Christmas Eve: In the Beginning

Lisa Frenz 2004

In The Beginning Was The Word

This is a candlelight service using individual candles. There are suggested hymns, anthems and solos, but obviously, these can be changed to suit your needs best.

Order of Worship

Pre-service Music

Prelude and Lighting of Candles

Stand

“Creator of the Stars of Night”

(Renewing Worship Songbook 104, Augsburg Fortress)

Music: CONDITOR ALME SIDERUM

Reading: Titus 2:11-14

P: 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.

A: I hear It singing in my soul: resolving and unresolved, unchanged and ever-changing.

C: A melody of such love, the harmonies of such splendor -

A: Swirling colors of light and dark, twining and compassing me.

P: In him was life, and the life was the light of us all. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.

A: I see It sweeping through my soul: moving and unmoved, leashed and unleashing

C: A breeze of incredible tenderness, the warmth of such beauty -

A: Glowing beams of radiance and shadow, wrapping and rekindling me.

P: And The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have seen his glory, the glory as of the father’s only son. From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For in the beginning was The Word, and The Word was with God and The Word was God.

Sit

“Before this Universe Began” verses 1,5 (See Music)

Michael Aguilar III, Shandy Music Industries, PO Box 10402, Portland, OR 97296.

Before this universe began,

the Light already was.

Before the stars ignited,

the Word already was.

Refrain: A new creation comes to us.

Do not be afraid.

God calls us into harmony

with light for all to see.

Before this wondering race was born,

the Light already was.

Before the ardent soul became,

the Word already was. Refrain

Christ Jesus is the vision new,

the Light born into flesh.

Christ brings to us salvation true,

the Word made manifest. Refrain

Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7

Stand

“Of the Father’s Love Begotten”

Tune Name: DIVINUM MYSTERIUM

Text Source: Text: Marcus Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, 348-413; tr. composite

Music Source: Music: plainsong, mode V, 13th cent.

Oh, that birth forever blessed,

when the virgin, full of grace,

by the Holy Ghost conceiving,

bore the Savior of our race,

and the babe, the world's redeemer,

first revealed his sacred face,

evermore and evermore.

This is he whom seers in old time

chanted of with one accord,

whom the voices of the prophets

promised in their faithful word;

now he shines, the long-expected;

let creation praise its Lord

evermore and evermore.

Reading: Luke 2:1-5

In those days a decree went out . . . and who was expecting a child.

Choir Anthem: “Lo, How a Rose” (arr. W. Michael Aguilar III, Shandy Music Industries, PO Box 10402, Portland, OR 97296. )

(Light the individual candles during the anthem)

Reading: Luke 2:6-7

While they were there,... because there was no place for them in the inn.

“Silent Night, Holy Night!”

Lutheran Book of Worship 65, Augsburg Fortress

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.

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!

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.

Reading: Luke 2:8-14

In that region there were shepherds . . . and on earth peace among those whom he favors!’

“Angels We Have Heard On High”

Tune Name: GLORIA

Text Source: Text: French carol; tr. "Crown of Jesus," 1862

Music Source: Music: French carol; arr. Edward S. Barnes, 1887-1958

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.

Come to Bethlehem and see

Him whose birth the angels sing;

Come, adore on bended knee

Christ the Lord, the newborn king. Refrain

Reading: Luke 2:15-19

When the angels had left them... pondered them in her heart.

“O Little Town of Bethlehem”

Tune Name: ST. LOUIS

Text Source: Text: Phillips Brooks, 1835-1893

Music Source: Music: Lewis H. Redner, 1831-1908

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.

How silently, how silently

The wondrous gift is giv’n!

So God imparts to human hearts

The blessings of his heav’n.

No ear may hear his coming;

But in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive him, still

The dear Christ enters in.

Reading: Luke 2:20

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

(Blow out candles)

Solo: “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”

Sit

Message

Stand

“Holy Child within the Manger”

Tune Name: JOYOUS LIGHT

Text Source: Text: Marty Haugen, b. 1950

Music Source: Music: Marty Haugen, b. 1950

Holy Child within the manger, . . .

Once again we tell the story— . . .

Holy Child within the manger, . . .

Sit

Offering

Solo “O Holy Night” (Adolphe Adam)

Stand

P: Praise belongs to you, oh Lord,

C: The Name above all names!

A: Praise belongs to you, oh Lord,

C: The Word above all words!

P: Praise belongs to you, oh Lord,

C: The Power above all powers!

P: For you are Lord of lords!

A: King of kings!

C: God alone, almighty!

Praise the Creator, our loving Parent!

Praise the Word, our caring Savior!

Praise the Breath of God, our nurturing Mentor!

Praise the Almighty forever! Amen.

“Prepare” (See Music)

W. Michael Aguilar III, Shandy Music Industries, PO Box 10402, Portland, OR 97296.

All

Refrain: Prepare! Prepare! Now is the time of the Lord. . . .

Cantor Go through the gates! Go and clear it of stones! . . . Refrain

Cantor God has proclaimed to the ends of the earth! . . . Refrain

All They shall be called “Holy People of God!” . . . Refrain

P: True God, Giver of Life, Word of our Creator, Spirit of Counsel and Might; God of our essence, be with us now as we join in the celebration of your love.

On the night in which he was betrayed, Jesus took the bread, gave thanks, and broke it and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this often in remembrance of me.”

After supper Jesus took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this often in remembrance of me.”

For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup you make public the Lord’s death until he comes. So, come, eat and drink. This Bread of Life and this Cup of Christ are given for you.

Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

Sit

Distribution of the Bread and Wine

Stand

P: Go now in the knowledge that the body and blood of Christ is your defense and your purpose, your life and your death, your everlasting joy.

C: Amen!

“Infant Holy, Infant Lowly”

Tune Name: W ZLOBIE LEZY

Text Source: Text: Polish carol; tr. Edith M. G. Reed, 1885-1933, alt.

Music Source: Music: Polish carol

Infant holy, infant lowly,

For his bed a cattle stall

Oxen lowing, little knowing,

Christ the child is Lord of all.

Swiftly winging, angels singing,

Bells are ringing, tidings bringing:

Christ the child is Lord of all!

Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping

Vigil till the morning new

Saw the glory, heard the story

Tiding s of a Gospel true.

Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow,

Praises voicing, greet the morrow;

Christ the child was born for you!

Christ the child was born for you.!

Prayer

A: Oh, Jesus Christ, Messiah of us all, grant us the awareness to hear your counsel, the confidence to trust your strength, the faith to receive your life, the grace to accept your peace.

C: Amen.

Psalm 96:

P: Sing to the Lord a new song;

A: Sing to the Lord, all the earth.

C: Sing to the Lord, bless His name;

P: Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. Tell of His glory among the nations,

His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.

C: For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised;

He is to be feared above all gods.

A: For all the gods of the peoples are idols,

But the Lord made the heavens.

C: Splendor and majesty are before Him,

Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.

P: Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,

A: Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

C: Ascribe to the Lord the glory of His name;

P: Bring an offering and come into His courts.

Bow down to the Lord majestic in holiness;

tremble in His presence, all the earth!

C: Declare among the nations, “The Lord is king!”

A: The world stands firm; it cannot be shaken;

He judges the peoples with equity.

C: Let the heavens rejoice and the earth exult;

let the sea and all within it thunder,

the fields and everything in them exult;

P: Then shall all the trees of the forest shout for joy

at the presence of the Lord, for He is coming,

C: For He is coming to rule the earth;

He will rule the world justly,

and its peoples in faithfulness.

“Joy to the World”

Tune Name: ANTIOCH

Text Source: Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748

Music Source: Music: George F. Handel, 1685-1759, adapt.; arr. Lowell Mason, 1792-1872

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

Let earth receive its King:

Let ev’ry heart prepare him room

And heav’n and nature sing,

And heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.

Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!

Let all their songs employ,

While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains,

Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

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, wonders of his love.

P: God comes to us now; comes to embrace us.

C: Emmanuel, God who is with us.

A: For this Child is Peace beyond all peace,

C: Love beyond all loves, Light of light, Song of songs, God almighty!

P: Follow this Child who is Grace beyond all grace,

C: A Gift beyond all gifts, Joy of joys, God made flesh, almighty!

A: Go in joy and love to serve your newborn King!

C: Thanks be to God! Amen!

Postlude