Christmas Eve Bulletin
December 24, 2023
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We are so glad you have chosen to celebrate the hope, peace, joy, and love of Christmas at St. Luke’s! May the light found in the manger guide your life and fill your year with joy.
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Prelude
Welcome
Leader: Welcome to this festive night of joy, peace, and love, come to us! Today Christ is born.
All: Alleluia, Amen!
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Medley of Carols
"Hark the Herald Angels Sing" - #270
1. Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn king;
peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.”
Joyful, all you nations, rise; join the triumph of the skies;
with angelic hosts proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Refrain
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn king!”
3. Hail the heav’n-born Prince of peace! Hail the Sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings, ris’n with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die,
born to raise each child of earth, born to give us second birth. Refrain
“Angels We Have Heard On High” - #289
1. Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains,
and the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strains.
Refrain
Gloria in excelsis Deo; Gloria in excelsis Deo.
3. Come to Bethlehem and see him whose birth the angels sing;
come, adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn king. Refrain
“What Child is This” - #296
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!
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!
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From Isaiah 9​
Leader: Behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples.
All: But the Lord will arise upon you and his glory will be seen upon you.
Leader: Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
All: Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you!
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Leader: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of darkness, on them light has shined!
All: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.
Leader: Wonderful Counselor!
All: Mighty God!
Leader: Everlasting Father!
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All: Prince of Peace!
Leader: 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 your glory. And all God’s children said loudly.
All: Amen!
Anthem
Christmas Gospel: Luke 2:1-20​
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place
for them in the inn.
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth 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 heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 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...Thanks be to God.
Meditation
Pastor Naomi Garber
Pastor Julie Krahn
Hymn
“O Come All Ye Faithful” - #283
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
O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,
O 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: Refrain
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
Sacrament of Holy Communion (7:00, 8:00)
Words of Institution
The Lord’s Prayer
Communion Song
“On Christmas Night” - #274
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 we on earth be sad, since our redeemer made us glad?
Then why should we on earth be 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 face, then life and health come in its place.
When sin departs before his face, then life and health come in its place.
Angels rejoice with us and sing, all for to see the newborn king.
4. 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 in highest heav’n; peace on earth, and goodwill. Amen.”
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Communion Blessing
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CANDLE LIGHTING
Please tip your candle to receive flame from usher or neighbor.
Children may also ‘light’ their glowsticks at this time.
Pastor: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of darkness, on them light has shined!
All: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given
Pastor: Wonderful Counselor!
All: Mighty God!
Pastor: Everlasting Father!
All: Prince of Peace!
Pastor: This child has come to bring peace that we might truly know joy.
All: This child, love’s pure light - born to change the world forever.
Pastor: Glories stream from heaven afar; heavenly hosts sing alleluia!
All: Christ, the Savior is born!
Hymn
“Silent Night” - #281
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.
Benediction
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Christmas Blessing
(Please extinguish your candles)
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Closing Hymn
“Joy to the World” - #267
1. Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her king;
let ev’ry heart prepare him room
and heav’n and nature sing,
and heav’n and nature sing,
and heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.
2. Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let all their songs employ,
while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
3. He rules the world with truth and grace
and makes the nations prove
the glories of his righteousness
and wonders of his love,
and wonders of his love,
and wonders, wonders of his love.
Go in peace! Serve the Lord...Thanks be to God!
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Merry Christmas!
Postlude
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9:00pm Christmas Eve
Prelude
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Welcome
Song
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” - #270 vs 1, 2
Leader: We come together tonight to remember the light that shines in the darkness. We are reminded that this light comes to us as a baby, born in a manger.
Lighting of the Advent wreath
Leader: Lord, be with us in times of despair
Cong: Give us Hope.
Leader: Be with us in times of chaos
Cong: Bring us Peace.
Leader: Be with us in times of sorrow
Cong: Surround us with Joy.
Leader: You are the God of unlimited chances
Cong: Help us to Love.
Leader: Lord, this night make yourself known to us. You are the light, the light that loves, the light that saves.
All: Amen!
Song
“We Have a Savior”
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True Celebration by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Leader: For the good of all humankind, Jesus Christ became human in a Bethlehem stable. Rejoice, children of God. All who at the manger finally lay down all power and honor, all prestige, all vanity, all arrogance and self-will; all who take their place among the lowly and let God alone be high; all who see the glory of God in the lowliness of the child in the manger; there are the ones who will truly celebrate Christmas.
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Light
Lesson: Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
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. 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.
Meditation
Song
“O Little Town of Bethlehem” - #279 vs 1, 2
Hope
Lesson: Luke 2:1-5
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.
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Meditation
Song
“On Christmas Night” - #274
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Peace
Lesson: Luke 2:6-7
While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Meditation
Song
“Glory, Let There Be Peace”
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Joy
Lesson: Luke 2:8-14
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth 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 heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
Meditation
Song
“Angels We Have Heard On High” - Hymnal #289 vs 1, 2
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Love
Lesson: Luke 2:15-20
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Meditation
Song
“Love Has Come” - #292
Words of Institution
The Lord’s Prayer
Communion Anthem
Jeff Rohlwing
Communion Blessing
Candle Lighting
(Please tip your candle to receive flame from leader or neighbor.)
Leader: Christ our Light, you give us Hope. You bring us Peace. You surround us with Joy. You help us to Love.
Leader: Almighty God,
Cong: Wonderful Counselor,
Leader: Everlasting Father,
Cong: Prince of Peace,
Leader: You are the light that shatters the darkness.
Song
“Silent Night” - #281
Christmas Blessing
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(You may extinguish your candle)
Song
“Joy to the World” - #267
Leader: Go in the Light, Love, Hope, Peace and Joy of Jesus.
All: Thanks be to God!
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