G E L C S , A
D 24, 2024 • 7:00
THE TRUTH BEHIND THE GIFT OF GOD
Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, 1919–2008 © 1984 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199. Tune: arr. Mark Kellner, 1959–2015, alt.; Richard Jeffrey, b. 1952 © 2000 MorningStar Music Publishers, Inc. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199.
+ THE SETTING OF THE GIVING OF THE GIFT +
INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING Luke 2:4, 6-7 read by Emmitt Heiman
4 Joseph (and Mary) went up to Bethlehem. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
ADULT CHOIR—Beside Thy Cradle
I kneel beside thy cradle here, O Jesus, meek and mild, To see my Lord and Savior Dear, the Father’s holy Child.
In humble adoration too the wisemen bow the knee, To bring thee gold and treasure new, thy holy face to see.
Ah dearest Jesus, holy child, receive my homage true, And make my bed soft, undefiled, beside they cradle too.
PRAYER
Oh, Lord, though you created all, how weak you are, so poor and small, that you should choose to lay your head where lowly cattle lately fed! Instead of soft and silken stuff you have but hay and straw so rough on which as king, so rich and great, to be enthroned in royal state.
Amen
+ THE PEOPLE TO WHOM THE GIFT IS GIVEN +
INTRODUCTION AND SECOND READING Luke 2:1-5, 8-18 read by Owen Heiman
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks 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. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 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 spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
ADULT CHOIR—Mary did You Know?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would someday walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new? This child that you delivered, will soon deliver you.
Mary, did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand? Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod? When you kissed your little baby, then you kissed the face of God.
The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again; the lame will leap, the dumb will speak the praises of the Lamb.
Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy was heaven’s perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you’re holding, is the great, the great “I AM!”
Text: Mark Lowry, Buddy Greene © 1991, 1993 Curb Word Music, admin. WC Music Corp./Rufus Music, admin.
“To you this night is born a child of Mary, chosen virgin mild; this little child of lowly birth shall be the joy of all the earth. How glad we’ll be to find it so! Then with the shepherds let us go to see what God for us has done in sending us his own dear Son .
Amen
+ THE FOCUS OF GIVING THE GIFT +
INTRODUCTION AND THIRD READING
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the L Almighty will accomplish this.
Isaiah 9:6-7 read by Xander Heiman
PRAYER from Christian Worship 331, st. 7 & 8
Come here, my friends, lift up your eyes, and see what in the manger lies. Who is this child, so young and fair? It is the Christ Child lying there. Welcome to earth, O noble Guest, through whom the sinful world is blest! You came to share my misery, that you might share your joy with me.
Amen
Text: Polish; tr. Edith M. G. Reed, 1885–1933, alt. Tune: Polish. Text and tune: Public domain.
+ THE PURPOSE OF RECEIVING THE GIFT +
INTRODUCTION AND FOURTH READING
4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.
Nordlie
Galatians 4:4-5 read by Vicar
HYMN—What Child Is This
Text: William C. Dix, 1837–1898, alt. Tune: English, 16th cent. Text and tune: Public domain.
PRAYER from Christian Worship 331, st. 3 & 4
“This is the Christ, our God most high, who hears your sad and bitter cry; he will himself your Savior be from all your sins to set you free.
“He will on you the gifts bestow prepared by God for all below, that in his kingdom, bright and fair, you may with us his glory share.
Amen
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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
+ THE RESULTS OF THE GIFT ON OUR LIVES +
INTRODUCTION AND FIFTH READING
John 1:14, 29 read by Pastor Heiman
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 29 John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
PRAYER from Christian Worship 331, st. 14 & 15
My heart for very joy must leap; my lips no more can silence keep. I too must sing with joyful tongue that sweetest ancient cradle song: Glory to God in highest heav’n, who unto us his Son has giv’n, while angels sing with pious mirth a glad new year to all the earth!
Amen
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.
SILENCE FOR MEDITATION
HYMN—Silent Night
Text: tr. John F. Young, 1820–1885; Franz Joseph Mohr, 1792–1848. Tune: Franz Xaver Gruber, 1787–1863. Text and tune: Public domain.
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor and (+) give you peace.
Amen.
HYMN Away in the Manger Christian Worship 340
THOSE ASSISTING IN WORSHIP TODAY
Ministers
Pastor Ryan Heiman, Vicar Noah Nordlie
Readers............................................................................................... Emmitt, Owen, and Xander Heiman
Accompanist and Choir Director..........................................................................................Jane Neujahr
Acknowledgements:
Text (sts. 1–2): The Myrtle, Boston, 1884; (st. 3): Vineyard Songs, Louisville, 1892, alt. Tune: James R. Murray, 1841–1905. Text and tune: Public domain.
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. To learn more about our congregation, please visit our website: GraceLutheranSAZ.org.
We invite you to join us for these holiday worship services:
HOLIDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Christmas Day Services
Wednesday, December 25
10:00 AM at Grace-Tucson
10:00 AM at Grace-Sahuarita
New Year’s Eve Worship
All Site Service
Tuesday, December 31
5:30 PM at Tucson
Followed by food and fun!
