Christmas Eve – December 24, 2020 The Order of Worship at 6:00 pm To mitigate spread of COVID-19 in our community, on-site activities— including worship services—have been cancelled. Many activities continue, but in different formats: ZOOM for interactive small groups and classes, togo meals for the Food Ministry, and streaming worship services and music from the archives. Our gathering policies will continue to respond to changes in the best public health data available to us. Worship will be Livestreamed from Redeemer with only leaders present. Throughout worship, participants will be masked even as they speak and sing, and each will remain in an area designated for them alone. Similar protections will probably be required when we are able gradually to open worship further, but for now we are glad return to the familiarity of Redeemer and the musical and technical options it provides us. Thanks to all of the lectors and musicians who have led us during the past weeks as we worshiped from home. Please use the links available on the viewing page to let us know that you are worshiping from home, to offer any prayer requests, to let us know if you need help or are available to help a neighbor, and to continue to give to support the ministries that continue, socially distant for the common good. As always, we pray that worship at Redeemer is a blessing for you, even as your participation blesses us, even though we are not together in person. As you are comfortable, we encourage you to sing the hymns and to sing or speak the congregational portions of the liturgy in bold type. This bulletin contains content protected by copyright and is provided only for you to participate in worship. Please delete or destroy any physical or digital copy of the material following the service.
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PRELUDE
The Redeemer Jazz Trio Jerry Fields, Percussion Eric Hassel, Keyboard Bryan Lopes, Woodwinds
PROCLAMATION OF THE BIRTH OF CHRIST Recorded 2019 HYMN 283
O Come, All Ye Faithful
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, Christ the Lord! 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 3. Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God‌ in the highest: Refrain 4. Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning; Jesus, to thee be glory giv'n! Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing: Refrain 2
Live CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, Love from the beginning, Word made flesh, Breath of heaven. | Amen. Let us confess our sinfulness before God and one another, trusting in God’s endless mercy and love. Merciful God, we confess that we are not perfect. We have said and done things we regret. We have tried to earn your redeeming grace, while denying it to others. We have resisted your call to be your voice in the world. Forgive us, loving God. Give us your righteousness, the strength to put aside our failures, and the courage to try again. Amen. The minister announces God’s forgiveness. The people respond: Amen. APOSTOLIC GREETING The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. | And also with you. HYMN 289
Angels We Have Heard on High
1. 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. 2. Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be Which inspire your heav'nly song? Refrain 3
3. Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing; Come, adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn king. Refrain SALUTATION The Lord be with you | And also with you. PRAYER OF THE DAY Let us pray. Almighty God, you made this holy night shine with the brightness of the true Light. Grant that here on earth we may walk in the light of Jesus’ presence and in the last day wake to the brightness of his glory; through your only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. | Amen. CHILDREN’S SERMON GOSPEL Luke 2:1–20 God’s greatest gift comes as a baby in a manger. Angels announce the “good news of great joy” and proclaim God’s blessing of peace. In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. 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. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But 4
the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” 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.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. SERMON Recorded 2019 HYMN 270
Pastor Mark H. Larson
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
1. Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn king; Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled." Joyful, all you nations rise; join the triumph of the skies; With angelic hosts proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem!" Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn king!" 2. Christ, by highest heav’n adored Christ, the everlasting Lord, Late in time behold him come, offspring of a virgin's womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see! Hail, incarnate deity! Pleased as man with us to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel! Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn king!" 3. Hail the heav'n-born Prince of peace! Hail the Sun of righteousness! 5
Light and life to all he brings, ris'n with healing in his wings. Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die, Born to raise each child of earth, born to give us second birth. Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn king!" PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Each petition concludes: Hear us, O God. | Your mercy is great. At the conclusion of the prayers: Amen PEACE The peace of Christ be with you always. | And also with you. Please let us know you worshiped with us today by using the I’m Worshiping link as you would the attendance pad at church. WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS OFFERING MUSIC The Redeemer Jazz Trio Please use the Help and Give links to support the ministry of Redeemer. Live LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES You are invited to lower the lights in your home and join us in lighting a candle to welcome the birth of Jesus. PROLOGUE TO THE GOSPEL OF JOHN Recorded 2019 HYMN 281
Silent Night, Holy Night
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. 6
2. Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight; glories stream from heaven afar, heav'nly hosts sing, alleluia! 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. Live Wonderful Counselor, increase our joy as the church gathers on this holy night to sing of our dear Savior’s birth. May the story of salvation live in the hearts of all who sing of its wonders. God of grace, Hear our prayer. Mighty God, you have broken the yoke of sin’s burden through the birth of your Son. Comfort those whose burdens distract them from the deeper peace of this holy night and grant them a restful mind. God of peace, Hear our prayer. Everlasting Father, uphold all who are in sorrow or need of your divine goodness and mercy. We remember with thanksgiving all who have died and who now rest in your peaceful light. God of love, Hear our prayer. Gracious God, bathe us always in the light of your Word made flesh, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. LORD’S PRAYER 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. 7
BLESSING Almighty God, who sent the Holy Spirit to Mary, proclaimed joy through the angels, sent the shepherds with good news, and led the magi by a star, bless you this day ☊ through the Word made flesh. | Amen. Recorded 2019 HYMN 267
Joy to the World
1. Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her king; Let ev'ry heart prepare him room and heav'n and nature sing. 2. Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ, While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sounding joy. 3. No more let sin and sorrow grow Nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found, Far as the curse is found. 4. He rules the world with truth and grace And makes the nations prove The glories of his righteousness and wonders of his love. Live SENDING Go in peace. Share the gift of Jesus. | Thanks be to God. POSTLUDE 8
The Redeemer Jazz Trio
Liturgy from Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2013 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #21979.
THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER 731 Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30308 www.redeemer.org | 404.874.8664 | Emergency Line: 404.874.9759 The Rev. Mark H. Larson ........................................................... Senior Pastor, ext. 201 The Rev. Ronald Bonner.......................... Pastor for Community Engagement, ext. 203 The Rev. Jonathan Trapp ....................................... Pastor for Faith Formation, ext. 233 The Rev. Jenny McLellan ............................... Pastor for Congregational Care, ext. 224 STAFF Bob Boyd ................................................. Director of Operations and Finance, ext. 232 Seth Brown......................................................... Facilities and Media Director, ext. 218 Robin Durdin .................................................. Office Administration Director, ext. 204 Kate Elkins ..........................................................................Preschool Director, ext. 252 David Hansen ................................................................ Adult Choral Director, ext. 236 Sarah Hawbecker .................................Organist & Children’s Music Director, ext. 206 Deacon Mary Houck ........................... Children & Family Ministries Director, ext. 227 Jennifer Isaacson ............................................. Financial Information Director, ext. 237 Karen Medford .................. Parish Nurse, and Adult Faith Formation Director, ext. 230 Hillary Nelson .................................................. Youth Director, hnelson@redeemer.org Tawanda Searcy ...................................... Receptionist and Wedding Director, ext. 200 Stacey Williams ................................................................................... Head of Security
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