The Nativity of our Lord Trinity Lutheran Church Greencastle, PA December 24, 2014 7:30 pm
Duet -- O Holy Night Peggy Louder and Phyllis McCullough Welcome and Announcements All stand
P. Blessed are you, O Christ, Son of God, you were before time began and came into the world to save us. C. Blessed are you, Sun of Righteousness, you shine with the Father s love and illumine the whole universe. P. Blessed are you, Son of Mary; born a child, you shared our humanity. C. Let heaven and earth ring out their praise. P. O Mystery of the Word made flesh, with all the voices of heaven, we celebrate your coming as our Savior. C. Let men and women and angels sing of your glory. P. O Splendor the Father s Light, with all the creatures on earth we sing and dance at your birth. C. Praise and honor and glory to you, O Incarnate Word. P. Today the Christ is born. Today has a Savior appeared. Today on earth angels are singing, archangels rejoicing. Now we join the angels in their song
P. Let us pray. Almighty God, you have 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 only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C. Amen (Congregation may be seated after the prayer) First Lesson: Isaiah 9:2-7 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. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. 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 for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. The word of the Lord C. Thanks be to God
Anthem - Love Has Come Second Lesson: Titus 3:4-7 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The word of the Lord C. Thanks be to God Congregation stands for the hymn P. The Holy Gospel according the St. Luke, the second chapter. C. Glory to you, O Lord.
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirin'i-us was governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and 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 among those with whom he is pleased!" When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child; and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. The Gospel of the Lord C. Praise to you, O Christ.. Anthem Away in a Manger Flute accompaniment by Christal Kepner Sermon Pastor Bill DeHass
Prayers of the Church Each petition in the prayers will end with, God of grace and peace. The congregation will respond, Hear our prayer.. P. The peace of the Lord be with you always. C. And also with you. All greet one another in the name of the Lord, saying Peace be with you. Afterwards, the people are seated. Offering Reception of the Offering and Communion Elements
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 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. GreatThanksgiving: 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 him thanks and praise.. It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ. In the wonder and mystery of the Word made flesh you have opened the eyes of faith to a new and radiant vision of your glory, that, beholding the God made visible, we may be drawn to love the God whom we cannot see. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Holy One, the beginning and the end, the giver of life: Blessed are you for the birth of creation. Blessed are you in the darkness and in the light. Blessed are you for your promise to your people. Blessed are you in the prophets' hopes and dreams. Blessed are you for Mary's openness to your will. Blessed are you for your Son Jesus, the Word made flesh. In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. Let us proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. With this bread and cup we remember your Word dwelling among us, full of grace and truth. We remember our new birth in his death and resurrection. We look with hope for his coming. Come, Lord Jesus. Holy God, we long for your Spirit. Come among us. Bless this meal. May your Word take flesh in us. Awaken your people. Fill us with your light. Bring the gift of peace on earth. Come, Holy Spirit. All praise and glory are yours, Holy One of Israel, Word of God incarnate, Power of the Most High, one God, now and forever. Amen Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray: 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. AmenAt the Breaking of Bread:
P. The mystery hidden for the ages is revealed for us in this meal. Come, behold and receive your God. Sit Distribution of Holy Communion -- Our Lord invites to this table all baptized Christians. Young children should follow the practice of their home congregation. Regular wine and grape juice is offered in communion. The wine will be poured from the first cup and white grape juice from the second cup. As you come forward please take an empty glass from the tray, receive bread from the Pastor and wine or juice from one of the communion assistants with the chalices. Place your empty cup in the tray held by the acolyte. Gluten free wafers are available for those who have wheat allergies. During Communion you are welcome to sing the following Christmas Carols together
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The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and keep you in his grace. Amen
Let us pray Great and saving God, you have gathered your scattered people around gifts of grain and wine, the body and blood of our Savior Christ. As we, like the shepherds, return on our way, may we proclaim all we have heard and seen, praising you in word and loving deed for the gift of Jesus, our Savior and Lord. Amen. Distribution of the Light: As the ushers pass the light to members of the congregation, pass it to the person next to you. DO NOT TIP a lighted candle. While the light is being passed, the Lesson of Light is read Lesson of Light: St. John 1:1-14. 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 not one thing came 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. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth.
The blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen. All extinguish their candles.