Christmas Eve - The Birth of Our Lord - Online Worship - December 24, 2022
Upcoming Events:
Festive Christmas Day Worship
Sunday, December 18, 2022, 9:30am
Join us for Lord of Life LIVE on YouTube!
Faith Quest meets during worship
Lord of Life LIVE - Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship
Christmas Prelude, Prayer Cross & The Christmas Greeting
All are welcome, encouraged to visit the Prayer Cross as moved to do so.
Carol of Faith & Adoration
Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful
Wade
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. 2
The highest most holy
Light of light eternal
Born of a virgin
A mortal he comes
Son of the Father
Now in flesh appearing
(refrain)
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)
Litany of The Light Foretold
based on Isaiah 9:2-7 & Isaiah 40:9-11
The wonders of God’s love come to meet us in comfort and joy on this holy night. May we see his light breaking into our darkness as we worship in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; though we have lived in a land and time of deep darkness, on all of us Light now shines.
People of God: On this holy night, let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins and the times we fail to trust every gift of God’s grace in Emmanuel, The Christ, who is Christmas.
(silence for reflection)
Friends in Christ: Jesus, the Son of God, born this day, Jesus saves you, Jesus forgives you all your sins. This will be a sign for you; This Light increases your comfort and joy, breaking the yoke of your burdens. Come and worship Christ, the newborn King!
Carol of New Light
Angels, from the Realms of Glory
Smart
Angels from the realms of glory
Wing your flight o’er all the earth
Once you sang creation’s story
Now proclaim Messiah’s birth
Come and worship
Come and worship
Worship Christ
The newborn King
For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; and all authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Friends of The Christ Child: The authority of the Lord continues to grow, and his kingdom will always be at peace. He will establish it and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. Come and worship the newborn King!
Carol of New Light
Angels, from the Realms of Glory
Smart
Shepherds in the fields abiding
Watching o’er your flocks by night
God with us is now residing
Yonder shines the infant light
Come and worship
Come and worship
Worship Christ
The newborn King
Get up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, herald of good tidings. Do not fear, but say to the cities, “Here is my God!”
Friends of the newborn Savior: The Lord comes with might, and his recompense is before him. He will feed his flock; gather and carry the lambs, gently lead the mother sheep. The Lord is come! Open anew the gifts of God’s grace; sing God’s joy to the world!
Carol of Greatest Joy
Joy to the World
Handel & Watts
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
Almighty God, your Light and the wonders of your love shine this holy night. As you break into our world in Jesus’ birth, open our hearts to hear heaven and nature sing. As you rule the world with truth and grace, we give all glory to the newborn King. Bless us during these holy days, and by your Holy Spirit, we will forever hold fast to The Christ, your joy to the world, as we await Christ’s promised return. In the grace of the newborn Christ, our comfort and greatest joy, we pray. Amen.
The Light Anticipated
Luke 1:26-38
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And Gabriel came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
(New Revised Standard Version)
Carol of Christ’s Arrival
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Redner & Brooks
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
The Light Born
Luke 2:1-7
Pastor:
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city.
Men:
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
Women:
And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
(New Revised Standard Version)
Carol Holding True Joy
What Child Is This
Dix
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
The Light Announced
Luke 2:8-15
Pastor:
And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Voice:
And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”
All:
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among all with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
(New Revised Standard Version)
Carol Echoing True Joy
Angels We Have Heard on High
French Traditional
vs. 1
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
refrain:
Gloria
In excelsis Deo
Gloria
In excelsis Deo
vs. 2
Shepherds why this jubilee
Why your joyous strains prolong
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heav’nly song
(refrain)
The Light Witnessed & Rejoiced
Luke 2:16-20
Children:
And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
Pastor:
And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child; and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
(RSV)
Children are invited to sit with their families following the Children’s Christmas Message. Faith Quest does not meet during today’s service.
Jesus Loves Me This I Know
Percival & Warner
Away In A Manger
Luther / Murray
Away in a manger
No crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus
Lay down his sweet head
The stars in the sky
Look down where he lay
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay
Christ Is Comfort & Joy!
LUKE 2:1-20
Why are you here tonight? What are you looking for? Are you sure you will find it here? Children get excited by what they find under the tree. It is good to be like children - to get excited, to hope someone gives us what we are looking for. `Do not be afraid ... I bring you Good News of the greatest joy!’ What if comfort was being given to you tonight, in the midst of your fears, and all that is unknown and unsettling? What if joy, the greatest joy, was being given to you tonight, in the midst of all you think will provide happiness? `For to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ The Lord.’ The Christ is comfort and joy! Emmanuel, God is with us, to be comfort and joy! When we are not sure where to find what we are looking for this Christmas or on into the new year, or at our darkest and most lonely times, trust anew The one who comes to you, gives life anew to believe anew, our Savior who is Christ The Lord, The Christ who is our comfort and our joy!
1. What are you hoping for this night? What would it take to make it perfect? The best Christmas is that which exceeds our expectations.
Luke 2:12
2. This holy night, this night divine, this silent night: `Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of the greatest joy!’ The Christ is all you are looking for, and so much more! Christ is comfort and joy!
Luke 1:30, 33; Luke 2:11, 15
A. Comfort and joy is personal. The best gifts are personal. The Christ is comfort and joy, to the world, to you.
Luke 2:10
B. Comfort and joy change everything. Things are different in The Christ - the Word is flesh, sin is forgiven, death is life, darkness is light.
Luke 1:31,33
C. Comfort and joy are present. God takes the initiative and comes to us, to be in relationship with us.
Luke 2:9,18
D. Comfort and joy call us, send us, awe us! The shepherds and wise men came with great haste to worship him, and so can we.
Luke 2:15-18,20
E. Comfort and joy give hope. Even in the midst of our fears, uncertainties, unknowns, this is The One who is certain, our Good News of a great joy!
Luke 1:37; Luke 2:10
F. Comfort and joy give welcome, warmth and love. Though there was no place in the inn, there is all kinds of room in God's heart and kingdom.
Luke 2:6-7
G. Comfort and joy give light, and this is The Light no darkness can overcome. The Light has come and a great miracle has happened right here.
Luke 2:9-10
H. Comfort and joy give peace. There is no more desired gift this season, every day, than to find in Jesus Christ alone, peace on earth and good will to all.
Luke 2:14
3. Christ is comfort and joy! The Christ has come, to be with us, to journey with us, to save us, to be our Light, to overcome our every darkness, to come again one day. Emmanuel is staying with us, to be what we need him to be, and to be more than we ever expected. Tonight, all your nights: Celebrate, trust, hope for The Christ is comfort and joy, here and now, forever and ever!
Luke 1:28, 30; 2:11
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.
Carol of Priceless Tidings
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
Unknown
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
vs. 2
From God our heav’nly 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
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
Holy Communion will take place during our service. 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.
For those worshiping with us in person, we receive communion through intinction; that is, you will receive the bread, the host, then dip into the glass of choice, either a red wine in the chalice closest to the host, or in a light colored non-alcoholic grape juice. All are welcome.
We also offer gluten free and pre-packaged options. Please take these options before arriving at the host to receive a blessing.
The Words of Institution
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.”
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.
Songs During Holy Communion
Do You Hear What I Hear?
Baker
vs. 1
Said the night wind
To the little lamb
Do you see what I see
(Do you see what I see)
Way up in the sky little lamb
Do you see what I see
(Do you see what I see)
A star a star Dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite
With a tail as big as a kite
vs. 2
Said the little lamb
To the shepherd boy
Do you hear what I hear
(Do you hear what I hear)
Ringing thru the sky shepherd boy
Do you hear what I hear
(Do you hear what I hear)
A song a song High above the tree
With a voice as big as the sea
With a voice as big as the sea
vs. 3
Said the shepherd boy
To the mighty king
Do you know what I know
(Do you know what I know)
In your palace warm mighty king
Do you know what I know
(Do you know what I know)
A Child a Child shivers in the cold
Let us bring Him silver & gold
Let us bring Him silver & gold
vs. 4
Said the king
To the people everywhere
Listen to what I say
(Listen to what I say)
Pray for peace people everywhere
Listen to what I say
(Listen to what I say)
The Child The Child sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
He will bring us goodness and light
The First Nöel
Gardner
vs. 1
The first Nöel 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
refrain:
Nöel Nöel Nöel Nöel
Born is the King of Israel
vs. 2
They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the east
Beyond them far
And to the earth
It gave great light
And so it continued
Both day and night
(refrain)
vs. 3
And by the light of that same star
Three wise men came
From country far
To seek for a king
Was their intent
And to follow the star
Wherever it went
(refrain)
Still, Still, Still
Gotsch & Suss
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
The body and blood of our living Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, come to you, be born anew in you, strengthen you and keep you in his grace this holy night and on into life everlasting.
Amen.
Let us pray.
Faithful God, on this holy night, you sent Emmanuel, you came to us, giving your Son as a sacrifice for sin and a model of the godly life. Enable us to receive your every gift of grace tonight and always with thanksgiving, and to conform our lives to his, through Jesus Christ, the Lord of life. Amen.
Pastor:
From St. John we read, “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. … The Word became flesh to live among us.” And from the prophet Isaiah we retell these words, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
All:
Those who dwelt in the land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. We have beheld Christ’s glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.
Pastor:
… as we pray to you, Jesus …
All:
May your comfort and joy be born anew in our hearts and world.
Reading
“One Solitary Life”
Francis
Carol of Peace & Hope
Silent Night, Holy Night
Gruber
vs. 1
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
vs. 2
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
vs. 3
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
The Lord come to you and bless you on this silent night 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 for Christ is salvation and hope, life and grace, love and peace, comfort and joy. 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! Jesus Christ is born!
(please turn off your candles)
Carol Going In Faith & Light
Go Tell It On the Mountain
Work, Jr.
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)
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Tonight, we share our Festive Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship, Saturday, December 24, 4 p.m. “Christ Is Comfort And Joy!” Carols, Children’s Message, Communion, Candlelight, “One Solitary Life!”
Join us tomorrow for our Festive Christmas Day Worship, Sunday, December 25, 9:30 a.m. “Comfort And Joy Alive Among Us!” Carols, Children’s Message, Communion, Christmas Fellowship! Join us for our Festive New Year’s Day Worship.
Join us next Sunday, for The First Sunday After Christmas, January 1, 2023, 9:30 a.m. “Still Searching For Comfort And Joy!” This service includes a blessing on God’s beloved as a new year begins! Sunday, January 8, 9:30 a.m., Faith Quest, Sunday School resumes!
As we continue to share the ministry God places in our care, we are seeking more volunteers! 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.
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. 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 gift of God’s light, 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. “Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful” “Angels, from the Realms of Glory” “Joy to the World” “O Little Town of Bethlehem” “What Child Is This?” “Angels We Have Heard on High” “Away In A Manger” “The First Noel” “Silent Night, Holy Night” “Go Tell It On the Mountain” © 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. “Jesus Loves Me” © Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #4771887 “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” © 1980 Beam Me Up Music, CCLI #39441 “Do You Hear What I Hear?” © 1962 Regent Music Corp., renewed by Jewel Music Publishing Co., Inc. “Still, Still, Still” © 1970 Robbins Music Corp.All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.