The Nativity of Our Lord

December 24, 2020

4:00 p.m.- On-Line Service

Legend: P =Presider C = Congregation A = Assistant/Lector

* =All who are able please stand.

RITES OF PREPARATION AND ENTRANCE

*Invocation and Prayer for Purity

P: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

C: AMEN.

P: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

C: AMEN.

PROCESSIONAL HYMN Vs.1,2,3

* BLESSING OF THE CRECHE

P: God of every nation and people, from the very beginning of creation you have made manifest your love: when our need for a Savior was great you sent your Son to be born of the Virgin Mary. To our lives he brings joy and peace, justice, mercy, and love. Bless (+) this manger and all who look upon it; may it remind us of the humble birth of Jesus, and raise up our thoughts to him, who is God-with-us and Savior of all, and who lives and reigns forever and ever. C: AMEN.

PROCESSIONAL HYMN ( concluded) HYMN 283 (vs. 4)

APOSTOLIC GREETING

P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. C:And also with you.

THE HYMN OF PRAISE “GLORY TO GOD

PRAYER OF THE DAY

P: Almighty God, you made this holy night shine with the brightness of the true light. Grant that here on earth we may walk in the light of Jesus’ presence and in the last day wake to the brightness of his glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: AMEN.

LITURGY OF THE WORD OF GOD

After each reading the Lector will say “The Word of the Lord” and the Assembly

responds with “Thanks be to God.”

THE FIRST READING ISAIAH 9:2-7

THE PSALM-HYMN

SECOND READING TITUS 2:11-14

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION CELTIC ALLELUIA

THE HOLY GOSPEL LUKE 2:1-20

(READ FROM AUTHORIZED KING JAMES VERSION, 1611)

P: ( + )The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke the 2ND chapter. ( ++ )

C:

P: The Gospel of the Lord.

After the Reading

C:

THE SERMON “ THE GRACE OF GOD HAS APPEARED”

(Titus 2:11-14)

The Rev. Eugene A. Koene

►After the sermon a musical reflection will be played before the Hymn of the Day. ◄

HYMN OF THE DAY

PROFESSION OF FAITH NICENE CREED

A: With the whole church, let us confess our faith.

We believe in one God,

the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,

the only Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father,

God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God,

begotten, not made,

of one Being with the Father;

through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation

he came down from heaven,

by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from

the virgin Mary

and, and was made man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;

he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again

in accordance with the scriptures;

he ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead

and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from

the Father and the Son.

With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified,

he has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

( + )We look for the resurrection of the dead,

and the life of the world to come. Amen.

prayers of intercession with

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

(Stand)

A: In joy and wonder, we pray for the Church, those in need, and all of God’s creation.

(A brief silence)

Increase the joy of your people who gather this night to celebrate the arrival of your Anointed One. Send us out to announce all that you have done for your people.

Hear us, O God: Your mercy is great.

Raise our voices in the song of all creation. With earth and heavens, seas, fields, and trees, lead us in proclaiming your salvation and declaring your glory throughout the world.

Hear us, O God: Your mercy is great.

Bring glad tidings of peace to every nation. Break the rod of the oppressor. Cover the earth in the compassionate authority of your Son, our King.

Hear us, O God: Your mercy is great.

Give birth to hope in the lives of those who are lost or helpless. Send your Spirit of healing and comfort to all who are in need (especially…).

Hear us, O God: Your mercy is great.

As you made yourself manifest through Christ, our Savior, make your salvation known also through us, his Body. Shape us into a people who are zealous for good and righteous deeds.

Hear us, O God: Your mercy is great.

(The people may add their prayers, silently or aloud.)

All the saints rejoice in the eternal light of your salvation. Inspire us to rejoice in all things, trusting in your promises fulfilled, until you come among your people again.

Hear us, O God: Your mercy is great.

P: Let us also pray for the forgiveness of our sins.

(All who are able may kneel.)

C: Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father: in your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things done and left undone; and so uphold us by your Spirit that we may live and serve you in newness of life, to the honor and glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

(The Pastor gives the Absolution)

+ LITURGY OF THE EUCHARISTIC MEAL +

+ PEACE +

P: The peace of the Lord be with always.

C: And also with you.

The congregation greets one another with the greeting of

“Peace be with you.”

The congregation shall be seated for the offering

An offering is received as the Altar is prepared.

Please STAND when the Offering is brought forward.

OFFERTORY CANTICLE

OFFERTORY PRAYER

A: Blessed are you,

C: O Lord our God, maker of all things. Through your goodness you have blessed us with these gifts. With them we offer ourselves to your service and dedicate our lives to the care and redemption of all that you have made, for the sake of him who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

+ THE GREAT THANKSGIVING +

eucharistic prayer

* P: Glory to you, Lord God, heavenly King:

in the beginning you created the world

through him who is the Word-made-flesh.

You remembered your promises to Israel,

that from the root of Jesse a new Shepherd would come.

At the appointed time,

you sent the angel Gabriel to Mary, the humble Virgin of Nazareth,

and by the Spirit’s power your Son was conceived.

In humble surroundings she gave birth to Emmanuel,

God born for us, God with us, God in the midst of us.

We praise you for your goodness, and laud your magnificent love,

a love which would lead this Child to become the Man-for-others,

the One who takes away all helplessness, doubt, and fear,

the One who in love bore the holy cross.

By that same Spirit which brought this new life to birth,

empowered his ministry and raised him at his resurrection,

+ bless now this bread and + sanctify this cup of blessing,

fulfilling the word of your well-beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,

who, on the night in which was betrayed, took bread,

+ 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, AS OFTEN AS YOU

DRINK IT, FOR THE REMEMBRANCE OF ME.

Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:

C: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

Glory to you, Lord God, heavenly King:

in this Holy Child all lives are renewed,

and all sins forgiven by his life and holy Passion,

his resurrection and exaltation at your right hand.

Let your Spirit be upon us, that as we partake of this Holy Mystery,

we may be filled with your forgiving love,

and the promise of new life through this Holy Child. Join our prayers with those of Mary and Joseph and all your saints,

and unite them with the ceaseless petitions of our great High Priest,

until he comes as victorious Lord of all.

the lord’s prayer (Traditional form.)

The Pastor invites all to join in the Lord’s Prayer.

P: Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as our Savior Christ has taught us:

C: Our Father……

BREAKING OF THE BREAD AND ACCLAMATION

P: When we eat this bread, we share the Body of Christ.

When we drink this cup, we share the Blood of Christ.

C: Reveal yourself to us, O Lord, in the breaking of bread,

As once you revealed yourself to your disciples

INVITATION TO COMMUNION

P: O TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD; BLESSED ARE ALL WHO PUT THEIR TRUST IN HIM.

(Baptized Christians who have received their First Communion, repent of sin and trust in Jesus Christ for forgiveness and salvation, endeavoring to live in peace with all people, are welcome to receive the Body and Blood of Christ, as he gives himself to us in the earthly elements of bread and wine. Those not yet ready for Communion are invited to the altar for a blessing.)

COMMUNION HYMN

POST COMMUNION SENTENCE

P: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.

POST COMMUNION CANTICLE

POST COMMUNION PRAYER

P: O God the Father:

C: you are the Fount and Source of all goodness. In loving-kindness you sent your only begotten Son into the flesh. We thank you that for his sake you have given us pardon and peace in this Sacrament. We ask you not to forsake your children, but always to rule our hearts and minds by your Holy Spirit, that we may be enabled constantly to serve you; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. AMEN.

*THE BENEDICTION

P: Almighty God, the Father, ( + ) the Son, and the Holy Spirit bless you now and forever.

C: AMEN

(Candles will be lighted)

*THE RECESSIONAL HYMN

“SILENT NIGHT”

*THE DISMISSAL

A: Christ our King, the Lord of light:

C: Is born for us this Holy Night.

THE RINGING OF THE BELLS

ORGAN VOLUNTARY: “JOY TO THE WORLD” G. F. HANDEL

Welcome to All who share with us in the joy of this Holy Night. To all we extend our prayers and best wishes for a blessed, merry, and Christ-filled Christmas, and a most prosperous New Year.

Our Celebration of the Savior’s Birth continues with a Service on Sunday, 27 December at 10 A.M. The readings are: Isaiah 52:7-10; Hebrews 1:1-12; John 1:1-14.

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