( a pdf of the bulletin can also be found here)

Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve 

10:00 AM Service December 24, 2023 

GATHERING 

Prelude 

Welcome and Announcements 

Ringing of the Bell 

(Please Stand) 

Confession and Forgiveness 

Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, who opens the heavens and draws near to us with salvation. 

Amen. 

God is patient and merciful, desiring all to come to repentance. Trusting this promise of grace, let us confess our sin. 

Silence is kept for reflection. 

Everlasting God, 

you love justice and you hate wrongdoing. We confess the fear, greed, and self-centeredness that make us reluctant to work against oppression. We are complicit in systems of exploitation. We choose comfort over courage. We are careless with creation’s bounty. Look upon us with mercy. Turn our hearts again to you. Make us glad to do your will and to walk in your ways for the sake of our waiting world. 

Amen. 

Hear these words of assurance: God clothes you with garments of salva-tion and covers you with robes of righteousness. In the tender compassion of Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. God’s covenant is eternal, and God’s blessing rests upon us all. 

Amen. 

Hymn #257 “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” vs 1-5 

L: The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the commun-ion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. 

C: And also with you. 

Lighting of the Advent Wreath 

Hymn #240 “Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah” Vs. 4 

L: Let us pray: 

All: 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. Amen. 

WORD 

First Reading Isaiah 9: 2—7 Pg.1072 

R: Word of God, Word of life. C: Thanks be to God. 

Choir Anthem “Gentle Mary, Tender Mary” 

Second Reading: Titus 2:11-14 Pg. 1859 

R: Word of God, Word of life. C: Thanks be to God. 

Children’s Program “Go Tell It On The Mountain!” 

Hymn of the Day #290 “Go, Tell It on the Mountain” 

L: Together with the whole church, we confess our faith: 

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, 

maker of heaven and earth, 

of all that is, seen and unseen. 

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, 

the only Son of God, 

eternally begotten of the Father, 

God from God, Light from Light, 

true God from true God, begotten, not made, 

of one Being with the Father; 

through him all things were made. 

For us and for our salvation 

he came down from heaven, 

was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary 

and became truly human. 

 

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; 

he suffered death and was buried. 

On the third day he rose again 

in accordance with the scriptures; 

he ascended into heaven 

and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. 

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, 

who proceeds from the Father and the Son,* 

who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. 

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. 

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. 

We look for the resurrection of the dead, 

and the life of the world to come. Amen. 

The Prayers 

L: . . . Hear us O God C: Your mercy is great. 

The Peace 

L: The peace of Christ be with you always. 

C: And also with you. 

L: You may share the peace with one another. 

Offering 

Offering Hymn #277 “Away In A Manger” 

(As the last verse is sung, please stand as the offering is brought forward.) 

L: Let us pray, 

All: God our provider, by your merciful hand abundance springs up from the earth. Receive and bless these gifts of your own bounty. Let them be a sign of your steadfast love and faithfulness for all people, through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. 

MEAL 

P: It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise. . . We praise your name and join their unending hymn: 

 

Eucharistic Prayer 

P: Holy One, the beginning and the end, the giver of life: 

Blessed are you for the birth of creation. 

Blessed are you in the darkness and the light. 

Blessed are you for the promise to your people. 

Blessed are you in the prophets’ hopes and dreams. 

Blessed are you for Mary’s openness to your will. 

Blessed are you for your Son, Jesus, the Word made flesh. 

In the night in which he was betrayed, 

our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; 

broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: 

Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. 

Do this for the remembrance of me. 

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, 

and gave it for all to drink, saying: 

This cup is the new covenant in my blood, 

shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. 

Do this for the remembrance of me. 

Let us proclaim the mystery of faith: 

Christ has died. 

Christ is risen. 

Christ will come again. 

With this bread and cup we remember your Word dwelling among us full of grace and truth. 

We remember our new birth in his death and resurrection. 

We look with hope for his coming. 

Come, Lord Jesus. 

Holy God, we long for your Spirit. Come among us. Bless this meal. 

May your Word take flesh in us. 

Awaken your people. 

Fill us with your light. 

Bring the gift of peace on earth. 

Come, Holy Spirit. 

All praise and glory are yours, Holy One of Israel, Word of God incarnate, Power of the Most High, one God, now and forever. 

Amen. 

 

P: Remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray… 

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 tempta-tion, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. 

Invitation to Communion 

Communion Hymns 

Hymn # 276 “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” 

Hymn # 275 “Angels From the Realms of Glory” 

Blessing 

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

Prayer after Communion 

P: Let us pray, Generous God, in bread and cup you have revealed your glory for all people to see together. Nourished by this meal, send us out to proclaim your good news of liberation and release, brought to birth in Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. 

Sharing of the Blessing of Light 

P: The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. 

C: We have seen his glory, 

P: Glory as of the only Son from God, the Father; 

C: full of grace and truth. 

P: In him was life 

C: And the life was the light of all people. 

As candles are lighted, Silent Night is played. 

When all candles are lit, the congregation sings Silent Night. 

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, heavenly 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 thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace 

Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth. 

Candles are extinguished 

SENDING 

Benediction 

P: God who names you, Christ who claims you, and the Holy Spirit who dwells in you, bless you and remain with you always. 

Closing Hymn #267 “Joy to the World” 

Dismissal 

L: Go in peace. You are God’s beloved. 

Thanks be to God. 

Postlude.