Christmas Eve 2017

Family Worship Service

with Holy Communion

5:00 pm

Live From the First Century

PRELUDE MUSIC

SPECIAL MUSIC SELECTIONS

“We Wish You a Merry Christmas” Addie Gurgiolo, piano

“Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” Sammy Gurgiolo, piano

“Carol Medley” - arr. Bill Galliford Andrea Bush, violin

“Away in the Manger” Andrea Bush, violin, Marissa Banks, piano

“Gesu Bambino” - Pietro Yon, arr. Bill Galliford Marissa Banks, piano,

Linda Hoch, organ

Words of Welcome

Proclamation

P Many ages after God created the heavens and the earth,

when man and woman were formed in God’s own image;

long after the great flood, when God set the rainbow in the clouds

as a sign of the covenant,

twenty-one centuries from the time of Abraham and Sarah;

eleven centuries from the time of Ruth and the Judges,

a thousand years from the anointing of David as king;

in the sixty-fifth week as Daniel’s prophecy takes note;

in the one hundred and ninety-fourth Olympiad,

the seven hundred and fifty-second year

from the founding of the city of Rome;

the forty-second year of the reign of Octavian Augustus;

in the sixth age of the world,

Confession and Forgiveness

All may make the sign of the cross, the sign

marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.

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

C The glory of the Lord has shone upon us in the face of Jesus Christ.

Silence is kept for personal reflection.

P In his name let us make confession of our sins.

For his sake let us seek forgiveness.

C Heavenly Father, we come in humility. In our thinking,

or speaking and doing, we have sinned against you.

We ask for your forgiveness and mercy.

P The glory of the Lord has shone upon us in the face of Jesus Christ.

C It is in the name of Jesus that we come before you, heavenly Father,

pleading the merits of his holy life, his innocent sufferings.

P In the Word who has come to dwell with us

God has given us grace upon grace:

forgiveness that is stronger than our sins,

love that can heal every broken heart.

Hear this word of God’s pardon and peace:

In the name of (+) Jesus our Savior, you are free from all your sins.

Rise, shine, for your light has come.

C Glory to God in the highest! And peace to God’s people on earth.

Sharing of the Peace

P The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C And also with you.

You may greet one another with a sign of Christ’s peace,

and may say, Peace be with you,” or similar words.

PROCESSIONAL HYMN “Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful”

Oh, come all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant!

Oh, come ye, oh, come ye to Bethlehem;

Come and behold him, Born the king of angels:

Oh come, let us adore him,

Oh come, let us adore him,

Oh come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

Highest, most holy, Light of Light eternal,

Born of a virgin, a mortal he comes;

Son of the Father now in flesh appearing!

Oh, come, let us adore him,

Oh, come, let us adore him,

Oh, 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:

Oh, come, let us adore him,

Oh, come, let us adore him,

Oh, come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

GREETING

P The grace and peace of Jesus Christ,

the Word made flesh, be with you all.

C And also with you.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

P Let us pray. Father of Light,

C shine upon us as we hear your Word.

Fill us with the same joy and awe as those who first met Jesus.

Live From the First Century

Sunday School Christmas Drama

Scene 1 LIVE FROM THE FIRST CENTURY

“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel ”

Kids only O come, O come, Emmanuel,

and ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here,

Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to You, O Israel.

SCENE 2 ANGELS ALL AROUND

“Hark! the Herald Angels Sing”

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!”

Hark! The herald angels sing,

“Glory to the newborn king!”

(All) Hail the heav’n born Prince of peace!

Hail the Sun of righteousness!

Light and 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 on earth,

Born to give us second birth.

Hark! The herald angels sing,

“Glory to the newborn king!”

SCENE 3 MARY SAYS YES!

“The Angel Gabriel”

Kids only The angel Gabriel from heaven came,

With wings as drifted snow, with eyes as flame;

“All hail to thee, O lowly maiden Mary,

Most highly favored lady.” Gloria!

SCENE 4 INCREDIBLE NEWS TIMES TWO

“On Jordan’s Banks, the Baptist’s Cry” (Kids only)

On Jordan’s banks the Baptist’s cry

Announces that the Lord is nigh;

Awake and hearken, for the brings glad tidings

Of the King of kings!

SCENE 5 NEWS FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD

“O Little Town of Bethlehem”

Kids only 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.

All For Christ is born of Mary,

And gathered all above

While mortals sleep the angels keep

Their watch of wond’ring love.

O morning stars, together

Proclaim the holy birth,

And praises sing to God the king,

And peace to all the earth!

SCENE 6 SHEPHERDS KEEPING WATCH

“Go Tell It on the Mountain”

Kids only Go tell it on the mountain,

Over the hills and ev’rywhere;

Go tell it on the mountain

That Jesus Christ Is born!

While shepherds kept their watrching

O’er silent flocks by night,

Behold, throughout the heavens

There shone a holy light.

All Go tell it on the mountain,

Over the hills and ev’rywhere;

Go tell it on the mountain

That Jesus Christ is born!

The shepherds feared and trembled

When, lo, above the earth

Rang out the angel chorus

That hailed our Savior’s birth.

SCENE 7 HEY, BABY!

“Jesus, Name Above All Names”

Kids only Jesus, name above all names

Beautiful Savior, glorious Lord.

Emmanuel, God is with us.

Blessed Redeemer, Living word.

Jesus, Jesus.

SCENE 8 TEMPLE TALK

“Joy to the World”

Kids only Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her king; Let ev’ry heart prepare him room And heav’n and nature sing, And heav’n and nature sing, And heav’n and heav’n and nature sing.

All He rules the world with truth and grace And makes the nations prove The glories of his righteousness And wonders of his love, And wonders of his love, And wonders, wonders of his love.

OUR SERVICE CONTINUES WITH OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS.

MUSIC OFFERING “This Joyful Birth” - arr. Gayden C. Sikes Marissa Banks, piano, Linda Hoch, organ

OFFERING PRAYER

A Let us pray. Good and loving God, C we rejoice in the birth of Jesus, who came among the poor to bring the riches of your grace. As you have blessed us with your gifts, let them be blessing for others. With the trees of the field, with all earth and heaven, we shout for joy at the coming of your son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Meal

DIALOGUE

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.

PREFACE

P It is indeed right, our duty and our joy …

The Presider continues with the preface, concluding:

… we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

C Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power 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.

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

P Holy God, Creator of all and Source of life, at the birth of time your word brought light into the world….

The Presider continues with the Prayer, concluding…

through him all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy Church, both now and forever. C Amen. THE LORD'S PRAYER

P Lord remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray. C 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.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION

P The mystery hidden for the ages is revealed for us in this meal. Come, behold and receive your God. C Thanks be to God. Please be seated.

THE DISTRIBUTION

INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE

Believing in the real presence of Christ’s body and blood in the bread and wine of Holy Communion for the forgiveness of sin, we practice Eucharistic hospitality. All baptized persons are welcomed to the Lord’s Table. Children who do not commune are invited forward to receive a blessing.

You may receive the Communion Wine from the Red Chalice (Common Cup) as it is offered to you or by taking a communion glass from the tray. Grape juice is available in the center of the communion tray.

When giving the host and wine, the ministers say: The body of Christ, given for you. The blood of Christ, shed for you. and each person may respond: Amen. COMMUNION MUSIC Linda Hoch, organ After all have communed, please Stand.

COMMUNION BLESSING

P The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. C Amen.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

A Let us pray. Great and saving God, C you have gathered your scattered people around gifts of grain and wine, the body and blood of our Savior Jesus Christ. à

As we, like the shepherds, return on our way, may we proclaim all we have heard and seen, praising you in word and loving deed for the gift of Jesus, our Savior and Lord. Amen. The Candlelighting

The ushers will distribute light from the processional candles. The person taking flame from a candle shall tilt his/her candle toward the lighted candle. Once lighted, hold your candle upright so that the next person may take light from you.

(Each child has been given a battery-run candle for their safety.)

CONGREGATIONAL CAROL “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, 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.

Please extinguish candles.

The Sending

BLESSING

P May you be filled with the wonder of Mary,

the obedience of Joseph,

the joy of the angels,

the eagerness of the shepherds,

the determination of the magi,

and the peace of the Christ child.

Almighty God, Father, Son, + and Holy Spirit

bless you now and forever.

C Amen.

SENDING CAROL: “Angels We Have Heard on High” #289

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!”

Christ, by highest heav’n adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord,

late in time behold him come,

offspring of a virgin’s womb.

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see!

Hail, incarnate deity!

Pleased as man with us to dwell,

Jesus, our Emmanuel! Refrain

Hail the heav’nborn Prince of Peace! Hail the Son of righteousness!

Light and 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 the sons of earth,

born to give us second birth. Refrain

DISMISSAL

A Go in peace. Christ is born!

C Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE Linda Hoch

“The Sussex Carol” - arr. Richard Lind

Serving Tonight

NARRATOR Pastor Will Hartfelder

ASSISTING MINISTER Fred Pfanz

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC Linda Hoch

COMMUNION ASSISTANTS Eric, Cheryl, Andrea and Heather Bush

GREETERS Sue and Jim Monroe

USHERS Randy Stoll, Caroline Stoll,

Kat Stoll, Katie Singleton

The Actors

Landon Blankenship, Claire Cain, Will Cain, Max George,

Addie Gurgiolo, Sammy Gurgiolo, Ethan Haynes,

Zachary Haynes, John Hicks, Lily Hicks, Benny Hoch,

Maggie Hoch, Charlotte Holmes, Katie Holmes, Nate Holmes,

Connor Montgomery, Charlie Nickoli, Jack Nickoli,

Madeline Nickoli, Emily Odum, Sara O’Neil,

Lauren Place, Leah Place, Jacob Washburn, Ryan Washburn,

Caroline Young, Gabriel Young, Jack Young,

Molly Young, Phillip Young

Special Thanks to

Molly King, Director of Youth & Family Ministries,

and to All of our Volunteers

Join us tonight for

A CANDLELIGHT

EUCHARIST

8:00 pm

Acknowledgements

Artwork and portions of the liturgy from SundaysandSeasons.com.

Copyright © 2008 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies

Annual License #27032.

Scripture texts are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989,

Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the

Churches of Christ in the United States of America.

Used by permission. All rights reserved.