Pastor Christmas Welcome

Opening Hymn: Oh, Come, All Ye faithful: ELW 283, vs 1, 3

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:

Refrain:

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:

Refrain:

O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,

O come, let us adore him Christ the Lord!

Invocation/Christmas Prayer

The Christmas Gospel: O Little Town of Bethlehem; ELW 279, vs. 1

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.

Reading: Luke 2:1-7

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.

Away in a Manger; ELW 277, vs. 1

Away in a manger, no crib for his bed,

The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head;

The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,

The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

Reading: Luke 2:8

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.

The First Noel; ELW 300, vs 1

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.

Reading: Luke 2:9-14

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 [God] favors!”

Angels We Have Heard on High, ELW 289, vs. 1, 3

Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains,

And the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strains

Refrain: Glo-ria in excelsis Deo,

  Glo-ria in excelsis Deo.

Come to Bethlehem and see him whose birth the angels sing;

Come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn king.

Refrain: Glo-ria in excelsis Deo,

  Glo-ria in excelsis Deo. 

Reading: Luke 2:15-20

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 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.

Message

Message Song: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, ELW 270, vs 1, 3

Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn king;

Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.”

Joyful, all you nations, rise; join the triumph of the skies;

With angelic hosts proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Refrain: Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn king!”

Hail the heav’n born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of righteousness!

Light of life to all he brings, ris’n with healing in his wings.

Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die,

Born to raise each child of earth, born to give us second birth.

Refrain: Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn king!” 

Holy Communion

Lord’s Prayer/Communion Blessing

Candle Lighting: Silent Night, ELW 281 vs 1, 2, 3

(vs 3 is acapella and candles are raised)

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, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight;

glories stream from heaven afar,

heav’nly hosts sing, alleluia! Christ, the Savior, is born!

Christ, the Savior, is born!

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.

Benediction

May the Lord Bless you and keep you. May the Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy. May the Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. Amen