Christmas Eve - Online Worship - December 24, 2023

Lord of Life LIVE – Christmas Eve – 9:30am 

Lord of Life LIVE – Christmas Eve – 9:30am 

Upcoming Events

Christmas Eve Worship – The Birth of Our Lord
December 24, 2023, 9:30AM & 4:00PM
Both services to include: Carols, Children’s Message, Communion, Candlelight, and “One Solitary Life” Faith Quest Sunday School does not meet.

Sunday Worship – The First Sunday After Christmas
December 31, 2023, 9:30AM
Our New Year’s Eve morning service includes A New Year’s Blessing On God’s Beloved!
Faith Quest Sunday School does not meet.

Join us in person, or on YouTube for Lord of Life LIVE!

All are welcome, encouraged to visit the Prayer Cross as moved to do so.

Song 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 us this holy night. His light breaks into our darkness. Trust anew The Sign, every sign of God’s grace, so come with all the faithful; let us adore him, 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 sign 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 comes first to you, 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, 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, every sign 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 and lives in Jesus’ birth, open our hearts to hear heaven and nature sing. As you, Emmanuel, are with us; rule the world with truth and grace. Open anew for us, every sign of your grace, in the glory of the newborn King. By your Holy Spirit, bless us during these holy days, and always, to live in your Light, The Light no darkness can overcome, to forever hold fast to The Christ, your greatest joy to the world, as we await Christ’s promised return. In every sign of your hope and grace, 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

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.

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.”

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.

(Revised Standard Version)

Children’s Christmas Message

Jesus Loves Me

Percival & Warner

Happy Birthday

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

And This Will Be A Sign For You!

LUKE 1:26-38; LUKE 2:1-20

Signs.  We use them and need them every day.  Signs point us in the right way.  Signs reassure us when on a long journey.  Signs tell us what is up ahead.  Signs identify things for us.  On this night of brilliant light in a world that often feels full of darkness, what signs are you looking for?  Are you looking for direction, reassurance, expectation, truth, hope?  The shepherds were the first to receive the Good News. "And this will be a sign for you, you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger."  Here is real direction, comfort, joy, and grace!  Whatever we are looking for this Christmas and each new morning of an anticipated new year, may the love, mercy, power and hope of God's grace be a sign for us.  The signs of God's grace will not be denied, not by a busy town, not by fearful shepherds, not by a cross, not by our own doubts or mistakes.  These are times when God's Sign shines brightest!  Are you looking for a sign - The Word is in the flesh alive among us, you will find a babe, The Sign has come to grace you, His name is Jesus! 

1. We use signs and need them every day.

A. Signs tell us where we are, give direction, point us in the right way.

B. Signs assure us we are going the right way when on a long journey.

C. Signs tell us what is up ahead.  They help us know what to expect and what to prepare for.

D. Signs identify for us things and places.

2. On this night of brilliant light in a world that too often feels full of darkness, what signs are you looking for?  "And this will be a sign for you.  You will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger."
Luke 2:11-12

A. Are you looking to know where you are, for direction, and to be pointed the right way? Let this little babe guide you.
Luke 2:11, 15-16

B. Are you looking to be reassured that you are going the right way in the midst of a long journey? Let this little babe comfort you.
Luke 1:37, 2:10

C. Are you looking to know more about what is up ahead, what to expect and what to prepare for? Let this little babe prepare you and fill you with anticipation.
Luke 1:30-35

D. Are you looking for truth to be identified for you?  Let this little babe tell you what is truth! Light. Peace On Earth. The Christ. The Savior.
Luke 2:11

3. If you are looking for signs of the Sign this Christmas, that's fair, understandable, acceptable, already anticipated; so look no further.

A. The shepherds had the angels and each other.
Luke 2:9-15

B. Mary and Joseph had the angels, each other and those who came.
Luke 1:28-38

C.      Who do you have? The angels, the Holy Spirit, each other.
Luke 2:19-20

D. One sign you have of the Sign this Christmas: Faith.  Faith like Mary and Joseph and the shepherds, is a gift just waiting to be unwrapped.
Luke 1:37-38

E. We have the best Sign, the clearest Sign, the brightest Sign, the most faithful Sign, the living Sign: Jesus, Emmanuel, God is with us!  The Sign has come to bring, to be God's love to you!
Luke 2:11-12, 17

4. Whatever we are looking for this Christmas and each new morning of an anticipated new year, may the love, mercy, power and hope of God's grace coming down to us be The Sign for us.  God's love will not be denied, not by a busy town, not by fearful shepherds, not by a cross, not by our own doubts or mistakes.  These are times when God's Sign shines brightest!  Looking for a sign? This will be a sign for you, you will find a babe, His name is Jesus!
Luke 2:11-12

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 Signs & 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 to 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.

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?

Regney & Shayne

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
DDancing 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 Noel

Gardner

vs. 1
The first Noel
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:
Noel Noel
Noel Noel
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 sign of grace tonight and always with thanksgiving, and to conform our lives to his, through Jesus Christ, the Lord of life. Amen.

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.”
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.

… as we pray to you, Jesus …
May every sign of your light and hope, comfort and joy, peace and grace, be born anew in our hearts and world.

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 hostssing
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 with every sign of His precious gifts, 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! Go tell it on the mountain, that 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)

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 Eve Worship, Sunday, December 24, 9:30 a.m. & 4 p.m. “And This Will Be A Sign For You!” Both Services Include: Carols, Children’s Message, Communion, Candlelight, “One Solitary Life!”

Join us next Sunday, for The First Sunday After Christmas, December 31, 9:30 a.m. “The Sign Made New!” Our New Year’s Eve morning service includes A New Year’s Blessing On God’s Beloved! Sunday, January 7, 9:30 a.m., Faith Quest, Sunday School resumes!

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 as you exit the building.

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.

We hope our worship 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.

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 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.