A Christmas Day Worship Service - Online Worship - December 27, 2020

vs. 1
 Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive its 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.

vs. 4
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.

The wonders of God’s love come to us at Christmas. His light breaks into our darkness. Trust anew The Sign, every sign of God’s grace; The Word has become flesh, Emmanuel is forever here! Come with hope anew, there is true joy in the world, let us hear heaven and nature sing, as we worship, in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.

Amen.

In the spirit and gift of Christmas, let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins, and those times we have failed to come with all the faithful, to adore Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

silence for reflection

Friends of Emmanuel: God is with us, The Messiah has come to us with tidings of comfort and joy; indeed Jesus saves, Jesus forgives you all your sins. Through his birth and his faithful presence, his right hand and his holy arm have gotten him the victory. The One who is faithful has come! Oh, come, let us adore him!

vs. 1
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:

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

vs. 4
Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
Born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee .. be .. glory giv’n!
Word of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing:
(refrain)

Almighty and loving God, you wonderfully created and more wonderfully restored the gift of human nature. Through your mercy, come anew, now to us, and keep alive in us, every sign of your comfort and joy. These blessed mornings, each and every day, keep Christmas coming to us, keep Christ coming anew to us, let heaven and nature forever sing of your saving grace. All praise to you, Emmanuel, for you took on flesh to live among us, to bring joy to our world, to bring light to our darkness. In the glory of the newborn King, we adore you, and we pray. Amen.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.  (John testified to him and cried out, “This is he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’”) From his fullness we have all received grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.

(New Revised Standard Version)

ISAIAH 52:7-10; HEBREWS 1:1-4(5-12); JOHN 1:1-18

This is the day!  The day God announces God was done keeping his distance!  God’s comfort and joy and grace come down!  Emmanuel, God with us!  The One we come with all the faithful to adore, faithfully first came to adore us!  The Lord is come! The Word has become flesh to live among us!  This will be a sign for you, you will find a babe wrapping in swaddling clothes.  For unto us a child is born!  This is The Sign, Our Sign, and his name is Jesus!  In the birth of The Christ Child, every sign God is ready to reveal, ready to make known, ready to announce, ready to lavish upon us, is here, now, alive among us!  In Christmas, God's Word has become flesh to be comfort, joy and so much more, alive, living among us!  God chooses to come to his people, to live among them.  God, God's grace are too persistent, to be packed away, to be taken out only a couple times each year.  Comfort and joy live among us in our Savior, who has won the eternal battles between God and Satan, good and evil, peace and despair.  Many like wise men long to find signs of The One who is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace!  Trust The Christ and every sign of Emmanuel is alive, here, and now, with you, lavishing you with grace and presence, coming to you in these twelve days of Christmas, each and every day in the coming year, for all eternity!

1. "The Word became flesh ..." John 1:14

A. The Old Testament is full of stories of God's patience.  Still God waited for people to turn to him, to adore him.

B. Finally God could wait no longer, and God broke into the world, as the Word became flesh, the wait was over!

C. Our human condition holds us back; God breaks in, to lavish us with every sign, alive, here, now, to grace us first.  John 1:16

2. "The Word became flesh and lived among us ... "  John 1:14

A. God does not only come to us to minister to us, to die for us, to rise again for us; God comes to stay with us, to live with us.

B. New year's resolutions include focus and new perspective.  In every place, we are to adore first, The One who adores us first!

C. God is Emmanuel, with us.  God is with us in each moment, giving us every sign, alive, here, now, gracing us, keeping us like a shepherd keeps his flock.  

3. "And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

A. If you are searching for a God who lives among you, do not pack him away this year, today, or tomorrow.  Every sign is alive, right here, full of truth and grace!

B. As Christians, we know the glory of God.  We know our God has come to us, and we know our God simply asks us to trust him, to go tell others Who is here, in every sign made known!

C. Others are watching us, wondering: now that Christmas is here, are we different, has Christmas this year changed us in any way?  Do we really believe in The Word made flesh?  Do we follow The Light that overcomes all darkness?  Do we know The Joy in the world?  Do we still hear Angels on high?  Do the twelve days of Christmas matter?  Are we still coming with all the faithful, taking hold of every sign, alive, here, now, in Emmanuel?

D. Trust God's Word is still alive, living among us!  God's living grace and truth have eternity to lavish you!  Christmas tells us while God is extremely patient, God breaks in!  God's mercy, love, hope, peace, grace, presence, comfort and joy, come to us again and again, forever, alive, here, now, in Emmanuel!

Offering is available for our indoor services. Find a Lord of Life with a volunteer bucket to deposit offering in person as you leave worship today. If you find yourself wanting to offer your gifts to Lord of Life, you can do so online using the link below. You can also drop offering at anytime in our secure mailbox at Lord of Life located in the parking lot.

vs. 1
What child is this,
Who, laid to rest,
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet
With anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch
Are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard
And angels sing;
Haste, haste to bring him laud,
The babe, the son of Mary!

vs. 3
So bring him incense,
Gold, and myrrh;
Come, peasant, king,
To own him.
The King of kings
Salvation brings;
Let loving hearts
Enthrone him.
Raise, raise the song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby;
Joy, joy, for Christ is born,
The babe, the son of Mary!

… as you hear our prayers, Jesus …

May every sign of Emmanuel be born anew in our hearts and world.

Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Holy Communion will take place after the singing of “Better Is One Day.” If you are not worshipping with us in person but would like to receive Communion, we will be offering Drive Through Communion at our building at 16200 Dodd Lane, Lakeville, Minnesota, following our indoor service. Drive Through Communion will be available between 10:15am & 10:30am.

In order to better serve you in this troubling times, the way we receive Communion has changed slightly. You will be offered a self-contained Communion serving. Each capsule has two layers. The first layer is a thin, clear, cellophane layer which reveals the host. Under the second layer you will find the alcohol free juice. Volunteers will be happy to take you waste after you receive Communion.

The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

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.

The Lord come to you and bless you on this holy morning, and give you His light. The Lord bless you with His presence and fill you with the warmth and quiet of the manger. The Lord bless you with every sign of His precious gifts, for Christ is salvation and hope, grace and joy, love and peace. In the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Let us go in the peace of Christ, in the presence of Emmanuel, celebrating the love of God, and serving the Lord of life.

Glory to God in the highest! Peace on earth! Good will to all! Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!

refrain:
Go tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere,
Go tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born!

vs. 1
While shepherds kept their watching,
O’er silent flocks by night,
Behold, throughout the heavens,
There shone a holy light.
(refrain)

vs. 3
Down in a lonely manger,
The humble Christ was born;
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas morn.
(refrain)

At this time we will transition to offering Holy Communion. As a reminder, to better serve you in this troubling times, the way we receive Communion has changed slightly. You will be offered a self-contained Communion serving. Each capsule has two layers. The first layer is a thin, clear, cellophane layer which reveals the host. Under the second layer you will find the alcohol free juice. Volunteers will be happy to take you waste after you receive Communion.

Upon leaving your seats and receiving Communion, we ask that you please leave the building and return to your vehicles.

For your safety and the safety of our community, we ask that once you leave your seated area and return to your vehicles that you avoid congregating near your vehicles.

We will continue to sing songs during Communion, and you are welcome to leave at any time. Drive Through Communion will begin at 10:15 and run until 10:30.

vs. 1
We dim the lights,
We stroke the fire,
We breathe the evergreen.
Young ones wait
While the old ones make up 
Tales of how it used to be.
China dolls,
Candy corn,
Painted wooden toys; 
Treasures found
To the wondrous sound 
Of caroling the Savior
Born to us on Christmas morn.

refrain:
Emmanuel, God with us,
Emmanuel,
Emmanuel, God with us,
The Son of Israel.

vs. 2
And still he calls
Through the night,
Beyond the days of old.
A voice of peace
To the weary ones who 
Struggle with the human soul.
All of us
Travelers
Through a given time, 
Who can know
What tomorrow holds. 
But over the horizon
Surely you and I will find.
(refrain)

bridge:
And the years, they come,
And the years, they go,
Though we may forget somehow,
That the child once born
In Bethlehem
Is still among us now.
(refrain)

The Son of Israel,
The Son of Is . . . Israel.

vs. 1
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 pow’r
When we were gone astray.
O - tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
O - tidings of comfort and joy.

Comfort and joy have come to us,
In God’s amazing grace,
Comfort and joy have come to us,
In this and every place,
Comfort and joy will be fulfilled,
The day we see God’s face.
O - tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
O - tidings of comfort and joy.

vs. 1
Still, still, still,
To sleep is now His will.
On Mary’s breast
He rests in slumber,
While we pray
In endless number.
Still, still, still,
To sleep is now His will.

vs. 2
Sleep, sleep, sleep,
While we Thy vigil keep,
And angels come
From Heaven singing,
Songs of jubilation bringing,
Sleep, sleep, sleep,
While we Thy vigil keep.

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Follow us on facebook to watch our services live on Lord of Life LIVE! Watch with us live at 9:30am on Sundays, or rewatch at your own convenience!

Join us next Sunday, January 3, 9:30 a.m., as the blessed twelve days continue, and as we share and celebrate The Second Sunday After Christmas, “And This Will Be A Sign For You …  Every Sign Anew!” Worship to include a special blessing on one and all as a New Year begins! Worship to include a Children’s Message and a Sermon from Pastor Jamie! Worship to be 30 minutes, and to conclude with Holy Communion! Join us in-person or via our live stream efforts! A blessed and holy and merry Christmas season to each of you and your loved ones!

As we share worship in this new way, we are seeking volunteers to assist with greeting, ushering, serving communion, live streaming, AV ministry, set up, clean up, worship leaders, and more! You can access details and ways to sign up on our website and Facebook page! Thank you!

Friends, today as always, all who proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are welcome to God’s table of grace as we share Holy Communion. Communion will be offered to you following the closing song as you exit the sanctuary, as we share pre-packaged single servings of communion, including a wafer and grape juice. Carefully pull back the first tab to expose the host, the body of Christ, given for you; then pull back the second tab to expose the blood of Christ, shed for you! Please ask for assistance or clarification as you are served!

For those sharing their generosity today, we thank you for your faithful giving! Offering is collected in baskets by the ushers as you exit the sanctuary.

For those who are not able to join us for worship, you are invited to receive drive-through communion, available Sundays, 10:15-10:30 a.m. at the front curb near the church entrance.

We hope having the service provided for you in this way, will touch you, comfort you, reassure you, and grace you in some way! If you believe others you know would be blessed to receive this bulletin, the sermon notes, or our live stream links, please forward these to them.

In this time when we are committed to safety and social distancing, please trust we are equally committed to keeping us socially and spiritually connected! On behalf of the Kingdom of God, thank you for the ways you make God and neighbor first!

From everyone on every level of leadership and service, we continue to pray for you and to give thanks to God for each of you! Please contact Pastor Jamie if he can serve you in any way: jamie.thompson@lordoflifemn.org

We pray The Holy Spirit breathes anew on us to be God’s people and to be God’s Church, as together we make known and we trust anew God’s gifts of hope, peace, justice, clarity, calm, and comfort forever break forth in new ways for you and your loved ones, today, and as we share every sign of God’s love and grace!

Acknowledgments for today’s service include:

Litany of The Light Foretold written based on Isaiah 9:2-7 and Isaiah 40:9-11. © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW) and With One Voice Hymnal Supplement © 1995 Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis & Board of Publication, Lutheran Church In America, Philadelphia; and Evangelical Lutheran Worship © 2006 Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, MN. Used with permission. “Prayer of The Day,” “Lord’s Prayer,” “Post-Communion Blessing, Prayer, & Benediction,” based on the LBW. “Joy to the World” Music & Lyrics Public Domain, CCLI #24016 “Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful” Music & Lyrics Public Domain, CCLI #31054 “Happy Birthday” Music & Lyrics Public Domain, “What Child Is This?” Music & Lyrics Public Domain, CCLI #1380826 “Go Tell It On the Mountain” Music & Lyrics Public Domain, CCLI #29080 “Emmanuel, God With Us” © 1992 Clouseau Music Ltd CCLI #1334303 “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” © 1980 Beam Me Up Music, CCLI #39441 “Still, Still, Still” © 1970 Robbins Music & 1992 Van Ness Press, CCLI #4428666. All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.