First Lutheran Church Christmas Eve
PO Box 153 - 240 Elm Street West December 24, 2024
Amery, WI 715-268-7135 www.flcamery.org
Our mission is to know Jesus and to make Jesus known. Jn. 17
PO Box 153 - 240 Elm Street West December 24, 2024
Amery, WI 715-268-7135 www.flcamery.org
Our mission is to know Jesus and to make Jesus known. Jn. 17
PRELUDE MUSIC
Isaiah 9:2-7 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness-on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy… For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore.
CHOIR: Let all Mortal Flesh Keep Silent
Luke 1:68-79 Song of Zechariah: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we would be saved from our enemies... Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days… By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
LIGHTING THE ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS CANDLE After counting the weeks of Advent we have come to Christmas. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness-- on them light has shined. Isaiah 9:2 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. John 1:9 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 LIGHTS ON
HYMN: Green 45
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;
Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him
Oh, come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!
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
3. Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning; Jesus,
to thee be glory given; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing; … Refrain
The peace of the Lord be with you. And also with you.
MESSAGE: GIFT OF CHRISTMAS: Peace Pastors Tom or Tim
Luke 2:1-7 In those days a decree went out from the Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Now in that same region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”
Duet: Paul & Beth
The Joy of the Lord be with you. And also with you.
MESSAGE: GIFT OF CHRISTMAS: JOY Pastors Tom or Tim
HYMN: Green 71
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!
2. Come to Bethlehem and see Christ Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King. … Refrain
HYMN: Green 39
Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive its King;
Let every heart prepare him room And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing, And heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
2. No more let sin and sorrow grow Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make his blessings flow Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found, Far as, far as the curse is found.
3. 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.
Luke 2:8 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them, and Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.
The Love of the Lord be with you. And also with you.
MESSAGE: GIFT OF CHRISTMAS: Treasured Love Pastors Tom or Tim
HYMN: Green 41
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.
2. O holy Child of Bethlehem! Descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin and enter in,
Be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel!
Prayer: Almighty God, you have made this holy night shine with the brightness of the true Light. Grant that here on earth we may walk in the light, the peace, the joy and the love of Jesus' presence, and in the last day wake to the brightness of his glory; through your only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
HYMN: Green 54
It came upon the midnight clear, That glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth To touch their harps of gold; "Peace on the earth,
good will tomen From heaven's all-gracious King" The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.
2. Still through the cloven skies they come With peaceful wings unfurled, And still their heavenly music floats O'er all the weary world; Above its sad and lowly plains They bend on hovering wing, And ever o'er its Babel sounds The blessed angels sing.
OFFERING: Duet by Julie Hanlon-Johnson and Beth Ray
HYMN: Green 40
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.
2. 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!
PRAYER: Loving God, like Mary and Joseph, who trusted in your grace despite their fear, their poverty, their lack of certainty, we offer ourselves and our gifts to you. Bless our offering and hallow our every thought and action, that Christ may be born in us and through us be revealed to those who yet walk in darkness. Amen.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise. It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, through Christ our Lord. In the wonder and mystery of the Word made flesh you have opened the eyes of faith to a new and radiant vision of your glory; that, beholding the God made visible, we may be drawn to love the God whom we cannot see. Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the night in which he was betrayed, 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. And now as our Savior taught us, we are bold to pray: Our Father…
HYMN: Green 60 “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing”
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!” Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn king!”
2. Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace! Hail the sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings, Risen 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 2nd birth. Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn king!
MUSIC until Communion is over.
PLEASE BE CAREFUL WITH THE FLAME AND WAX
John 1:1-14 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. 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 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 nor 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 the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth.
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. Heavenly 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.
1. Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay, the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
2 The cattle are lowing, the poor baby wakes, but little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love you, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky, and stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.
3. Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay close by me for ever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in your tender care, & fit us for heaven, to live with you there.
Song of Simeon: Lord, now let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled. My own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people: a light to lighten the nations and the glory of your people Israel. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. (Luke 2:29-32)
The flower up front is honor or our Savior’s birth.
Merry Christmas! Thank you for being here tonight. God Bless you and yours.
Isaiah 9:2-7 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness-on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy… For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore.
CHOIR: Let all Mortal Flesh Keep Silent
Luke 1:68-79 Song of Zechariah: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we would be saved from our enemies... Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days… By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
LIGHTING THE ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS CANDLE After counting the weeks of Advent we have come to Christmas. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness-- on them light has shined. Isaiah 9:2 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. John 1:9 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 LIGHTS ON
HYMN: Green 45
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;
Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him
Oh, come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!
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
3. Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning; Jesus,
to thee be glory given; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing; … Refrain
The peace of the Lord be with you. And also with you.
MESSAGE: GIFT OF CHRISTMAS: Peace Pastors Tom or Tim
Luke 2:1-7 In those days a decree went out from the Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Now in that same region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”
Duet: Paul & Beth
The Joy of the Lord be with you. And also with you.
MESSAGE: GIFT OF CHRISTMAS: JOY Pastors Tom or Tim
HYMN: Green 71
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!
2. Come to Bethlehem and see Christ Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King. … Refrain
HYMN: Green 39
Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive its King;
Let every heart prepare him room And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing, And heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
2. No more let sin and sorrow grow Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make his blessings flow Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found, Far as, far as the curse is found.
3. 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.
Luke 2:8 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them, and Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.
The Love of the Lord be with you. And also with you.
MESSAGE: GIFT OF CHRISTMAS: Treasured Love Pastors Tom or Tim
HYMN: Green 41
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.
2. O holy Child of Bethlehem! Descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin and enter in,
Be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel!
Prayer: Almighty God, you have made this holy night shine with the brightness of the true Light. Grant that here on earth we may walk in the light, the peace, the joy and the love of Jesus' presence, and in the last day wake to the brightness of his glory; through your only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
HYMN: Green 54
It came upon the midnight clear, That glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth To touch their harps of gold; "Peace on the earth,
good will tomen From heaven's all-gracious King" The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.
2. Still through the cloven skies they come With peaceful wings unfurled, And still their heavenly music floats O'er all the weary world; Above its sad and lowly plains They bend on hovering wing, And ever o'er its Babel sounds The blessed angels sing.
OFFERING: Duet by Julie Hanlon-Johnson and Beth Ray
HYMN: Green 40
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.
2. 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!
PRAYER: Loving God, like Mary and Joseph, who trusted in your grace despite their fear, their poverty, their lack of certainty, we offer ourselves and our gifts to you. Bless our offering and hallow our every thought and action, that Christ may be born in us and through us be revealed to those who yet walk in darkness. Amen.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise. It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, through Christ our Lord. In the wonder and mystery of the Word made flesh you have opened the eyes of faith to a new and radiant vision of your glory; that, beholding the God made visible, we may be drawn to love the God whom we cannot see. Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the night in which he was betrayed, 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. And now as our Savior taught us, we are bold to pray: Our Father…
HYMN: Green 60 “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing”
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!” Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn king!”
2. Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace! Hail the sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings, Risen 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 2nd birth. Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn king!
MUSIC until Communion is over.
PLEASE BE CAREFUL WITH THE FLAME AND WAX
John 1:1-14 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. 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 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 nor 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 the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth.
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. Heavenly 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.
1. Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay, the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
2 The cattle are lowing, the poor baby wakes, but little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love you, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky, and stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.
3. Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay close by me for ever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in your tender care, & fit us for heaven, to live with you there.
Song of Simeon: Lord, now let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled. My own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people: a light to lighten the nations and the glory of your people Israel. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. (Luke 2:29-32)
The flower up front is honor or our Savior’s birth.
Merry Christmas! Thank you for being here tonight. God Bless you and yours.
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