In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and local recommendations, we are continuing to post our digital services for the time being for those who feel more comfortable worshiping at home. Socially-distanced in-person worship is now resuming each Sunday at 12pm. Please click the audio bar below to listen to this evening’s special Christmas Eve service. Scroll down to follow along with the service text.
A Service of Lessons and Carols
Hymn: “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come” LSB# 358
P: Beloved in Christ, as we gather here tonight let it be our desire to prepare ourselves to hear again the message of the angels, and in our hearts and minds go to Bethlehem and see this thing which has come to pass, and behold the Babe lying in a manger, our Redeemer and our King.
Let us hear tonight in Holy Scripture of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience to the glorious redemption wrought for us by this Holy Child; and let us once again tell out the story of His birth with our carols of praise.
But first, let us pray for the needs of the whole world; for peace and goodwill over all the earth; for unity and brotherhood within our nation, across the world, and in the Church.
Let us also at this time remember the poor and the helpless, the cold, the hungry and the oppressed; the sick in body and in mind and all who mourn; the lonely and the unloved; and all who do not know the Lord Jesus.
And let us remember before God all those who rejoice with us, but upon another shore and in a greater light, that multitude which no man can number, whose eternal hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in this Lord Jesus, we forevermore are one. (A moment of silence)
For all this, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
THE 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.
Hymn: Once in Royal David’s City #376 (1, 2, 5)
Lesson 1
Genesis 3:8-19
“O Sing of Christ, Whose Birth Made Known” #362 (1, 2, 4)
Lesson 2
Isaiah 9:1-7
“It Came upon the Midnight Clear” #366 (1, 2, 4)
Lesson 3
Isaiah 11:1-4a, 6-9
“Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” #359 (1,, 2, 4)
Lesson 4
Luke 1:26-38
“The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came” #356 (1-3)
Lesson 5
Luke 2:1-7
“Still, Still, Still” - arr. Dennis Alexander
“O Little Town of Bethlehem” #361 (1-4)
“O Holy Night” Adolphe Adam
Duet (Steve Shellenberger, Beth Vanderhyde)
Lesson 6
Luke 2:8-20
“God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen”
God rest ye merry, gentlemen let nothing you dismay
Remember, 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 joy,(repeat)
From God our Heavenly Father a blessed Angel came;
And unto certain Shepherds brought tidings of the same:
How that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by Name.
O tidings of comfort and joy, (repeat)
Now to the Lord sing praises, all you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas all other doth deface.
O tidings of comfort and joy, (repeat)
Lesson 7
John 1:1-14
“O Come, All Ye Faithful” #379 (1, 3, 4)
Lighting Of the Candles
P: Let us pray. O God, You make us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Grant that as we joyfully receive Him as our Redeemer, we may with sure confidence behold Him when he comes to be our Judge; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever.
C: Amen.
P: Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord!
C: Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.
P: The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be and abide with you all.
C: Amen.
Hymn: “Silent Night” #363
This service has been adapted from A Festival of Nine Carols first held on Christmas Eve in 1918 in England. Its origins began as an Order drawn up by E. W. Benson, later the Archbishop of Canterbury, for use in the cathedral in Truro on Christmas Eve, 1880. The service in various forms continues to be used around the world on Christmas Eve to this day.