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+The Nativity of Our Lord+
Christmas Eve Candlelight & Carols with Holy Communion
December 24, 2017 ▪ 7:00 & 9:00 p.m.
Welcome On a dark winter evening we gather to proclaim the coming of the light. Isaiah announces that the people who walked in
darkness have seen a great light. In the familiar account of Christʹs birth, the evening sky is bright with the heavenly
host singing, ʺGlory to God in the highest.ʺ Amid our broken world we proclaim that the prince of peace is born among
us. God comes to us in human flesh—in Christʹs body and blood—so that we may be bearers of divine light to all the
world.
Hearing assistance devices are available for your use.
Please notify an usher if you would like one.
Prelude Selections by String Orchestra
P Good Christian friends, rejoice! Today our Lord has come in love and humility,
in grace and truth, offering hope and peace.
C O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!
P This promised One, mighty, though small, is our hope, our strength, and our life.
C O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!
P As we light our Advent wreath,
C increase our longing for your presence, that at the celebration of your Son’s birth
his Spirit might dwell anew in our midst, for he is our light and our salvation.
P In hope and joy, with voices of prayer and praise,
C come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!
Reprinted by permission from The Worship Sourcebook , Second Edition, © 2013, Faith Alive Christian Resources.
All four candles of the Advent wreath are lit during the reading.
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
Prayer of Adoration
P Let us pray. 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 his glory;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen.
Greeting
P God who sent the Light into our world, who shone in the Bethlehem manger,
and who brings us everlasting joy, be with you all.
C And also with you.
Congregation remains seated through the following carols and readings.
Carol
Carol
Carol “Rejoice and Be Merry” by J. Rutter
PMLC Sanctuary Choir
First Reading Isaiah 9: 2—7
A reading from Isaiah.
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.
L The word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
Second Reading Malachi 5:2—5a
A reading from Malachi.
But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel,
whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth;
then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel.
And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth;
and he shall be the one of peace.
L The word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
Carol
Third Reading Luke 2: 1—7
A reading from Luke.
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.
L The word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
Carol “Cradle Hymn” by Kim Andre Arnesen
PMLC Sanctuary Choir
The Christ candle of the Advent wreath is lit.
Fourth Reading Luke 2: 8—20
A reading from Luke.
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 to 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.
L The word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
Congregation stands.
Carol
Congregation is seated.
Sermon Pastoral Intern Tony Katko
Carol
Prayers of Intercession Please kneel as you are able. After each petition:
A Lord, in your mercy
C Hear our prayer.
The Peace
P The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C And also with you.
The people greet one another with a sign of Christ’s peace.
Congregation stands.
Offering “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” by Valerie W. Stephenson
PMLC Adult Bells
Congregation stands.
Offering Prayer
A Let us prepare our hearts for holy communion.
God with us:
C You came as a baby to a manger.
You slept on straw, greeted shepherds,
and received the gifts of the magi who told of your plan to be King over all people.
You come again in bread and wine.
Remind us how good you are at blessing ordinary things.
Through these gifts, help us to bless the lives of others
in the strength of your holy name, Immanuel, God with us.
Amen.
AT THE TABLE
The Great Thanksgiving
P The Lord be with you.
C And also with you.
P Lift up your hearts.
C We lift them to the Lord.
P Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C It is right to give our thanks and praise.
P It is indeed right, our duty and our joy...we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
P Holy God, Creator of all and Source of Life...both now and forever.
C Amen.
P Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray:
Lord’s Prayer
C Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.
Communion
At Preston Meadow Lutheran, our communion table is “open.” That means that you don’t have to be a member of
PMLC to commune, or even a Lutheran. We welcome children of all ages to this favorite meal of the church because
we know that we come at Jesus’ invitation to receive his free gift of grace. Parents, if your children are not yet com-
muning, encourage them to fold their arms over their chests to receive a blessing. If you are communing, simply open
your hands and bread will be given to you. Cups with white grape juice are located in the center of the trays; gluten-
free wafers are available on request. Come and enjoy the free gifts of God!
Please be seated.
Carol
Communion Hymns
Table Blessing
P May the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
C Amen.
Congregation stands.
Candlelighting “Of the Father’s Love Begotten”
Lora Gauthier Bowers, Soprano Soloist
Gospel of the Incarnation
A reading from the Gospel according to John.
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.
What has come 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…
And the Word became flesh and lived among us,
and we have seen his glory,
the glory as of a father’s only son,
full of grace and truth.
Blessing
P May the Word that Mary brought to birth carry you into new and abundant life.
C Amen.
P May the Word that Joseph cradled in his arms enfold you with love and strength.
C Amen.
P May the Word whose star the wise men followed lead you to peace this night.
C Amen.
P And the blessing of almighty God, the Father, the + Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be upon you and remain with you always.
C Amen.
Candles are extinguished during the carol.
Sending
P Go in peace with everlasting joy! God, Immanuel, is with us!
C Thanks be to God!
Postlude
Carol
All music printed by permission under copyrights: GIA Publishing, Inc., license no. 8077;
Augsburg Fortress license no. 10240-S;
CCLI license no. 2221727 & OneLicense.net license# A-705394
Serving in Worship
7:00 9:00
Preacher: Pastoral Intern Tony Katko Pastoral Intern Tony Katko
Presider: Pastor Kate Knutson Pastor Kate Knutson
Acolyte: Gavin Sanchez Samantha Smith
Assisting Ministers: Tom Petrick Craig Ongley
Lectors: Brian Ganoe Cindy Olson
Sanctuary Choir Dir./
Organist: Anne Abercrombie Anne Abercrombie
Piano Accompanist: Hannah Abercrombie Hannah Abercrombie
PMLC Adult Bells Dir.: Russ Abercrombie Russ Abercrombie
Ushers: Ron Dietz Joe McGrane
Steve Bargmann Jeff Smith
Debbie & Jack Smith Alex Smith
Assistant Head Usher: Jim McCarthy Carol McGrane
Atrium Greeters: The Falco Family The Bland Family
Altar Care: Lynn Thompson & Sandy Mashigian
Communion Assistants: Paul Wolf, Erin Williams, Debbie & Ben Ganoe, Pastor Jackie Linden‐Schade
Bread Baker: Mardi Woodling & Patty Alverson
Thank you to the talented instrumentalists who provided our beautiful music:
Guest Vocalists—Jessie Hinkle‐Aviles,
Brian Post, Ted Talbott
Violin—Violeta Fane, Oleg Larshin, Claudia Jones,
Miao Hao
Viola—Monika Nierychlo, Monika Idasiak
Cello—Samantha Powell
Bass—Troy Tippawang
New Year Worship, December 31, 2017; 10am
Pastors:
Rev. Paul Mussachio, Lead Pastor | Rev. Dr. Jackie Linden‐Schade, Pastor for Congregational Care
Rev. Kate Knutson, Pastor for Family Ministries | Tony Katko, Pastoral Intern
6801 Coit Road, Plano, Texas 75024 ▪ 972.618.2233 ▪ www.pmlc.org
