Chrsitmas Eve Service Outline, December 24, 2024

                                                                     Christmas Eve

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

Alliance, Ohio

December 24, 2024

 

* Please stand, as you are able

Bold print indicates congregation’s response.

PRELUDE                               Divinum Mysterium                        arr. Fred Bock

THE PROCLAMATION OF THE BIRTH OF CHRIST

Today, the twenty–fifth day of December, unknown ages from the time when God created the heavens and the earth and then formed man and woman in his own image.

Several thousand years after the flood, when God made the rainbow shine forth as a sign of the covenant. Twenty–one centuries from the time of Abraham and Sarah; thirteen centuries after Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt. Eleven hundred years from the time of Ruth and the Judges; one thousand years from the anointing of David as king; in the sixty–fifth week according to the prophecy of Daniel.

In the one hundred and ninety–fourth Olympiad; the seven hundred and fifty–second year from the foundation of the city of Rome. The forty–second year of the reign of Octavian Augustus;

the whole world being at peace, Jesus Christ, eternal God and Son of the eternal Father, desiring to sanctify the world by his most merciful coming, being conceived by the Holy Spirit, and nine months having passed since his conception, was born in Bethlehem of Judea of the Virgin Mary.

 Today is the nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh.

 

*HYMN                              O Come, All Ye Faithful        #283 vs 1-3

*GREETING

The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God, and communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all 

And also with you.

 Hymn of Praise                           Angels We Have Heard on High                            #289

 

PRAYER OF THE DAY

FIRST READING: Isaiah 9:2-7

²The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined. ³You 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. ⁴For 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. ⁵For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. ⁶For 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. ⁷His 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.

Thanks be to God.

 

PSALM 96

¹Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.

²Sing to the LORD, bless the name of the LORD; proclaim God's salvation from day to day.

³Declare God's glory among the nations and God's wonders among all peoples.

⁴For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised, more to be feared than all gods. 

⁵As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols; but you, O LORD, have made the heavens.

⁶Majesty and magnificence are in your presence; power and splendor are in your sanctuary.

⁷Ascribe to the LORD, you families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD honor and power.

⁸Ascribe to the LORD the honor due the holy name; bring offerings and enter the courts of the LORD. 

⁹Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness; tremble before the LORD, all the earth.

¹⁰Tell it out among the nations: "The LORD is king! The one who made the world so firm that it cannot be moved will judge the peoples with equity."

¹¹Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea thunder and all that is in it; let the field be joyful and all that is therein.

¹²Then shall all the trees of the wood shout for joy at your coming, O LORD, for you come to judge the earth.

¹³You will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with your truth. 

 

SECOND READING: Titus 2:11-14

¹¹The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, ¹²training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, ¹³while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. ¹⁴He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

 

*hymn                    Infant Holy, Infant Lowly                     

*GOSPEL: Luke 2:1-20

The Holy Gospel according to Luke, the Second Chapter.

Glory to you, O Lord.

 ¹In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. ²This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³All went to their own towns to be registered. ⁴Joseph 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. ⁵He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. ⁶While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. ⁷And 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.

            ⁸In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see — I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: ¹¹to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹²This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." ¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

¹⁴"Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"

¹⁵When 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." ¹⁶So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. ¹⁷When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; ¹⁸and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. ¹⁹But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

mESSAGE

*HYMN                       Away In a Manger                             #277

 

SERMON

*HYMN                 Hark!  The Herald Angles Sing                                     #270

*APOSTLES CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.   Amen

 

*PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

 *PEACE

 OFFERING

 HYMN                  What Child is This                                #296 vs 1 & 3

 

*COMMUNION PRAYER 

*LORD'S PRAYER

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. Amen

DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNION

HYMN           Good Christian Friends, Rejoice                         #288

HYMN                    The First Noel                             #300

 

*HYMN                       Silent Night, Holy Night                                     #281

*BLESSING

 

*HYMN                    Go Tell It On The Mountain                      #290

*DISMISSAL

POSTLUDE      From Heaven to Earth I Come, Alleluia!           Robert Lau

Liturgy and hymns printed and streamed with permission through OneLicense. A-710659 

Service outline for Sunday, December 22, 2024

                             Welcome to worship at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church!

PRELUDE                                 “The Desert Shall Rejoice”                        Lani Smith

CONFESSION AND FORGIVNESS

All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.

Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God,

alive in the world, reviving creation,

arriving soon. Amen.

Let us confess our sin in the presence of God

and of one another.

Silence is kept for reflection.

God of mercy,

we confess that we have sinned.

We trust earthly powers and human authority alone.

We grow fearful. We cling to false comforts.

God of might,

we confess that we have sinned.

We have turned away from our neighbors.

We have trusted false promises.

God in our midst,

we confess that we have sinned.

We plead: come to us.

Bring your mercy to birth in us.

A righteous branch springs forth:

it is Christ the Lord, our Savior,

in whom we have forgiveness, life, and mercy.

By the power of the Holy Spirit,

receive the grace and forgiveness of God

through + Christ Jesus,

whose day draws near.

Amen.

HYMN             Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus                    #254

 

GREETING

The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God, and communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

And also with you.

KYRIE

HYMN OF PRAISE              “Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah”                v. 1-4

PRAYER OF THE DAY, Children's message

First Reading: Micah 5:2-5a

² 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.
³ 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. ⁴ 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, ^5a and he shall be the one of peace. Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God  

Psalm: Luke 1:46b-55

^46b My soul proclaims the greatness ^| of the Lord, ⁴⁷ my spirit rejoices in ^| God my Savior,
⁴⁸ for you, Lord, have looked with favor on your ^| lowly servant.
  From this day all generations will ^| call me blessed:
⁴⁹ you, the Almighty, have done great ^| things for me and holy ^| is your name.
⁵⁰ You have mercy on ^| those who fear you, from generation to ^| generation. 
⁵¹ You have shown strength ^| with your arm and scattered the proud in ^| their conceit,
⁵² casting down the mighty ^| from their thrones and lifting ^| up the lowly.
⁵³ You have filled the hungry ^| with good things and sent the rich ^| away empty.
⁵⁴ You have come to the aid of your ^| servant Israel, to remember the promise of mercy,
⁵⁵ the promise made ^| to our forebears, to Abraham and his children forever. 

   

Second Reading: Hebrews 10:5-10

⁵ Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body you have prepared for me; ⁶ in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. ⁷ Then I said, ‘See, I have come to do your will, O God’ (in the scroll of the

book it is written of me).” ⁸ When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), ⁹ then he added, “See, I have come to do your will.” He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. ¹⁰ And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

 

Gospel: Gospel: Luke 1:39-45 [46-55]

The Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke the 1st chapter.  Glory to you O Lord.

³⁹ In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, ⁴⁰ where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit ⁴² and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. ⁴³ And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? ⁴⁴ For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵ And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” [And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, ⁴⁷ and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, ⁴⁸ for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant. Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed, ⁴⁹ for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name; ⁵⁰ indeed, his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. ⁵¹ He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. ⁵² He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly; ⁵³ he has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. ⁵⁴ He has come to the aid of his child Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, ⁵⁵ according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”]

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

 SERMON

 HYMN                         Savior of the Nations, Come                      #263

 

APOSTLES CREED

 

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

 

I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

 

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.   Amen

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE, PEACE, OFFERING,

COMMUNION PRAYER

LORD'S PRAYER

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. Amen

 

DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNION

HYMN                      Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming                           #272

 

POST COMMUNION PROCLAMATION AND PRAYER

BLESSING

HYMN                                                  Joy to the World                                              #267

DISMISSAL

POSTLUDE                                         “Wake, Awake!”                       Felix Mendolssohn

  Liturgy and hymns printed and streamed with permission through OneLicense. A-710659

Service Outline for Sunday, December 15, 2024

                                 Welcome to worship at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church!

PRELUDE                                   “The Desert Shall Rejoice”            L. Smith

CONFESSION AND FORGIVNESS

All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.

Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God,

alive in the world, reviving creation,

arriving soon. Amen.

Let us confess our sin in the presence of God

and of one another.

Silence is kept for reflection.

God of mercy,

we confess that we have sinned.

We trust earthly powers and human authority alone.

We grow fearful. We cling to false comforts.

God of might,

we confess that we have sinned.

We have turned away from our neighbors.

We have trusted false promises.

God in our midst,

we confess that we have sinned.

We plead: come to us.

Bring your mercy to birth in us.

A righteous branch springs forth:

it is Christ the Lord, our Savior,

in whom we have forgiveness, life, and mercy.

By the power of the Holy Spirit,

receive the grace and forgiveness of God

through + Christ Jesus,

whose day draws near.

Amen.

HYMN                Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn                #242

 

GREETING

The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God, and communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

And also with you.

KYRIE

HYMN OF PRAISE            “Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah”                v. 1-3

 

PRAYER OF THE DAY, Children's message

First Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-20

¹⁴ Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! ¹⁵ The Lord has taken away the judgments against you; he has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more. ¹⁶ On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. ¹⁷ The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing ¹⁸ as on a day of festival.” I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it. ¹⁹ I will deal with all your oppressors at that time. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. ²⁰ At that time I will bring you home, at the time when I gather you; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says the Lord. Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God  

Psalm: Isaiah 12:2-6

² Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not ^| be afraid, for the Lord God is my

            strength and my might, and has become ^| my salvation.
³ With joy you ^| will draw water from the wells ^| of salvation.                                                               

⁴ And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the Lord, call ^| on God’s name; make known the

            deeds of the Lord among the nations; proclaim that this  name ^| is exalted.
⁵ Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done ^| gloriously; let this be known in ^| all the earth.
⁶ Shout aloud and sing for joy, O ^| royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy ^| One of Israel. 

 Second Reading: Philippians 4:4-7

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. ⁵ Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

     Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

 

Gospel: Luke 3:7-18

The Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke the 3rd chapter.  Glory to you O Lord.

⁷ John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? ⁸ Therefore, bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. ⁹ Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” ¹⁰ And the crowds asked him, “What, then, should we do?” ¹¹ In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none, and whoever has food must do likewise.” ¹² Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” ¹³ He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” ¹⁴ Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.” ¹⁵ As the people were filled with expectation and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, ¹⁶ John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. ¹⁷ His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” ¹⁸ So with many other exhortations he proclaimed the good news to the people. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

 

           The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

 SERMON

 HYMN                              Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding                #246

APOSTLES CREED

 

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

 

I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

 

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.   Amen

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE, PEACE, OFFERING,

COMMUNION PRAYER

LORD'S PRAYER

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. Amen

 

DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNION

HYMN                        O Come, O Come, Emmanuel                                   #257

POST COMMUNION PROCLAMATION AND PRAYER

BLESSING

HYMN                  People, Look East                        #248

 DISMISSAL

 POSTLUDE                                    “Trumpet Tune”                                  J.S Bach

Liturgy and hymns printed and streamed with permission through OneLicense. A-710659