12-24-22 Grace-Tucson Christmas Eve Worship Folder

CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE

Welcome to Grace!

Our mission at Grace is to teach the inspired and inerrant Word of God, to proclaim that Jesus Christ is the crucified and risen Savior of the world, and to nurture believers for lives of Christian service.

Check out the GRACE WEBSITE at GraceLutheranSAZ.org

WORSHIP NOTES

We are very pleased that you have joined us for worship today! We pray that this time will be a blessing for you as God comes to you with his Word and promises, and as you offer him your thanks and praise.

Our service this evening is patterned after the annual “Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” from King’s College in Cambridge, England. While the total number of lessons has been reduced to seven, our Christmas Eve service still directs us to Holy Scripture where we learn the true meaning of Christmas, and it provides us with opportunities to sing our praises to our Savior and King.

The order of worship we will follow is printed in this worship folder for you to follow along and participate. LARGE PRINT worship folders are available at the entrances for those who desire them. If you prefer to sing the hymns from a hymnal, you will find the blue Christian Worship (2021) hymnals in each pew, however, you will find all of the hymns printed in this worship folder as well. Please note the special instructions regarding stanzas to be sung by the choir or the vocalist.

Our service will also include the lighting of candles. Please note the instructions on page 12. If you would prefer a battery-operated candle for you or your children, please ask an usher.

OUR WORSHIP SERIES A SAVIOR IS BORN

The first Christmas sermon was preached to a small congregation consisting entirely of shepherds. The preacher was an angel. The message of his sermon? “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you.”

That is a heavy word: Savior. It says as much about us as it does about this child. If the angel had said “a teacher has been born” or “a mentor has been born,” it would mean that within us exists the potential to fix all that is wrong with the world. It would mean we just need a bit of help: a coach, a mentor, a source of inspiration. But the angel said, “A Savior has been born.” If one needs saving, it means he is totally helpless completely lost doomed, without outside intervention. That is how God the Father viewed us: helpless, lost, doomed. So, he sent more than a coach. He sent his only Son to be our Savior.

After December 25 the secular world is done with Christmas. But for the Church, the season of Christmas is just beginning. For twelve glorious days The Twelve Days of Christmas we will ponder the nativity of the Son of God. We will celebrate what that nativity means. A Savior is born!

Tonight: A Savior Is Born to Change the World Christmas Day: A Savior Is Born to Dwell Among Us Sunday, January 1: A Savior Is Born to Be the True Son Sunday, January 8: A Savior Is Born for All the Nations (The Festival of the Epiphany of Our Lord)

A SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS

PRESERVICE MUSIC

The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming

WELCOME

OPENING HYMN Once in Royal David’s City Christian Worship 343

Choir: Choir: ALL: ALL: Text: Cecil F. Alexander, 1818–1895, abr., alt. Tune: Henry J. Gauntlett, 1805–1876. Public domain.

EXHORTATION

Beloved in Christ, we gather tonight to ponder the words of the angel, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you.” The word “Savior” says as much about us as it does about this child. Before the Christ Child was born, we were helpless, lost, and doomed. But God the Father, because of his infinite love for us, sent his only Son into this sin-destroyed world to be our Savior: a Savior promised to man in the Garden of Eden, a Savior foretold by the prophets, a Savior born miraculously to a virgin, a Savior proclaimed by angels and adored by shepherds, a Savior who changed our relationship with God and opened the gates of heaven for us.

Let us approach God with penitent hearts and ask him to bless our worship tonight:

PRAYER

Gracious Father, when the time had fully come, you sent your Son to carry out your plan to save the world from the tyranny of sin, the threat of death, and the power of Satan. On this holy night, strengthen our faith as we ponder the depth of your divine love.

Lead us to quiet awe as we remember your gracious compassion.

Impress on us the poverty and pain your Son endured in our place, how he willingly set aside his power and place and assumed the weakness of an infant and the starkness of a stable. Lead us to acknowledge the sins which compelled his humiliation and the love which accepted his lowliness. Forgive us and move us to trust in his mission to save us.

Take away our fears and fright, and fill us with joy as we hear the message that Jesus was born for us and that he came to restore peace with you and mend the bond broken by sin. Move us to sing our carols and hymns not with passing pleasure but with the depth of praise for his extraordinary love.

Let our songs and hymns reflect our faith in the redemption gained by Christ.

Lead us to kneel at his manger with hearts of faith and to see there the God-man who takes away the sins of the world. Guide and guard us so that the happiness shared with family and friends does not delay or discourage our journey to his holy crib.

Make the birth of Christ our highest priority and deepest pleasure.

Fill us with an eager joy that moves us to share the good news with others, especially those who may have forgotten or dismissed the love of God in Christ. Give us faith-filled maturity to recognize that the best gift we can give to children is the story of Jesus who was born as a baby and died on a cross to save them for heaven.

Move us to tell the good news we have seen and heard.

Hear us, Lord, as we pray in silence.

Silent prayer

During this hectic holiday, provide us with quiet times to remember what the birth of Jesus really means for us and all people, that he came to free us from the evil forces that separated us from your love, that he lived and died to forgive our sins, and that he rose in triumph to prepare a place where we will live with you forever.

Move us to sing with hearts of faith, “Glory to God in the highest!” Amen.

Please be seated

1 Now the serpent was more clever than any wild animal which the L God had made. He said to the woman, “Has God really said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees of the garden, 3 but not from the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden. God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it. You shall not touch it, or else you will die.’”

4 The serpent said to the woman, “You certainly will not die. 5 In fact, God knows that the day you eat from it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was appealing to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took some of its fruit and ate. She gave some also to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 The eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized that they were naked. They sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for their waists.

Choir: ALL: ALL: Interlude Text: tr. The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, alt.; Paul Gerhardt, 1607–1676, abr. © 1941 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199 Tune: Johann Crüger, 1598–1662. Public domain.

SCRIPTURE READING

8 They heard the voice of the L God, who was walking around in the garden during the cooler part of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the L God among the trees of the garden.

9 The L God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”

10 The man said, “I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid myself.”

11 God said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree from which I commanded you not to eat?”

12

The man said, “The woman you gave to be with me she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”

13 The L God said to the woman, “What have you done?”

The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

14 The L God said to the serpent: Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all the livestock, and more than every wild animal. You shall crawl on your belly, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life.

15 I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will crush his heel.

HYMN—Come, Your Hearts and Voices Raising Christian Worship 362

Please join in singing these stanzas together:

Text: tr. The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, alt.; Paul Gerhardt, 1607–1676, abr. © 1941 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199 Tune: German, 14th cent. Public domain

2

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, from you, will go out the one who will be the ruler for me in Israel. His goings forth are from the beginning, from the days of eternity.

3 Therefore the L will give them up, until the time when the woman who is in labor bears a child. Then the remaining survivors from his brothers will return to the people of Israel.

4 He will stand and shepherd with the strength of the L , in the majesty of the name of the L his God. They will dwell securely, for at that time he will be great to the ends of the earth.

5 This one will be their peace.

HYMN—O Little Town of Bethlehem Christian Worship 333

Please join in singing these stanzas together:

1

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 And everyone went to register, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the town of Nazareth, into Judea, to the town of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was from the house and family line of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, his wife, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child.

6 And so it was that while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

CHOIR ANTHEM—Were You There on That Christmas Night?

Were you there, were you there on that Christmas night, when the world was filled with a holy light? Were you there to behold, when the wonder foretold came to earth?

Did you see, did you see how they hailed Him King, with the gifts so rare that they chose to bring? Did you see how they bowed, as they praised Him aloud at His birth?

Did you hear how the choirs of angels sang at the glory of the sight? Did you hear how the bells of heaven rang all through the night?

Did you know, did you know it was God’s own Son, the salvation of the world begun? Did you know it was love, that was sent from above to the earth? Were you there?

8 There were in the same country shepherds staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified! 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. For behold, I bring you good news of great joy, which will be for all people: 11 Today in the town of David, a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude from the heavenly army, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward mankind.”

HYMN To Shepherds as They Watched by Night Christian Worship 335

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Now let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they told others the message they had been told about this child. 18 And all who heard it were amazed by what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

HYMN—Angels We Have Heard on High Christian Worship 346

ALL: Choir: ALL: Interlude after st. 2

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. 12 It trains us to reject ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope, that is, the glorious appearance of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 14 He gave himself for us, to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people who are his own chosen people, eager to do good works.

HYMN—Now Sing We, Now Rejoice Christian Worship 363

OFFERING

We offer our gifts to our God who has given us more than we could ever ask for and far more than we deserve the promise of forgiveness and eternal life by faith in Jesus Christ, our Savior. If you are our guest tonight and do not wish to give an offering, please do not feel compelled to do so. Online giving is also available online by scanning this QR code: Please use this time fill out the Friendship Register located in the red folder at the end of the row and pass it along. Thank you!

OFFERTORY MUSIC

LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES

The pastor takes the light of the Christ candle to the ushers. They pass the light on to the congregation. Please tip only the unlighted candle to prevent wax from dripping. To light the battery-operated candles, gently twist the bulb at the top.

Manger

CLOSING PRAYER

Almighty God, you made this holy night shine with the brightness of the true light. Grant that as we have known on earth the wonder of that light, we may also behold him in all his glory in the life to come; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

BLESSING

May he who by his incarnation gathered things earthly and heavenly into one fill us with such joy that comes with the knowledge of the forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal life. And the blessing of God Almighty the Father, the (+) Son, and the Holy Spirit be upon you and remain with you always.

Amen.

Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming Away in a

Thank you for joining us for worship this Christmas Eve. We pray that God will continue to strengthen you in your faith through his Word, during this blessed season and beyond. If you are a guest with us today and do not have a church home, we would consider it a special privilege to share God’s Word with you on a regular basis. Please take a Guest Packet at the exit to learn more about our congregation. You can also find us online at GraceLutheranSAZ.org.

We invite you to join us for these holiday worship services:

HOLIDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Christmas Day Services

Sunday, December 25

7:30 AM at Grace-Benson 10:00 AM at Grace-Vail 10:00 AM at Grace-Tucson 10:00 AM at Grace-Sahuarita

New Year’s Eve Worship All Site Service Saturday, December 31 7:00 PM at Grace-Tucson Followed by food and fun!

THOSE ASSISTING IN WORSHIP TODAY

Minister Pastor Tim Patoka Accompanist

Kathy Parra Choir Director

Paul Kassulke Choir Accompanist and Organ

Jim Bakken Vocalists Jay Wiechmann, Missy Wiechmann Piano Duets

Kathy Parra, Beth Kassulke Bowed Psaltry Kathy Parra Flute

Donna Bakken Clarinet Beth Kassulke Trumpet

Pastor Nathan Kassulke Sound and Recording Techs Jeremy Snavely, Danny Koehler, Sam Kassulke

Grace

Grace-Sahuarita 75 W. Sahuarita Rd, Sahuarita, AZ 85629 (520)578-3538

Pastor

Pastor

Pastor

Grace-Benson 451 W. Duane St., Benson, AZ 85602

Grace-Vail Worshipping at Esmond Station Elementary 9400 S. Atterbury Wash Way, Tucson, AZ 85747

Pastor Seth A. Scheuerlein revsas@gracelutheransaz.org

Office at Civano

10501 E. Seven Generations Way, Tucson, AZ 85747 (520)848-4631

Prayer Group Laura Hodgson prayergroup@gracelutheransaz.org

Bible-Based Counselor—Cinda Drescher cinda@gracelutheransaz.org (520)405-3286

Administrative Assistant—Debbie Koehler assistant@gracelutheransaz.org

Worship Coordinator—Beth Kassulke music@gracelutheransaz.org

Office Assistant—Cora Stuhr office@gracelutheransaz.org

Grace Lutheran Church is a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), a group of nearly 400,000 men, women, and children in nearly 1,300 congregations across the United States and Canada united by a common faith in Christ's saving love. We are committed to a common calling encouraging each other in our faith and sharing God's gift of a Savior with the rest of the world. For more information about our synod and what we believe visit: www.wels.net