Christmas Eve Saturday, December 24, 2016 - 5:00 p.m.

Rev. Paul Spira, Pastor Ted Hoham, Seminarian Rose Murphy, Director of Family/Youth Daniel Harrison, Seminarian Gary Gerke, Choir Director Lutheran South Unity School, 744-0459 Krista Koch, Organist Krista Nagy, LSUS Principal Noel Hoff, Accompanist Peace Lutheran Preschool, 456-6605 Becky Rutkowski, Secretary (M-W-F) Barbara Bradtmueller, Preschool Director Nancy Herber, Secretary (Tu-Th)

Welcome! We extend a warm welcome to all who worship with us and especially to those who may be visiting. We pray that as you worship, you will be strengthened by our Lord’s love and grace. Please sign our Red Friendship Book at the end of the Pew. If you are our guests, please introduce yourself to the Pastor after the service. Gift bags for our visitors hang on the welcome wall in the Narthex.

Our Mission: “Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church exists to reach the lost and to provide for spiritual growth and nurture of our family of believers through education and ministry of Word and Sacraments."

Education Programs: Pre-K program, ages 3-5, August through May here in Peace’s education wing, and along with Bethlehem, Mt. Calvary and Zion Lutheran churches, we operate Lutheran South Unity School (K-8) located at 5401 South Calhoun Street.

Holy Communion: The Sacrament of Holy Communion is celebrated on the first, second and fourth Sundays of the month and on the corresponding Thursday services prior to these Sundays. See the red fellowship folder in the pew to register your intent to receive communion and for a summary of our Biblical understanding of the Sacrament. Guests from sister Lutheran (LCMS) congregations are welcome to commune with us, while members of other church bodies are asked to speak with our Pastor. If you are unable to approach the Communion rail, please let an usher know and Pastor will serve you at your seat. We offer gluten free wafers for those who need them – please notify the Elder at the Communion rail.

Hospitalization: If you or a family member is hospitalized, or is scheduled for surgery, please notify the church office or Pastor Spira at 445-0555. Even though you mention a church affiliation at check in, hospital staff rarely has time to contact the churches.

Nursery and Children’s Bulletins: A nursery for small children is available in Room 222 (The Nursery/Playroom). Children’s bulletins may be obtained from an usher.

Large Print Bulletins Available: If you are need a large print bulletin let the ushers know.

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CHRISTMAS EVE

A FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS

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Welcome

(For those who are able, please stand for the portions of the service that are marked with an *)

* Opening Hymn “O Come, All Ye Faithful” Hymnal page 379

* Invocation

P In the name of the Father and of the Son T and of the Holy Spirit.

C Amen

* Lighting of the Advent Candles

P Darkness cannot overcome the light. Five flames remind us that the light of the Christ

child defeats the deepest depths of darkness and brings life and immortality to light. One

candle is lit to remind us of hope.

C The prophets foretold a Messiah to come. People waited in expectation. Hope was

fulfilled.

P One candle is lit to remind us of love.

C God poured out his heart in the form of his Son. The Child was born of a woman.

Love was fulfilled.

P One candle is lit to remind us of joy.

C Angels sang “Gloria.” Shepherds ran to tell. Joy was fulfilled.

P One candle is lit to remind us of peace.

C The Prince of Peace was promised. The Child was peace in human form. Peace was

fulfilled.

P One white candle is lit to remind us of Jesus—sinless, spotless, shining, pure.

C His star is shining this night, making us whiter than snow.

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* Confession and Absolution

P The Psalmist said, “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and

the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the Son

of man that you care for him?” The sheer number of stars sometimes makes us feel

insignificant. But our sin makes us more than insignificant; it condemns us to darkness

and death. Let us confess our sins to God, our heavenly Father.

Silence for self-examination…

P We confess,

C Almighty God, have mercy upon us, forgive us our sins, and lead us to everlasting

life.

P On Christmas Eve Jesus was born to shine the light and love of God to a world filled with

darkness and sin. His light has conquered the darkness, and his death and resurrection

have given birth to forgiveness and life. Therefore, as a called and ordained servant of the

Word, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the T Son and of the

Holy Spirit. And all God’s people said,

C Amen.

* Prayer of the Day

P Let us pray. O Jesus, on this night the beam of your light shines forth from the manger for

all the world to see. As it reaches our eyes enable us to take in the love and peace it

contains. Then let the warm glow you have placed in our hearts shine forth so that others

see the glory of your light and your love. For your light is always new, never ending, ever

shining.

C Amen.

First Lesson God tells sinful Adam that he has lost the life of Paradise and that his seed will bruise the serpent’s head. Genesis 3:1-19

Second Lesson God promises to faithful Abraham that in his seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. Genesis 17:1-8

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Hymn “Let the Earth Now Praise the Lord” Hymnal page 352

(stanzas 1,3,5)

Third Lesson The prophet foretells the coming of the Saviour. Isaiah 9:2-7

Fourth Lesson The peace that Christ will bring is foreshown. Isaiah 11:1-10

Hymn “Low, How a Rose E’er Blooming” Hymnal page 359

(stanzas 1-3)

Fifth Lesson The angel Gabriel salutes the blessed Virgin Mary. Luke 1:26-38

Sixth Lesson St. Luke tells of the birth of Jesus. Luke 2:1-7

Hymn “O Little Town of Bethlehem” Hymnal page 361

Seventh Lesson The shepherds go to the manger. Luke 2:8-20

Hymn “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear Hymnal page 366 (stanzas 1&2)

Eighth Lesson The wise men are led by the star to Jesus. Matthew 2:1-11

Hymn “What Child Is This?” Hymnal page 370

Ninth Lesson St. John unfolds the great mystery of the incarnation. John 1:1-14

Homily

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The Gathering of the Offerings (We encourage our visitors and members to sign the red Friendship booklet located in each pew)

* Prayers Each petition ends with the response: P O Son of God,

C shine your light on us and save us.

P Lord Jesus Christ, your birth brought light into a world filled with the darkness of sin.

As angels sang and shepherds looked up into the sky, so shall we sing “alleluias” and

gaze in wonder at the glory of your love. Be born in us anew,

C shine your light on us and save us.

P Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Prince of Peace who was peaceably laid in a manger.

Grant our world the peace that only you can bring, where kings bow down to you and

leaders seek to serve you. O Prince of Peace,

C shine your light on us and save us.

P Lord Jesus Christ, you rule your church with a love that surpasses all limits and grace

that stretches far beyond the outer reaches of the universe. Bind in our hearts a love for

those who do not yet know you, that they, too, would receive the priceless gifts of your

love and grace. O King,

C shine your light on us and save us.

P Lord Jesus Christ, in your life you brought health and healing to those who sat in the

darkness of illness and disease. According to your will, grant the favor of that same

health and healing to those in need who are near and dear to us. O Healer of the Nations,

C shine your light on us and save us.

P Lord Jesus Christ, bring the bright beams of hope upon us, your people, as we welcome

you into our hearts and homes. And keep us ever watchful for your second coming that

we may greet you again with joy. O Light of the World,

C shine your light on us and save us.

P All other concerns we bring before you, Lord Jesus, in the prayer you taught us:

C 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.

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* The Lighting of the Candles

(As the flames are taken from the Christ candle, they will be passed to each aisle and each worshipper is asked to light his/her candle from the previously lighted one. Please dip the UNLIGHTED candle into the lighted one to avoid wax spills. When every candle is lit the following carol will be sung. At the end of this singing you may extinguish your candle.)

* Hymn “Silent Night, Holy Night” Hymnal page 363

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.

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!

3 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.

* Benediction Hymnal page 377, v. 4

P All out of darkness we have light,

C Which made the angels sing this night:

P “Glory to God and peace to men

C Now and forevermore. Amen.”

P The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.

C Amen.

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* Closing Hymn “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” Hymnal page 380

1 Hark! The herald angels sing,

“Glory to the newborn King;

Peace on earth and mercy mild,

God and sinners reconciled!”

Joyful, all ye nations, rise,

Join the triumph of the skies;

With the angelic host proclaim,

“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Hark! The herald angels sing,

“Glory to the new born King!”

2 Christ, by highest heav’n adored,

Christ, the everlasting Lord,

Late in time behold Him come,

Offspring of a virgin’s womb.

Veiled in flesh the God-head see,

Hail the incarnate Deity!

Pleased as Man with man to dwell,

Jesus, our Immanuel!

Hark! The herald angels sing,

“Glory to the new born King!”

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 man no more may die,

Born to raise the sons of earth,

Born to give them second birth.

Hark! The herald angels sing,

“Glory to the new born King!”

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SERVING IN GOD’S HOUSE

Preacher: Pastor Paul Spira Elder: Ron Daseler

Organist: Krista Koch

Lesson Reader: Kristine Bercot

Greeters: Bertie Hormann

Ushers: Gene Koch Tom Fuelling Mark Gotsch Adam Koch Jared Stephens Ken White

Acolyte: Payton Sells

Nursery: Available but not staffed

Altar Servers: Stacey Gatchell and Jeri Miller

The Flowers on the altar are given in thanksgiving to the glory of God by Tom and Renee Gerardot in loving memory of her father, Preston Hille.

Poinsettia Plants: Thank you to everyone who donated Poinsettias to beautify the sanctuary during the Christmas season. The plants are yours to take home after the service this evening.

Mart and Cheryl Erickson Jim and Nancy Herber Dick and Becky Rutkowski Stacey Gatchell Joe and Elaine King Joan Thompson Margaret Harrow Mike and Rose Murphy Ken and Ann White

Prayers: Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:

FOR HEALING: Art Keck, Gloria Paetz, Faith Harless, Carol (niece of Barb Peppler), Robert McMichael (husband of Phyllis), Don Baker (friend of Phyllis McMichael), Sharon Iovino (sister of Jerry Branstrator), Jenny Nehrenz (daughter-in-law of LSUS teacher), Jeremy Smith (son-in-law of Rutkowskis), and those confined at home or in care centers

PRAYER FAMILIES: Charles Miller, David Paetz, Ryan and Angela Zellers

SCHOOLS: Lutheran South Unity School, Peace Lutheran Preschool. Concordia Lutheran High School and our Concordia Universities & Seminaries

SHARING PEACE: That Sharing Peace Café would be a place where Christ’s love is shown and our neighbors are blessed to know Him.

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Attendance and Stewardship Summary for December 14 and 18:

Worship Attendance: 36/121 Bible Class: Adult/Youth/Children na Amount needed per week: $ 5,885.00 Our response last week: $ 4,620.04 Difference ($ 1,264.96)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

New Year’s Eve Worship Service: The most important part of our Christmas celebration is worshipping our newborn King. Please join us again at the year’s end to give thanks for another year and receive the Blessed Sacrament one last time in 2016 for worship and communion on New Year’s Eve at 7:00p.m.

Office Closed: The church office will be closed Monday, December 26.

This Week at Peace 12/24/16 – 1/01/17

Saturday – Dec 24 5:00p.m. 6:00p.m.

11:00p.m.

Worship Service with Communion Luminary Lighting Candlelight Service with Communion

Sunday – Dec 25

10:00a.m.

Worship Service with Communion

Monday – Dec 26 Church Office Closed

Tuesday – Dec 27 1:00p.m.-4:00p.m. 6:30p.m.

Youth Christmas Party Yoga NO Cross Talk

Wednesday – Dec 28 Bulletin Materials Due

Thursday – Dec 29 2:00-4:00p.m. Youth Pop-In

Friday – Dec 30

Saturday – Dec 31 7:00p.m. New Year’s Eve Worship Service

Sunday – Jan 1 9:00a.m. Worship with Communion

The Circumcision and Name of Jesus

Numbers 6:22-27

Galatians 3:23-29

Luke 2:21