, a mortal He comes; Son of the Father Now in flesh appearing! Refrain
3 Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God In the highest: Refrain
4 Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, Born this happy morning; Jesus, to Thee be glory giv’n! Word of the Father Now in flesh appearing! Refrain
Second Lesson: Genesis 22:15‑18 God’s promises to Abraham.
P: This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming LSB 359
1 Lo, how a rose e’er blooming
From tender stem hath sprung! Of Jesse’s lineage coming As prophets long have sung,
It came, a flow’ret bright, Amid the cold of winter, When half-spent was the night.
2 Isaiah ’twas foretold it, The rose I have in mind; With Mary we behold it, The virgin mother kind. To show God’s love aright, She bore to us a Savior, When half-spent was the night.
3 This flow’r, whose fragrance tender With sweetness fills the air, Dispels with glorious splendor The darkness ev’rywhere. True man, yet very God, From sin and death He saves us And lightens ev’ry load.
4 O Savior, child of Mary, Who felt our human woe; O Savior, King of glory, Who dost our weakness know: Bring us at length we pray To the bright courts of heaven, And to the endless day.
Third Lesson: Isaiah 9:2,6,7 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
P: This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The People That in Darkness Sat LSB 412
1 The people that in darkness sat A glorious light have seen; The light has shined on them who long In shades of death have been, In shades of death have been.
2 To hail Thee, Sun of Righteousness, The gath’ring nations come; They joy as when the reapers bear Their harvest treasures home, Their harvest treasures home.
3 To us a Child of hope is born, To us a Son is giv’n,And on His shoulder ever rests All pow’r in earth and heav’n, All pow’r in earth and heav’n.
His name shall be the Prince of Peace, The Everlasting Lord, The Wonderful, the Counselor, The God by all adored, The God by all adored.
5 His righteous government and pow’r Shall over all extend; On judgment and on justice based, His reign shall have no end, His reign shall have no end.
∆6 Lord Jesus, reign in us, we pray, And make us Thine alone, Who with the Father ever art And Holy Spirit, one, And Holy Spirit, one.
Fourth Lesson: Micah 5:2‑4 Out of you will come for me the One to be Ruler
P: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Hymn: O Little Town of Bethlehem LSB 361
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!
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; O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Immanuel!
Fifth Lesson: Luke 1:26‑35, 38 The angel Gabriel visits Mary.
This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Hymn: The Angel Gabriel From Heaven Came LSB 356
1 The angel Gabriel from heaven came, With wings as drifted snow, with eyes as flame: “All hail to thee, O lowly maiden Mary, Most highly favored lady.” Gloria!
2 “For know a blessèd mother thou shalt be, All generations laud and honor thee; Thy son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold, Most highly favored lady.” Gloria!
3 Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head; “To me be as it pleaseth God,” she said. “My soul shall laud and magnify God’s holy name.” Most highly favored lady, Gloria!
Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born In Bethlehem all on a Christmas morn,
And Christian folk throughout the world will ever
say: “Most highly favored lady.” Gloria!
Sixth Lesson: Luke 2:1-7 The birth of Jesus.
P: This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Hymn: Now Sing We, Now Rejoice LSB 386
1 Now sing we, now rejoice,
Now raise to heav’n our voice; He from whom joy streameth Poor in a manger lies; Not so brightly beameth The sun in yonder skies. Thou my Savior art! Thou my Savior art!
2 Come from on high to me; I cannot rise to Thee. Cheer my wearied spirit, O pure and holy Child; Through Thy grace and merit,
Blest Jesus, Lord most mild, Draw me unto Thee! Draw me unto Thee!
Now through His Son doth shine The Father’s grace divine. Death was reigning o’er us Through sin and vanity Till He opened for us
A bright eternity. May we praise Him there! May we praise Him there!
4 Oh, where shall joy be found? Where but on heav’nly ground? Where the angels singing With all His saints unite, Sweetest praises bringing In heav’nly joy and light. Oh, that we were there! Oh, that we were there!
Seventh Lesson: Luke 2:8‑16 The angel announces the birth of Christ to the shepherds.
P: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Hymn: Angels From the Realms of Glory LSB 367
1 Angels from the realms of glory, Wing your flight o’er all the earth; Ye who sang creation’s story, Now proclaim Messiah’s birth. Refrain
ref Come and worship, come and worship; Worship Christ, the newborn King.
2 Shepherds in the field abiding, Watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing, Yonder shines the Infant Light. Refrain
3 Sages, leave your contemplations, Brighter visions beam afar; Seek the great Desire of nations, Ye have seen His natal star. Refrain
4 Saints before the altar bending, Watching long in hope and fear, Suddenly the Lord, descending, In His temple shall appear. Refrain
∆5 All creation, join in praising God the Father, Spirit, Son, Evermore your voices raising To the_eternal Three in One. Refrain
Eighth Lesson: Philippians 2:5-8 Good News for All Nations
P: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Hymn: What Child is This LSB 370
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!
Ninth Lesson: John 1:1‑14 The mystery of the Incarnation.
P: This is the Word of the Lord!
Thanks be to God.
Hymn: A Great and Mighty Wonder LSB 383
1 A great and mighty wonder, A full and holy cure: The virgin bears the infant With virgin honor pure!
ref Proclaim the Savior’s birth: “To God on high be glory And peace to all the earth!”
2 The Word becomes incarnate And yet remains on high, And cherubim sing anthems To shepherds from the sky. Refrain
3 While thus they sing your Monarch, Those bright angelic bands, Rejoice, O vales and mountains, And oceans, clap your hands. Refrain.
4 Since all He comes to ransom, By all be He adored, The infant born in Bethl’em, The Savior and the Lord. Refrain.
All idols then shall perish And Satan’s lying cease,
And Christ shall raise His scepter, Decreeing endless peace. Refrain.
Sermon
Offering
P: O God, You make this most holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light. Grant that as we have known the mysteries of that Light on earth we may also come to the fullness of His joys in heaven; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray that You would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me.
Amen.
CANDLE LIGHTING
P: Jesus Christ is the Light of the world.
C: His light scatters the darkness.
Come, Lord Jesus, illumine our hearts
C: That we may carry Your light to a fallen world.
P: The Light of Christ for the lost and the wayward.
The Light of Christ for the poor, the hungry and the
homeless.
The Light of Christ for the lonely and the grieving.
The Light of Christ for victims of injustice, war, and
crime.
Come, Lord Jesus, illumine our hearts
C: that we may carry Your light to a fallen world.
Benediction
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His
face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and T give you peace.
Amen, amen, amen
Hymn: 363 – Silent Night! Holy Night
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 Thy holy face With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.
Organist -- Ben Grosskreuz
Pastors -- Rev. Christopher Raffa
Rev. Joseph Fisher
Have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas!