Service Live Stream

The Birth That Changed the World

A grade school class was putting on a Christmas play which included the story of Mary and Joseph coming to the inn in Bethlehem. In that class was one little boy who wanted very much to be Joseph. But when the parts were handed out, his biggest classroom competitor was given that part, and he was assigned the role of the inn keeper instead. He was more than a little bitter about it.

So during all the rehearsals he kept plotting in his mind what he might do the night of performance to get

even with his rival who got to play the role of Joseph that he deserved. The night of the performance arrived. Mary and Joseph came walking across the stage. They knocked on the door of the inn. The inn-keeper opened the door and asked them gruffly what they wanted.

Joseph answered, “We’d like to have a room for the night.” Suddenly the inn-keeper, grinning, threw the door open wide and said, “Great, come on in and I’ll give you the best room in the house.”

For a few seconds poor little Joseph didn’t know what to do, and a long silence ensued. Finally though,

thinking quickly on his feet, Joseph looked in past the inn-keeper, first to the left and then to the right and said, “No wife of mine is going to stay in a dump like this. Come on, Mary, let’s go to the barn. It’s got to be better than this place.” And once again the Christmas story was back on its correct course.

When we set up our nativity sets for the Christmas season, one of the figures that is often not given much attention is Joseph. He’s not featured in many Christmas hymns and carols. Not a single word he spoke is ever recorded in Scripture. In our nativity scenes, Joseph just stands back in the shadows, watching over Mary, adoring Jesus. But, at least in my estimation, Joseph – in many ways – is the unsung hero of the Christmas story. Just as surely as God chose Mary to be the mother of the Messiah, He also chose Joseph to be a stepfather, or father-figure on earth, for Jesus! And what great faith Joseph had! Though convinced in his well-reasoning mind that his now-pregnant fiancee Mary must have been “unfaithful” to him, instead of ending his engagement-marriage to Mary, Joseph immediately accepted the word of the angel Gabriel. He changed his mind completely, now believing that Mary’s baby was a miracle, the Promised Messiah, and so his Savior. In obedience to the Word of the Lord, Joseph took Mary to be his wife. His faith was nothing short of amazing!

Of course, so was the faith of Mary. Her second cousin, Zechariah, had doubted Gabriel’s words about him and Elizabeth having a miracle-baby (John the Baptist) in view of their advanced age and infertility. When Gabriel came to Mary informing her that God would bless her with the privilege of being the Messiah’s mother, she was shocked, and inquired how a virgin could become pregnant, but she never doubted the angel’s word. She believed what God told her.

So did the Old Testament believers who faithfully embraced over 300 Messianic prophecies spread across the centuries. In many ways their faith in God’s promises about the coming Savior might just be the most amazing faith in the Christmas story. It would be years and years and years before the Messiah was born. And the information they were given about Him came only in bits, pieces, drips and drivels. The Good News – though true – was so limited and so little. Nevertheless, beginning with Adam and Eve in Eden, down through believers like Abraham, Jacob, David and Isaiah, God’s Old Testament people trusted in His every word and promise, confident they were heaven’s heirs through the redeeming work of a not well-known Promised Messiah for Whom they were waiting. Was their faith amazing? You know it was!

The other important characters in the Christmas story are those very familiar shepherds. They, too, grace our nativity scenes, along with their sheep. On that first Christmas they were simply out in the fields of Bethlehem doing their job….a dirty, cold job….one disrespected by most people. Shepherds were considered among the “dregs” of society – people whose words were so untrusted that they generally weren’t allowed to testify in court. And yet it was to these humble, ordinary men – not to that day’s social, religious and political elites – that heaven’s angels first announced the birth of the Savior. They were the first worshipers of Christ…..the first of countless generations of believers right down to you and me this evening.

Undoubtedly that encounter changed their lives. We’re told that, once they had seen and worshiped the ChristChild, they spread far and wide the good news that to them, and to all (us, included) the Promised Savior had finally come. I imagine that you and are going to meet those shepherds in heaven one day, as the encounter with the angels, Mary, Joseph and especially the baby Jesus had to have changed their lives….and their faith for the better.

This evening in our sermon, based on the Luke account, we’re going to talk about how the extraordinary birth of Christ….GOD entering the world in human form in order to unilaterally save our sin-contaminated human race from eternal condemnation in hell, so that through faith in Jesus we can live eternally in heaven…..has forever changed human history and this world in which we live.

Not only has time been divided in half, into BC (before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini….Latin for “in the year of our Lord), but all human history and been undeniably altered for the better by Christ’s birth, and His subsequent holy life lived for us, as well as His death on the cross for all humanity’s sins and His bodily resurrection as the confirmation of our salvation three days later. Instead of a damnable future in hell, those – like us – who by God’s grace believe in Christ as our Savior, and in all that He accomplished for us, have the assurance that our sins are all forgiven, that God regards us as sinless again (as Adam and Eve once were) for Jesus sake, and that everlasting life in heaven is guaranteed to us – and all – who believe in Jesus.

As We Prepare to Worship Tonight

* Parents with small children…..please make use of our nursery if your child

should become restless or loud during the service.

That way you and those around you can worship more comfortably and attentively.

* If any personal need should arise for you, either our Elders on duty, or our Head Usher (who can be found in the rear of the chapel) will be pleased to meet your needs as they are able. Just ask.

* Please turn off the ringer off your cell phone. Also please refrain from “texting” and “searching the internet” during the worship service, as this distracts both you and your fellow worshipers.

* Before 9:15 p.m. You are welcome (and encouraged) to visit quietly with those around you in the chapel,

* After 9:15 p.m. Out of respect for others who wish to quietly prepare themselves for worship, please spend the time leading up to worship in meditation – by offering the pre-service prayer, listening to the pre- service music, and preparing yourself for worship; and finally

* To our Guests Tonight – 1) Before you leave us, please sign our Guest Book in the entryway; 2) Thank you very much for being here tonight, and please come back soon to worship again with us – perhaps as soon as tomorrow morning’s Christmas Day worship service at 9:30 a.m.

Serving Us This Evening

Elders: John Johnson, Tom Otto Organist: Debbie Huebner

Usher: Terry Bruns, Tim Huebner Video: Dale Johannes

Fellowship: Mary Karloski Custodian Lesa Roe

Altar Guild: Katie Boatright, Marilyn Outlaw

Secretary: Marilyn Outlaw Pastor: Charles Huebner

Pre-Service Prayer -Heavenly Father, please guide me in wisdom and truth through Your Holy Spirit, as I spend this time meditating on Your Word and rejoicing in Your limitless love for me. Assist me in being attentive in heart and mind to Your Word, as well as to the hymns of praise, the various petitions, and the prayers of thanksgiving my voice directs toward You. Use this worship service, O Lord, to deepen my love for You, to strengthen my trust in You, and to renew my commitment to You. All this I ask for the sake of and in the name of Your One and only Son, Jesus Christ, my Savior. Amen.

Pre-Service Hymn Singing, beginning at 6:50 p.m.

Behold a Branch is growing Of lovliest form and grace,

As prophets sang, foreknowing; It springs from Jesse’s race

And bears one little flow’r

In midst of coldest winter, at deepest midnight hour.

O Savior, Child of Mary, Who felt our human woes,

O Savior, King of glory, Who conquered all our foes,

Bring us, at last, we pray

To the bright courts of heaven And to the endless day.

+ + + + +

The first Noel the angel did say

Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;

In fields where they Lay, keeping their sheep,

On a cold winter’s night that was so deep

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel.

They looked up and saw a star

Shining in the east beyond them far;

And to the earth It gave great light

And so it continued both day and night.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel

+ + + + + + + +

God rest you merry gentlemen, Let nothing you dismay,

For Jesus Christ our Savior Was born on Christmas Day,

To save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray

O tidings of comfort and you, comfort and joy,

O tidings of comfort and joy.

+ + + + + + + + + +

Refrain Go tell it on the mountain

over the hills and everywhere

Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born

While shepherds kept their watching o’er silent flocks by night;

Be hold throughout the heavens there shone a Holy Light. Refrain

Down in a lowly manger our humble Christ was born

and God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn. Refrain

+ + + + + + + + + +

Let us all with gladsome voice Praise the God of heaven,

Who, to bid our hearts rejoice, His own Son has given.

We are rich, for He was poor, Is not this a wonder?

Therefore praise God evermore. Here on earth, and yonder.

Used with permission. Music and lyrics, as needed, are used with permission via OneLicense.net #A712831

We Praise Our God

The Greeting and Invitation to Worship – Pastor

The Invocation

We begin this evening’s worship service…..

In the name of the Father, by Whose word the world was created,

and by Whose power all things are sustained.

And

of the Son, by Whose sinless life, innocent suffering and sacrificial death we have been redeemed,

and by Whose resurrection we are assured of everlasting life in heaven.

And

of the Holy Spirit, Who – through the Means of Grace has both brought us to faith and keeps us in this one, true, Christian faith.

Amen.

The Opening Hymn “O Come All Ye Faithful”

choir, verses 1-2; congregation and choir, verse 4

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;
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,
O sing all ye bright hosts of heav’n above!
Glory to God, All glory in the highest;
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord.

Yea, Lord we greet Thee, Born this happy morning,
Jesus, to Thee be all glory given;
Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing;

O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord.

After which the Congregation will rise for

The Psalm for Christmas Eve selected verses of Psalm 89

P: I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD forever;

C: With my mouth I will make known Your faithfulness to all generations.

P: For I said: “Steadfast love will be built up forever,

C: In the heavens you will establish Your faithfulness.

P: You said, “I have made a covenant with My Chosen One, I have sworn to David, My servant:

C: ‘I will establish Your Offspring forever and build Your throne for all generations.'”

P: Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before You.

C: Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O LORD, in the light of Your face.

P: They exult in Your name all the day, and in Your righteousness are exalted.

C: For You are the glory of their strength. By Your favor, our horn is exalted.

after which the Congregation may be seated for

The Second Hymn Hymn 50 “Once in Royal David’s City”

1 Once in royal David’s city Stood a lowly cattle shed,

Where a mother laid her baby In a manger for his bed;

Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child.

2 He came down to earth from heaven Who is God and Lord of all,

And his shelter was a stable, And his cradle was a stall;

With the poor and mean and lowly Lived on earth our Savior holy.

3 But our eyes at last shall see him Through his own redeeming love,

For that child, so dear and gentle, Is our Lord in heav’n above,

And he leads his children on To the place where he is gone.

4 Not in that poor, lowly stable With the oxen standing by

Shall we see him, but in heaven, Set at God’s right hand on high.

Then like stars his children crowned, All in white, his praise will sound.

Following this the Congregation will rise as

We Confess our Sins Before Our Lord

Pastor: God, our Heavenly Father, invites us to come into His presence and to worship Him with humble and penitent hearts. Therefore, let us now turn to Him, acknowledging our sinfulness and seeking His forgiveness for all our sins.

Congregation Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and that I have disobeyed You in my thoughts, words, and actions; I have done what is evil in Your sight and have failed to do what is good. For this I know that I deserve Your punishment, both now and for eternity. But I am truly sorry for all my sins and trusting in the perfect life and innocent death of my Savior, Jesus Christ, I plead: God have mercy on me, a sinner.

Pastor Our gracious Lord and Master has shown us His mercy: He has given His one and only Son to save us from all our sins. And now, carrying out my office as a called servant of Christ, and according to His command and authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. May the peace of God rest upon all of you. Amen.

The Christmas Eve Prayer

We thank You, almighty God, for the gift of Your Son, Who humbled Himself to become our Brother. Grant that the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ may free us from slavery to sin and bring us into the glorious liberty of serving Him in His kingdom. We ask this for the sake of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, Who lives and rules with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

after which the Congregation may be seated for

Tonight’s Choral Selection This Child, Emmanuel

setting by Jeremy Walton, Hope Publishing

O, come, Oh, come, Emmanuel,

And ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O, come, Thou Day-spring come and cheer

Our spirit by Thine advent here;

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night

And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Come, Joy of our longing hearts,

Your peace and hope and love impart.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Desire of nations, bind

All peoples in one heart and mind.

Bid envy, strife and quarrels cease,

And fill the world with heaven’s peace.

Come, Joy of our longing hearts,

Your peace and hope and love impart.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel. Rejoice, Emmanuel! Rejoice!

Christ’s Coming Was Promised by God –

Predicted in Many Places in the Old Testament

Pastor: Long before the Savior came, holy writers had foretold, or prophesied, His coming to earth to dwell among us and to deliver us from the curse of our sin. At this point in our service, we will listen again to just a few of the more than 300 Old Testament prophesies which God used to progressively focus His peoples’ heads and hearts on the Coming Messiah. Among those prophesies is this one: the first Gospel promise. It is found in Genesis 3:15. The Lord announced it to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, shortly after they had fallen into sin:

Congregation “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”

Pastor: While blessing each of his 12 sons in the final days of his life, the patriarch Jacob prophesied that the Savior from sin and the King of heaven and earth would come through the tribe of Judah. We hear, from Genesis 49:10:

Congregation “The Scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until He comes to Whom it belongs, and the obedience of the nations is His.” (NIV, 1984)

Pastor Narrowing the focus further, in chapter 23:5 Jeremiah foretold that the Messiah would come from a special family within the tribe of Judah. He would beborn from King David’s family: “The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch. This is the name by which He will be called: The Lord our Righteousness.” 700 years before Jesus’ birth Isaiah prophesied, in Isaiah 7:14, that the Savior would be born to a virgin. He wrote:

Pastor “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”

Pastor Here’s another of the precious Old Testament prophesies about the Coming Savior. In these inspired words Isaiah makes it clear that the Messiah will be the God-Man, both fully human and fully God. We listen now to Isaiah 9:6:

Congregation “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Pastor Under the Holy Spirit’s guidance, the prophet Micah – a contemporary of Isaiah’s – even designated the city in which the Savior was to be born. He writes, in Micah 5:2:

Congregation “But you, O Bethlehem, Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me One Who is to be Ruler in Israel, Whose coming forth is from of old….from eternity.”

Our Third Hymn “O Little Town of Bethlehem”

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!

The Angel Gabriel Announces

The Coming Savior’s Birth to Mary

The First Gospel Lesson Luke 1:26-56

26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women.”

29 But she was greatly troubled by the statement and was wondering what kind of greeting this could be. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, because you have found favor with God. 31 Listen, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end.”

34 Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Listen, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age even though she was called barren, and this is her sixth month. 37 For nothing will be impossible for God.”

38 Then Mary said, “See, I am the Lord’s servant. May it happen to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

39 In those days Mary got up and hurried to the hill country, to a town of Judah. 40 She entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 Just as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 She called out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 But why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 In fact, just now, as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy! 45 Blessed is she who believed, because the promises spoken to her from the Lord will be fulfilled!”

46 Then Mary said, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

47 and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, 48 because he has looked with favor on the humble state of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is His name. 50 His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones. He has lifted up the lowly. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things, but the rich he has sent away empty. 54 He has come to the aid of his servant Israel, remembering his mercy, 55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his offspring forever.”

56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home.

The Angel Gabriel Announces

The Coming Savior’s Birth to Joseph

The Second Gospel Reading Matthew 1:18-25

18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ took place. His mother, Mary, was pledged in marriage to Joseph. Before they came together, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, her husband, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her. So he decided to divorce her privately. 20 But as he was considering these things, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All this happened to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “Look, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son. And they will name him Immanuel,”which means, “God with us.”

24 When Joseph woke up from his sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him. He took Mary home as his wife, 25 but he was not intimate with her until she gave birth to her firstborn son. And he named him Jesus.

The Savior of the World Is Born

The Christmas Gospel Luke 2:1-7

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 And everyone went to register, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the town of Nazareth, into Judea, to the town of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was from the house and family line of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, his wife, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child.

6 And so it was that while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Musical Selection “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.

The cattle are lowing the Baby awakes,

But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes.

I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from on high,

And stay by my cradle ‘til 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 take us to heaven to live with You there.

The Children’s Devotion II Corinthians 9:15

Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!

The One Gift That’s Perfect For Everyone

The Confession of our Faith in Christ, our Savior

I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; + who was conceived by the Holy Ghost; + born of the Virgin Mary; + suffered under Pontius Pilate; + was crucified, dead, and buried; + He descended into hell; + the third day He rose again from the dead; + He ascended into heaven; + and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father almighty; + From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

What does this mean?

I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, + begotten of the Father from eternity, + and also true man, + born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord. + He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, + purchased and won me from all sins, + from death, + and from the power of the devil, + not with gold or silver, + but with His holy, precious blood, + and with His innocent suffering and death. + All this He did that I should be His own, + and live under Him in His kingdom, + serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, + just as He has risen from death + and lives and rules eternally. + This is most certainly true. + Amen.

The Sermon Hymn “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear”

It came upon a midnight clear That glorious sound of old,

From angels bending near the earth To touch their harps of gold;

“Peace on the earth, goodwill to men,

From heaven’s all-gracious king.”

The world in solemn stillness lay To hear the angels sing.

All you beneath your heavy load, By care and guilt bent low,

Who toil along a dreary way With painful steps and slow;

Look up, for golden is the hour, Come swiftly on the wing,

THE prince was born to bring you peace; Of Him the angels sing.

For lo, the days have come to pass By prophets seen of old,

When down into the circling years Came Christ as was foretold.

His words of peace shall fill the earth

God’s ancient promise bring,

All who receive this gift through faith Still hear the angels sing.

The Christmas Gospel, part 2 Luke 2:8-20

8 There were in the same country shepherds staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified! 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. For behold, I bring you good news of great joy, which will be for all people: 11 Today in the town of David, a Savior was born for you. He is Christ[b] the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude from the heavenly army, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward mankind.”

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Now let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they told others the message they had been told about this child. 18 And all who heard it were amazed by what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

The Birth that Changed The World

The Post-Sermon Blessing

To Him Who loves us, and has freed us from our sins by His blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father – to Him be glory and power, for ever and ever. Amen.!

Tonight’s Special Vocal Selection “O Holy Night”

sung by Danielle Ashley and Kay Giardino

O Holy Night!

The stars are brightly shining,

It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth;

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

‘Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn;

Fall on your knees,

Oh, hear the angels voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born!

O night, O holy night,

O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,

With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand;

So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,

Here came the wise men from Orient land.

The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,

In all our trials born to be our Friend;

He knows our need,

To our weakness is no stranger.

Behold your King, before Him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another;

His law is love and His gospel is peace;

Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother,

And in His name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us praise His holy name;

Christ is the Lord,

Oh, praise His name forever!

His powr and glory evermore proclaim!

We Offer Our Gifts to the Lord

Our Offerings of Love to our Lord

We will be passing an offering plate through our chapel at this point. For those unable to worship with us in person, if you would like to participate in this offering, we offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:

1) You can send a check (no cash) in the mail to Grace Lutheran Church (415 N. 6^th Place, Lowell, AR 72745)

2) Or, go online to our website (www.gracelutherannwa.com) and use the giving option there.

The Offering

The Offering Interlude

As the offerings are brought forward, the Congregation rises for prayer

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Prayer of the Church on Christmas Eve

P: Eternal Father, we give You thanks and praise on this holy day for sending Your one and only Son to share our humanity, to carry our guilt, and to become for us the perfect Lamb Who takes away the sin of the world.

C: We adore You, O Lord.

P: Keep our faith in Your Son alive and strong. Nourish us with Your Word and Sacrament and, by Your Holy Spirit, give us strength to overcome Satan’s power and pride. Help us to withstand the temptations the world and our sinful nature put in our path.

C: Give us courage, O Lord.

P: Remember ministers of the gospel throughout the world who on this day are proclaiming that a Savior has been born. We especially commend to Your care the missionaries we, as members of the Wisconsin Synod, have called. Since they cannot enjoy the fellowship of their extended families this Christmas, we pray that You would give them the inner joy that comes with service in Your kingdom.

C: Protect all those who preach the gospel in our place, O Lord.

P: We pray for our community, O Lord, and for all who live and work and find delight here. Keep the economy of our nation strong so that we may enjoy plenty from which to bring You our first and best offerings.

C: Govern and prosper Your people, O Lord.

P: As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who are less fortunate than we are. Give us hearts that truly care for people who need our help. If it is Your will, bring Your powerful healing to those who are sick or diseased in body or mind. We pray especially for brothers and sisters who are setting aside their celebration today to care for the sick, feed the bedridden, and stand at the side of the dying.

C: Sustain those who endure the troubles of life, O Lord.

P: Be a source of strength to the members of this congregation. Comfort all who have lost a loved one during the past year, support those who are troubled, and be with those who are spending Christmas alone. If any are among us today who have lost the true meaning of this festival, let them rediscover the joy that comes from Christ alone.

C: Let Your peace reign in the hearts of all, O Lord.

Special prayers and intercessions

P: Hear us, Lord, as we bring You our private petitions and praises.

Silent prayer

P: As You sent Your Son to bring peace to all people on earth, so we pray for all people, those known and those unknown to us. Hear us as we join in the prayer Your Son taught us:

C: Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us this today 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 for ever and ever. Amen.

The Benediction

The LORD bless you and keep you.

The LORD make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you.

The LORD look upon you with favor, and give you His peace. Amen.

The Closing Hymn Hymn 60 “Silent 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!

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.

Silent prayer, Announcements, Post-service Music

THANK YOU!

…..for being a participant in this evening’s worship service.

We also want to thank the children of our congregation and school, along with their teachers and parents, the members of our choir, our musicians, our altar guild members,

as well as today’s ushers and elders for their involvement in today’s special

worship service. It’s been our privilege to share with you the joyous message

of the angels, that God has intended to be proclaimed by all His people:

that to us a Savior has been born. He is Christ the Lord!

An Invitation To You

If you have no church home of your own, and/or are looking for religious truth and spiritual certainty as a foundation for your life and to insure your eternal future, then we invite you to consider becoming a part of this Christian fellowship called Grace Lutheran Church. For more information on becoming a member of our church family, speak with our Pastor after today’s worship service, or at your convenience. We thank you for the opportunity to serve you with God’s Word and to have you as a part of our worshiping family today. We do hope that you will worship and study with us again soon, and often. Please know that you will always be welcome at Grace Lutheran Church. May God bless you, now and always, in Jesus’ name.

Finally……

God bless all of you and bring you back safely to this house of worship tomorrow morning, when we will gather together at 9:30 a.m. for our Christmas Day worship service, the high-point in our celebration of Christ’s birth. Tomorrow morning we will listen to the story – and the significance – of Christ’s birth for us through a series of Scripture Lessons, Hymns, Carols and Responsive readings. Please continue the celebration with us!

CHRISTMAS GIFT BAGS FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE Following the close of today’s service, we would like to offer Christmas gift to all the young people who are in attendance this morning. We’ll be passing them out both in very back of our church building. Thank you toTim and Marisol Huebner for distributing them in the back of church.

The Advent Wreath and Candles

Central to our celebration of the Savior’s birth not only this morning, but throughout the pre-Christmas season of Advent has been the “Advent Wreath and Candles” which are found in the front of the sanctuary this morning. For the first time this year, the large white candle in the center, the “Christ Candle,” is lit, since this morning we are here to celebrate His birth. It symbolizes the fulfillment of Christmas prophesy — the nativity of Jesus Christ, the Savior and Light of the world. Tomorrow morning and through the Christmas season up to January 6th (the Festival of the Epiphany of our Lord) we will place white candles in the wreath. Matching the color of the altar, lectern, and altar parament cloths (also white), the white candles will symbolize the righteousness of Christ which, through His sacrifice for our sins, has been credited to us. The significance of each of the four candles in our wreath this morning (found within the wreath for the final time this year, since the season of Advent concludes today) is explained below:

The First Advent Candle (violet) is the Candle of Prophesy, symbolizing the Old Testament prophecies of the Advent, or coming, of the Savior.

The Second Advent Candle (violet) is the Bethlehem Candle. It symbolizes the coming to earth of Jesus, the Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary.

The Third Advent Candle (rose/pink) is the Shepherd Candle. Through this candle’s symbolism we recall the coming of the Savior into our hearts and lives through the Means of Grace (the Gospel in Word and Sacrament).

The Fourth Candle (violet) is the Angel Candle. It represents the final coming of the Savior in glory with all His angels for the final judgment.

The Birth That Changed the World

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