St. Andrew Lutheran Church of Canyon Lake

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Christmas Eve 4:00 Service

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Prelude Jimmy Cheung, Organist

4 pm “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” Claire and Rory Roberts

7pm “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” Men’s Ensemble

Welcome and Announcements

Ringing of the Bell

Please stand as you are able.

Gathering Hymn “Angels We have Heard on High”

Refrain: Glo—-ri—a, in ex cel sis De—-o;

Glo—-ri—a in ex cel sis De—-o.

Confession and Forgiveness

Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, whose steadfast love is everlasting. Amen.

Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.

Silence is kept for reflection.

God-with-us, we confess that we have turned away those seeking shelter, claiming there is no room when we have plenty.

We have made power and wealth our idols, while you show us true glory; a baby in a manger. We have overlooked the shepherds, expecting good news in prettier packaging. Too often, we have valued violence instead of your peace. Turn us from our ways to your ways. Grant us the grace to begin again. Free us from all that keeps us bound, and forgive our sin, through Jesus Christ, who gives himself for us. Amen.

Hear the Good News and rejoice! You are God’s chosen ones, holy and be-loved, forgiven in Christ and freed to respond in joy. Amen.

Carol #270 “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” vs. 1 & 2

Let us pray. Lord God, The shepherds were so afraid, and sometimes we are, too. Make our curiosity greater than our fear, and our faith greater than our doubts, Amen.

Please be seated.

First Reading Isaiah 9: 2-7

2 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. 3 You have multiplied exultation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. 4 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. 5 For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire.

6 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, Ever-lasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Great will be his authority, 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.

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

Carol #277 “Away in a Manger” vs. 1

As the carol is sung the children may come forward for the

Children’s sermon.

CHILDREN’S SERMON Pastor Chris Steubing

Please stand as you are able.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Carol #283

“O Come, All Ye Faithful” vs. 1

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant! O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; come and behold him, born the king of angels:

Refrain: O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,

O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

The Holy gospel according to Luke.

Glory to you, O Lord.

GOSPEL READING Luke 2: 1-20

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be regis-tered. 4 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. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger, be-cause there was no place in the guest room.

8 Now in that same region there were shepherds living in the fields, keep-ing watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terri-fied. 10 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: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior,

who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and say-ing, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

15 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.”

16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shep-herds told them, 19 and Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

GOSPEL RESPONSE #283 “O Come, All Ye Faithful” vs. 3

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,

sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God in the highest: Refrain: O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,

O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE Pastor Chris Steubing

HYMN OF THE DAY #290 “Go Tell It on the Mountain”

Please stand as you are able.

THE NICENE CREED

Together with the whole church, we 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,

was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary

and became truly human.

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,*

who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,

who 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.

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

. . .Hear us O God, Your mercy is great.

SHARING THE PEACE

The peace of Christ be with you always.

And also with you.

Let us share the peace with one another.

OFFERING

OFFERING MUSIC “What a Strange to Save the World”

Please stand as you are able as the offering is brought forward.

OFFERING PRAYER

Let us pray. God of every good gift, we offer what we have back to you, knowing that your son is the greatest gift we will ever receive. Grant us glad and generous hearts, ever and always. Amen.

HOLY COMMUNION

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.

It is right to give God thanks and praise.

Carol #283 “O Come, All Ye Faithful” 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: O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,

O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray…

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.

RECEIVING OUR LORD IN THE SACRAMENT

INVITATION TO COMMUNION

God is now in flesh appearing. Come to the feast of joy!

COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION

Communion Distribution---All are welcome to receive Holy Communion at the Lord's table. If you'd like to receive a blessing instead, you may simply come forward and cross your arms over your chest. If you are unable to come forward, please notify an usher and we will bring the sacrament to you. The communion cups contain wine (red) or grape juice (white). Gluten-free wafers are available upon request.

Hymns during Holy communion:

#296 “What Child is This”

#279 “O Little Town of Bethlehem”

#300 “The First Noel”

#288 “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice”

Blessing after Communion

Please stand as you are able.

Prayer after Communion

Incarnate God, you are among us at this table. May we treasure this gift and ponder in our hearts the mystery of your presence. Move us to discover the wonders of your love in the everyday moments of our lives, through Christ born in us. Amen.

Sharing the Blessing of Light

(The Christ Candle is lit, and the light is passed to each individual candle. Always keep lit candles upright and tip unlit candles to light them.)

John 1: 1-5

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all peo-ple. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.

Carol #281 “Silent Night” “Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht!”

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht! Alles schläft, einsam wacht

nur das traute, hochheilige Paar.

Holder Knabe im lokkigen, Haar,

schlaf in himmlischer Ruh, schlaf in himmlischer Ruh.

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 your holy face

With the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus, Lord, at Your birth, Jesus, Lord, at Your birth

(Candles are extinguished. Please continue to keep your candles upright until the wax has cooled, and return them to the ushers as you leave)

Benediction

May God bless you with courage, as you seek the YES within you;

May Christ be born again in every risk you take for the sake of the world; And may the Holy Spirit remind you, again and again, that you are never alone, and that you are loved beyond measure. Amen.

Sending Carol #267 “Joy to the World”

Sending

Glory to God in the highest!

And peace to God’s people on earth!

Go in joy. Embody God’s redeeming grace.

Thanks be to God.

Postlude

Church Staff and today’s worship leaders:

Pastor—Rev. Chris Steubing

Visitation Pastor—Rev. Judi Miller

Communion Assistants—4 pm-Susan Ryder and Asher Steubing

7 pm-Tom and Kathy Pearson