Grace Lutheran Church Thursday, December 24, 2015.

IMMANUEL

Grace Lutheran Church

Thursday, December 24, 2015

WELCOME

We thank God for your presence among us. This evening we make our way to Bethlehem to once again hear the angelic message, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord. May the coming of the Christ Child fill your hearts and minds with inexpressible and glorious joy!

Prayer Request Cards are located in the pew. Fill out the card, place it in the offering plate, and we will be praying for you.

Come join us Sunday mornings from 9:00-10:00 for fellowship andBible study.

SHARING THE PEACE

.

O Come, All Ye Faithful

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, Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!

Glory to God 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 glory giv’n! 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!

INVOCATION

P In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen.

CONFESSION

P The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;

C Those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.

CONFESSION

P When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of womanC born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law.

CONFESSION

P Since we are gathered here this night to hear God’s Good News of the birth of the Savior of the world, to call on Him in prayer and praise, and receive the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ in the fellowship of this altar, let us first consider

CONFESSION

P our unworthiness and confess before God and one another that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, and that we cannot free ourselves from our sinful condition. Only God, by choosing to send His only Son into our flesh and our world, has

CONFESSION

P opened for us the way of His only love and forgiveness. In such a confession may each of us receive God’s forgiveness. C Almighty God, have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and lead us to everlasting life. Amen.

ABSOLUTION

P When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us… according to His own mercy. Titus 3:4-5. Upon this, your confession, I. by virtue of my office, as a called and ordained servant of the Word,

ABSOLUTION

P announce the grace of God unto all of you, in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.C Amen.

Angels We Have Heard

Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing over

the plains,And the mountains in reply,

Echoing their joyous strains.Gloria in excelsis Deo; Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Angels We Have Heard

Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels

sing;Come, adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn

king.Gloria in excelsis Deo; Gloria in excelsis Deo.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

P The Lord be with you.C And also with you.

P Most merciful God, You gave Your eternal Word to become incarnate of the pure virgin. Grant Your people grace to put away fleshly lusts, that they

PRAYER OF THE DAY

may be ready for Your visitation; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

OLD TESTAMENT LESSONISAIAH 7:10-14

Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, “Ask a sign of the LORD’ your God; let it be deep as Sheol or as high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “ I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test.” And he said, “Hear then, O


house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? Therefore the LORD himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shallconceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”


R This is the Word of the Lord.C Thanks be to God.

Joy to the World

Joy to the world the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King

Let every heart prepare him room And heaven and nature sing,

And heaven and nature singAnd heaven and heaven and

nature sing

Joy to the World

Joy to the earth the Savior Reigns Let men their songs employ

While fields and floods Rocks, hill and plains

Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy

Repeat, repeat the sounding joy

Joy to the World

No more let sins and sorrows grow Nor thorns infest the ground

He comes to make His blessing flowFar as the curse is found, Far as the curse is found

Far as far as the curse is found.

Joy to the World He rules the world with truth and grace

And makes the nations proveThe glories of His righteousness

And wonders of His love,And wonders of His love,

And wonders, wonders, of His love.

EPISTLE LESSON 1 JOHN 4:7-16

Beloved, let us one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world,


so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.


No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.


Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to be believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

EPISTLE LESSON

R This is the Word of the Lord.C Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL MATTHEW 1:18-25

P The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the first chapter.C Glory to You, O Lord

GOSPEL

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came

about His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was

found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.

GOSPEL

Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet

did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after

he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to

him in a dream and said,

GOSPEL

Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from

the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to

give him the name Jesus,

because he will

GOSPEL

save his people from their sins.” All this took place to

fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The

virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which

means “God with us”). When

GOSPEL

Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But

he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth

to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

GOSPEL

P This is the Gospel of the Lord.C Praise to You, O Christ.

NOW SING WE NOW REJOICE

Now sing we now rejoice, Now raise to heaven 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!

NOW SING WE NOW REJOICE

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!

Immanuel

NICENE CREED

All: I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.

NICENE CREED

And in one Lord Jesus Christ the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father,

NICENE CREED

by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.

NICENE CREED He suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.

NICENE CREED And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together isworshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian

NICENE CREED

and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

OFFERTORY

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!

OFFERTORY

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!

OFFERTORY

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!

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

P Most merciful God, on this holy day we gather to give You thanks and praise for the gift of Your love, Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord; sent in the fullness of time for the salvation of the whole world;


born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem all who, because of our sin, fall under the condemnation of Your law. That He came to pay the price and free us from sin, death, and the power of the devil, we give You thanks and praise. Lord, in Your mercy


C hear our prayer.

P At this most holy time of the year, hear our prayers for all Your people, the holy Christian Church on earth, that the Gospel may be preached and confessed with love and charity, that we may be


strengthened in faith, and that many may hear, repent, believe, and receive the forgiveness of their sins and eternal life. Lord, in Your mercy,C hear our prayer.


P Visit the leaders of the nations of the world with the guidance of Your Spirit and will, that all people may be led in the ways of peace and justice, to the well-being of all, especially the weakest and most defenseless.


P Lord, in Your mercy, C hear our prayer.


P Have mercy on all who are alone on this day, those who serve far from home in military service, or those who suffer the loss of loved ones through unfortunate circumstance or through death. Send caring friends to


share Your gift of family, friendship, and love with all who are in need. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.


P Lay Your healing hand on the sick, injured, suffering in mind or body (__). Grant us all the strengthening of faith in Your Son's body and blood, and bind us in unity of faith and love. Lord, in Your mercy,C hear our prayer.


P Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C Amen.

SACRAMENT

PREFACE

P The Lord be with you.C And also with you. P Lift up your hearts. C We lift them to the Lord.

PROPER PREFACE

P It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, for in the mystery of the Word made flesh You have

PROPER PREFACE

given us a new revelation of Your glory that, seeing You in the person of Your Son, we may know and love those things which are not seen. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud

PROPER PREFACE

and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:

SANCTUS

Holy, holy, holy Lord, Lord God of pow’r and might:

Heaven and earth are full of Your glory. Hosanna in the

highest.Blessed is He who comes in

the name of the Lord.Hosanna in the highest!

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

P Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth, for You have had mercy on those whom You created and sent Your only-begotten Son into our flesh to bear our sin and be our Savior. With repentant joy we receive the salvation


accomplished for us by the all-availing sacrifice of His body and His blood on the cross. Gathered in the name and the remembrance of Jesus, we beg You, O Lord, to forgive, renew, and strengthen us with Your Word and Spirit.


Grant us faithfully to eat His body and drink His blood as He bids us do in His own testament. Gather us together, we pray, from the ends of the earth to celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom,


Graciously receive our prayers; deliver and preserve us. To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and worship, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C Amen.

THE WORDS OF OUR LORD

P Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: "Take, eat; this is My + body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me."

THE WORDS OF OUR LORD

In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: "Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My + blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."

PROCLAMATION OF CHRIST

P As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.C Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.


P O Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, in giving us Your body and blood to eat and to drink, You lead us to remember and confess Your holy cross and passion, Your blessed death, Your rest in the tomb, Your resurrection


from the dead, Your ascension into heaven, and Your coming for the final judgment. So remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:

LORD’S PRAYER

P Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:

LORD’S PRAYERALL 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;

LORD’S PRAYER

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

PAX DOMINI

P The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C And also with you. MUSIC DURING DISTRIBUTION

PAX DOMINI

P The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C And also with you. MUSIC DURING DISTRIBUTION

DISTRIBUTION

POST COMMUNION COLLECT

P We give thanks to You, almighty God, that You have refreshed us through this salutary gift, and we implore You that of Your mercy You would strengthen us through the same in faith toward Youand in fervent love toward one

POST COMMUNION COLLECT

another; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C Amen.

SHARING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

Please tip only the unlighted candles.

BENEDICTION P The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord look on you in favor and + give you peace.

C Amen.

SILENT NIGHT

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.

SILENT NIGHT

Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight;Glories stream from heaven

afar, Heavenly hosts sing, Alleluia!

Christ, the Savior, is born! Christ, the Savior, is born!

SILENT NIGHT

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.

May the joy of the Christ Child fill you with His

peace!

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Grace Lutheran Church Thursday, December 24, 2015.

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