Christmas Day - The Birth of Our Lord - Online Worship - December 25, 2022
Lord of Life LIVE - Festive Christmas Worship
Upcoming Events:
New Year’s Day Worship
Sunday, January 1, 2023, 9:30am
Join us for Lord of Life LIVE on YouTube!
Faith Quest meets during 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 Comfort & Joy, In Hope & Light
based on Psalm 98:1-4
The wonders of God’s love and comfort and joy are alive and come to us, to meet us and to captivate us on this blessed morn, the prophecy has been fulfilled, The Word has become flesh to live among us, so we adore him, so 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. Sing a new song unto the Lord! He has done marvelous things!
Through his birth and his faithful presence, his right hand and his holy arm have gotten him the victory. Let us break into joyful song and sing praises! Jesus the Christ brings joy to the world!
Carol of Proclamation
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
Through his bright light the Lord is alive, making known his victory.
Jesus is comfort and joy in the Word made flesh, and God has revealed his vindication in the sight of all the nations.
God has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness. This is God’s Christmas gift to you and to the world, as he comes to you.
All the ends of the earth have seen and received the gift of life in the victory of our God. Jesus Christ rules the world!
Carol of Proclamation
Joy to the World
Handel & Watts
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
Make a joyful noise to the Lord all the earth!
Let us wait no longer for comfort and joy! Let us break forth into joyful song and sing praises! Hark! The herald angels sing!
Carol of Good News
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Mendelssohn
vs. 1
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
vs. 3
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 of earth
Born to give us second birth
(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, your comfort and joy. This blessed morning, 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 sing and we pray. Amen.
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
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
The Christmas Gospel
John 1:1-18
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)
God’s Son who was born in a manger, who went forward to make us all one through his death and resurrection will come again. Trusting every gift of comfort and joy anew in Emmanuel, we boldly share our faith, for his light has come and the darkness will not overcome it.
God who sits upon the throne says, “Behold, I make all things new. Write these words for they are trustworthy and true. It is done! I am the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the fountain the water of life without payment. They who conquer shall have their heritage, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.” Amen.
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
Happy Birthday, Dear Jesus
Comfort & Joy: Alive Among Us!
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 comfort, joy, The One who is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace! Trust The Christ and God’s comfort and joy are alive among you, lavishing you with his gifts, 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 comfort and joy, 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 comfort and joy, 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. Comfort and joy are 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, giving comfort and joy!
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 comfort and joy?
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, are never routine, coming to us again and again, forever, right here!
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
… as you hear our prayers, Jesus …
May your comfort and joy 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.
Reading
“One Solitary Life”
Francis
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
The Little Drummer Boy
Davis
vs. 1
Come they told me
Pa-rum pum pum pum
Our newborn King to see
Pa-rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring
Pa-rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King
Pa-rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
So to honor Him
Pa-rum pum pum pum
When we come
vs. 2
Baby Jesu
Pa-rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too
Pa-rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring
Pa-rum pum pum pum
That’s fit to give our King
Pa-rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
Shall I play for you
Pa-rum pum pum pum
On my drum
vs. 3
Mary nodded
Pa-rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time
Pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him
Pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him
Pa-rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
Then He smiled at me
Pa-rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum
Emmanuel, God With Us
Grant
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
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 and blessed morning and on into life everlasting.
Amen.
Let us pray.
Faithful God, on that first silent 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 this morning and always with thanksgiving, and to conform our lives to his, through Jesus Christ, the Lord of life. 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 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.
Thanks be to God! Peace on earth! Jesus Christ is born!
Carol Going In Faith & Joy
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)
Liking posts like this one helps get the word out about Lord of Life! Consider sharing posts like this with friends who may be missing their faith-based communities. Leave a comment and let us know what you liked or what moved you this week!
Follow us on facebook to watch our services live on Lord of Life LIVE now on YouTube! Watch with us live at 9:30am on Sundays, or rewatch at your own convenience!
Today we share 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 Comfort & Joy, In Hope & Light written based on Psalm 98:1-4. “Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful” “Joy to the World” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” “What Child Is This?” “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 “The Little Drummer Boy,” © 1958, renewed 1986, EMI Mills Music Inc. “Emmanuel, God With Us” © 1992 Clouseau Music Ltd CCLI #1334303 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.