Christmas Eve – December 24, 2020 The Order of Worship at 8:00 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.
1
PRELUDE
Lo! How a Rose E'er Blooming Johannes Brahms Canonic variations on Vom Himmel hoch, BWV 769 J S. Bach
“From Heaven Above” is appropriately the first hymn (#268) in the Christmas section of our hymnal. Martin Luther wrote fifteen stanzas telling the Christmas story, from the angel’s announcement to the baby in the hay to a prayer for us to prepare for the baby “a quiet chamber in my heart,” and ending with us joining the angels’ joyful song. Johann Sebastian Bach wrote these canonic variations in 1745 as part of an application to Leipzig’s “Society for the Musical Sciences.” Much like the beloved “Goldberg Variations,” this music, while academically composed, also has much to admire musically and spiritually. In the scales, one can hear the angels descending to earth. In each of these variations, the canon is imitated at different intervals, winding itself in and around the cantus firmus (hymn tune melody). Scholar Peter Williams writes “…there are moments…that touch the listener, showing how at their best canons create harmonies, melodies and progressions not only otherwise unheard but strangely rapt and intense.” As you listen, may you be drawn into the Christmas story and hear the “glad tidings of great joy.”
PROCLAMATION OF THE BIRTH OF CHRIST Recorded 2019 HYMN 283
2
O Come, All Ye Faithful
Live CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS Blessed be the Holy One of Israel, the Word made flesh, the Power of the Most High, ☊ one God, now and forever. | Amen. Gathered in the name of Jesus, let us confess our sin against God and our neighbor. Gracious God, | in Christ Jesus you come among us as light shining in darkness. We confess our failure to welcome this light. Forgive us 3
and renew our hope, so that we may live in the light of your grace, and welcome the truth of Christ the Lord. 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. Recorded 2019 KYRIE
4
HYMN OF PRAISE
5
Live 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 THE READING Isaiah 9:2-7 Janis LeMieux, lector This poem promises deliverance from Assyrian oppression, a hope based on the birth of a royal child with a name full of promise. While Judah's king 6
will practice justice and righteousness, the real basis for faith lies in God's passion for the people: The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this! The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness — on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. After the reading Word of God, word of life. | Thanks be to God. Recorded 2019 GOSPEL PROCESSION – Stanza 1
7
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. The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the second chapter | Glory to you, O Lord. 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 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. 8
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. The Gospel of the Lord. | Praise to you, O Christ. GOSPEL PROCESSION – Stanza 4 Live SERMON Recorded 2019 HYMN 270
9
Pastor Mark H. Larson
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Live NICENE CREED We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the 10
prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Each portion of the prayers 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 Recorded 2016 ANTHEM
Glory to God in the Highest W. A. Mozart The Redeemer Choir 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
11
Recorded 2019 HYMN 281
12
Silent Night, Holy Night
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. 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
13
Joy to the World
14
Live SENDING Christ is born! Go tell it on the mountain and everywhere. | Thanks be to God. POSTLUDE
Postlude on "Mendelssohn" Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
David Willcocks
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
15