CHRISTMAS DAY WORSHIP
G E L C T , A D 25, 2024
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.
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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.
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.
There is no cost to park in our parking lot during worship services. If you receive a citation by mistake, please let our office staff know so it can be cleared.
OUR WORSHIP SERIES—THE GIFT OF GOD
When a father puts gifts under the Christmas tree, it is not to compensate his children for doing their chores. That would make whatever is inside that wrapping paper a wage, not a gift. A gift is given voluntarily simply so the giver can show favor to the one receiving the gift, without any expectation of repayment. In the season of Christmas, we receive the gift of God. That does not simply mean we receive the gifts God gives. When we look into the manger, we see that God is the gift.
In the person of Jesus, God gave us himself. And because our God became true man and did everything necessary for our salvation, he is able to give us so many other Christmas gifts: forgiveness, hope, peace, a place in his family, eternal life in paradise. “That is too much!” you object. “I don’t deserve any of it!” True enough. However, none of these things are wages. We could not and need not earn them, because they are gifts, given by our gracious God to show us his favor.
In the season of Christmas, our worship follows this path:
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
First Sunday after Christmas
God Gives Heaven’s Best Gift in Earth’s Unlikeliest Place
God Gives Himself as One of Us
God Gives Both Substitute and Sacrifice Epiphany of Our Lord The Gift of God Is for All People
OUR THEME FOR THIS MORNING
GOD GIVES HIMSELF AS ONE OF US
Have you ever opened a Christmas present and had to ask, “What is it?” Perhaps it was some new type of technology or perhaps a unique toy. You were grateful for the gift, but also not 100% certain what you were looking at. “What is it?” Today, as we look into the manger, we ask that question. In this case, the question is not quickly or easily answered. It requires both deep thought and humble awe. We are looking at the same God who once told the prophet Moses, “No one may see me and live.” Yet, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds all saw their holy God and survived. How? God became human, hiding his glory within our flesh, so that he might come to us without instilling fear or dread.
“What is it?” This gift is God and man in one person, exactly what humanity needed to deliver us from our greatest enemies: sin, death, and Satan. On the Festival of Christmas, we thank God for this greatest of gifts.
+ ORDER OF WORSHIP FOR CHRISTMAS +
PRESERVICE MUSIC
WELCOME
LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE
As we went through the Advent season, part of our preparations included the candles on the Advent wreath. Today we light the candle in the middle of the wreath the Christ Candle. With the lighting of that pure white candle, we are reminded that Jesus has come and that he is the Light of the World!
OPENING HYMN O Come, All Ye Faithful
Christian Worship 354
Text: tr. Frederick Oakeley, 1802
1880, alt.; John F. Wade, c. 1711
1786. Tune: John F. Wade, c. 1711
1786, alt. Text and tune: Public domain.
CHRISTMAS DIALOGUE
Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them.
Luke 1:68
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.
Luke 2:14
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
Luke 1:51-53
Our eyes have seen his salvation, which he prepared in the sight of all nations. Luke 2:30-31
The Spirit of the L will rest on him the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord, and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.
Isaiah 11:2-3
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.
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
Isaiah 9:6-7
Being in very nature God, he did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death even death on a cross!
Philippians 2:6-8
Though he was rich, yet for our sake he became poor, so that we through his poverty might become rich.
2 Corinthians 8:9
God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:9-11
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:17
It is with great joy that we gather this morning to celebrate the birth of our Savior from sin. Even as we rejoice, we remember that our sin is the reason he came. With humble hearts then, let us bow before our God in repentance and ask for his forgiveness:
Father in Heaven, forgive my lack of focus on your love and the sending of your Son during this Christmas season. I know that I am weak, even at Christmas time a most important time for my faith. Forgive these particular sins and all that I have done wrong through Jesus, my Savior. Amen.
Today I can say to you with great joy that your Savior has come! In Him you have full forgiveness of your sins. You are the people upon whom God’s favor rests!
Glory to God in the highest! Amen!
Please be seated
CHOIR ANTHEM Celtic Noel
Noel, Noel, sing we Noel. Noel, Noel, sing we Noel. Born is the King, born is the King, born is the King of Israel.
The first Noel, the angel did say, was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; in fields where they lay keeping their sheep, on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, sing we Noel. Noel, Noel, sing we Noel. Born is the King, born is the King, born is the King of Israel.
They looked up and saw a star shining in the east, beyond them far; and to the earth it gave great light, and so it continued both day and night.
And by the light of that same star, three wise men came from country far; to seek for a king was their intent, and to follow the star wherever it went.
Noel, Noel, sing we Noel. Noel, Noel, sing we Noel. Born is the King, born is the King, born is the King of Israel.
Then let us all with one accord sing praises to our heavenly Lord, who hath made heav’n and earth of naught, and with his blood, and with his blood, and with his blood our life hath bought. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel. Born is the King of Israel. Born is the King of Israel.
Noel, Noel, sing we Noel. Noel, Noel, sing we Noel. Born is the King, born is the King, born is the King, sing we Noel. Born is the King of Israel. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel. Sing we Noel!
Worship Choir
READING AND DEVOTION
18 Then Moses said, “Please show me your glory.”
Exodus 33 18-23; 34:5-7
19 The L said, “I will make all my goodness pass in front of you, and I will proclaim the name of the L in your presence. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy.” 20 He said, “You cannot see my face, for no human may see me and live.”
21 The L also said, “Look, there is a place next to me, where you shall stand on the rock. 22 It will happen that, while my glory passes by, I will put you in a crevice in the rock. I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will take away my hand, and you will see my back. But my face will not be seen.”
5 The L came down in the cloud. He took his stand there with Moses and proclaimed the name of the L . 6 The L passed by in front of him and proclaimed: “The L , the L , the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, and overflowing with mercy and truth, 7 maintaining mercy for thousands, forgiving guilt and rebellion and sin. He will by no means clear the guilty. He calls their children and their children’s children to account for the guilt of the fathers, even to the third and the fourth generation.” PRAYER
+ God Gave Himself as One of Us +
READING AND DEVOTION
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him everything was made, and without him not one thing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. 5 The light is shining in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man, sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as an eyewitness to testify about the light so that everyone would believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light.
9 The real light that shines on everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to what was his own, yet his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who did receive him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
13 They were born, not of blood, or of the desire of the flesh, or of a husband’s will, but born of God.
14 The Word became flesh and dwelled among us. We have seen his glory, the glory he has as the only-begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
15 John testified about him. He cried out, “This was the one I spoke about when I said, ‘The one coming after me outranks me because he existed before me.’” 16 For out of his fullness we have all received grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. The only-begotten Son, who is close to the Father’s side, has made him known.
Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda,
HYMN—Of the Father’s Love Begotten
Text: Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, 348–c. 413, abr.; (sts. 1–4): tr. John Mason Neale, 1818–1866, alt.; (st. 5): tr. Henry W. Baker, 1821–1877, alt. Tune: plainsong, 13th cent. Text and tune: Public domain.
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 today and do not wish to give an offering, please do not feel compelled to do so. If you prefer, use your smart phone to give online by scanning this QR code:
Please fill out the Friendship Register located in the red folder at the end of the row and pass it along. Thank you!
OFFERTORY—Who Would Send a Baby?
Who would send a baby to heal a world in pain? Who would send a baby, a tiny child? When the world is crying for the Promised One, who would send his only Son?
Who would send a baby to light a world with love? Who would send a baby, a tiny child? When the world is hoping for the Promised One, who would send his only Son?
Who would choose a manger to cradle a king? Who would send angels to sing? Who would hang a star in the sky above to shine on the gift of his infinite love?
Who would send a baby to bless a world with peace? Who would send a baby, a tiny child? When the world is yearning for the Promised One, who would send a baby? Who would send a baby? Who would send his only begotten Son?
Vocal Duet
Tune: Geistliche Lieder auffs new gebessert, Wittenberg, 1535, ed. Joseph Klug. Public domain. Text: Paul Gerhardt, 1607–1676, abr.; tr. Michael D. Schultz, b. 1963 © 2021 Northwestern Publishing House. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199.
Please stand
CLOSING PRAYER
Father in heaven, we ask that as our worship comes to a close on this Christmas morning, your Spirit would continue to work in our hearts so that the joy we have in Christ our Savior now will fill our hearts at all times. We also ask that you use us to share the joyous message of salvation in Jesus with those who do not know your Son as their Lord and the Savior of the world.
Amen.
BLESSING
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.
Please be seated
Thank you for joining us for worship on this Christmas Day. 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.
Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748. Tune: George Frideric Handel, 1685-1759, adapt. Text and tune: Public domain.
POSTLUDE—Joy to the World
Nigel Williams