Nativity of Our Lord CALL TO WORSHIP P: 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. C: We long for a light to guide us. P: You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy. C: We long for God's joy in our lives. P: For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. C: We long to be relieved of all that we carry. P: For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. C: He is named Emmanuel: God with us. In this vulnerable child, we find our light, our joy, our comfort. Joy to the World! The Lord is come! 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 your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. READINGS Hebrew Bible Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7 2The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. 3You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. 4For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. 6For 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. 7His 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. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. Psalm 96 1Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. 2Sing to the Lord, bless the name of the Lord; proclaim God’s salvation from day to day. 3Declare God’s glory among the nations and God’s wonders among all peoples. 4For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised, more to be feared than all gods. 5As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols; but you, O Lord, have made the heavens. 6Majesty and magnificence are in your presence; power and splendor are in your sanctuary. 7Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord honor and power. 8Ascribe to the Lord the honor due the holy name; bring offerings and enter the courts of the Lord. 9Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; tremble before the Lord, all the earth. 10Tell it out among the nations: “The Lord is king! The one who made the world so firm that it cannot be moved will judge the peoples with equity.” 11Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea thunder and all that is in it; let the field be joyful and all that is therein. 12Then shall all the trees of the wood shout for joy at your coming, O Lord, for you come to judge the earth. 13You will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with your truth. Gospel: Luke 2:1-20 1In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph 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. 5He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And 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. 8In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” 15When 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.” 16So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. SERMON PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION P; Glory to you, O God, for good news of great joy that you give to all people. Thank you for Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who lived among us and now reigns on high. Thank you for his light that shines in the darkness. With the angels, we sing praise to you, celebrating your glory in all the earth, in the Son given to us, and in your promised salvation. Gathered as a community on this Christmas Eve, we pray for your church in every place, that we may make known to others what has been told to us about this child. Help us to bear Christ’s light in every place of need. Draw near to those who spend this night apart from community: travelers and those far from home, people who are lonely, those waiting in hospital rooms, those sitting in prison cells, people working deep in the night, people estranged from family or friends. Comfort those who are poor and vulnerable: the child at risk, the homeless on the streets, the family that is hungry, and those contending with prejudice and scorn. Restore those who have lost faith, lost hope, or simply lost their way. End the hostilities and wars we construct by ushering in the endless peace of your design. Establish your reign of justice and righteousness. You are the Lord of hosts who, with zeal, will do this; through Jesus Christ our Savior. C: Amen. OFFERING PRAYER P: Because God so loved the world, God sent the Son into the world. In response to this good news of great joy, we offer songs of praise, tithes and offerings, and acts of service. Tonight’s offering has been designated 50/50 to the Nuckolls and Thayer County Food Pantries. Let us pray, great God, accept the gifts we offer as we wait in hope for your coming again. Use all that we have and all that we are as you bring light in every darkness, ease heavy burdens, and turn our endless warring into your endless peace. In Christ’s name, we ask it. C: Amen. BENEDICTION P: May you be filled with the wonder of Mary, the obedience of Joseph, the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the determination of the magi, and the peace of the Christ child. Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit bless you now and + forever. C: Amen. DISMISSAL P: Go in peace, to love and serve the Lord. C: Amen. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495
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AuthorRev. Lori E.L. Kitzing Archives
April 2024
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